Choosing a Radio

How to Choose and Buy a Portable Radio

Here are some hints and tips on what to look for when you’re choosing a buying a portable radio:

Types of Portable Radio

There are a number of different types of portable radio on the market including personal radios, wind-up radios and DAB radios. You can also buy mini portable radios which are designed for use in the bathroom or shower and come in a waterproof rubber casing.

Personal handheld radios are great for use when walking to work, jogging or in the gym. The slightly larger models are perfect using around the house or in the garden and tend to be sturdier. The larger models will also have a better sound quality thanks to the larger speakers.

It’s therefore important to think about where you will want to listen to your radio when choosing a model.

Wavebands

Most models of portable radio allow you to access FM stations, but some also let you tune into MW and LW stations. If you choose a DAB portable radio, you’ll benefit from the hiss-free sound that digital stations can provide, and also have access to a greater choice of stations.

Power Source

Most portable radios can be battery or mains operated, but there are also some great models available, such as those from Freeplay, which can be wound up using a handle or solar-powered. If you are looking to save energy, a model like this can be a great choice.

Features

Different models of portable radio have different features, so check the product descriptions carefully to make sure that any model you’re considering has the features that you want. Features may include:

Station Presets: These allow you to programme the frequencies of your favourite radio stations into your radio so that you can access them at the touch of a button.
Clock: Many models of portable radio have a built-in clock with alarm functions, which can be handy if you want to use your portable radio in your bedroom.
Bass boost: Some models of clock radio have a bass boost function so that you can increase the depth of the sound.
Built-in CD players: You might want to consider buying a model with an in-built CD player for versatility.
Headphones: Many models of portable radio come with headphones or earphones so that you can listen to whatever you like without disturbing anyone else. Headphones are essential if you want to listen to your radio outside.
USB connector: Some portable radios have a USB connector built-in, so you can download software updates via your PC.

Design

There are many different styles of portable radio on the market, and they come in a wide range of colours, so whether you fancy a brightly coloured, 1950s style radio or a more understated and contemporary model, you should be able to find something to suit you.

Warranty

Check the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty carefully before buying your portable radio – you may want to extend the guarantee.

Budget

Basic portable radios are now extremely cheap, although you may need to pay more for a DAB radio with all the latest features. It’s a good idea to decide how much you are prepared to spend before shopping and stick to your budget. However, you can find some fantastic deals by shopping around online. Visit our Where to Buy section to find out about some of the leading online stores.

Further Information

To learn more about some of the leading portable radio manufacturers and models, take a look at our Brands and Top Models sections

To find out where you can get some great deals on portable radios by shopping online, visit our Where to Buy section.

You can find out about other types of radio in our Types section.