Best Pocket DAB Radio 1

The top 10 best pocket DAB radios available now

The best pocket DAB radio is a reliable, convenient, and user-friendly tool for the modern audiophile. While your smartphone is great, the best personal DAB radio gives you the freedom to listen to your music wherever you are, without draining battery life.

With pocket radios, you’ll have endless access to FM and digital channels, without having to tune into the internet and spend a fortune on data roaming. Plus, many of the mini DAB radio products on the market today feature extra features to make your life more convenient, like waterproofing.

Today’s list of pocket radio reviews will highlight some of our favorite compact DAB radios, ideal for all kinds of listeners. We’ve chosen each product based on a comprehensive assessment of performance, quality, and price.

Read on for your complete guide to portable DAB radios.

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1. Roberts SportsDAB 5 pocket DAB radio

Roberts is one of the most popular names in radio technology for a reason. This fantastic UK company delivers some of the highest-quality products that money can buy, along with exceptional style and functionality too.

The Roberts SportsDAB 5 is the Roberts brand solution to music and radio shows on-the-go. We’ve had the opportunity to review this system in the past, and found it to be a sensational piece of lightweight and compact equipment.

Available for a little under £60, the Roberts Radio SportsDAB 5 is one of the more affordable products in the Roberts portfolio. However, despite its budget price and its minimal size, this portable DAB radio doesn’t fall short when it comes to sound quality and performance.

You’ll have access to FM, DAB and DAB+ radio at the touch of a button, with a substantial backlit display that makes it easy to browse through content. There’s even 10 presets available to make finding your favourite channel simpler.

Features include:

  • FM, DAB, and DAB+ radio
  • 10 direct preset options
  • Key lock to stop you from pressing buttons when it’s in your pocket
  • Battery-powered
  • Earphones included
  • Sleep timer for listening when you’re settling down to snooze

Like most products from the Roberts brand, the SportsDAB 5 is a high-quality piece of equipment that combines robust quality and style with excellent performance. Not only do you get plenty of capabilities to enjoy, but you’ll find that this radio is incredibly easy to use too.

Just make sure that you get some rechargeable batteries to keep the cost of powering your radio low.

Pros:

  • Exceptional sound quality
  • Attractive and lightweight design
  • Roberts attention-to-detail and quality
  • Stereo headphones included
  • 10 direct presets available

Cons:

  • Batteries could last a lot longer
  • Battery charger doesn’t come with the standard radio
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2. Majority Petersfield-Go

Another of the best personal DAB radios available today is the Majority Petersfield-Go. This nifty little pocket DAB radio is one of the most popular products on the market today – coming with a price tag of just under £40.

Not only does this fantastic pocket radio look great, but it’s brimming with features to enhance your listening experience too. There’s a clip-on pocket clasp to keep your radio in place when you’re on the move, and the whole system is USB rechargeable, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on batteries.

Like many of the other mini DAB radios and audio kits from Majority, the Petersfield-Go comes with a 36-month warranty included for extra peace of mind.

This useful personal radio is equipped with DAB and DAB+ connectivity, as well as FM channels. Additionally, the earphones included with the device come with their own internal aerial.

Features include:

  • 36-month warranty
  • Headphones included with internal aerial
  • USB rechargeable with included cable
  • DAB and DAB+ as well as FM connectivity
  • Clip for your pocket

The Petersfield-Go stands out as one of the best pocket DAB radios because it offers a low-priced solution for listening to tunes and programs on the go. The sound quality is a little patchy at times though – as it depends on the headphones you’re using with the kit.

Pros:

  • USB charging means you can avoid spending on batteries
  • 36-month warranty included
  • Easy to use with large buttons

Cons:

  • Earphones included aren’t ideal
  • Sound quality can be a bit patchy
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3. Sony XDR-P1 portable DAB radio

The Sony XDR-P1 is just a little larger than some of the other personal radios that we’ll be reviewing here today. However, its small and lightweight enough to carry with you on the go – so we’re still going to class it as a mini DAB radio for our purposes.

Designed to deliver excellent audio quality on the go, the Sony XDR can either be the ultimate personal radio for custom listening, or it can be a mini speaker that allows you to share your music with your friends and loved ones.

There’s a digital amplifier included in the kit to help you get exceptional dynamic sound, despite the relatively small size of the device. What’s more, you can set up to 20 “memories” on the radio for the stations you want to re-visit.

At just under £70 the Sony is a little more expensive than some options on this list, but it does deliver great quality, with features like:

  • A built-in headphone jack
  • Sleep feature mode
  • 20 preset stations available
  • In-built speaker for group listening
  • FM/DAB and DAB+ connectivity
  • Autotune feature

More than just an upgraded MP3 player, the Sony XDR gives today’s listeners access to the incredible music quality that they would expect from a DAB radio – just in a more convenient size.

The fact that the system is rechargeable also means that you don’t have to constantly buy new batteries to power it with. Just keep in mind that the volume is limited when you’re using headphones.

Pros:

  • One of the most robust mini DAB radios out there
  • Great audio quality with in-built amplifier
  • Great for personal or group listening
  • Fantastic reception

Cons:

  • Slightly bigger than some pocket radios
  • Not a lot of volume when using headphones
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4. Pure Move R3 pocket radio

Pure is another leading radio brand that we just love to review here at Radio Fidelity. The company offers sensational design and stunning features for true audiophiles and radio lovers.

With the Pure Move R3, you can get all the benefits of state-of-the-art Pure audio in a tiny package that fits neatly into anyone’s pocket.

The Pure Move R3 comes with access to DAB, DAB+ and FM stations, and it’s excellent at finding a connection quickly. The ultra-clear LED display makes it easy to search through your digital content for the music that you want.

What’s more, the tempered glass screen ensures that you don’t have to worry about accidentally scratching your radio with a set of keys when it’s bouncing around in your pocket.

Although this is one of the best personal DAB radios we’ve found so far – it’s not one of the most affordable, priced at around £90.

However, you will get features like:

  • FM, DAB and DAB+ audio
  • Up to 20 preset stations 
  • Sleep timer
  • Included earphones
  • 3 dedicated preset buttons
  • 15 hours of listening playback
  • Excellent sound quality

The Pure Move R3 is a sleek and reliable personal radio, ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on style or sound quality when they’re on the move. You can also upgrade to the UK Move T4 if you want access to Bluetooth – although this device is a little bulkier.

Pros:

  • Noise-canceling headphones included
  • Rechargeable (no batteries need)
  • Multiple preset options
  • Excellent battery life
  • Great sound quality

Cons:

  • Quite expensive
  • No Bluetooth or extra features
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5. AZATOM Pro Sports S1

AZATOM is a brand that we reference quite frequently in our reviews of the top 10 DAB radios and other audio devices. Usually, AZATOM stands out in the radio marketplace as a brand that offers high-quality products at a very low price.

The AZATOM Pro Sports S1 is one of the mini DAB radios on the UK market today that was specifically designed for athletes and people who like to “tune in” when they’re out and about.

If you don’t want to be distracted by your smartphone when you’re going out for a jog, the AZATOM Pro Sports will give you access to all the FM, DAB and DAB+ channels you could want, without any complicated bells and whistles.

The tempered durable screen and rubber components protect the device when it’s bouncing around in your pocket. What’s more, the huge 1,800mAH battery offers up to 30 hours of playtime.

For just a little over £30, the AZATOM Sports will give you access to a host of excellent features including:

  • An easy to use LED screen
  • Premium design with high-quality components
  • Reliable crystal-clear audio
  • 20 hours of battery life
  • DAB, DAB+ and FM radio
  • 3-year warranty

Although there are slightly more luxurious pocket DAB radios out there, the AZATOM is a great choice for anyone who wants a device that gets the job done for an affordable price. The time and date even set themselves automatically, so you don’t have to worry about constantly updating yet another device in your life.

Pros:

  • Durable design is great for athletes
  • DAB, DAB+ and FM connectivity
  • Simple to use with robust screen
  • 3-year warranty included
  • 20 hours of playback

Cons:

  • Limited sound quality and volume
  • Aerial bends very easily
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6. Roberts Radio Play 10

The Roberts Radio Play 10 is more of a personal radio than a “pocket” radio. However, since it will fit in most hoodie pockets or large jackets, we’re going to include it in our list of the best pocket DAB radios.

Designed for convenience and portability, the Roberts Radio Play 10 comes with a convenient carrying handle so you can keep it locked to your wrist at all times. Additionally, the system can work as a portable speaker as well as a radio.

If you’re looking for amazing audio quality and robust design, you can’t go wrong with a Pocket DAB radio from Roberts, and the Play 10 is an excellent example of that.

This unique device won’t break the bank at only £30, and it comes with multiple pre-sets to help you find your ideal stations in a hurry.

Features include:

  • FM, DAB and DAB+ stations
  • Carrying handle
  • Headphone socket or speaker option
  • Multiple presets for finding the music you love
  • Robust design
  • Reliable easy-to-use screen
  • Large buttons

While this device is a little bigger than some of the other personal DAB radios that we’ve covered, it offers a great low-cost option to people who want a solution for both personal and group listening in one neat package.

If you don’t want to spend much, but you want to get value from a brand you know you can trust, this could be the perfect portable radio for you.

Pros:

  • Incredibly low price
  • Reliable and robust design
  • Works as a speaker or personal radio
  • Carry handle for easy portability
  • Multiple presets available

Cons:

  • Larger than some pocket radios
  • Buttons are a little small for some fingers
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7. Pure Move T4 pocket radio

The Pure Move T4 pocket radio is basically a step up from the Pure Move R3. However, with this device, you get not just a personal radio, but a reliable speaker too.

Designed to help you enjoy all of your favourite stations and music on the go, the Pure Move T4 is a DAB and FM radio with access to Bluetooth, and a built-in speaker. The full-colour screen even helps you to search through your tracks for the music you want to play with ease.

This portable DAB radio gives all users access to the music that they want to stream straight from their tablet or smartphone. You can also enjoy up to 22 hours of playback with a single charge – with no extra batteries required.

For a little under £95, the Pure Move T4 rechargeable pocket DAB radio comes with features like:

  • DAB, FM, and DAB+ radio
  • Bluetooth streamlining
  • Portable impact-resistant design
  • Colour screen for ease of use
  • 22 hours of battery power
  • 3-year warranty included

With a 3 year warranty for peace of mind, the Pure Move T4 is an easy way to get your hands on future-proof technology as well as great audio quality.

Once again, this product is a little bigger than some of the other pocket DAB radios that we’ve reviewed, but it should still be small enough to fit easily into your pocket or backpack when you’re on the move.

Pros:

  • Excellent Bluetooth streaming
  • 22 hours of battery life from a single charge
  • 3 years warranty included
  • Portable design with tempered glass and impact resistance
  • Rechargeable

Cons:

  • Larger than some pocket radios
  • Quite expensive
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8. Lava Kaliko pocket DAB radio

The Lava Kaliko mini DAB radio is one of the cheaper pocket radios we’ve looked at today. However, sometimes great things really can come in more affordable packages.

This sleek and stylish machine is the perfect pocket partner for people on the go, offering FM, DAB and DAB+ radio at the touch of a button. You’ll get about 10 hours of listening per charge – which is pretty impressive when you consider that you’re getting this device for just over £25.

The Kaliko pocket radio comes with a DAB+ digital tuner that automatically scans for stations on your behalf, and there are 20 presets available so you can save the channels that you like to listen to.

The interface is very easy to use for beginners, with a large and easy-to-read screen. What’s more, the built-in rechargeable battery means that you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on batteries when you’re trying to listen to music on the go.

Designed with premium materials, this fantastic personal radio comes with headphones and a USB charging cable included, as well as features like:

  • Easy-to-use volume controls and dynamic range control
  • Ten-hour battery charge
  • Built-in rechargeable battery pack
  • DAB, DAB+ and FM radio
  • Headphones and USB cable
  • 20 radio presets

While the audio quality could be a little more amazing with the Kaliko, it’s a lot better than you would usually expect from such an affordable pocket device. What’s more, because you’re buying from a British brand, you get exceptional easy-to-access customer service seven days a week if anything goes wrong with your device.

Pros:

  • Budget-friendly price
  • Easy-to-use interface with large screen
  • 20 presets for your favourite channels
  • Manual and automatic tuning available
  • Headphones included

Cons:

  • Limited sound quality
  • No button lock feature
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9. Goodmans GDPRDAB pocket DAB radio

Goodmans is another name that shows up regularly in discussions about some of the best personal DAB radios on the market.

Unlike many of the pocket radios, you’ll find elsewhere today, the Goodmans GDPRDAB pocket radio comes with a built-in speaker, so you can share your music and favourite radio programmes with your friends if you want to.

The ultra-slim design makes this device easy to take with you on the go, and there’s even a radio signal strength indicator so you can see when you might be about to move out of broadcasting range.

There are multiple languages to choose from when you’re setting up your system, and the rechargeable battery reduces the amount that you have to spend on batteries for your kit.

For a little less than £35, the Goodmans personal radio comes with:

  • A rechargeable lithium-ion battery
  • Built-in speaker for group listening
  • FM and DAB radio
  • 20 presets available
  • Headphone jack
  • Extendable aerial

Unfortunately, there are a few things missing from this pocket radio too, such as the option to tune into DAB+ radio and any opportunities for Bluetooth streaming.

Additionally, the battery only lasts for a maximum of 6 hours at a time, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re charging it regularly.

Pros:

  • Affordable design
  • Easy to use with a tremendous multi-language screen
  • Slim and portable
  • Radio signal strength indicator included
  • Speaker for group listening

Cons:

  • Limited battery life
  • No DAB+
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10. Yaakin K1 personal radio

Finally, we come to the Yaakin K1, a low-cost pocket radio that aims to offer exceptional audio quality on the move. This portable digital radio is intended for people who spend a lot of their time outside.

The robust design makes it excellent for athletes who might accidentally bump and bash their radio when they’re running and climbing. Additionally, there’s the option to set up to 60 stations as “remembered” options on your radio, so you can find any channel you need in an instant.

The USB rechargeable battery included in the Yaakin K1 can offer up to 12 hours of battery life when you’re on the go, and there are headphones included as part of the kit with a built-in antenna.

With the option to choose between DAB and FM radio you’re sure to find something you want to listen to. For peace of mind, Yaakin even offers a 12-month warranty.

For a little over £30, the Yaakin K1 comes with features like:

  • 12-month warranty
  • USB rechargeable battery
  • Integrated signal with a built-in antenna in headphones
  • 60 preset options
  • Multiple colours to choose from

Compared to some of the other best personal DAB radios on the market, the Yaakin is a little basic in its design. However, if you’re looking for something durable that can get the job done when you’re out and about, this portable radio has you covered.

It’s a shame that it doesn’t come with a clip to hold it to your pocket, though.

Pros:

  • Rechargeable USB battery saves money on batteries
  • 60 presets available
  • Multiple colours to choose from
  • 12-month warranty included

Cons:

  • No DAB+
  • No clip for your pocket
  • Limited sound quality

Choosing your new portable DAB radioo

As you can see from our list of some of the best personal DAB radios on the market above, there are a lot of different models available to choose from today. Whether you’re looking for something durable and robust that isn’t going to be damaged by your daily jog or you want something that you can use as a speaker when you’re hanging out with friends, there’s something for everyone.

Of course, the wide range of options available to choose from in the land of pocket radios also means that you might have a harder time making the right decision about where to spend your money. With that in mind, here are some of the key things that you might need to consider when making your choice:

Design

While a home radio needs to look beautiful and stylish, you can easily compromise on appearance for your pocket radio if it means getting a more durable device. Look for something that isn’t going to easily break when it’s in your pocket.

Connectivity options

As well as opting for a DAB radio, you might also want to consider whether you can find something with DAB+ too , as this will help you to be prepared for the future when DAB+ is more available. Don’t forget to consider other connectivity options too, such as Bluetooth for streaming content from your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Speaker options

Do you want your pocket radio to be something that you only use for private and personal listening, or do you want to share your audio with friends sometimes too? Many pocket DAB radios come with an additional speaker built-in today.

Handy features

When you’re browsing through the descriptions for some of the leading pocket radios on the market, keep an eye on the features that are available with them. For instance, it’s always useful to have a key lock feature included with your pocket radio so you’re not going to accidentally press buttons when the device is in your pocket.

Easy portability

Not all personal DAB radios are as portable as they should be. Some devices are lightweight, but still bulky enough that they’ll take up a lot of space if you’re trying to stay streamlined. Think about how small you need your personal radios to be. Additionally, it might be worth thinking about the extra features that could make your radio easier to transport, such as a carry strap or a pocket clip.

Battery life and charging

Some of the best pocket DAB radios are powered entirely by standard batteries, whereas others come with a lithium-ion battery that you can charge using a USB cable. A rechargeable battery will save you money in the long-term, however it’s important to make sure that it offers enough of battery life for your needs. Anything less than 10 hours could mean that you need to recharge your radio half-way through the day.

There’s no one size fits all option for choosing the ultimate personal DAB radios. However, considering the factors above, and reading through some of the pocket radio reviews left on sites like Amazon will help you to make a more informed decision.

Which is the best pocket DAB radio?

There’s no one-size-fits-all when choosing the best pocket DAB radio. Your preferences regarding design, performance, budget, and features will all come into play. Hopefully, however, our pocket radio reviews above have given you some helpful inspiration

If you’re searching for something easy to use and affordable, then the Majority Petersfield-Go is a fantastic budget-friendly choice with plenty of high-quality features built-in.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for exceptional sound quality above all else, then the Pure Move T4 pocket radio has everything you could want from a personal radio and speaker. The Pure Move T4 also comes with Bluetooth streaming options so you can use it as a mini speaker at home or on-the-go too!

Mini DAB radios are an excellent way to make sure that you always have access to the radio channels and programs that you love – even when you’re not in your car or enjoying the comfort of your home.

Which is your favourite pocket radio on the market today? Have we covered it in the reviews above? If not, share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

If you need more help choosing a different kind of radio, don’t forget to check out our full range of radio reviews here at Radio Fidelity too!

Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.

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