Easy listening: The best DAB radios of 2024

Pure is a brand that anyone familiar with DAB will have heard of. The company was around at the launch of DAB, with a range of iconic Evoke DAB radios to get the nation listening. This Evoke Spot Radio looks set to become another icon, both in terms of refined design and modern feature set. Here we have a very compact radio with a fabric grill at the front that brings traditional speakers to mind. On the top, there’s a popup angled screen that puts all of your essential DAB and audio info into easy view. 

Not only do you get DAB and DAB+ reception, but there’s FM, Bluetooth and  - perhaps unique to this list - wireless connectivity too. That means the Evoke Spot will connect to the internet and let you play your favourite tunes and playlists from Spotify Connect. Handy controls on the top let you skip tracks and more.

Best of all (and one of the reasons that this is more expensive than other compact DAB radios) is that it's engineered for premium sound quality. The 3-inch speaker delivers full-range sound and the bass reflex port really brings weight to any radio station. It’s a real looker, with the smarts to match.

Roberts makes it back into our list with this simple and highly usable pocket DAB radio. It has everything you’d want from a neat pocket-sized player. The lines are smooth with the controls on the top - ideal for keeping things comfortable and usable while you listen. Even better for such a compact radio, it can receive both DAB and DAB+ stations and lets you store ten of them as presets. It even has FM.

One aspect we particularly like is that, for a pocket radio, the backlit display is nice and large. After all, when you take it out of your pocket and tune it, or just place it on a desk or your lap while you listen, it’s easy to glance at and see what’s playing.

Running on two AA batteries, the Sport DAB5 portable radio can run for between 15 and 25 hours - but using DAB over FM will drain the batteries faster depending on use. That still means you can go for several days without replacing the batteries - although we recommend investing in rechargeable AAs and a fast charger to make sure you keep this pocket radio portable.

The Majority Barton DAB Digital Radio blends clean design principles with neat functionality. As far as radio stations go, it has you well covered with its DAB, DAB+, and FM radio support. Other features include dual alarms, a sleep timer, and a dimmable LCD screen for easy viewing. It has a 3.5 mm headphone jack for private listening and can store up to 20 preset stations for quick access. This mains-powered radio is compact, precise and perfectly formed for kitchens, bedrooms or conservatories.

What’s The Best’s digital editor, William Austin-Lobley, recently got his hands on the Barton. Here’s what he thought of his time reviewing the radio: "About the size of a single bookshelf speaker, I’ve found the Barton to be a functional radio – it’s no-frills and does what it sets out to do. Scanning for stations is quick, and the button layout is well-labelled and logical.

"Regarding audio performance, the single mono speaker does an admirable job. It’s clear and has a pleasant sound, especially when between 25 and 50 per cent volume. If you want to crank it loud, the sound starts to get messy and noticeably thin, but this is no surprise for a single small speaker like this. This is no party speaker, but the audio performance is perfectly fine for easy listening with breakfast or on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I found the Barton to be able to hold a strong signal too, which also helps increase audio quality."

We love the retro styling of this portable little DAB radio from Roberts. Fittingly called the Revival, it really does bring back the minimal yet functional radio designs of yesteryear. The front is a simple inset grill and brass logo, with equally retro volume and tuning knobs on the top.

All of the controls are pleasingly reminiscent of 50s radios thanks to the off-white colour scheme and simple labelling. Thanks to the off-white colour scheme and simple labelling, all of the controls are pleasingly reminiscent of 50s radios. The colour screen in the centre is really the only thing that gives away what this is – a DAB+ digital radio with Bluetooth for connecting to mobiles. You can store up to 10 preset stations, and it even has an alarm built-in.

As a portable DAB radio, the Roberts Revival is something of a style icon when out and about. It is a little heavier than some, but we think that just adds to the reassuringly solid feel.

The Roberts Revival RD70 was recently reviewed by William Austin-Lobley. Here are his thoughts: “Here's a concise first-person review focused on the user experience of the Roberts Revival RD70: “I can say it's one of the most stylish and well-crafted DAB radios out there. Quality is evident in every detail, from the robust dials to the bright, easy-to-read display. The sound quality is equally impressive, with a warm, rich tone that makes music and voices sound fantastic.

It is almost the perfect portable radio, but what holds it back is the reliance on disposable AA batteries, which need to be updated in 2024. To make matters worse, you’ll need to fork out an extra £40 for the optional rechargeable battery pack, which feels like an unnecessary expense after already investing in the radio. 

That said, the Roberts Revival RD70 is a top choice if you’re after a blend of classic design, modern features, and quality sound. Just be prepared for the added cost if you want the convenience of rechargeable power.”

In our review of the Majority Oakington, we found that the beautiful wood-finish cabinet and brushed aluminium panel were high-quality and a great stylish addition to any room. Although it’s not the only DAB radio with CD, USB and Bluetooth to make this list, we do think it steals the show in terms of pure aesthetics. It has that simple control layout that Majority seem to excel at, making this an uncluttered-looking and refined addition to any room.

In terms of DAB and sound quality, the cabinet has rear bass ports - so you’ll get better, richer sound out of this than many others. There are five equaliser presets too - Normal, Jazz, Rock, Classical, and Pop - so you can tweak the sound to suit. We did, however, find the remote to be a little slow to respond at times - but it wasn’t a deal-breaker. As a DAB+ radio, you get a large range of stations - it’ll even charge your phone via USB while you listen. Brilliant.

Not all DAB radios are compact or homely enough to sit well at the bedside, but this MangoKit MD3 does. Not only does it have an attractive fabric speaker grill on the front, but the controls are simple and the display is dimmable - ideal for the bedroom.

With this model, you can set a dual alarm - making sure that you wake up on time to the DAB station of your choice. And if you like to go to sleep listening to the radio, it has a headphone jack too so you won’t disturb anyone else.

This is also a DAB, DAB+ and FM radio, so you have your pick from plenty of stations with 20 presets available. It’s Bluetooth too, and works from mains or batteries - so this really can double as a portable DAB radio and streaming music player if you need it to. It’s not the most powerful sound on offer, at 3 watts, but easily enough for the bedside or small room. All in all, a hugely flexible yet compact clock radio and more.

As audio products go, this is the Rolls Royce of DAB systems. Denon knows a thing or two about sound and this CEOL-N11 DAB Audio Receiver is clearly placing radio at the forefront of its capabilities. You’ll need to provide your own speakers (including a subwoofer if you want to), but once done you have a very compact component style hi-fi with big DAB+ sound. There’s a very understated CD player here, but it’s joined by Bluetooth, and - importantly - HEOS for multiroom and Airplay over wifi.

But, one of the things we love is the integration of Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri (via Apple Airplay). That makes this one of the most usable and convenient DAB radio systems here. Skip tracks and adjust the volume and more with your voice. A premium price for premium audio product with DAB radio at its core.

The Roberts Revival PETITE2, from the well-established British audio brand that dates from 1932, bring us this seamless fusion of retro charm and modern innovation. As a compact portable DAB+ radio, it really stands out – with its blend of vintage design and advanced functionality for such a small unit.

Despite its small stature, the Roberts Revival PETITE2 boasts DAB, DAB+, and FM capabilities, ensuring access to a wide range of stations with crystal-clear audio. The intuitive rotary dial simplifies station navigation and access to settings like screen brightness and station tuning. Volume control is handled with convenient plus-and-minus buttons, while the bottom left button toggles between DAB, FM, and Bluetooth modes or sets the alarm.

Enhancing the original PETITE model, the PETITE2 includes a rechargeable battery offering up to 20 hours of playback, a telescopic antenna for better reception, and Bluetooth connectivity for streaming from smartphones and other devices. This updated version also introduces an alarm function, a new feature for this latest version.

William Austin-Lobley reviewed the PETITE2, and had this to say: "The style is obviously a huge plus here, but this radio offer more than retro design. I really enjoyed the sound quality, with its 40mm speaker providing clear audio for talk radio and music. It’s not a bass powerhouse, but it never was going to be at this size - but still, it does a very decent job, and the audio is really balanced. 

"The high build quality and weighty feel reflect Roberts’ pedigree. I really like that it has a 20-hour battery life and fast USB-C charging. However, the outdated Bluetooth 2.0 and dim OLED screen are disappointing. Despite these flaws, the PETITE2 remains a well-designed, enjoyable radio I recommend to everyone."

An aptly-named compact product, the Majority Little Shelford DAB+ radio is perfect for placing on a shelf or desk. It features both DAB and FM radio and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. With its impressive display and multiple buttons for cycling through presets, the Little Shelford is easy to control. You can save up to 20 presets too, so all of your favorite stations are just a button press away.

While we're not big fans of the somewhat plastic-looking gold design, it does have retro charm. In terms of sound, the small size results in a slightly lightweight quality. There is some bass in the mix, though – just don't expect it to rattle the room.

Our tech writer Chris Duffill reviewed the Majority Little Shelford and had this to say about it: "Yes, opinions on the design may vary, but I find it quite appealing straight out of the box. The angled interface on top is easy to view from most angles, too. However, the combination of eight electronic buttons and the faux gold finish clash a bit with the leatherette texture and the retro front speaker grille. That said, it remains a very tidy little radio. The cream and gold model I have would fit nicely in kitchens, windowsills, or bookcases."

"I found the controls very intuitive. Scanning for DAB stations and setting presets was simple. The unexpected surprise was the volume level and overall audio quality. While it won't shake the shelf or win any audiophile awards, the sound is sufficiently well-rounded to enjoy, even at maximum volume.
For an affordable DAB radio, it exceeds expectations. Insert four AA batteries and it becomes completely portable (although it isn’t waterproof or weather-resistant, so keep it indoors or under cover. Overall, it's a well-designed and affordable product that takes inspiration from retro radios."

At the price, it’s hard to argue with what’s on offer here. This black and walnut audio system from Roxel is an all-in-one audio solution.  DAB and DAB+ radio are the star feature here, alongside FM if you need to listen to non-digital stations. Plus, there’s a discrete CD player for your disc collection, USB playback and Bluetooth  Sources and connectivity  - making this more than just another radio.

We particularly like the alternative look and feel of this radio, as its dark grey tones, wooden cabinet and clear DAB display are a pleasure to look at and use. The only slight downside is the lack of a headphone jack - but this model is really designed to fill your room with sound.

As for DAB features, you can auto-scan to find stations and store up to 15 of them; and the included remote makes it easier than ever to tune in. A pair of three-inch 16-watt speakers finish off the package for excellent power and range.

For those of us driving older cars, fitting a DAB in-car radio might be a step too far or even an impossible task. But if you love your existing car stereo and it has an auxiliary input jack, you’re in luck. This Pure Highway 200 is in an in-car DAB and DAB+ adapter. It’ll pick up digital radio for you and pipe it into your car via the existing stereo. It does this via an aux cable or an unused FM frequency on your existing radio.

We love the fact that this will be a usable addition to your dashboard, as the mountable stand puts all of the controls and text info where you need it. It has a 20-station memory and comes with a small antenna that can be slotted out of sight. It’s also a great price from a great brand, so it’s easily one of the best ways to add DAB to your car without spending a fortune.

If you’re looking for a DAB hi-fi separate to add to your stack to bring top-quality radio to your home, this is it. Surprisingly, there aren’t that many on the market - but when we reviewed the Majority Fitzwilliam 3 we found it to be a well-designed multifunction media player.

It certainly has the looks to fit well with other hi-fi components, but under the hood, it’s a Bluetooth, wi-fi internet radio player with DAB+ reception. It also has auxiliary inputs, USB playback and Spotify Connect built-in. 

But back to DAB - there’s the usual ability to set presets and auto-tuning works very well, and the station info is clearly displayed. The DAB aerial is fixed to the back of the unit, so just remember that this will need some room to extend once you add it to your hi-fi stack or cabinet. Being able to relax and have a proper listening session with digital radio through your hi-fi setup is probably the very best way to experience it. The additional remote and separate volume control means you won’t have to get up to adjust the volume - handy if your existing amp is a vintage one with only a manual volume control.