Skip to content   Skip to footer navigation 

Digital radio reviews

Buy smarter with CHOICE membership

Join CHOICE

Or Learn more

Last updated: 16 February 2024
Fact-checked

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE.

Digital radios can deliver extra channels and broadcasting flexibility that you just can't get with AM and FM radio, as well as better audio.

We lab test and review the latest portable and benchtop models to find out which radios:

  • have the best sound quality
  • are best at picking up and holding reception
  • have the longest battery life.
 

We've also partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each company.

Read more

Our interactive comparison tool helps you find out which radios come with features such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, support for streaming and internet radio, and an AM/FM receiver, while our Recommended list will show you at a glance which models come out on top.

Shopping links on the CHOICE website

CHOICE is an independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping consumers. Clicking a link will take you to a retailer's website to shop. While we make money if you buy through some retailer links, this doesn't influence any of our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission. We're currently testing this service and will consider providing more shopping links in the future. Tell us what you think.

Show less

Brand

Expand to view more details.

List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

    Expand to view more details.

    This is the recommended retail price, but you can usually find a more competitive price by shopping around.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 60 and 999

    Recommended products

    Remove product

    Member only

    This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.

    Already a member?

    Radio type

    Expand to view more details.

    Portable radios have a battery and can also be easily carried around. Benchtop radios often deliver the loudest sound and may also offer things like a CD player in the mix. A Bedside radio should offer an easy to read clock display and an alarm.

      Sound quality score

      Expand to view more details.

      A panel listens to each radio at a comparable volume for distortion, rattles or other odd noises, stereo separation where appropriate and a natural sound across all frequencies.

      enter value/s in increments of i between 28 and 85

      Ease of use score

      Expand to view more details.

      We look for ease of the initial set-up, clear labelling, placement and functionality of the buttons and knobs, size and clarity of the display and intuitive and logical menus.

      enter value/s in increments of i between 50 and 88

      Reception score

      Expand to view more details.

      We check for reception quality in different locations ranging from an area with optimal reception through to an area with difficult reception due to its distance from the broadcast tower and no line of sight for the signal to reach the radio.

      enter value/s in increments of i between 63 and 90

      Bluetooth

      Expand to view more details.

      Bluetooth support allows you to play your own music from your smart device to the speaker.

        AM radio

        Expand to view more details.

        Can the radio receive analogue AM broadcasts?

          Included in this review

          Members-only access
          • Recommended
          • Annual standby energy cost
          • CHOICE Expert Rating
          • Sound quality score
          • Reception score
          • Ease of use score
          • Standby energy score
          • Good points
          • Bad points
          • Price
          • Bluetooth
          • Shop Ethical rating
          • AM radio
          • FM radio
          • Number of DAB presets
          • Streaming
          • Internet radio
          • Wireless network streaming
          • Stereo aux input (3.5mm)
          • CD player
          • USB input
          • Headphone jack (3.5mm)
          • Remote control supplied
          • Remote control app available
          • Clock in standby
          • Clock has alarms
          • Alarm snooze button
          • NFC
          • Play/pause controls
          • 3.5mm line out
          • Screen dimmer control
          • Batteries supplied
          • Rechargeable
          • Number of speakers
          • Claimed power output (W)
          • Info shows bitrate codec
          • Carry handle
          • Dimensions (H x W x D, cm)
          • Screen dimensions (W x H, mm)
          • Display lines x characters
          • Weight (kg)
          • Battery type
          • Warranty (years)
          • Country of origin

          Product selected for a detailed comparison

          Clear all

          Get full access to all our tests and reviews

          or Log in