You may find yourself pondering about the unique benefits that traditional radios still hold amidst the advent of music streaming platforms and intelligent speakers.
No matter if you tune into Greg James’s Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Nick Grimshaw’s Radio 6 program during your morning commute, or groove to dance tracks on Heart Dance, radio provides a structured routine for your day while also introducing you to new musicians, tunes, and facts – it’s here to stay.
I’ve witnessed the incredible evolution of radio since its debut commercial broadcast in 1920, and one such leap forward is Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). DAB transforms analog audio into a digital signal, providing a service that automatically tunes to your favorite stations. Compared to FM radio, DAB offers superior sound quality and quicker transitions. The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation pioneered the first DAB channel in 1995, with the BBC and Swedish Radio joining soon after the same year. As a supporter, I’m always amazed by the progress that keeps enhancing our radio experience!
DAB+ represents an advanced form of the original DAB technology. It’s significantly more efficient, offers superior audio quality, and can transmit a greater number of radio stations. Generally, modern DAB radios are equipped with DAB+ functionality.
What makes DAB radio special? For starters, it’s a reliable technology that offers an old-school approach to music listening if you prefer to avoid virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Moreover, many DAB radios are wireless, allowing for portability, and they come equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, transforming them into versatile speakers that can be easily connected to your smart devices.
If you’re considering a change in your music streaming service, explore our comparisons between Amazon Music and Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music, and Apple Music versus Spotify. We also provide a guide to the top music streaming services in the UK for your convenience.
Jump to:
- Best DAB radios in 2025 at a glance
- What to consider when buying a DAB radio
- Best DAB radios to buy in 2025
Best DAB radios in 2025 at a glance:
- Best budget DAB radio: VQ Dexter DAB Radio, £44.99
- Best portable DAB radio: i-box Portable DAB Radio, £44.99
- Best retro DAB radio: Emma Bridgewater Strawberries Retro Mini DAB Radio,
£99.99£64.99 - Most compact DAB radio: Rambler BT, £129.99
- Best alarm clock DAB radio: Pure Siesta Digital Radio, £68.95
- Best smart DAB radio: Philips TAM2505/10 DAB+/FM Bluetooth Radio, £51.66
- Best sustainable DAB radio: Pure Evoke Spot, £102.15
- Best DAB radio for design: Roberts Revival Uno BT, £149.99
- Best premium DAB radio: Roberts Revival iStream, £189.99
- Best display on a DAB radio: Ruark Audio R1 Mk4 Deluxe Bluetooth Radio, £239
What to consider when buying a DAB radio
Before you purchase a DAB radio, there are a few things to consider.
To start off, let me ask about its intended use. Are you planning to use this radio in a fixed location, such as on your kitchen counter, or do you require something portable? If portability is important to you, factors like weight, size, battery life duration, and whether it’s wireless or wired should be considered carefully.
Up next: functions. Is the DAB radio able to connect with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi? How many speakers does it come equipped with? Does it have a screen, and is there a preference for it? Apart from tuning in to the radio, what other purposes could this device serve? For instance, can it function as an alarm clock?
Afterwards, you’ll find an array of stylish options for DAB radios. These include vintage-inspired models with a cool retro look, as well as modern designs available in bold colors and unique patterns.
Last but not least, let’s discuss budget. When it comes to buying something, the amount you can afford to spend is crucial. Our top picks for radios span a wide price range, with options starting at £44.99 and reaching up to £239.
If you enjoy both attending live concerts and listening to music, be sure to check out our top picks for concerts and tours happening in 2025 from our Going Out section’s guide.
Best DAB radios to buy in 2025
Roberts Rambler BT
Most compact DAB radio
Pros:
- Fantastic volume range
- Small footprint
- Aesthetically pleasing
Cons:
- Short battery life
Roberts Revival iStream
Best premium DAB radio
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Large display screen
- Built-in streaming
- Gorgeous colourways
Cons:
- Expensive
The Roberts Revival iStream carries a premium cost, yet we believe its value justifies the expense. Not only does it boast an appealing design reminiscent of the 1950s, with vibrant color options like Sunburst Yellow, Berry Red, and Duck Egg, but it also packs numerous cutting-edge features to go along with its good looks.
Looking for some new earphones? Take a look at the best AirPods alternatives.
VQ Dexter DAB Radio
Best budget DAB radio
Pros:
- Headphone jack for private listening
- Lightweight
- Cheap
Cons:
- Batteries not included
- Doesn’t support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
When shopping for a DAB radio, price is a crucial factor, especially if you’re working with a budget. A fantastic option to consider is the one available on Very, which weighs only 422g, making it portable. Ideal for outdoor activities such as picnics at the park. Although it would be nice if it had a handle, considering its low price, we can’t really complain. It retails for £44.99 and comes in a walnut color scheme.
For more on speakers, take a look at the best Amazon Echo deals for this month.
Plus, here are the best Amazon Fire TV Stick deals.
Pure Siesta Digital Radio
Best alarm clock DAB radio
Pros:
- Alarm clock
- Wireless charging pad
- Display screen
- Supports Bluetooth
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Wi-Fi
This digital radio offers more than just 40 pre-programmed stations. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to use it as a speaker for any music you desire – be it dancing to Kylie Minogue’s I Believe in You while cooking or winding down with The Jam’s English Rose in the evening. In addition to an alarm clock function, this DAB radio also includes a kitchen timer and a headphone output for private listening.
Ruark Audio R1 Mk4 Deluxe Bluetooth Radio
Best display on a DAB radio
Pros:
- Adaptive EQ listening experience
- OLED display with auto dimming
- Alarm
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy at 1.5kg
Compared to the lightweight Spectrum Solo Portable DAB+/FM Digital Radio that tips the scales at only 0.35kg, the Ruark Audio R1 Mk4 Deluxe Bluetooth Radio is noticeably heavier, tipping the scale at 1.5kg. However, its heftiness might be its sole drawback. This wireless DAB radio features adaptive EQ, a technology that fine-tunes music frequencies for a more uniform listening experience, similar to what Apple uses in their products. The radio’s control system is user-friendly, and it doubles as an alarm and Bluetooth receiver.
If you enjoy both attending live concerts and listening to music, make sure to follow our ‘Going Out’ section for the newest ticket announcements.
Philips TAM2505/10 DAB+/FM Bluetooth Radio
Best smart DAB radio
Pros:
- Bluetooth compatible
- Alarm clock
Cons:
- Large
- Heavy at 1.71kg
Equipped with an aerial, both ceiling/wall mount options, and remote control, the Philips DAB radio offers versatile placement and effortless operation. It even features a buzzer alarm that lets you start your day by tuning into your last-played radio station, adding a pleasant touch to those early morning wake-ups at 7am.
Emma Bridgewater Strawberries Retro Mini DAB Radio
Best retro DAB radio
Pros:
- Small footprint
- Bluetooth connection
- Designer print
- 60 radio pre-sets
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Wi-Fi
Without a doubt, if there was an award for the most delightful design, the Emma Bridgewater strawberries radio would be the undisputed winner! This petite device is Bluetooth enabled, allowing you to stream music from services such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Deezer, in addition to tuning into 60 pre-programmed radio stations.
Are you looking for some high-quality wireless earbuds? If so, I recommend checking out top options that serve as great alternatives to AirPods.
Roberts Revival Uno BT
Best DAB radio for design
Pros:
- Compact
- Fantastic sound
- Brilliant colourways
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Wi-Fi
The Roberts Radio website is fantastic because it features numerous customer reviews, allowing you to see what other buyers have said about the product before making a purchase. The Revival Uno BT is essentially a compact redesign of the classic Revival model, but despite its smaller size, it doesn’t compromise on quality in any way. You can tune into DAB, DAB+, and FM radio stations with exceptional sound clarity, and you have the convenience of saving your preferred station presets for quick, one-touch access.
Pure Evoke Spot
Best sustainable DAB radio
Pros:
- Supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- Foldable display
- Sustainable
Cons:
- Plug-in charge
This intelligent speaker is capable of tuning into FM and DAB radio stations, as well as streaming content online. This means you can enjoy your preferred music, artists, podcasts, or audiobooks at any given moment. The radio’s exterior is made from eco-friendly and recycled wool, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability without compromising performance. The sound quality is impressive, thanks to a 3-inch full range speaker and a bass reflex port. It also boasts 20W of audio power.
i-box Portable DAB Radio
Best portable DAB radio
Pros:
- Small footprint
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Inexpensive
- Three year warranty
Cons:
- Only five pre-set stations
- Not Bluetooth or Wi-Fi compatible
This portable DAB radio from i-box is an affordable and enjoyable option, priced at only £49.99. It boasts a range of features, including a sleep timer for automatic shutoff during sleep, an LCD display screen, and a headphone jack. Although it offers fewer pre-set stations compared to other DAB radios (with just five), you can access up to 60 stations using this device.
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