VQ Christie DAB radio review: A cute kitchen radio
Contributing Editor
If you’re looking for an adorable retro radio to add to your kitchen or dining room, then you’re not short on great options. The Pure Pop Midi is a fantastic option for those short on space.
Alternatively, you could go all-out and treat yourself to some luxurious aesthetic appeal in the form of the Roberts Revival.
However, if you’re shopping for a digital radio with a limited budget, then none of the typical options from Ruark, Pure, and Roberts are guaranteed to meet your needs.
That’s why affordable, yet stylish brand VQ created the VQ Christie DAB radio.
Packed full of retro design appeal, the Christie is sure to look phenomenal in any room – but we think it’s best suited to those trying to achieve an old-fashioned vintage diner atmosphere.
Let’s take a closer look at this beautiful digital radio.
VQ Christie DAB radio review: Design and build
The first thing that you’ll notice about the VQ Christie is that it’s quite a small radio. Clearly, the team made this product with the space restrictions of their target audience in mind.
However, despite its compact build, the Christie comes with all the vintage appeal that you might be accustomed to if you’ve bought something from VQ before.
Like Pure and Roberts, the VQ brand thrives on delivering unique aesthetic appeal with its devices. This DAB radio is no exception.
There’s an enamel finish available in 11 different colours, combined with a pressed-steel plate for a durable and reliable performance.
This pretty little device is very well-finished. You can even rotate the Christie and lay it on its side if you prefer – although it’s worth noting that the screen display doesn’t rotate.
That means that you might have to struggle to read things like the station or time.
Despite this little design oversight, the VQ Christie has a lot to offer.
According to the designers on the VQ team, they really let their imagination run wild with this device – and we can definitely see that a lot of fun and freedom went into the design.
There’s a handy USB charging socket included on this device; in case you don’t want to keep it plugged in at all times. You can also purchase an optional battery pack for transport, and a faux-leather carry case too.
The accessories sell for around £20.
VQ Christie DAB radio review: Features
The VQ Christie digital radio combines vintage design appeal with modern features, like Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio reception.
The stunning premium enamel on the front fascia grabs attention with visual beauty, while the soundscape captures your auditory attention too.
One thing that really impressed us about the VQ Christie UK radio, is that it comes with a comprehensive range of features for a very small price.
You can enjoy DAB and DAB+ radio at the touch of a button, or listen to your own audio content from Spotify, Apple Music, or a Bluetooth connection on your smartphone.
There’s a 3.5mm aux output jack, for listening to content via a set of headphones. What’s more, the USB charge port included in this device can charge your phone while you’re listening.
For just under £60, features include:
- DAB, DAB+ and FM radio
- 60 radio preset options
- Digital sound processing
- 3.5mm aux-in for headphones
- USB and charge port
- Bluetooth and NFC connectivity
- Ultra-wide 10 watt speaker
- Mains or rechargeable battery option
- Premium materials throughout
- Dual alarm clock with snooze, sleep and countdown modes
- Digital tick approval
All that, and you also get the option to choose your preferred colour of radio too. The VQ Christie DAB radio is one of the most diverse that we’ve seen for such a low price tag.
Plus, there’s a 3-year warranty included in case anything does go wrong with your device.
VQ Christie DAB radio review: Performance
One thing that we really love about the VQ Christie DAB radio is how easy it is to use.
When you’re relying on a small radio to keep you entertained while you’re pottering around in the kitchen, you don’t want to be worrying about various knobs and dials.
The VQ Christie takes just a few seconds to scan for channels, then it can start playing whatever radio stations you like in a matter of moments.
There’s even the option to extend the functionality of the VQ Christie DAB radio by adding a separate battery pack. If you take this route, your radio will last anywhere up to 25 hours from a single charge.
On top of that, you also get the opportunity to listen to your own music through a Bluetooth connection too, so you’re not limited in the kind of entertainment you can choose from.
While there are plenty of stunning portable radios out there, few offer the depth and performance of the VQ Christie when it comes to pumping out sound.
For instance, the ultra-wide premium sound speaker driver in the VQ Christie contends with the likes of the Pure Elan BT3. This tool can comfortably fill even the largest rooms with music.
One downside? It’s a bit harder to achieve the kind of sound quality you would expect from the Christie on the lower levels. Even with headphones attached, the system can struggle.
The sound quality is great for the price, and the style of this small radio is truly eye-catching too.
Just keep in mind that you’re not going to get the best results at low volumes – so it might not be the perfect bedside radio.
Additionally, there’s a bit of bass missing in this digital radio, which could be a problem for people with very refined audio tastes.
