10 best pocket radio devices to take with you anywhere

1. Jameson Electronics pocket AM/FM radio (best tuning)

The Jameson pocket radio is a sleek and sophisticated device, offering easy access to all your favorite FM and AM channels. 

This small pocket radio is about the same size as a smartphone, and it’ll fit into your pocket just as easily. 

The simple tuner includes an LED tuning indicator, telescopic antenna, and powerful digital chip.

Jameson makes dialing into suitable channels easy, with an extendable aerial for better connections, and an easy-to-use interface. We’d even recommend this product for elderly users. 

Ideal for sports, news, and music, the Jameson Electronic pocket AM/FM radio uses 2 AA batteries for power, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to recharge (unless you want to). 

Compact, slim, and weighing just 5 ounces, this pocket radio has it all. 

Features include:

• LED tuning indicator
• Telescopic antenna
• Excellent easy-to-use interface
• Long-lasting performance
• Battery power or rechargeable battery
• Compact and lightweight construction
• 12-month replacement warranty

Compared to some of the pocket radios available today, the Jameson is a pretty simple product. 

If you’re looking for something lightweight that’s easy to use and tune – this could be the ideal item for you. 

The Jameson weighs just under 5 ounces, and it comes with a 12-month guarantee. 

Just be aware that the speaker isn’t very loud, so you might not be able to listen with friends. 

2. Vondior pocket radio (best battery life) 

Promising an excellent reception and incredible audio performance, the Vondior mini pocket radio is a treat for radio lovers. 

Designed to give you a break from relying on your phone and other digital technology, the Vondior stood out during our pocket radio reviews. 

It offers easy access to AM/FM radio stations, and you don’t have to worry about being out of entertainment if you lose power. 

The Vondior provides a smooth and clean quality of sound – great for picking up your favorite radio channels. 

The large built-in speaker means that you can quickly fill a room with music. 

This leading pocket radio also offers an excellent alternative for eating up your smartphone batteries. According to Vondior, a set of AA batteries lasts for weeks! 

For a price of around $15, the Vondior provides features like:

• Convenient tuning experience
• AM/FM radio access
• Consistent performance with AA battery power
• Power lasts for weeks at a time
• Excellent sound performance
• Compact and durable 
• Extendable aerial for a better reception
• Headphone socket included

There are a lot of points to love about the Vondior radio, from its headphone socket so you can listen to music privately, to its sleek and lightweight design. 

There are, however, a few problems too. The tuning is a little sensitive at times, and you need the antenna to be constantly extended to have the best range. 

3. Sony ICFP26 portable (best reliability)

The Sony ICFP26 radio is one of the most popular and best pocket radios around. 

Designed by a company with a powerful reputation in durability and performance, the Sony pocket radio is brimming with high-quality components. 

The built-in speaker delivers a good quality of sound for groups, while a headphone jack allows for private listening. 

If you’re looking for the best pocket AM FM radio and you don’t want to compromise on durability and performance, Sony has you covered. 

Powered by 2 AA batteries, the ICFP26 comes with an easy LED tuning indicator and battery status indicator to keep you informed. 

The compact design also features a carry strap for improved convenience. 

With a telescopic antenna for better range, the Sony small pocket radio is simple but effective. 

For a price of around $20, you get:

• Built-in headphone jack and speaker
• Telescopic antenna
• Compact and lightweight design
• Carrying strap included
• Battery power performance
• LED battery status indicator and tuning indicator
• Sleek and durable performance. 

With a significant amount of output power for such a small product, the Sony ICFP26 will keep you entertained and informed on the move. 

This convenient radio is easy to use – but it does consume a lot of battery life quite quickly. 

4. PRUNUS J-125 AM/FM radio (best with an alarm clock)

The Prunus J-125 AM/FM pocket radio might not look like much at first. 

During our pocket radio review, we discovered that this little cost-effective device is packing a serious punch. 

If you’re looking for a multifunctional mini pocket radio, PRUNUS has you covered here. 

This AM FM radio comes with access to its digital alarm clock, so you can use it to keep track of your day. 

There’s a backlit LCD screen so you can check the time on the move and browse through different stations too. 

Unlike some of the pocket AM FM radios we’ve considered, this product also comes with a preset memory. 

The loudspeaker on this portable radio system delivers a crisp and clear sound that you can share with your friends. 

Another bonus is that you don’t need any special equipment for charging, just AAA batteries. 

For a price of around $15, features include:

• Portable and lightweight design
• AM/FM radio connectivity
• Backlit LCD
• Clock and alarm clock built-in
• AM/FM pre-set memory
• AAA battery performance
• 3.5mm headphone jack

This convenient and affordable pocket radio is a great product to have on hand if you’re regularly camping or taking trips in the great outdoors. 

It ensures you can stay connected to your favorite tunes and keep an eye on the time. 

The headphone jack doesn’t always seem to work properly. The auto pre-set channels aren’t ideal either. 

5. Avantree pocket radio with Bluetooth (best with Bluetooth)

As technology continues to evolve, it’s much easier to find affordable pocket radios with extra features today. 

The Avantree pocket radio with Bluetooth gives you the freedom to choose between radio broadcasts and Bluetooth streaming. 

You can automatically and manually search for and save channels on the move.

This 3-in-1 radio speaker is a complete source of on-the-move entertainment. You can link your phone or computer using Bluetooth, listen to the radio, or even plugin a Micro SD card. 

On top of that, the Avantree features an LCD screen where you can check the time and skip channels.

One excellent feature of the Avantree, aside from its ultra-portable design, is the fact that it comes with six equalizer modes to choose from. That means that you can adapt your music to suit you. 

There’s also a 24-month warranty included. 

For a price of around $40, features include:

• 3-in-1 radio speaker
• Micro SD card access
• Manual or auto channel search and save
• Six EQ modes for sound
• Ultra-portable and lightweight
• Carry strap included
• Convenient tuning features
• LCD screen
• Bluetooth streaming

Although this Avantree product is a little more expensive than some pocket radios, it also comes with a wide selection of fantastic features. 

Bluetooth streaming gives you more freedom to listen to your favorite music anywhere. 

There’s no support for AM radio, and this device doesn’t support headphones with a controller in the wire. 

6. Victure MP3 player and pocket radio (best with a pedometer)

Speaking of pocket radios that have some extra functionality to offer, check out this Victure MP3 player and radio. 

This unique pocket FM radio combines everything from an FM connection, to Bluetooth streaming and a clip-on pedometer. 

You can track your movement throughout the day and keep an eye on your fitness goals. 

The Victure pocket radio is also an MP3 player, so you can load your favorite albums onto the device to listen to wherever you like. 

At the same time, when you switch to FM radio mode, the internal tech ensures that you get genuinely lossless sound quality. 

For those who need extra space for storage, there’s a slot for a memory card too. 

Another bonus of the Victure is its exceptional battery life. With just 1.5 hours of charging, you can get up to 30 hours of playback time, or 8 hours in Bluetooth mode. 

For a price of around $25, features include:

• Bluetooth 4.1 technology
• Clip-on pedometer included
• FM radio with lossless sound
• Storage and external storage for MP3
• Long battery life of up to 30 hours
• Headphone input
• Color display for easy use

We love the color display on this product, which helps you to find stations and albums in a matter of seconds. 

Having access to an MP3 player, pocket radio, and pedometer in one device is excellent. 

There is some lag on the interface at times; plus, you don’t get any control over your EQ settings.

7. AKAMATE pocket radio (best with recording)

Here’s another eye-catching example of a pocket radio and MP3 player in one. 

The AKAMATE 16GB device is a high-performing audio machine available in a range of colors. 

You can use it just as a source of FM radio streaming or link your smartphone for some Bluetooth streaming. 

The color screen on the AKAMATE helps you sort through music as fast as possible, whether you’re listening to the radio or your collection. 

There’s also a one-button lock to prevent you from moving between stations accidentally. 

On top of that, 6 equalizer options means that you’re more likely to get the audio quality you want. 

AKAMATE promises a superior Hi-fi quality of sound, although there’s no loudspeaker included – just the option to listen via headphones. 

Another bonus is that there’s a sound recorder included. 

For a price of around $40, features include:

• Range of color options to choose from
• Multi-functional pocket radio and MP3 player
• Hi-fi quality sound
• 6 EQ options
• Bluetooth playback
• Great internal storage
• Incredible 40-hour battery life
• High-speed charging
• Voice recording

One of the best features of this product, aside from its bonus features like voice recording, is the incredible battery life. 

On one full charge, the pocket radio can last for up to 40 hours, giving you complete freedom to enjoy your music for as long as possible. 

It tends to clip parts from recorded songs.

8. Sangean DT-200X (best with pre-sets)

Sangean is a popular name in the radio landscape and a company we’ve had a chance to review before. In this case, we’re looking at one of the best pocket AM FM radio options from Sangean. 

The DT-200X is a pocket radio with a convenient tuning system – perfect for life on the move. 

If you have a set of channels that you like listening to most, you’ll appreciate the Sangean. 

This product comes with a large backlit LCD screen where you can find the broadcasts that matter most to you. 

There’s also a selection of 19 pre-sets to explore, too, with auto-scanning and seek built-in. 

For ease of use, you get a 90-minute auto shut-off feature too. 

The Sangean is lightweight and portable, just like most of the other pocket radios that we’ve covered already. This device also features a removable belt clip – so you can use it on the gym. 

For a price of around $40, features include:

• AM/FM radio with built-in tuner
• Excellent range of 19 pre-set station options
• 90-minute automatic shut-off to save power
• Lock switch included
• DBB dynamic bass boost
• Real-time clock
• Removable belt clip 
• Convenient screen and interface

The Sangean features both a headphone input and a loudspeaker, for multiple ways to enjoy your music. The dynamic bass boost takes the sound quality to the next level. 

You get a clock built-in, so you can keep track of the time. 

There are a couple of downsides with this product though. The belt-clip is very flimsy and often breaks. 

Another problem is that the on-off button isn’t very responsive. 

9. Eton mini pocket radio (best with shortwave)

Usually, people on the hunt for the best pocket radios want a simple device that they can use to listen to AM/FM stations. 

There are a handful of people who want a pocket radio with a Bluetooth connection too – but that’s less common. 

Eton, one of the market leaders in radio technology, appeals to a whole different niche with its mini pocket radio. 

This device comes with AM/FM and shortwave radio so that you can explore a wider range of channels on the move. The shortwave connection means that you can listen to channels from around the world. 

At the same time, the Eton mini pocket radio also comes with a handy digital display where you can track your channels and frequencies carefully. 

This durable and sophisticated radios is one of the more advanced options on the market today, simply thanks to its shortwave connection. It also features a fantastic sound quality. 

For a price of around $30, features include:

• Versatile display with clock
• AM/FM and shortwave radio
• Easy-to-use buttons
• Extendable antenna
• High-quality headphone sound performance
• Durable and lightweight design
• Lock button
• Alarm settings

Aside from browsing channels from all over the globe, you can also use your Eton radio to keep track of your day. 

There are clock and alarm buttons so you can set your schedule instantly. One slight issue is that you might have a bit of trouble with the shortwave functionality if you’re a beginner. 

10. Dreamsky mini FM radio (best mini design)

All of the pocket radios we’ve covered today are small enough to fit in your coat or jeans pocket. None of them, however, come close to the Dreamsky in terms of compact design. 

If you want a small pocket radio that fits snugly into the palm of your hand, this is the device for you. 

This itty-bitty radio comes with a set of earphones included to get you started (though you may want to buy your own). 

Promising a positive reception when you’re on the move, the radio can pick up FM frequencies, but doesn’t offer anything for AM. 

On the plus side, you get a digital alarm clock included, and a small LCD screen where you can check out information about your radio channels, or just see the time. 

There’s also a convenient lock button on this device, so you don’t change settings accidentally. 

For a price of around $10, features include:

• Simple alarm clock and time display
• Portable FM connection
• Mini pocket radio design
• Lock button included
• Battery-operated with low battery indicator
• Excellent easy-to-use buttons
• Backlit display
• Headphones included

This portable radio might be small, but it gets the job done in a pinch. 

The compact size makes it ideal for virtually any adventure. And the fact that you get headphones included means that you’re spending even less on your initial investment. 

Just don’t expect the best sound quality or the greatest frequency strength on the market.