How to Pick the Best Portable Radio: 8 Features to Look For
Senior Editor and Researcher
If you’re considering investing in a portable radio, you’ve come to the right place.
Unlike your standard smartphone, a portable radio can provide direct access to your favorite radio channels wherever you are, regardless of whether you’re connected to the internet.
With a portable radio, you don’t have to worry about potentially breaking your smartphone when you’re jamming to tunes on your afternoon hike.
Plus, a portable radio is often a more affordable option than a radio-enabled smartphone, making it accessible to all kinds of users.
You can even find portable radios that ultimately outperform your phone in audio quality and user experience.
The question is, how do you pick the right product?
Here are the most important things to consider when sorting through your options.
1. The Type of Radio
It’s worth remembering that these devices come in various shapes and styles. Some portable radios are designed to slip into your pocket and offer instant access to AM/FM channels.
Others, like handheld ham and CB radios, are designed for two-way communication.
There are even portable radios intended explicitly for survivalist purposes.
Some products have multiple power options, including hand cranks and solar panels. Others include access to extra features, like NOAA broadcasts and emergency sirens.
Make sure you know what you want to accomplish with your radio before you start sorting through options.
2. Radio Size
Once you’ve determined what kind of radio you need, one of the first things you’ll need to consider is the product’s size.
Portable radios are designed to transport easily, so most will be relatively compact and lightweight.
However, different options can vary in size. If you’re looking for something particularly small, consider a pocket-sized portable radio.
You can opt for larger models if you don’t mind carrying a little extra weight.
The bigger the product, the more likely it is to include additional features, such as an integrated CD player and speakers for audio, rather than just a microphone jack.
3. Sound Quality
Above anything else, any radio you purchase should deliver fantastic sound.
Whether you’re listening to AM, FM, or DAB channels or communicating with others on a CB radio, you must ensure the audio is crystal clear.
Check that your chosen device can reproduce sound clearly, without distortions on mids, highs, and lows.
It’s also worth thinking about how your radio transmits sound. Some smaller devices rely entirely on headphone connections, while others come with integrated speakers.
The right option for you will depend on how you want to listen to your radio channels and if you want to share audio with others.
4. The Design
While the aesthetic appearance of a portable radio might not be as crucial as the design of a system you will display in your home, it still plays a part in your purchasing decision.
You don’t want to feel embarrassed whenever you take your radio out on the move.
Look for something sleek and stylish, like the portable radios from Roberts.
When considering design, it’s worth evaluating user experience, too. Think about how easy it is to switch between channels, save your favorite stations to preset buttons, and access other features.
The easier your radio is to use, the better.
5. Power Options and Battery Life
Most portable radios rely on batteries to operate.
However, rechargeable options are available if you want to save money on batteries.
Sometimes, you may find portable radios with other power options, such as solar panels or hand cranks.
When choosing the perfect radio, select a power option that makes the most sense for your lifestyle and budget.
Make sure you pay attention to how long the system can continuously operate.
Some devices only provide up to four hours of functionality before they need a recharge or their batteries change. Others can play music all day with virtually no interruptions.
6. Inputs
You will need at least a few different inputs when buying a portable radio.
If you’re choosing a rechargeable radio, make sure you can connect your system to an outlet whenever it needs extra energy.
Additionally, look for a radio with an input for a set of headphones so you can listen to music privately without disturbing others.
Some radio systems will also allow you to connect your device to other products using wired or wireless connections.
For instance, you might find a radio with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi link to connect your phone.
7. Durability
Portable radios are designed for life on the move.
This means they need to be able to withstand the occasional knock or bump, as well as exposure to various elements.
Most portable radio systems will naturally be more robust than your smartphone or tablet.
However, how much damage they can take will vary depending on the model.
Some products are intended for professional use and come with bumpers to protect them against falls and rough use. Others have integrated weather or waterproofing.
If you plan on taking your radio outside, where there’s a potential for rain, waterproofing should be an essential consideration.
8. Bonus Features
On top of all of the components above, it’s worth looking at the additional features your radio can offer.
Alongside CB, ham, DAB, FM, or AM connections, many portable radios have bonus capabilities to improve your user experience.
They might have a recording feature that allows you to save money on an SD card or another storage device.
Other radios come with features focused on user experience, like preset buttons that allow you to save the channels you would like to access quickly again in the future.
Other bonus features you might be able to access include:
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
- Automatic scanning functions
- Clocks built into the radio
- Emergency features like flashlights
- Alarms or sleep functions
Choosing the Best Portable Radio
While there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy to selecting the perfect portable radio, there are various factors you can consider to help guide you towards the right choice.
There’s more to choosing a fantastic radio than finding something that matches your budget.
By looking at all the components above, you can ensure you have a radio that suits your needs for functionality, experience, and performance.
