Looking for the best rechargeable DAB radio? Here are 10 brilliant contenders…
Contributing Editor
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.I-Box Portable Rechargeable DAB Radio
Compared to other brands like Pure and Roberts Radio, you might not have seen I-Box on the Radio Fidelity website as often.
However, that’s just because we haven’t had a chance to test many of these devices for ourselves – until recently.
The I-Box Portable Rechargeable DAB Radio (link to Amazon) 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 I-Box Portable Rechargeable DAB 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 I-Box DAB Radio (link to Amazon) is a compelling option for just under £40, with features like:
- Compact and easily portable design
- Access to DAB, DAB+ and FM stations
- Aux-in and USB port
- 2,200mAh battery
- Up to 15 hours of playback on a single charge
- Store up to 60 stations
- 3-year warranty
- Quite a lot of volume for the size
- Convenient sleep timer
The main downside to this piece of tech is that it’s not Bluetooth-enabled. Therefore, it can be a challenge if you like streaming music from your phone or tablet. Additionally, some customers have complained that the radio is a little louder than necessary – even on lower volumes.
However, its portability and long-lasting battery should give you the convenience of listening to your favourite radio stations on the go.
Pros:
- Lots of volume
- Attractive retro style
- Rechargeable battery pack included
- DAB+ and digital tick approved
Cons:
- Has some trouble tuning into FM
- Too loud for some listeners
2. I-Star Portable Rechargeable DAB Radio
I-Star DAB Radio (link to Amazon) is among the best rechargeable DAB radios due to its enhanced digital audio quality.
Although I-Star doesn’t always have the style you might get from other higher-end companies, it’s a great choice for those on a budget.
The I-Star Portable Rechargeable DAB Radio is both mains and battery-powered, making it convenient for use indoors and outdoors.
We also love the fact that the radio comes with a 1,200mAh built-in battery that charges by USB for convenience and offers around 4 hours of radio.
What’s more, the radio’s clear LCD screen lets you know exactly what you’re listening to.
For just under £30, you’ll get features like:
- FM, DAB, and DAB+ tuning
- 20 preset station options
- Sleep timer
- 1,200mAh rechargeable lithium battery
- Micro USB charge cable
- An easy-to-follow user guide
- An integrated headphone port
One of the most convenient and reliable premium DAB radios with a built-in battery charge for less than £30, the I-Star will surely deliver outstanding 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.
The main downside is that the radio is not Bluetooth-enabled. Therefore, it’s not ideal for streaming music from your smartphone.
However, you can give up Bluetooth connectivity in exchange for portability, excellent audio quality, and a built-in battery.
Pros:
- Affordable, budget-friendly pricing
- Lightweight and small
- Up to 20 pre-set channels
- Decent battery life
- Easy-to-use
- 3-year warranty
- Good DAB reception
Cons:
- No Bluetooth
3. Roberts Radio Play 20 Portable DAB Radio
The Roberts Play is something 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, 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.
Designed to offer good durability and high-level performance, the Play 20 Portable (link to Amazon) is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to compromise on sound quality when they’re on the move. This product is battery- and mains-powered, meaning you can use it indoors and outdoors.
Additionally, there’s a small display so you can check what you’re listening to.
Unfortunately, there’s no Bluetooth connectivity, which we think is a bit of a shame.
Still, for just under £80, you will get:
- Durable design with soft-touch surround sound
- FM, DAB and DAB+ connection
- A premium DAB radio with a built-in battery charger
- 20 station presets
- Auto-tuning button
- Headphone socket
- Digital display
Compared to some of the other products you’ve probably already seen on the market, the Play won’t stand out as the most attractive or impressive.
However, if you need a dependable radio to listen to on the move, 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 the radio comes with a full-colour screen.
Pros:
- Dedicated preset buttons
- Lightweight and compact DAB radio
- Easy to use for beginners
- Reliable battery charger
Cons:
- Limited battery life, even with the charger functionality
- Quite costly for what you get
4. Roberts Revival Petite
The Revival Petite from Roberts Radio has to be one of our favourite portable DAB radios on the market.
Offering exceptional Roberts radio vintage style, combined with top-of-the-line audio quality, the Revival Petite (link to Amazon) is a real investment into amazing listening experiences.
Notably, unlike many of the best rechargeable DAB radio options, the Roberts comes with many modern features, like Bluetooth, a bass radiator, and more.
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 £100. That means you can take this device with you on the go, but you might not want to take the risk.
Features include:
- DAB, DAB+, FM
- Bluetooth streaming
- Bass radiator
- Safety sheet
- Micro USB power cable
- Antenna cable
- DAB/DAB+/FM
- USB power cable
- 20 station preset
Don’t let the compact size of the Roberts Revival Petite radio deceive you. The radio delivers exceptional sound quality thanks to its bass radiator. The radiator promises an immersive and rich audio experience despite its compact and petite nature.
Additionally, the radio’s Bluetooth capability lets you stream your favourite tunes and podcasts from a phone or tablet. This guarantees an immersive listening experience.
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
- Up to 20 hours of portable listening
- Lots of extra features
Cons:
- A bit expensive
5. Pure Evoke H3 Portable 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 Evoke H3 (link to Amazon) is one of the most enticing portable radios around simply because it comes with so many impressive features.
We love the sleek and retro style of this radio and the fact that there’s an integrated speaker for listening with friends.
Additionally, aside from DAB and FM radio, you can also use the Pure Evoke H3 rechargeable DAB radio to stream content over Bluetooth. Great for use around the house and on the go, the Evoke is a handy pocket-sized listening choice.
However, just like some of the other items on this list, you might find this product is a little too expensive for your budget. Despite being about the same size as your hand, the Evoke will set you back about £90.
Feature include:
- Durable design with wood walnut casing
- Compact and portable
- FM, DAB, and DAB+ radio
- Bluetooth streaming
- 30 hours of rechargeable portable DAB radio power
- Digital Tick approved
- 3-year warranty
- 2 alarms and a snooze timer
- Vivid full-colour screen
The Pure Evoke H3 stands out as a lot more than just a DAB radio with an optional ChargePAK B1 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
- 30 hours of rechargeable portable radio life
- Lots of extra functionality
Cons:
- Hard to connect to Bluetooth
- Relatively expensive
6. Roberts Revival Mini DAB Radio
We admit to being great fans of the Roberts Radio Brand at Radio Fidelity.
We’ve been relying on Roberts to deliver excellent features one would look for in any radio. That’s why we even reviewed the Roberts Revival Mini in the past.
The Roberts Revival Mini (link to Amazon) is among the most amazing rechargeable DAB radios you can rely on.
The radio’s compact, retro, and midnight blue design makes it ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
Its easy-to-read 16 x 2 character LCD display at the top makes it easy to know what you’re listening to. Also, the top section has dials and buttons to help you navigate between presets and choose your favourite with ease.
For slightly under £150, get the Roberts Revival Mini DAB Radio (link to Amazon) and enjoy the following features:
- DAB, DAB+ and FM wavebands
- Stereo line-in socket for MP3 playback
- Auto-tuning and rotary tuning
- In-built battery charger
- 1-year warranty
The major downside is that the radio lacks Bluetooth connectivity. Therefore, it might not be ideal if you’re after streaming music from your phone.
However, you can compromise Bluetooth connectivity for other excellent features like a USB port and high-tech audio output.
We also loved the fact that the Revival Mini is straightforward and user-friendly. Consequently, it’s a good choice if you’re sick of the bells and whistles of modern radios.
Pros
- Excellent retro design
- Portable and lightweight
- Excellent audio quality
- Wide range of colours
Cons
- It’s costly
- It’s not Bluetooth-enabled
- Screen brightness isn’t adjustable
7. JBL Tuner 2 Portable DAB Radio
The JBL Tuner 2 Portable (link to Amazon) is one of the most versatile rechargeable DAB radios today. It’s among the few authentic waterproof radios you can rely on.
The Tuner 2 Portable radio is IPX7-rated. This means you can submerge it in water up to 1 metre for 30 minutes without damaging it. As a result, it’s a better choice if you want to listen to radio in the kitchen, in the bathroom, at the beach, or at the pool.
Despite its retro and compact design, this radio guarantees exceptional audio quality output. Its Signature JBL Sound delivers high-quality output and music amplification, combining digital and traditional stereo radio in one device.
What’s more, the radio comes with a powerful Lithium-ion battery that allows for extended trips while listening to your favourite tunes. The battery guarantees up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge.
For slightly over £70, get the JBL Tuner 2 Portable DAB Radio (link to Amazon) to enjoy the following features:
- Wireless Bluetooth speaker
- DAB/FM tuners
- 12 hours of wireless playtime
- 5 preset buttons
- Type C USB cable
We also love the fact that this radio comes with a large LCD display for clear visualisation. The displays will keep you up-to-date with news and weather.
Additionally, the preset buttons allow you to switch between your favourite radio stations easily.
Pros
- FM/DAB tuners
- Safety sheet available
- Waterproof radio
- Excellent audio output
- Wireless Bluetooth speaker
Cons
- No DAB+
8. 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 (link to Amazon) a handy digital amplifier that 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 a free USB cable is included with your kit so you can charge the device easily.
For just less than £70, 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
9. Roberts Black Smart Radio
The Roberts Black Smart (link to Amazon) is among the best rechargeable DAB radios due to its internet connectivity.
In this era of online streaming, you need an internet radio to give you access to the many internet radio stations available.
This radio is a real investment into amazing listening experiences. Notably, unlike a lot of the best rechargeable DAB radio options, the Roberts Black Smart comes with a bunch of modern features, including Bluetooth, internet streaming, FM, and DAB+ tuners.
The radio’s internet connectivity means you can access modern streaming services like Spotify. You can even control your speaker using Alexa if you prefer to stick with smart controls.
Besides the internet, the Roberts Black Smart Radio has a strong and efficient Bluetooth that pairs readily with other devices. Therefore, it allows you to stream music from your smartphone instantly.
Finally, this technology piece is highly versatile in terms of power source. You can use batteries or mains power with a rechargeable option.
For slightly under £200, get the Roberts Black Smart Radio (link to Amazon) to enjoy the following features:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- FM and DAB+ tuners
- Internet connectivity
- Remote control
- WiFi Connect
- You can use AA batteries
- Full-colour screen
We love the fact that this radio comes with built-in Spotify Connect, Deezer, and Amazon music. Therefore, you don’t have to download music for offline streaming. You can log in to your Spotify or Amazon music account and stream your favourite tunes live.
As if that is not enough, the radio allows you to take it with you anywhere without worrying about the power supply. Once fully charged, you can rest assured that the radio will serve you well outdoors.
Pros
- Internet connectivity for live streaming
- Efficient and strong Bluetooth connectivity
- Access to Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music
- Full-colour screen for a clear visualisation
Cons
- It’s more expensive than the other options on the list
10. Pure Evoke H4 Portable DAB Radio
Finally, Pure Evoke H4 Portable (link to Amazon) is another rechargeable DA radio you can expect to deliver quality audio that meets audiophile standards.
Like any other Pure Evoke radio, the H4 has a high-power 10 W speaker that delivers class-leading audio.
Its wood walnut exterior casing adds a timeless natural beauty that will take your memory back to the 70s and 80s radios.
However, don’t let its natural look deceive you. The radio has some of the best modern features you can expect. From Bluetooth streaming and touch sensitivity to a sleep timer and alarms, you get everything you need for modern living.
The radio’s optional ChargePAK F1 rechargeable battery is a handy feature, especially if you’re an outdoor person. This battery guarantees up to 50 hours of playtime for your favourite radio stations and music.
The main features include:
- Clear screen
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Kitchen and sleep timer
- Two alarms (tone or radio)
- Touch-sensitivity snooze handle
This radio stands out for its large, ultra-clear screen. The screen makes it easier to access the growing number of digital radio stations. You can clearly view the frequency you’re listening to.
Pros
- Efficient Bluetooth connectivity
- A stylish and natural look
- High-tech audio output
- Touch sensitivity for easy control
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey
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 some best 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 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 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 offer some inspiration.
While we love the Roberts Black Smart Radio 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 I-Star Portable or the I-Box Portable 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!
If you liked the portable radios on our list, our recommendations on the Best Pocket DAB Radios may give you more options! You can also check out our Ultimate Guide to Pocket Radios here.
Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.
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