Best DAB radios for digital radio in the UK in 2024

We test DAB radios the way you would use them at home. We look at how easy they are to set up and use, and how intuitive it is to set their alarms, switch them off and hit snooze.
We evaluate the sound quality (both for music and spoken word content) and check how you can access your favourite stations. This roundup features the best DAB radios from our tests along with picks from our rigorous research.
For an at-home digital radio, we recommend the top-of-the-range Roberts Stream 94L for its internet connectivity, sound quality, simple setup and remote control. However, it comes at a high price, so we’d also recommend looking at the Majority Little Shelford if you’re keeping to a budget of under £50 – it’s a versatile radio at a lower price.
For on-the-go use, there are a few radios we love that work on battery power, including the Roberts Revival RD70, Rambler BT Stereo and Petite 2. These are all great for staying tuned into the radio while moving around the house. If you need an outdoor-ready option, though, we’d only look at the Pure Woodland – it’s one of the few options we’ve seen with a proper waterproof rating.
When it comes to radios that are definitely staying put in your home, we can’t get enough of the sound quality from the Ruark R2 Mk4, we think the kitchen-friendly Pure Evoke Spot is versatile, discreet and capable and like the big screen and four alarm functionality of the Pure Siesta S6 for a bedside option.
DAB picks up the best signal, so you’ll get a more reliable listening experience. And you won’t spend ages twiddling with a dial to find the clearest reception – you only need to click a button or turn a control wheel to skip between stations.
You can listen to a lot more stations too – digital radios can potentially pick up 60 or more, while some FM ones can only receive around 15.
This may seem a little complex, but the main thing you need to know is that DAB+ is an improved version of the regular DAB digital radio standard that first arrived in the ‘90s.
DAB+ is more efficient, delivers better sound quality and broadcasts more stations. Not every British station has caught on and made the switch to broadcasting on DAB+ quite yet though.
Our recommendation? Get a radio that does both. Most, but not all, models launched in recent years will receive DAB+ transmissions. To help you find the best DAB radio for your needs, we’ve made sure all the ones in our roundup pick up this upgraded standard.
Like with FM, these models use a wire or a telescopic aerial (the typical metal aerial you imagine) to pick up signals. Wires are more discreet but tend to provide weaker transmissions than their telescopic counterparts.
These radios often allow you to listen to both DAB and FM. Some models have built-in wifi to access your favourite internet stations and music from your smartphone and streaming services. Most newer devices will have Bluetooth connectivity as well. Other things to consider include:
Sound quality
As we’ve said, DAB audio quality can far exceed that of FM. Sometimes radios also offer ways to control the music through dials or an equaliser menu (so you can tweak the bass and treble).
Wattage
The higher the wattage, the louder the volume can be without suffering from distortion. Wattage can range from 1W to over 20W. Want your radio to double up as a wireless speaker? Go for a higher wattage.
If you’re not playing at high volume, you can get away with less. Not all brands provide this information because it can easily be confused with sound quality.
Preset stations
You should be able to set a certain number of your favourite radio stations for quick and easy access. Some have dedicated buttons for this.
Alarms
Most radios will have a built-in alarm, either offering a selection of tones or letting you wake up to your favourite station.
Phone charging
Some models have ports so you can connect a cable and charge your smartphone. Some may have a built-in wireless charging pad too.
Battery power
Most DAB radios are mains-powered and need to stay plugged in, but some can fit batteries or have optional battery packs that make them portable.
Internet radio and wifi
Some will connect to your home wifi network and play internet radio stations. Because it’s online, internet radio allows you to listen to thousands of shows from all over the world.
Some internet-connected radios will also support streaming services like Spotify, Tidal and Deezer. You can also find Amazon Alexa-enabled options too.
Dimming displays
You don’t want the clock shining too brightly at bedtime, so look for a radio with a nighttime display. This button will brighten the clock briefly before it fades out. You can usually change the brightness manually, too.
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