The best DAB radios for static-free sound and style
The wireless has come a long way since Churchill's speech to the nation. Here are our favourite DAB radios.
There’s nothing wrong with going retro when it comes to playing music. We’re all for the current vinyl revival and the wealth of smart speakers available, but there’s still plenty of room in our life for one of the best DAB radios to round off our at-home hi-fi system. We’ve still got a lot of love for the wireless, and it appears a fair few audio brands do too, with top-spec Bluetooth-enabled radios popping up all over the place from the likes of Ruark, Roberts and Pure.
We’ve come a long way from your granddaddy’s analogue alarm clock radio, with most modern devices tapping into internet streaming, digital high-quality audio, podcasts and colour screen displays to seriously improve your time spent doing the washing up in the kitchen. Our favourite models have all sorts of upgrades and improvements to tickle the audiophile who just wants a bit of local radio in the morning, whether you need to fill up the garden, kitchen bedroom or bathroom with chatter from your local disc jockey or you want great-sounding music while working from home.
But it’s a little more complicated than just buying any old wireless. There’s a fair bit of tech involved and you’ll need to wrap your head around Bluetooth connectivity and smart voice control if you want the very best. We’ve got you covered though, as we’ve picked out the best DAB radios you really need to buy right now.
What are the best DAB radios of 2024?
Nostalgia sells, which is probably why Roberts' stereo radios are so popular. Ripped right out of the 1970s and sporting some gorgeous wooden panels like a clapped-out paddle wagon, this one is the Rolls Royce of the radio world.
Vinyl is enjoying a big revival right now (though it feels like it has been for years) so it's nice to see Roberts producing a homage to the resurgence of classically-designed audio ware
The R1 has been one of the most sought-after radios for more than a few years now, but the latest iteration is our favourite. Stylish curves, hardwood panels and rock-solid sonic performance make this a must-have luxury radio.
What is a DAB radio and what are the benefits?
Forget the analogue experience, we’re all about digital here. DAB radios (digital audio broadcasting) are the new normal, streaming multiple radio stations at once on different frequencies so you don’t trip up on two stations at once suffering through the white noise. Automatically tuning to set stations, a DAB radio offers better audio quality, faster transitions and generally a better listening experience than you might have heard as a kid when your parents rotated the knob on their old FM radio to find some music.
All of this has been improved further with DAB+, internet streaming and access to music streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, so you’ve always got high sound quality no matter where you are. Since you’ll be setting up your radio indoors, most will have wi-fi connections for a more stable experience and might even have built-in alarm clocks or run on a rechargeable battery
How to choose the best DAB radio for you
As is often the case with top-spec audio equipment, we’re spoiled for choice and there are plenty of decent options for most budgets and needs, so you really need to think about what you’re wanting to use the radio for. They make for a great gift to any audiophile in your life, as our favourites below look and sound great and have all the functionality you need.
Some are specifically designed for kitchens and living rooms, with stunning aesthetics and smart-speaker connectivity to seamlessly integrate with your other speakers about the house. Others might be best as a bedside alarm clock radio with presets to wake up with your favourite DJ or get weather notifications on an LCD display.
We’d recommend keeping an eye on a few key specs though. First up, check out how the radio is powered, as some will need a physical plug connection to play, while others have a rechargeable battery pack for a more portable vibe. Following on from that, the size and weight of the device are important if you plan on moving it around a bit. Some of the lighter models have carry straps for easy manoeuvrability or sturdier build quality to protect from knocks and bashes. But without further ado, check out our favourite DAB radios you should know about below.
For more fashion, grooming and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.
Shop GQ’s pick of the best DAB radios 2024...
1/6Best overall DAB radio: Roberts Rambler BT Stereo
- Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, headphones jack, 3.5mm
- Spotify Connect: No
- Dimensions: 94 x 235 x 142mm (W x H x D)
- Display: No
Yet another radio that follows the well-worn path of retro design and materials, Robert’s Rambler is an excellent-looking music player suited to a more 70’s aesthetic, with wood-panel sides and faux leather stretched around the speaker set that comes in similar pastel colour options to the Revival series below. However, this one offers enhanced sonic performance, with powerful bass and hearty treble across the range of its preset stations.
There’s no display to be found here, but the cleaner facade makes for an overall better look. The DAB digital radio can be shifted with the carry handle should you wish, but it’s another one we’d prefer rooted to one spot. It’s got a high price tag for the sort of features it offers, but you really can’t beat a retro Roberts radio for style. £149. At amazon.co.uk, johnlewis.com & robertsradio.com
2/6Best premium DAB radio: Ruark R1 MK4
- Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX input, 3.5mm
- Spotify Connect: Yes
- Dimensions: 130 × x 175 x 135mm (W x H x D)
- Display: OLED
Ruark has long been touted as one of the more premium radio brands out there – the British brand is well known for its premium audio tech and speakers, and if it’s the plush auditory comfort of a top-quality sound you’re after, we recommend investigating the R1. The Mark 4 is, as you may guess, the fourth iteration of one of the more sought-after models, with the same gorgeous, minimalist design, premium materials and audio adaptability.
A great option for a bedside alarm clock with the auto-dimming OLED display or just as impressive as a more portable DAB radio on the go, the R1 supports Bluetooth and USB options for flexible music playback. £239. At amazon.co.uk
3/6Best internet DAB radio: Pure Elan Connect+
- Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM, and internet radio
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, headphones jack, micro USB
- Spotify Connect: No
- Dimensions: 115 x 82 x 247mm (W x H x D)
- Display: 2.4-inch colour LCD
If you want a really great-sounding DAB radio you typically have to spend a fair amount for the pleasure, but this more affordable option from Pure is less than £100 and brings a lot of the features you really want from a modern device like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker functionality, internet radio for online stations and the option to move it around.
Resembling an old-school SNES games console with a matte grey finish, it’s one for the nerds among you, with fun little buttons to adjust volume and find your favourite stations and a full-colour LCD display. The audio department is frustratingly weak, with a lower-than-average sound that won’t please audiophiles, but then again, if you’re picking a radio up for this price, you likely don’t mind about that too much. £79. At amazon.co.uk
4/6Best bedside DAB radio: Pure Siesta Charge
- Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple Lightning, 3.5mm AUX IN / AUX OUT, USB
- Spotify Connect: No
- Dimensions: 155 x 145 x 80mm (W x H x D)
- Display: LED front display
Modern DAB radios are often on the cutting edge of current audio tech, but there aren't too many that offer wireless charging, which is why we’re so impressed with the Pure Siesta Charge. The perfect bedside companion, this one can wirelessly top up your QI-enabled smartphone or tablet while also waking you up with a jazzy breakfast radio alarm, freeing up your bedroom plug sockets and bedside table for other things like fans, smartwatch chargers or lamps.
Elsewhere, it’s fully supported with a wealth of buttons to switch channels, change the volume, set up a sleep timer, hit snooze or set up the LCD display with all the info you might need in your bleary early morning starts. The sound isn’t much to write home about, but then you don’t really want festival-level volume as the first thing you hear when you wake up. £119. At amazon.co.uk
5/6Best compact DAB radio: Roberts Revival Petite
- Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX IN
- Spotify Connect: No
- Dimensions: 73 x 124 x 76mm (D x W x H)
- Display: 50 x 23mm OLED screen
Good things come in small packages and all that, right? Philips’ dinky DAB radio punches well above its weight with a rich, expansive set of lungs on it that can easily be heard around the house (even over the washing machine in our case) with warm tones whether you’re rocking out or engrossed in a podcast. It’s easily the most portable radio we’ve got on the list, with a robust design for chucking in bags to the campsite and a rechargeable battery – though it can only be topped back up with a micro USB port, which is about as common as a Tottenham Hotspur trophy win these days.
The LCD screen has a tuner, preset buttons for certain stations and volume control as well as info on what you’re currently listening to, and it can be doubled up as a dual alarm system if you need a battery-powered kickstart in the morning. £99. At amazon.co.uk, robertsradio.com, very.co.uk & johnlewis.com
6/6Most stylish DAB radio: Roberts Revival RD70
- Radio: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, headphones jack, 3.5mm AUX in / out
- Spotify Connect: Yes
- Dimensions: 106 x 250 x 160mm (W x H x D)
- Display: 2.7-inch colour LCD
Looking like it’s been pulled right off the set of I Love Lucy, this '50s-inspired DAB radio is the sort of eye-catching music player to complete your retro design needs, with a range of pastel colours to match your tiles and countertop – Roberts really do think of everything.
Despite its decidedly old-school design, it’s far from geriatric, with plenty of in-house smarts to improve your morning radio stream, with direct Bluetooth ripping from your smartphone (which is how you can sync up to your chosen streaming service) and a built-in LCD display. On the performance side, it’s middle of the pack, with a warm range that doesn’t rival any hi-fi systems but does just fine with Greg James’ dulcet tones. There’s a handy carry handle if you need to move it, but it’s not a particularly portable machine, so best to be kept in one place. £199. At amazon.co.uk, robertsradio.com, johnlewis.com & argos.com
NOW READ
The best record players to get the most from your vinyl collection
The best vinyl records to have in your collection
First ever playable vinyl made from single-use plastic helps to give the ocean a voice
