Looking for the best rechargeable DAB radio? Here are 10 brilliant contenders…
The best rechargeable DAB radio is a valuable investment for music lovers who want to take their radio channels with them wherever they go. A rechargeable portable radio can be a companion for every road trip, hike, and even gardening session.
While the standard DAB radio battery life might not be as reliable as you’d hope, a rechargeable portable radio offers the option to recharge your batteries when you’re on the move. Some of the most compelling rechargeable radios even offer enticing ways to access extra energy, without relying on batteries at all. For instance, there are plenty of wind-up and solar radios available today.
The question is, how do you choose the best rechargeable DAB radio for your needs? There are dozens of solutions out there – some much more reliable than others. Examining and evaluating the market on your own would take hours – even days.
The good news? We’ve done the hard work for you.
To help you track down the perfect radio, we’ve searched through hundreds of rechargeable DAB radio reviews to bring you our list of the top 10 competitors.
Here are 10 amazing radios that are sure to keep you entertained…

1. VQ Christie rechargeable DAB radio
Compared to other brands like Pure and Roberts Radio, you might not have seen VQ as often on the Radio Fidelity website. However, that’s just because we haven’t had a chance to test a lot of these devices for ourselves – until recently. The VQ Christie rechargeable portable DAB radio is an attractive retro item with plenty of compelling features.
The style is very similar to what you might expect from a brand like Roberts, with plenty of colourful options to choose from and a white enamel surround. Additionally, like Roberts, you can expect to get a lot of high-quality sound from a relatively compact design. The VQ Christie radio comes with DAB, DAB+ and FM radio so that you can listen however you like. There’s also a line-in for your headphones, and a handy USB cable so you can charge your phone from the device.
Designed and engineered in Britain, the VQ Christie is a compelling option for just under £60, with features like:
- Compact and easily portable design
- DAB, DAB+ and FM tuner
- Bluetooth connectivity for streaming
- Aux-in and USB port
- 3-year warranty
- Quite a lot of volume for the size
The main downside to this piece of tech is that you do need to buy the rechargeable battery pack separately – which means an added expense on top of an already costly radio. Additionally, some customers have complained that the radio is a little louder than necessary – even on lower volumes.
However, if you do splash out for the optional rechargeable battery pack for the VQ Christie, then you do get up to 25 hours of listening through a single charge. For only an extra £13, it’s actually really good value.
Pros:
- Lots of volume
- Attractive retro design
- Rechargeable battery pack included
- Bluetooth streaming
- DAB+ and digital tick approved
Cons:
- Has some trouble tuning into FM
- Rechargeable battery pack is extra
- Too loud for some listeners

2. Majority Petersfield-Go rechargeable radio
Majority is a pretty well-known company in the UK, offering a wide selection of high-quality radios for a low price. Although Majority doesn’t always have the style or audio quality that you might get from some higher-end companies, it’s definitely a great choice for those who are on a budget.
The Majority Petersfield-Go rechargeable DAB radio is a personal listening device that can only be used with headphones. Unfortunately, there’s no speaker available, but that won’t be too much of an issue for people who just want a way to listen to their favourite channels on the go. We also love the fact that the built-in battery charges by USB for convenience and offers around 12 hours of radio.
For just under £40, you’ll get features like:
- FM, DAB, and DAB+ tuning
- Clothing attachment clip
- Headphones included
- 20 preset station options
- Key lock function
- Adjustable brightness
One of the most convenient and reliable DAB radios with a built-in battery charge for less than £40, the Petersfield is sure to deliver great results for your listening experience. We think that this item is an excellent choice if you want something you can listen to comfortably while walking, jogging, gardening, or just commuting to work.
As an exceptionally lightweight piece of kit, the Majority will fit neatly into your pocket when you don’t want to carry a lot of extra weight. However, you are giving up an external speaker in exchange for that portability.
Pros:
- Affordable, budget-friendly pricing
- Lightweight and small
- Decent battery life
- Easy-to-use
- Good DAB reception
Cons:
- Only personal listening available
- Warranty is difficult to access

3. VQ Monty with rechargeable battery pack
Another compelling option from the British team at VQ. The Monty rechargeable and portable DAB radio is an aesthetically appealing choice for those who want to take high-quality sound on the go. Available in a range of different designs, including floral patterns and zebra print, the Monty is one of the most eye catching DAB radios on the market. Just remember that the pattern you choose can push the price of this device up or down.
The high-sensitivity tuner built into the Monty makes it a great choice for listening to a range of FM, DAB, and DAB+ channels. What’s more, we appreciate the fact that this model comes with a multitude of connection options, including USB charging ports and Bluetooth streaming. The real-wood casing not only enhances the look of the product, but the sound quality too. However, we’re not sure how well this device would hold up in the British weather outdoors.
Available for just under £80, the VQ Monty features:
- Portable design with lightweight materials
- Reliable carry handle
- Alarm clock (dual options)
- Additional ports for USB charging
- Bluetooth and direct connection streaming
- Multiple design choices
- Optional rechargeable battery
Unfortunately, like the other product from VQ that we’ve covered today, the Monty also comes with the rechargeable battery option as a separate feature. Altogether, you’ll be paying close to £100 for the kit, which gives you up to 25 hours of battery life from a single charge. While the high-level battery and excellent design are great selling points for this radio set, you might find the price tag too high for what you get.
Pros:
- Plenty of battery life with the rechargeable battery
- Bluetooth streaming
- Excellent range of design options
- Lightweight and portable
- Great volume
Cons:
- Battery pack sold separately
- Might not hold up well in the rain
- Too chunky for some travellers

4. Roberts Revival iStream 3 rechargeable radio
The iStream 3 from Roberts Radio has to be one of our favourite portable DAB radios on the market. In fact, you can find our full review of the device right here. Offering exceptional Roberts radio vintage style, combined with top-of-the-line audio quality, the iStream 3 is a real investment into amazing listening experiences. Notably, unlike a lot of the best rechargeable DAB radio options, the Roberts comes with a bunch of modern features including Bluetooth, internet streaming, and more.
You can even control your speaker using Alexa if you prefer to stick with smart controls. Available in a wide variety of beautiful colours, this Roberts Radio is one of the best pieces of technology around for DAB listening today. However, like many of the most attractive items from Roberts, it’s worth noting that you might need to pay extra for this device. It’s currently available for just under £180. That means that although you can take this device with you on the go, you might not want to take the risk.
Features include:
- DAB, DAB+, FM and internet radio
- Bluetooth streaming
- Smart speaker enabled
- Headphone jack
- Dual alarm clock
- 30 station preset
The Roberts Revival iStream only takes NiMH and alkaline batteries, with the option to recharge your NiMH batteries. It’s a little fiddly to work out at first, but essentially, you’ll need to switch something in your Revival battery compartment if you want to turn your device into a rechargeable portable DAB radio. Some people probably would have preferred a more accessible rechargeable battery type. However, in the age of Amazon, it’s not too hard to find what you need online.
Additionally, although the recharging option is available with the Revival iStream, your power will only last for around 6 hours at most.
Pros:
- Handy DAB radio with a built-in battery charger
- Beautiful range of design options
- Easy to carry around thanks to lightweight design
- Great clarity and volume performance
- Lots of extra features
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Limited battery life

5. Pure Move T4 rechargeable DAB radio
We’ve looked at products like the Pure Move T4 in other review pieces before today. Like Roberts, Pure offers a reliable level of high-quality sound, combined with plenty of aesthetic appeal and easy functionality. The Pure Move T4 is one of the most enticing portable radios around today, simply because it comes with so many impressive features.
We love the sleek design of this retro radio, as well as the fact that there’s an integrated speaker included for listening with friends. Additionally, aside from DAB and FM radio, you can also use the Pure UK Move T4 rechargeable DAB radio to stream content over Bluetooth. Great for use around the house and on the go, the Move is a handy pocket-sized listening choice. However, just like some of the other items on this list, you might find that this product is a little too expensive for your budget. Despite being about the same size as your hand, the Move will set you back about £90.
Feature include:
- Durable design with tempered glass
- Compact and portable
- FM, DAB, and DAB+ radio
- Bluetooth streaming
- 22 hours of rechargeable portable DAB radio power
- 2-inch full-colour screen
- 20 pre-sets available
- 3 year warranty
- 2 alarms
- Headphone socket
The Pure UK Move T4 stands out as a lot more than just a DAB radio with a built-in battery charger. This compelling device has plenty of excellent features to explore, including a truly compelling design. We also love the fact that it’s brimming with high-performance and durable materials, so you shouldn’t have to worry too much if the product gets bumped or bashed around in your pocket from time to time. On the downside, it can be difficult to connect to Bluetooth, or even DAB at times.
Pros:
- Fantastic portable design
- Bluetooth streaming
- 3 year warranty
- 22 hours of rechargeable portable radio life
- Lots of extra functionality
Cons:
- Hard to connect to Bluetooth
- Relatively expensive

6. Sony XDR-P1 rechargeable radio
Sony is another well-known brand that deserves your attention when you’re looking for the best rechargeable DAB radio options. The Sony XDR-P1 is one of our favourite portable radios today, offering a high-quality design with an excellent performance level. Although this piece isn’t as attractive or flashy as some of the other rechargeable DAB radios that we’ve looked at so far, it still has plenty of value to offer.
The Sony comes with a handy digital amplifier which gives you plenty of extra power when you’re looking for volume. Additionally, the lightweight and portable design is great for those who spend their life on the go. It’s handy to be able to set up to 20 preset stations too so that you can find the content you need as quickly as possible.
The Sony comes with built-in rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and there’s a free USB cable included with your kit so you can charge the device easily.
For just less than £60, you’ll get features like:
- Lightweight yet durable design
- DAB radio with built-in battery charger
- 20 pre-set station memories
- Excellent sound quality with digital amplifier
- Easy-to-use design
- Headphone jack
- Auto-tuning
The Sony XDR-P1DBP looks and feels like a rechargeable portable DAB radio that you can depend on. There’s even a speaker included with this device so you can choose whether you want to listen to music with friends, or on your own. It’s also worth noting that this device has some great reviews. The main issue that we found is that it can be a bit fiddly to use at times, with switches that don’t always work as they should.
Pros:
- Great sound quality and reception
- Lightweight and durable design
- Speaker or headphone listening
- Easy-to-use design
- Reliable lithium-ion battery
Cons:
- Limited headphone performance
- A little fiddly at times

7. Roberts Play rechargeable DAB radio
The Roberts Play is something that we’ve had the opportunity to test out quite frequently here at Radio Fidelity. The reason for that is that this device is very convenient and useful for a range of different things. You can use the device in your bathroom, when you’re outside in your garden, or if you just want a radio for your bedside table. We also think that the Play makes for an excellent rechargeable portable radio too.
Designed to offer good durability, combined with high-level performance, the Play is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on sound quality when they’re on the move. This product comes with a changeable soft-touch surround to keep your tech protected. Additionally, there’s a small display so you can check what you’re listening to. Unfortunately, there’s no battery level indicator, which we think is a bit of a shame.
Still, for just under £70, you will get:
- Durable design with soft-touch surround sound
- FM, DAB and DAB+ connection
- DAB radio with built-in battery charger
- 10 station presets
- Up-down tuning buttons
- Headphone socket
- Digital display
Compared to some of the other products that you’ve probably already seen on the market, the Play probably won’t stand out as the most attractive or impressive. However, if you need a dependable radio that you can listen to on the move, then this could be it. The Play rechargeable portable DAB radio from Roberts offers excellent sound quality, a simple design that’s easy to use, and a fantastic built-in battery. We also love the fact that there are 5 dedicated preset buttons included too.
Pros:
- Dedicated preset buttons
- Changeable rubber surround
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to use for beginners
- Reliable battery charger
Cons:
- Limited battery life, even with the charger functionality
- Quite costly for what you get

8. Roberts SolarDAB radio
So far, we’ve been looking at rechargeable portable radios that give you extra DAB radio battery life through charging ports and special batteries. Now it’s time to explore an alternative option, in the form of a radio powered entirely by the sun. The Roberts SolarDAB is impressive because it’s both a DAB radio with built-in battery charge and a solar-powered device. You can choose whether you want to charge your device using mains power, or if you just want to use the solar panel.
Remember, if you want to use the rechargeable batteries, then you’ll need to make sure that you’ve switched the internal battery system to NiMH instead of basic alkaline batteries. It usually takes about 7 hours to get a full charge. When the radio is on, the solar panels will help it to stay charged for as long as possible too.
Though the solar panel feature might not be reliable enough to keep your radio charged all day (particularly during the winter), it’s a fantastic extra feature.
For a little under £85, you’ll get features like:
- FM or DAB radio
- Headphone jack built-in
- DAB radio with built-in battery charger
- Battery level indicator
- Solar panel for alternative power
- Solar level indicator
If you’re the kind of person that goes travelling a lot, maybe camping or hiking, you’ll definitely appreciate the extra functionality of the SolarDAB. While there are no flashy extra features like Bluetooth streaming, the inclusion of the additional charging option makes this tool an exciting choice for many customers.
Pros:
- Solar or mains-powered
- Compact and lightweight design
- Rechargeable batteries included
- Battery level indicator
- Robust performance
Cons:
- No streaming features like Bluetooth
- Battery life can suffer in winter when reliant on the sun

9. Majority Eddington rechargeable portable DAB radio
Another sensational choice from the Majority brand, the Eddington is a lightweight portable radio with DAB functionality, FM, and digital radio too. Future-ready and sleek, the Eddington also provides the option to listen to your own music and other content through Bluetooth connectivity. There’s a colour screen included so you can browse through whatever content you have on your device with absolute ease.
Aside from being an effective rechargeable portable DAB radio, the Majority Eddington may also be a good tool to have just around the house. There’s a bedside dual alarm clock included as part of the kit, and you can wake up to your favourite station. What’s more, the compact design of this product means that it will fit neatly in even the smallest bedrooms.
For just under £40, you’ll get features like:
- DAB, DAB+ and FM radio
- Bluetooth streaming
- Portable, lightweight and easy to use
- Rechargeable portable radio
- Colour screen
- USB cable charging
- 3-year warranty
- Dual alarm clock
This is a handy device that definitely isn’t going to break the bank when you’re looking for the best rechargeable DAB radio. There are plenty of features included with the tech, and you don’t have to worry about things like changing your batteries every five minutes. We particularly appreciate the fact that the product comes with a 3-year warranty. That kind of warranty length is rarely something you would see with such an affordable radio.
Pros:
- 3-year warranty
- Dual alarm clock functions
- USB charging
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Future-ready digital tick
Cons:
- Doesn’t automatically tune to FM stations
- No headphone option

10. AZATOM Spitalfields
Finally, the AZATOM brand might not be as well-known as some of the alternate options we’ve covered on this list so far, but it’s gaining a lot of popularity. Over the years, we’ve seen numerous AZATOM radios earning the attention of audio lovers with a combination of high-quality audio and low prices. One option for your list of rechargeable DAB radios is the Spitalfields retro.
The Spitalfields is a rather attractive piece of kit for a low price tag, with a subwoofer included for truly fantastic sound on the go. There’s the option to connect to FM or DAB stations, and you’ll also benefits from a product that’s designed to be future-ready.
To make this device even more appealing, there are four alarm clock options – perfect for keeping you running on the right schedule when you’re on the move. The device is pretty easy to use, and it’s small enough to either take with you when you’re on the move or place anywhere in your house.
For just under £40, you’ll get:
- FM, DAB, and DAB+ radio
- 4 different alarm options
- Leather effect design
- Sleep timer
- Remote control
- Aux-in
- EQ settings
- Mains or battery-powered
If you’re looking for a way to enhance your DAB radio battery life with a rechargeable device, then the Spitalfields is an excellent choice. There isn’t any option for Bluetooth streaming, but that’s a small price to pay for all the added extras that you do get with this product. Overall, you’ll get about 10 hours of battery from a single charge, although you can begin to lose battery life over time the more you use your new device.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to use interface
- Stylish design
- Budget-friendly
- Decent volume performance
Cons:
- Battery life diminishes over time
- Screen is very bright (not ideal for night)
- No Bluetooth
Choosing your rechargeable DAB radio
Choosing the ideal rechargeable DAB radio for your needs isn’t always easy. There are a lot of products out there to choose from, particularly as consumers prefer to spend less of their time tied down at home. These days, more and more people want a radio that they can take with them anywhere, and recharge instantly if their battery runs out of juice.
It’s also worth noting that rechargeable radios come in many different shapes and sizes. There are DAB radios with a built-in battery charger that you can plug into an outlet. You can also get radios that are powered by wind-up technology or solar power. It all depends on what kind of performance you need, and how reliant on the grid for energy you want to be.
So, how do you look for the right model? Well, we recommend checking the following features:
How does it recharge?
You’re going to need a rechargeable portable radio that comes with a recharging strategy you can rely on. For instance, maybe you want a product that plugs into a portable battery using a USB cable, like the Roberts Revival iStream.
What is the DAB radio battery life like?
Because DAB radios generally use more power than their FM counterparts, you may need to prioritise looking for something with plenty of battery life. The two VQ products that we covered above didn’t come with rechargeable radio batteries included. However, the separate charging pack that you could get for the devices gave you more than 20 hours of listening time. The average battery life for a rechargeable radio usually hangs around the 10-hour point.
How small does it need to be?
A portable radio doesn’t necessarily need to be pocket-sized to be convenient. If you’re looking for something that you can use to play music for your friends and family on-the-go, then you might want a product with a bigger speaker. Think about whether you’re looking for something compact for personal listening or not.
Do you want extra features?
Aside from the option to recharge your radio on the go, most rechargeable portable DAB radios can come with extra features. For instance, you might be able to use Bluetooth to stream content directly from your phone to your radio. Other extra features might include alarm functions and pre-set station options.
Which is the best rechargeable DAB radio?
Finding the best rechargeable DAB radio can feel like a challenge, but there are plenty of options out there when you know where to look. Hopefully, our insights into leading rechargeable DAB radios above offers some inspiration.
While we love the Roberts Radio iStream 3 for its excellent style and audio quality – we recognise it’s probably not the most affordable option for everyone. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly product, then the Majority Eddington or the Petersfield-Go could be an excellent choice.
Which portable radio will you opt for? Let us know in the comments below, or chat with us on social media!
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