Class act: Roberts Revival RD70 DAB+ Radio review

The Roberts Revival RD70 stands out as one of the market's most stylish and well-crafted DAB radios. Its retro-inspired design features a textured faux leather exterior and sturdy hand-crafted wooden shell. Attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the control panel with its easy-to-read display and robust, chunky dials to the contrasting colour grille that adds a welcome vintage flair.

The RD70 is not just a feast for the eyes; it is equally easy on the ear. The combination of its expertly crafted wooden cabinet and speaker driver produces a detailed sound full of bassy warmth. It's a pleasure to listen to at all volumes – and it goes surprisingly loud – and carries spoken voices just as well as music.

Additional features include Bluetooth connectivity, Aux in/out and alarm modes. The onboard memory can store preset radio station favourites, and DAB+ is supported.

While the RD70 has strong look and sound, it has a drawback. The reliance on disposable AA batteries for portability feels outdated in 2024. Adding to this sting is the optional rechargeable battery pack, priced at £40, which feels steep after the initial investment in the radio.

Verdict: The Roberts Revival RD70 is a top choice for those seeking a perfect blend of classic design, modern functionality, and quality sound in a single, stylish package.

What's good?

Roberts is known for two things: quality and style. The RD70 ticks both of these off.

I first felt the quality of the Roberts Revival RD70 in its build; the faux leather exterior convinced me of its animal origins before I looked it up to ensure its vegan credentials. The glossy control panel on the top houses a bright, easy-to-read screen with robust, pleasantly chunky dials and button controls.

Every aspect of the radio feels satisfying, whether skipping stations or hitting snooze on the alarm function. The carry handle is equally high quality, offering a comfortable grip, and the contrasting colour grille adds a charm that enhances the overall visual appeal.

By chance, I found an old and very broken Roberts Radio in a vintage store and was pleased to see how little it has changed over time. It reaffirmed its status to me as a classic piece of consumer design.

Quality carries on into the audio. The speakers in the Roberts Revival RD70 deliver warm and detailed sound, enhanced by the wooden cabinet that houses a mid-sized driver. This setup gives the audio a rich, bass-heavy quality that is particularly well-suited for voice and music radio and for listening to streamed music via Bluetooth (so much so, I would happily consider this among the best Bluetooth speakers for audio around).

I like the rounded tone that the RD70 produces, but some users might find it slightly too bassy, especially when listening to deeper voices in talk shows. The EQ settings allow you to balance the sound to your liking, adjusting the bass and treble or selecting from presets like classic, jazz, pop, rock, and news to better suit your preferences.

As with other Roberts radios, such as the cute PETITE2 I reviewed recently, the RD70 is a great-looking device that blends classy mid-20th-century design with modern tech. I tested the Duck Egg finish, but more choices are available to suit your tastes. The bronze-coloured speaker grille and the robust, chunky dials enhance its nostalgic charm while offering a satisfying tactile experience. The contrasting colours and meticulously crafted details can make it act as a statement piece and a functional device, fitting into modern and traditional interiors.

What's okay?

The Roberts Revival's antenna retracts neatly into a hole at the top, providing a sleek and contained appearance. However, it requires careful handling to avoid potential issues. You need to be sure that the antenna is pushed in fully before moving the radio around or pulled all the way out before adjusting the angle; otherwise, you risk bending it. While this isn't a full-blown design flaw, and any damage that occurs is likely due to user error, it's something to watch out for.

Any negatives?

My biggest nag with the Roberts Revival is that it is an expensive, quality radio that requires disposable AA batteries to fulfil its promise of being a portable DAB radio. It's a shame Roberts will stick to disposables as an option in 2024, especially since what it pulled off with the 20-hour battery in the PETITE2 shows it has the technology.

Of course, based on my scepticism for a moment, it's more likely that Roberts is doing this as a cynical attempt to get you to part with an extra £40 to grab the BP3, a rechargeable battery accessory for the Roberts Revival. After making you buy the radio for £179, it's hard to say I don't resent this fact.

Other items to consider

Who tested it?

The Roberts Revival RD70 was reviewed by William Austin-Lobley. He has been with What’s The Best for five years and has tested many audio products. This includes headphones, Bluetooth speakers and DAB radios.

How was it tested?

The Roberts Revival RD70 was unpacked and set up in William’s kitchen and used daily. He listened to radio shows, Bluetooth-streamed podcasts from Apple Podcasts, and Spotify music. The radio was tested over three weeks. William’s wife also deserves a shout-out here, as she was fond of using the radio, too, so it was in constant use throughout the day.

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William Austin-Lobley is the Editor for What's The Best. Here, he oversees, curates and researches listicles and reviews as many products as his home office can handle.

He has spent nearly five years writing about tech, audio, outdoors and fitness and has reviewed everything from smartphones to ice baths. In addition, he's well-versed in sniffing out the best deals and savings the internet offers.

When not at his desk writing, reviewing or deal-hunting, he'll be relaxing with Japanese crime novels, bingeing some classic anime, strolling the countryside or at the gym listening to the heaviest metal Spotify has to offer.

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