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Top 10 Best Portable Radios of 2020 – Review and Comparison
Looking to purchase the best portable radio in 2020? With so many different products available, it can be hard to decide on what device to buy, considering the vast differences in features and price points.
Originally invented in 1965, the portable radio has been consistently used by people around the world to listen to music, news and current affairs.
These days, radio can do much more than that, with digital radio, alarm and even Bluetooth capabilities being common in portable radios.
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If you are in the market for a new portable radio, we’re here to help.  Below we have reviewed ten of the most popular portable DAB/AM/FM radios available, so you can be more informed on what is best for your specific needs and budget.
Read on to find out features, price points and overall quality of top ten portable AM/FM radios currently on the market!
Alternatively, if you need a radio for your home, we have just finished baking the best tabletop radio review, so make sure you check it out.
Best Portable Radio – Top 10 Quick Comparison
Image Sound power / Weight / Size / Band
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Best FM Radio For General Use – Avantree SP850 3-in-1
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Ultra-portable and modern design with backlit LCD. Streams music via Bluetooth, SD card or works as a FM radio.
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3 W
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5.6 oz
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5.2 x 1.3 x 2.6 in
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FM
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Best Portable AM FM Radio – Panasonic RF-2400
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Simple, affordable AM / FM radio that features ar precision tuning and a retro look. One of the best portable radio sellers on Amazon.
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3 W
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16 oz
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3.2 x 9.2 x 4.8 in
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AM, FM
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Best for Jobsite  – Bosch PB180
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Tough, heavy duty and waterproof body makes it perfect for jobsite use. Coupled with an ultra-long battery life this is the best construction site radio around.
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10 W
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64 oz
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13 x 6.5 x 4.8 in
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AM, FM
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Best Retro Radio – Studebaker SB2000TG
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A budget version of a cool looking retro radio. It features a simple design with the most basic operation and controls.
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0.35 W
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26 oz.
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7.5 x 5.6 x 3.5 in
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AM, FM
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Best Small Radio – Sony ICFP26
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One of the best ultra-portable radios around. Small size and lightweight design ensure it can easily slide in your pocket. Great with headphones.
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0.1 W
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6.7 oz
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4.69 x 2.74 x 1.50 in
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AM, FM
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Best Emergency Crank Radio – RunningSnail MD-090
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One of the best compact emergency radios we’ve tested. Radio can be powered with solar, batteries, USB cable and hand crank.
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3 W
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8.8 oz
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6.2 x 2.1 x 2.9 in
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AM, FM
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Top Sound Quality – Sangean PR-D5BK
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Great sound quality in a very portable package. Add strong reception and you get one of the best general purpose portable radios out there.
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2 W
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58 oz
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10.2 x 5.4 x 2.5 in
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AM, FM RDS
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Best Radio for Shower – Jensen Bluetooth Wireless Waterproof Shower Speaker Radio
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Features Bluetooth streaming support and built-in FM radio. Splash resistant design make it a perfect choice for bath or shower usage.
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N/A
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17 oz
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8.9 x 7.6 x 2.5 in
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AM, FM, Bluetooth
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Best Budget Emergency – RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Self Powered
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The best budget emergency radio on the market. You can power up the radio with solar, USB cable and hand crank. Upgraded LED flashlight.
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N/A
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7.8 oz
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5 x 1.8 x 2.4 in
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AM, FM NOAA
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Best Pocket Radio – C. Crane CC Pocket AM/FM Pocket
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A pocket radio power house. It features the premium feel, material quality and build. Top choice for pocket size radios, but somewhat pricey.
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N/A
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3.8 oz
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4.2 x 2.5 x 1 in
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AM, FM NOAA
Top 10 Portable Radio Shootout
Best FM Radio For General Use – Avantree SP850 3-in-1
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Ultra-portable and modern design with backlit LCD. Streams music via Bluetooth, SD card or works as a FM radio.
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3 W
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5.2 x 1.3 x 2.6 in
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5.6 oz.
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FM
View on Amazon
Best Portable AM FM Radio – Panasonic RF-2400
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Simple, affordable AM / FM radio that features ar precision tuning and a retro look. One of the best portable radio sellers on Amazon.
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3 W
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3.2 x 9.2 x 4.8 in
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16 oz.
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AM, FM
View on Amazon
Best for Jobsite  – Bosch PB180
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Tough, heavy duty and waterproof body makes it perfect for jobsite use. Coupled with an ultra-long battery life this is the best jobsite radio around.
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10 W
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13 x 6.5 x 4.8 in
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64 oz.
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AM, FM
View on Amazon
Best Retro Radio – Studebaker SB2000TG
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A budget version of a cool looking retro radio. It features a simple design with the most basic operation and controls.
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0.35 W
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7.5 x 5.6 x 3.5 in
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26 oz.
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AM, FM
View on Amazon
Best Compact Radio – Sony ICFP26
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One of the best ultra-portable radios around. Small size and lightweight construction ensure it can easily fit in your pocket. Great with headphones.
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0.1 W
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4.69 x 2.74 x 1.50 in
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6.7 oz.
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AM, FM
View on Amazon
Best Emergency Crank Radio – RunningSnail MD-090
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One of the best emergency waterproof radios on the market. Power sources include solar, batteries, USB cable and hand crank.
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3 W
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6.2 x 2.1 x 2.9 in
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8.8 oz.
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AM, FM
View on Amazon
Best For Music – Sangean PR-D5BK
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Amazing sound quality for the size and strong AM FM reception make it one of the top choices for general purpose portable radio.
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2 W
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10.2 x 5.4 x 2.5 in
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58 oz.
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AM, FM RDS
View on Amazon
Best Radio for Shower – Jensen Bluetooth Wireless Waterproof Shower Speaker Radio
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Features Bluetooth connectivity and built-in radio support. Splash resistant design make it a perfect choice for bath or shower usage.
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N/A
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8.9 x 7.6 x 2.5 in
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17 oz.
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AM, FM, Bluetooth
View on Amazon
Best Budget Emergency – RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Self Powered
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The best budget emergency radio on the market. You can power up the radio with solar, USB cable and hand crank. Upgraded LED flashlight.
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N/A
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5 x 1.8 x 2.4 in
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7.8 oz.
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AM, FM NOAA
View on Amazon
Best Pocket Radio – C. Crane CC Pocket AM/FM Pocket
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A pocket radio power house. It features the premium feel, material quality and build. Top choice for portable pocket size radios, but somewhat pricey.
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N/A
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4.2 x 2.5 x 1 in
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3.8 oz.
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AM, FM NOAA
View on Amazon
1. Best For General Use – Avantree SP850 3-in-1
Avantree SP850 3-in-1 is a multipurpose speaker that features Bluetooth, FM radio, MicroSD card playback, and an auxiliary port.
It also comes with rechargeable Li-ion batteries and a headphone jack, which are great inclusions for the price.
The radio is well-constructed and has a nice on/off volume control switch with a bit of a retro ode to old radios of the past.  The radio itself is quite small and will fit in your hand comfortably.
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On the front panel, you will find the small LCD screen with six buttons including menu, mode, and Bluetooth amongst others. Besides the volume control switch, the design is very modern with both sides highlighted in bright red color.
It also comes with a carrying strap, which is always handy to carry portable radios around. Besides, the radio comes with an integrated antenna, yet if you ever feel the signal strength is not enough, you can use a USB cable as an extension.
The sound quality doesn’t really stand out due to the small 3-watt speaker.  It isn’t horrendous, but it is not impressive either.
Since the radio produces moderate volume levels, it is best used in quiet places. Alternatively, you can always use the headphones port which is actually quite comfortable given the radio’s size.
On the downside, the radio lacks AM band and is limited to FM coverage only. Depending on your use, this might be a deal-breaker if you are looking for a radio that is versatile.  Although the device is small, it would still be nice to be able to connect it to AC power, but unfortunately, Avantree SP850 runs on rechargeable battery only.
Bottom Line
Avantree SP850 3-in-1 is a small digital radio with a lot of features, however, an AM band support and a more powerful speaker would have made it even better. Although it does have some cons, given the price point the radio represents unbeatable value. If you are looking for a small, cheap FM radio with Bluetooth support and rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, you may have found one of the best portable Bluetooth radios around.
7.8/10
Portability 90% 90%
Features 80% 80%
Sound Quality 60% 60%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Tons of features in a small device
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Carrying strap and rechargeable batteries are included
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Backlit LCD
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2 Years Warranty
NEGATIVE
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Unimpressive speaker
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No AM band
Check Price
2. Best Portable AM FM Radio – Panasonic RF-2400
Panasonic RF-2400 is probably the most popular portable AM FM radio currently available on the market.
The aesthetic design of the radio has retro touches that are common for electronics design from the early 80s.
Besides the product’s physical appearance, it also has a bunch of great design features that are not common in other products in this price range.
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This portable radio is easy to use and comes with some great features.  The antenna extends to 24 inches which helps with FM reception strength.  The on/off switch also acts as a band selector switch when you move it further to the right.  The device tuning wheel is quite large, sensitive and precise, which helps with easy station fine-tuning.
The handle doesn’t fold all the way in like with most radios.  Instead, it folds to the back, creating a ready-made stand. Another cool feature is the glow in the dark dial, making it a breeze to tune at night.
The sound quality is more than decent, given the radio’s price point.  A single 4-inch speaker delivers a great sound usually found in slightly more expensive radio alternatives.
In terms of power choices, you get both – AC and battery-powered operation. To use the radio on the go you need four AA batteries, unlike other devices that take larger and heavier C size batteries.
There is one questionable inclusion to mention, and that is the earphone jack.  Not to be confused with a headphone jack that powers both ears. An earphone jack is a single, left ear only jack that cannot be used with standard stereo mode headphones.
On the downside, the only major complaint we could find is the absence of an external auxiliary port. It means that the radio cannot be used as a speaker for other portable media players you may have.
Bottom Line
Panasonic RF-2400 is an affordable, simple radio that sits amongst the best portable radios in its price range.  It features a precise tuning and excellent sound for a very wallet-friendly price. Although we’d love to see a headphone socket included, we still easily find it to be one of the best value portable radios around.
8/10
Portability 80% 80%
Features 70% 70%
Sound Quality 70% 70%
Value 100% 100%
POSITIVE
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Fantastic AM/FM reception
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Impressive sound quality
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Glow in the dark dial
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Extremely easy to use
NEGATIVE
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NOAA weather radio is extremely handy for all those situations.
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Lack of external auxiliary port
Check Price
3. best Jobsite radio – Bosch PB180
Bosch is a brand that is best known for its heavy-duty tools and household appliances. Yet, many may not know that they also make a wide range of durable job site radios for the toughest conditions.
Bosch PB180 is a compact and portable version specifically designed for construction and job site use.
As a general use portable radio, it may come across as rather bulky due to the protective element on the body.
The radio is housed in a water-resistant, heavy-duty plastic case to protect it from drops and bumps that can occur at a construction site.
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In fact, the shock-absorbing case protects the radio from drops of up to 6.5 feet high and guarantees to remain fully functional.
The case isn’t exactly great looking, and we won’t find this radio in any aesthetic design hall of fame, but it is more of a function over form type of product.  It has been designed for all-day use by tradespeople wanting extra durability, and it does an excellent job at it.
The radio comes with an AC adapter for power, yet the device is also compatible with Bosch 18V lithium-ion batteries.  Using the battery allows the radio to last for up to two days with continuous use – a big plus when you are working through the day.  In addition, if you are a tradesman, you may already have those Bosch batteries as they are compatible with most of their tools.
Regarding the sound, it comes with two high performance, 5-Watt speakers so that you can hear the radio over job site noise.
Another handy feature is the external auxiliary port, which allows you to connect any digital media device to Bosch PB180 and use it as speakers.
The radio supports both AM/FM bands and has ten memory preset options for all your favorite stations.  The radio also includes a 7” antenna that pivots and rotates 360 degrees for maximum reception both indoors and outdoors, but it is not DAB compatible.
It comes with a one year warranty, which is a nice added extra to protect your wallet if the product doesn’t live up to standard.  Users have remarked that it is the perfect radio for outdoor use and working due to being durable, lightweight and producing great quality sound.
Bottom Line
Bosch PB180 is the number one choice for a portable FM radio for worksite use.  The combination of the ultra-long battery life, shock-absorbing casing and powerful speakers make it one of the best jobsite radios in a compact size for construction workers and any job sites in general.
8/10
Portability 80% 80%
Features 70% 70%
Sound quality 90% 90%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Heavy duty rugged radio
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Shock and water resistant
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Two good quality speakers
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Fits into a half L-BOXX-2
NEGATIVE
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Not DAB compatible even though it is a higher priced radio
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Need to purchase batteries separately
Check Price
4. Best Retro Radio – Studebaker SB2000TG
Studebaker is a brand that focuses on making affordable, easy to use portable AM/FM radios.
Studebaker SB2000TG, in particular, features a truly retro design and looks from the golden days of the 50s or 60s.
The radio has a great compact size with a flip-up handle that allows you to transport it easily in one hand.
The eye-popping feature of this device is the gorgeous metal speaker grill.  It really stands out and adds retro charm to the radio. In addition, the old school rotary dial on the front panel nicely completes the overall retro look and allows you to dial in the radio station you want.
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On the side of the radio is the band select and external auxiliary port, which allows the radio to be used as a speaker for other media players.
Sound-wise, you get a single 2.25” size premier speaker.  It is not the best we’ve seen, but given the price point, the sound quality produced is very respectable.
It is great to see that the radio comes with an AC adapter. It allows you to save on the batteries if the power point is around. If you do choose to use batteries, however, the radio takes four large C sized batteries.
On the downside, there is no DAB support.  Also, we feel a backlight on the dial or tuning indicator would be a convenient feature as it is hard to change channels in the dark.
Also since the radio comes with a shorter 11 inches antenna instead of a more standard 24 inch, the reception quality in demanding conditions is impacted.  Lastly, a headphone port would also be a welcome feature to have.
SB2000TG comes with a 90-day warranty which is typical for radios. Overall, users seem to be delighted with aesthetics and value the radio delivers at a very affordable price.
Bottom Line
Studebaker SB2000TG is a cool and easy to use portable radio that might be a good choice if you are on a budget.  The retro look is very thematic, and the speaker grill looks great.  If you are looking for a simple, practical, bare-bones old-school looking radio on a budget, it does not get much better than this.
7.5/10
Portability 80% 80%
Features 70% 70%
Sound Quality 70% 70%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Dual power operation
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Auxiliary input
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Cool retro design
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Comes with AC adapter
NEGATIVE
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The antenna is too small to get great FM reception
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No backlight on the dial or tuning indicator
Check Price
5. Best Small Radio – Sony ICFP26
Sony ICFP26 is an ultraportable vertical AM/FM radio.  Designed to sit in your pocket comfortably, this is the smallest radio on our list, weighing just 6.7oz.
For those looking for the smallest radio they can find, Sony ICFP26 is likely to be the best small radio you can buy today.
There are a lot of things to like with this tiny portable radio, and it starts with battery life. It requires only two AA batteries to deliver up to 110 hours of listening time.
When the battery gets to a low level, the power LED turns red, indicating that battery change is required.
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The all-black housing gives the device a modern look.  It features the speaker at the front and the tuning dial on the side. The tuning wheel is smooth and scans through channels nicely. Below the tuning wheel is a single switch that contains the on/off/AM/FM selections, which is a smart design. 
The best thing about radio case is that it has a flat bottom, that allows it to stand on a flat surface. At the same time, the case plastic has a matte-like finish, which looks great but may get scratched up pretty quickly.
Sony has also included a high-quality wrist strap which is a small thing, but it makes it easy to carry around.
Our only complaint we have is with the telescoping antenna.  It is 17 inches long, which is decent for an ultraportable radio, but it does not come with a guard or protection.  It makes carrying the radio in your hand or a pocket slightly uncomfortable.
The speaker is also quite small and unimpressive, but that is expected when the device is barely larger than a pack of playing cards.  This radio does come with a stereo headphone jack so you can listen to it like you would with your iPhone or the old-school Sony Walkman.
Bottom Line Sony ICF-P26 is an ultraportable radio that is exceptionally sturdy and features a great channel selection sensitivity. The telescopic antenna is not perfect as it is hosted outside of the radio body. At the same time, this minor flaw does not prevent ICF-P26 from joining the ranks of the best small radios available today. If you are looking for an ultraportable radio, mainly for headphone listening on a shoestring budget, you would be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
8.5/10
Portability 100% 100%
Features 70% 70%
Sound Quality 80% 80%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Power LED indicators dim when battery level is low
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Power switch that doubles as the band select
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Flat base design so the radio stays upright
NEGATIVE
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Telescopic antenna is badly designed
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Sound quality could have been better
Check Price
6. Best Emergency Crank Radio- RunningSnail MD-090
RunningSnail Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio is purposely built for emergencies and is a great option if you want to be prepared for the worst.
The housed in a hard plastic case is extremely durable that is ready to take some beating. The body features a bright, vivid green color that should help you find the radio easily, even in the dark.
The front of the body features basic radio controls with the solar panel at the top and the flashlight on the side.
To improve reception in hard to reach places, the radio comes with an extended antenna that should give you the best chance wherever you are.
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Overall, there are four ways to power the radio. You can use the hand crank, solar charge panel, micro USB or AAA batteries.
One of the cool features is the ability to charge other devices. You will find an additional standard size USB port on the side that can provide charge to your phone or other portable devices in emergencies.
If you choose to use a hand crank, a minute of cranking should get you 20 mins of radio, or 30 mins of flashlight use.  If you do need to make an emergency call, the radio has a built-in SOS button into the bottom of the case that initiates a loud siren sound to attract nearby people.
As with most emergency type radios, you will find a reasonably bright flashlight built into the radio’s body. It will definitely come in handy for outdoor use when camping or hiking, or as a backup flashlight for home.
We could not find many things to complain about as thousands of happy customers and positive reviews is a great testament to that. If we really had to push for it, I would want to see the speaker produce a slightly better quality sound. At the same time, this is a survival radio that was designed with a different focus in mind, so I may be asking for too much.
Bottom Line
RunningSnail MD-090 is one of the best emergency radios you will find on the market.  It is jammed packed with features such as the flashlight, portable device charging, SOS siren and 4 ways to be powered (crank, battery, solar or USB power bank). Fully charged it provides up to 12 hours of light or 6 hours of radio time. A great result that makes it one of the best portable radios for emergencies.
8/10
Portability 80% 80%
Features 90% 90%
Sound Quality 70% 70%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Great amount of features for survival situations
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Integrated with NOAA for emergency weather alerts
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Tough build and reliability required for emergencies.
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Emergency solar power access
NEGATIVE
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Unimpressive speaker
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The looks may not be for everyone
Check Price
7. Best Sound Portable Radio – Sangean PR-D5BK
When PR-D5BK was released, Sangean claimed to offer the “last portable radio that you will ever have to buy”. I think this may be somewhat of a stretch statement, but the radio does have some great features that make it an option you should probably consider.
Device functions are located at the front and both sides of the radio. At the front, you get 5 FM and 5 AM band presets, radio alarm function, sleep timer, and battery power indicator.
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On the left side is the power supply input, you will find an external AUX input, earphone jack, and a mono/stereo switch. The other side hosts volume and tuning knobs.
The tuning knob has an auto-seek option so you can scan through channels without having to turn it manually.
Unlike the majority of portable outdoor radios, Sangean PR-D5BK has two, high-quality speakers that deliver an excellent stereo sound. In fact, the sound quality and the pure listening experience is superior to any other radio in our review.
Tuning wise, the radio has two different antennas, one per band. The AM Band utilizes a seven-inch Ferrite AM antenna bar for improved AM Reception. For the FM band, there is a 26.5″ Adjustable Telescopic FM Antenna.
Regarding the downsides, we could only think about batteries and the lack of Bluetooth support. First, there are 6 C sized batteries, which is a lot. We understand that you need electric power for loud and good quality sound, but we feel it has a couple too many. Also, given the price point, it would be a reasonable expectation to include a rechargeable battery in the box.
The absence of Bluetooth also feels a little bit of a miss, especially knowing that the radio has all it needs to become a small boom box.
Bottom Line
Sangean PR-D5BK is a well built and designed portable radio. The features are useful, the speakers are excellent and the above the fold signal strength makes it one of the best portable radios on the market. If you don’t mind using 6 x C size batteries and not have Bluetooth connectivity, PR-D5BK delivers a great package that would even work in noisy places.
8/10
Portability 70% 70%
Features 70% 70%
Sound Quality 100% 100%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Great ferrite antenna AM/FM reception
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Superb stereo sound quality
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Backlit LCD display
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RDS support
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Comes with power cord
NEGATIVE
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Bass can be a little too heavy with no way to turn it down
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No Bluetooth support
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No carry handle
Check Price
8. Best Radio For Shower – Jensen Bluetooth Waterproof
Jensen Bluetooth Wireless Waterproof Shower Speaker Radio is a versatile radio that is perfect for shower use but can do much more than that.
The device has a multitude of features built-in such as Bluetooth speaker, radio, NFC, clock and a speakerphone.  It is straightforward to use and features a simple yet robust body.
You will find a multi-function blue back-lit LCD display that allows you to view time, radio band, Bluetooth connectivity, and other details.
The device has a splash-resistant case so that you can use it in your bath or shower.
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The device comes with a detachable rubber strap. It allows you to hang the portable radio over a multitude of things such as the shower rod, hook or taps.
It is also great to see integrated Bluetooth support in such a relatively cheap device. It allows you to connect the device to your phone or other portable device and use it as a speaker.  For example, you can make a shower playlist on your phone, connect the speaker and then listening to your curated tunes when you are scrubbing. Alternatively, you can simply tune into your favorite radio channel.
On the downside the unit does not come with batteries included, so you need to source your own four AA batteries.  The battery compartment requires a flat blade screwdriver so make sure you have one handy.  Users have noted that the battery compartment is quite hard to open – even with a flat blade and that it is possible to thread the screw holes if you aren’t careful.
Bottom Line
Jensen Shower Speaker is a great choice for a shower or bath use.  The combination of a low price, Bluetooth features and easy to hang rubber strap is hard to beat.  If you are looking for the best waterproof portable radio that can also play soundtracks from your phone, this little wireless shower speaker is a good fit for the job.
7.8/10
Portability 90% 90%
Features 70% 70%
Sound Quality 60% 60%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Bluetooth support
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Good reception given built-in antenna
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Rubber strap makes hanging it anywhere very easy
NEGATIVE
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The battery compartment is hard to open and needs a flat head screwdriver
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“Splash-proof” not waterproof
Check Price
9. Best Emergency Compact Radio – RunningSnail MD-088s
RunningSnail MD-088s is the younger, cheaper brother of the all-weather radio MD-090 we have reviewed before.
It has many of the same features in a smaller design, however, there are also few things missing.
Despite the size, this little emergency radio packs enough features to make you strongly consider it if you are on the market for emergency portable radios.
You can charge the radio in three ways, via a micro USB connection, solar energy or manual hand crank.  Unlike its bigger brother MD-090 (see above) using AAA batteries with this radio is not supported.
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Since the radio also supports NOAA weather service, the weather notifications are always at your fingertips.  The SOS alarm feature is not available on this radio; hence if it is something important to you, you may want to consider MD-090 (see above) as an emergency radio with weather channel support instead.
The odd shape of the radio reminds of an old flashlight. The bottom of the unit has a square base allowing it to stand upright on flat surfaces.
This emergency radio also features an updated LED flashlight that now comes with a built-in 1W LED. It is strong enough to light up a room or an area for extended periods of time.
The built-in speaker size is relatively small, so the sound quality is nothing special, yet acceptable for occasional use.
If you are planning to use the hand crank to power up the built-in rechargeable battery, then you may find it uncomfortable. Due to that, cranking for portable device charging is not recommended, unless there is no other way around it.
Bottom Line
RunningSnail has nailed the compact emergency radio again with MD-088s. With solar, USB and hand crank charging, flashlight and a decent radio for occasional use, RunningSnail have delivered one of the best small portable radios for emergency use. Although SOS alarm would have been a welcome addition, it still represents a great choice for anyone looking for a compact emergency radio with an affordable price tag.
8/10
Portability 90% 90%
Features 70% 70%
Sound Quality 70% 70%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Compact size with plenty of features
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Integrated NOAA weather alert feature
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Radio antenna gives a good signal
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Three ways to power the radio
NEGATIVE
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Unimpressive speaker
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Hand crank is not comfortable to use
Check Price
10. Best Pocket Radio – C. Crane CC Pocket AM/FM Pocket
C. Crane CC Pocket is a premium handheld portable radio that has more features than most portable radios on the market.
It comes at a higher price point than other compact portable radios on the list, but it is well justified.
The build quality is solid and sleek, with a rubber casing around the edge of the radio.  It adds another layer of protection and helps to grip the radio when carrying around.
The face of the radio has an LCD and five one-touch memory presets to access your favorite radio stations. In total, the radio can store up to 25 presets on both the AM and FM bands.
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The LCD display is relatively simple but very readable and neat.  It features a backlit display screen that works great in the dark. The radio also features a sleep function, which you can enable by holding the power button.
In addition to the standard AM/FM bands, the radio has access to NOAA Weather channels through an alert mode.  This feature is not common in a budget of mid-level small pocket radios, but anyone spending time hiking, camping or bushwalking will find it useful. You can further customize the weather alerts you want to listen to.
Since the radio is positioned as a premium pocket radio, it comes with quality made belt clip and earbuds.
There aren’t many flaws to point out except that the radio is pricey. But like we said at the beginning of our review, despite the premium price tag, we feel it is well worth your attention.
Bottom Line
C. Crane CC Pocket is a portable pocket radio powerhouse.  It is made to be a device that can withstand the stress of hiking and traveling but also works great as a stay at home occasional use radio.  It comes in a little pricey, but it is well worth the money.  If you want a premium pocket radio that is ultra-portable and robust at the same time, you will struggle to find a better alternative.
8/10
Portability 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 80% 80%
Sound Quality 80% 80%
Value 70% 70%
POSITIVE
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Included earbuds are of great quality
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Fantastic reception
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Modern design
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Premium build quality
NEGATIVE
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Built-in speaker could be better
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No DAB support
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Expensive
Check Price
Portable AM FM Radio Buying Guide – Key Features to Consider
Before you begin your search for the best portable AM/FM radio and read radio reviews, there are a few key features to consider. Knowing what to look for should make your search easier, skimming through the radio reviews quicker and help you pick the top portable radio for your needs.
By doing this, you will reduce time wasted, looking at products that don’t fit your needs and narrow down your search to make the overall experience more enjoyable.
There is a wide range of features that could be handy, but here are three key features we think you should definitely consider:
Mono or Stereo Speakers
Sound quality should be considered upon purchasing the best portable outdoor radio. If you are buying a mono device, the radio will only have one channel. Alternatively, stereo support requires two channels, which results in clearer and better sound quality.
DAB Compatibility
Digital Audio Broadcasting (or DAB for short) is a type of radio broadcast that can offer more efficient use of bandwidth than a regular AM or FM spectrum. Consider whether the radio you are looking at is DAB compatible if you want to listen to higher sound quality radio stations. Besides, it is a good fail-safe in case AM/FM broadcasts get shut down in the future.
Portability
If you are on the hunt for the small pocket size radios, then portability is likely to be one of your main concerns. The most portable radios are also referred to as pocket or walking radios. It is important to mention if the size is a priority, portable pocket FM AM radios are a lot more common than pocket DAB radios, which are still making their way into the portable radio market.
Also, most portable radios feature a 3.5mm headphone connection; some even have earphones included in the box. It makes those radios with earphones accessible and easily enjoyable on the go.
Historically, Sony’s radios were strong in battery-operated portable pocket radio or smallest radio size category, but with the new competition from CC. Pocket, the radio selection is no longer as straight forward. Both CC Pocket from Crane and ICFP26 from Sony (see above) from our review are very capable of smallest size radios that can be easily carried around in a pocket.
Battery Life
The battery life of a portable AM, FM, or DAB radio should always be taken into consideration when choosing the product with the best fit.  If you are planning on using the radio out of the house often, battery-operated radio with extended battery life is what you need.
There are two main types of battery-operated radios to consider, rechargeable radio and the one that uses typical A or AA size disposable batteries. The advantage of the former is that you get to save on battery cost long term, the drawback is that you need to have a battery charger.
Power Options
Most portable or small AM FM radios run purely off the battery power. Only occasionally, you come around pocket-size portable AM/FM radios that feature a power cord for AC DC power. At the same time, the ones that are designed to be carried around and used on a table or bench almost certainly come with an AC adapter.
Waterproofing
Pocket size radio waterproofing or weatherproofing is not common, and if the water-resistance of some sort is required, a water-resistant handheld radio is needed. Most of the time, waterproof radios are also dustproof, but when cheaper materials are used – the radio sound quality may get impacted.
If you are looking for tougher waterproof radios for a worksite, check out our top 10 jobsite radios review.
Earphones or a Speaker?
If you are looking for the best radio for your pocket, it is likely that you are planning to use it with headphones and on the go. At the same time, most radios, even the ones that are less portable feature a headphone jack, so you are likely to get it anyway. Also, all radios with earphones or without, come with a speaker built-in.
In other words, you don’t need to decide between earphones and a speaker as with any portable radio in our review – you will get both.
Additional Features
Whether you are after a mini AM FM radio or a portable handheld radio, the critical features for your radio are likely to be the same. At the same time, some of the secondary functions and extras can vary. Those can be important for you, depending on how are you planning to use your battery-operated radio. Below are some of the extra features you may want to consider:
Attachments, such as a belt clip or a carry strap
USB port – allows you to play your favorite music as MP3 songs using the radio’s speaker
Bluetooth – portable radio with Bluetooth support is not exactly typical. Similarly to USB, you can use the radio’s built-in speaker to stream songs from your mobile or other portable devices
Alarm clock – small AM FM radios do not usually come with an alarm clock, but bigger, digital display portable FM AM radios are likely to have the feature.
Flashlight – not a feature on typical handheld radios, yet if you are after emergency hand crank radios, they are almost guaranteed to have it. For example, both radios from RunningSnail in our review represent a hand crank LED flashlight and radio at the same time.
Telescopic antenna – at times, when you are out in the wild, reception can be an issue. If you are searching for the best reception radio for AM FM bands, telescopic antennas can give you that extra edge to get that stable radio coverage and good sound quality.
Auto station scan – a handy feature that allows pocket and handheld radios to tune into the station’s frequency automatically.
Weather radio – designed to sustain harsher weather conditions, hence is waterproof and could be shockproof. Besides, it supports NOAA emergency weather radio broadcasting.
Budget
Based on the radios in our review and depending on your needs, a good portable digital or AM / FM radios can set you back anywhere between $20 and $150. Ensure you are not paying for the features you don’t need by cross-checking your requirements with features offered by the radio.
Knowing the basics and having a good hold of the above information should help you understand the features relevant to you so that when you go through radio reviews (or any product reviews) – they make more sense.
DAB vs AM / FM Radio – Which One to Choose?
After going through multiple radio reviews people are typically challenged with a question whether to go digital or analog. DAB radios are gaining slowly in popularity but are usually more expensive than AM or FM radios, so which one should you go for?
The truth is that radio, just as TVs did, will eventually switch to digital-only broadcasting, hence AM and FM devices will become a thing of the past. The question is when do you want to make a move as you still have a couple of solid years in your pocket.
Sound
DAB radio is not subject to crackling or hissing, which results in better, more detailed and consistent sound reproduction. There is one exception though – when you lose the radio signal, you lose the sound, hence the radio using digital signal is either there or it is not.
Stations
Yes, it is likely to have fewer stations available on DAB, but this is only a matter of time. According to the latest statistics – 50% of all FM stations also do digital broadcasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AM and FM bands?
Both frequency bands represent an analog method of audio signal broadcast. The difference between the two bands is the way the carrier wave is altered.
For FM radio the frequency of the carrier radio signal varies, whereas, with AM band it is the amplitude that changes. In addition, the AM frequency range is represented between 535-1605 kHz, whereas the FM frequency range is 88 to 108 MHz.
Here is a nice video explaining the difference between AM and FM bands:
youtube
Mono vs. Stereo in radios
Despite the technical capabilities and historical implementation, current AM band is mono only. An original attempt has been made to introduce stereo sound to AM band in the mid-1980s, but as it required compatible receivers and music stations migrating to FM band, the demand for AM Stereo capability has ceased to exist.
FM band was and still is Stereo compatible.
How to Improve Radio AM/FM/DAB Reception
Just like with your mobile phone or TV-radio signal quality depends on a number of factors knowing which allows you to work on your radio’s reception. Below are the main factors to consider when trying to improve reception quality:
Eliminate electrical trash. The common items that generate radio interference are CD, DVD players, TV boxes, vide consoles, microwave ovens, light dimmer switches, and monitor screens.
Choose a better location. Brick, concrete, steel structures block radio waves. Try to make sure that there is nothing obscuring in between the radio and the transmitting tower.
Poor radio antenna. It looks good and makes the radio more portable when it comes with a built-in antenna. At the same time, to ensure you have the best reception, the antenna needs to provide as much physical length as possible, hence external antenna makes a huge difference.
Stereo FM. Our current FM stereo system was designed in the 60s and had to replace a more reliable FM band that was originally delivering only a mono signal. Despite the audio quality, the mono is a clean, stable and stronger signal. The later updated FM stereo band has sacrificed signal stability in favor of stereo sound and for over 40 years, the FM band has not been updated. Most portable FM radios have a switch between Stereo and Mono and if your radio does too, going Mono will provide you a better radio reception at a very little cost of reduced audio quality.
Are radio waves dangerous ?
To answer the question completely, we need to understand what is radiofrequency radiation (RF). In short, it is an emission of energy from a given source. In the case of radios, the emission is generated by the radio station transmitter and uses radio and microwaves for broadcasting.
Those waves sit low in the electromagnetic spectrum and emit radiation that is considered as non-ionizing or in simple terms – they do not interact with our bodies. As a result, those waves are not capable of having any effect or damage to our DNA or trigger mutations.
Non-ionizing waves are miles less harmful than Gamma, UV or X-rays. At the same time, there is no study that definitively concludes that frequency modulation (i.e. FM) and amplitude modulation (i.e. AM) waves are not dangerous for our body or the other way around for that matter.
What is a Transistor Radio?
A transistor radio is what made portable outdoor radio possible in the 1960s. The invention of transistors allowed to reduce radios to pocket sizes to become the most popular electronic devices in history.
The post Top 10 Best Portable Radios of 2020 – Review and Comparison appeared first on Crunch Reviews.
from Crunch Reviews https://www.crunchreviews.com/audio/best-portable-radio/ via IFTTT
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crunchreviews · 6 years ago
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Best Alarm Clock For Heavy Sleepers
Sleeping through the alarm clock is something just about everyone has done at least a couple of times. Yet, some of us, may find it even more challenging to start the morning, hence welcome to our quest finding the best alarm clock for heavy sleepers.
With workdays getting longer, late nights becoming commonplace, and students cramming for their tests, it’s no surprise that heavy sleepers have risen in numbers over the years.
This has led a whole new generation of alarm clocks for deep sleepers. No more showing up to work late. No more missing important meetings. And no more having to worry about whether you’ll wake up to the sound of your alarm.
This new generation of alarm clocks has spurred the onset of many different models to hit the market. Anytime something becomes necessary, the market seems to get flooded with all kinds of options (whether they’re actually of good quality or not).
There are many different things that come into play when it comes to set apart the best alarm clocks for heavy sleepers from the rest. This includes how close it sits next to you, the tone that it uses to wake you, as well as what kind of senses it provokes to alert you.
For every person, things tend to work differently. That’s why we found that it was best to go ahead and feature 10 of the top loud alarm clocks for heavy sleepers on the market today.
Best XXX – Quick Comparison
If you are on the run and not able to go through the detailed description of all the battery chargers in our review, we have prepared a table summarizing the main characteristics you need to know to make your decision. If you need a more detailed comparison, you will find it in the table at the bottom of this page.
Image Decibels / Type / USB Charger / Battery BackUpTop 10 Best Alarm Clocks for Heavy Sleepers
Best Light Strategy – Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-up Light HF3670/60
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Most Advanced – Philips SmartSleep HF3670/60
One of the leaders among the best alarm clocks for deep sleepers in the premium segment. Not only does it help you wake up, but also to fall asleep using sophisticated and scientifically proven techniques.
Check Price
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2 – 5
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60-120 Min
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10+
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Medium
Check Price
Best Cooperative – Sonic Alert SBB500SS Sonic Bomb Extra-Loud
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Best Cooperative – Sonic Alert SBB500SS Sonic Bomb Extra-Loud
It’s one of the best and the loudest alarm clocks on the market. For deep sleepers who have had their alarm clocks fail in the past, this would be worthy of giving a try.
Check Price
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2 – 4
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60 Min
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12+
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Medium
Check Price
Best Family Fun – Peakeep 4 Twin Bell Alarm Clock
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Best Family Fun – Peakeep 4 Twin Bell Alarm Clock
Helps to fight the habit of hitting the snooze button by simply not having one. An elegant retro style analog design with silent-running clock and disturbinfly loud alarm will look nice in almost any home.
Check Price
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2 – 4
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45 Min
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8+
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Easy
Check Price
Best Zombie Trashing – iLuv TimeShaker Super
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Best Zombie Trashing – iLuv TimeShaker Super
Best four-player zombie trashing? Look no further, this iteration of the famous Zombicide series is the best one out yet. Cooperate with other players to find a way out of challenging situations overrun by zombies.
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1 – 6
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60 Min
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10+
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Medium
Check Price
Best Horror – Clarity 600 Wake Assure Alarm Clock 85Db
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Best Horror – Clarity 600 Wake Assure Alarm Clock 85Db
Players take on roles of investigators to fight evil in the city of Arkham. They gather clues, defeat monsters, and find tools and allies in a game that delivers the top 4 player horror experience you will find.
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1 – 6
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120-180 Min
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12+
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Medium
Check Price
Best Quick 4 Player Game – Travelwey Digital Alarm Clock
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Best Quick 4 Player Game – Travelwey Digital Alarm Clock
A simple, emotional and ruthless 4 player board game that can be explained in 3 minutes and played in half an hour. Roll dice, fight each other and have endless fun competing to become the king of New York!
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2 – 6
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40 Min
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8+
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Easy
Check Price
Best Sci-Fi – Screaming Meanie 220 Alarm Clock and Timer
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Best Sci-Fi – Screaming Meanie 220 Alarm Clock and Timer
A unique blend of a 4 player cooperative and competitive play where everyone needs to work together to make Mars habitable. However, completing individual objectives earns points and ultimately the victory.
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1 – 5
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120 Min
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12+
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Medium
Check Price
Best Strategic Play – Clocky Rolling
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Best Strategic Play – Clocky Rolling
Lead your Viking clan, warriors and your ship to victory by going down in a blaze of glory. The game offers a multitude of strategies that encourages strategic thinking, creativity and boosts replay value.
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2 – 4
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60-90 Min
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12+
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Medium
Check Price
Best For All Ages – Ruggie Alarm Clock
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Best For All Ages – Ruggie Alarm Clock
With over 20 awards and nominations, and millions of copies sold, Ticket to Ride is the all-time classic that works amazingly well with 4 players. Build trains, connect cities in an easy, yet an extremely competitive game.
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2 – 5
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30-60 Min
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8+
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Easy
Check Price
Best Wargame – Lielongren Loud Alarm Clock
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Best Wargame – Lielongren Loud Alarm Clock
The game of beautiful adventure and war where players battle for control of a vast wilderness. Each side features unique miniatures, capabilities, play style, and different victory conditions. In short – the best asymmetric 4 player war game we’ve ever played.
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2 – 4
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60-90 Min
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12+
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Hard
Check Price
1. Best XXX – Philips SmartSleep HF3670/60
Sometimes going to extremes when it comes to waking up isn’t the ideal route for everyone to take.
For those who don’t like getting startled, there’s the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wakeup Light. That’s right, it’s a softer approach to your wakeup call.
Most other alarm clocks will use a bright white light to wake sleepers up in the morning.
However, with this Philips alarm clock, it starts with soft red light and then gradually changes to the bright white light.
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According to a study done by MetrixLab, Philips SmartSleep users found it easier to wake up compared to other alarm clocks in the test. This means that not only were they able to wake up on a brighter side of the bed, but they were able to take on the day feeling more refreshed than those who weren’t using this alarm clock.
From controlling the intensity of the light to being able to set different weekday/weekend alarms, the number of options are exhaustive when you connect to it via its smartphone application.
To top it off, you can set different lighting patterns and sounds as well.
AmbiTrack sensors take the technology of this clock to a whole new level. The sensors will gather data from your bedroom’s temperature, noise level, lighting, and humidity. From there, it uses the acquired data to help suggest different ways that you can enhance your sleep experience every night.
If you want what seems to be one of the smarter alarm clocks on the market, look no further. Philips HF3670 is the most sophisticated and the most advanced alarm clock for deep sleepers we have ever come across.
Bottom Line test
8/10
Capacity 90% 90%
Features 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Backup battery lasts 8 hours
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Bedroom sensor monitors room temp, etc
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Clinically validated wake-up light
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Customizable alarm, light, and sound
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RelaxBreathe technology ensures better sleep
NEGATIVE
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Can’t easily change to a new phone
View on Amazon
2. Best XXX – Sonic Alert SBB500SS Sonic Bomb Extra-Loud
Being one of the loudest alarm clocks on the market has made the Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock a preferred choice among many deep sleepers.
An average alarm clock has a sound level of around 80 decibels while this model reaches up to the staggering 113 decibels. That’s almost the sound level of an airplane preparing for takeoff.
The Sonic Alert SBB500SS can wake you up in numerous ways.
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Thanks to the vibrations from the bed-shaker unit you can place under your pillow, adjustable tone, and red flashing lights. If the tone doesn’t get you awake, being shaken awake or alerted by the lights should do the trick in most cases.
While there’s not a silver bullet solution for heavy sleepers, the Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock has set itself apart from the rest by making more Amazon customers happy than any other alarm clock for deep sleepers we have reviewed.
A 9V battery provides you with a backup option in case the power goes out. However, the alarm clock doesn’t sound when battery power is used. Backed by a 1-year warranty, it’s one of the most reliable alarms of its kind and it’s available in a variety of designs and colors.
Bottom Line test
7.8/10
Capacity 80% 80%
Features 80% 80%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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The loudest alarm clock on the market
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Dual alarm
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Boasts red alert lights.
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Bed-shaker unit imitates shaking you
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1-year warranty
NEGATIVE
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Doesn’t sound on battery power
View on Amazon
3. Best XXX – Peakeep 4 Twin Bell Alarm Clock
The Peakeep 4 brings a touch of retro style to your home.
The clock comes with an extra loud ring thanks to the twin bell hammer design, with no snooze function making it perfect for heavy sleepers who sleep through mornings by hitting the snooze button.
The device features a backlight button and luminous hands so that you can see the time should you wake up in the night.
This battery-powered, retro-style analog alarm clock delivers intense levels of buzzing sound that can wake up a dead person.
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The battery used in the product is a single AA battery and stands at almost 7 inches tall. Being able to fit on most shelves and bedside tables.
It does not tick when running, so you don’t have to worry if you can’t sleep with sounds in the background. And with the added bonus of no snooze button, the snooze abusers won’t have a problem getting up.
The alarm clock comes with three different styles, all with different faces and number styles from roman numerals to standard numeric clock faces.
9/10
Capacity 80% 80%
Features 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 100% 100%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Super-loud alarm sound
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No Snooze button
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Night-Light button
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No ticking sound at night
NEGATIVE
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Practically no additional features
View on Amazon
4. Best XXX – iLuv TimeShaker Super
TODO
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TODO
Bottom Line test
7.5/10
Capacity 80% 80%
Features 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Benefit1
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Benefit2
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Benefit3
NEGATIVE
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Drawback #1
View on Amazon
5. Best XXX – Clarity 600 Wake Assure
TODO
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TODO
Bottom Line test
8.8/10
Capacity 90% 90%
Features 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 80% 80%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Benefit1
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Benefit2
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Benefit3
NEGATIVE
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Drawback #1
View on Amazon
6. Best XXX – Travelwey Digital Alarm Clock
TODO
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TODO
Bottom Line test
8.3/10
Capacity 80% 80%
Features 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 80% 80%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Benefit1
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Benefit2
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Benefit3
NEGATIVE
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Drawback1
View on Amazon
7. Best XXX – Screaming Meanie 220
TODO
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TODO
Bottom Line test
8.3/10
Capacity 90% 90%
Features 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 100% 100%
POSITIVE
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Benefit1
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Benefit2
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Benefit3
NEGATIVE
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Drawback1
View on Amazon
8. Best XXX – Clocky Rolling Alarm Clock
TODO
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TODO
Bottom Line test
7.8/10
Capacity 90% 90%
Features 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 60% 60%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Benefit1
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Benefit2
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Benefit3
NEGATIVE
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Drawback1
View on Amazon
9. Best XXX – Ruggie Alarm Clock
TODO
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TODO
Bottom Line test
8/10
Capacity 90% 90%
Features 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 80% 80%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Benefit1
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Benefit2
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Benefit3
NEGATIVE
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Drawback1
View on Amazon
10. Best XXX – Lielongren Loud Alarm Clock
TODO
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TODO
Bottom Line test
8/10
Capacity 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 80% 80%
Features 80% 80%
Value 70% 70%
POSITIVE
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Benefit1
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Benefit2
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Benefit3
NEGATIVE
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Drawback1
View on Amazon
Supporting Topic #1
TODO
SUPPORTING TOPIC #1
TODO
 We thought that you may also be interested in the below buyer’s guides:
Top Baby Monitor Buyer’s Guide
eBook Reader Buyer’s Guide
Top Wireless Speakers to buy in 2018
Frequently Asked Questions
What capacity power bank do I need?
It depends on the devices you are planning to charge. The easiest way to work it out is:
Find the mAh rating for the device you are planning to charge (e.g. 2000 mAh)
Add 20% that will be lost in the process of charging (e.g. 2000 + 20% = 2400 mAh)
You will get the power bank’s capacity required to fully recharge the battery of your device once
How long does it take to charge a power bank?
This directly depends on two factors – power bank’s capacity (mAh) and the electric current produced by the charger (amp). The higher the capacity, the longer it will take to charge. The bigger the power of the electric current is, the less time it takes to recharge the battery.
How else do people refer to a power bank?
It can be referred to as a power bank, battery pack, portable charger, power cell and even a fuel cell.
What type of cells are used in power banks?
Generally speaking, it is either lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) or Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion).
Li-Ion batteries are cheaper to make and have their efficiency decrease with age.
Li-Po batteries are more expensive to produce and last longer.
How much of the actual capacity do power banks retain?
If you maintain the power bank well, you can expect from 80% to 90% of the nominal mAh efficiency to be retained.
The post Best Alarm Clock For Heavy Sleepers appeared first on Crunch Reviews.
from Crunch Reviews https://www.crunchreviews.com/audio/best-alarm-clock-for-heavy-sleepers/ via IFTTT
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crunchreviews · 6 years ago
Text
Top 10 Best Jobsite Radios – Review & Comparison
A good jobsite radio is an excellent way to keep your workday interesting. When you lock into your favorite podcast, a playlist you made the night before, or the sweet sounds of your favorite radio station, your work turns from tedious to interesting.
When looking for a jobsite radio to buy, though, simply finding the one with the highest ratings is not enough. Instead, you need to find the best jobsite radio for you specifically.
Do you want a heavy-duty jobsite radio or something durable you can slip into your pocket? Do you prioritize sound quality, battery life, aesthetics, or durability?
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Maybe you already use a line of tools from a specific manufacturer, and you want a jobsite radio compatible with its batteries.
To help you find a fantastic jobsite radio that suits what you want, we have rounded up some of the best radios from the top manufacturers like Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Sangean, Makita, and Ryobi.
Top 10 Best Jobsite Radios – Quick Comparison
If you are on the run and not able to go through the detailed description of all the worksite radios in our review, we have prepared a table below summarizing the main characteristics you need to know to make your decision. 
Image Power / AUX Charge / Weight / BluetoothTop 10 Jobsite Radios
Best Cooperative – Bosch PB360C Power Box
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Best Large and Loudest – Bosch PB360C Power Box
This juggernaut of jobsite radios is a high-performance, weather-resistant entertainment system that delivers 360° enriched stereo sound. The ultimate choice if you don’t mind the size.
Check Price
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26W
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Yes
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24 lbs
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Yes
Check Price
Best Light Strategy – DeWALT DC012
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Best General Use – DeWALT DC012
A tough charging system for DeWALT battery packs and an audio player with built-in radio all in one. It is mid-size and features an auxiliary port to connect your mobile phone or an MP3 player.
Check Price
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N/A
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Yes
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14.3 lbs
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No
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Best Zombie Trashing – Makita XRM09B
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Most Water & Dust Resistant – Makita XRM09B
The latest release from Makita comes with 3.5″ side-firing speakers that deliver powerful sound in a compact size. With IP65 certification, it is the most dust and water resistant jobsite radio in our review.
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35W
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No
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12 lbs
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Yes
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Best Family Fun – DeWALT DWST17510
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Best For TSTAK Modules – DeWALT DWST17510
A premium sound portable Bluetooth radio and charger that was designed to be stacked with other TSTAK compatible boxes in your system. It can charge your DeWALT batteries and USB devices.
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N/A
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Yes
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17.2 lbs
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Yes
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Best For All Ages – Milwaukee M12
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Best Portable Worksite Radio – Milwaukee 2590-20 M12
A very portable weatherproof and shockproof worksite radio with decent sound that can get surprisingly loud. AM/FM and Aux In only.
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N/A
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No
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5.1 lbs
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No
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Best Horror – Sangean LB-100
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Best Selling Jobsite Radio – Sangean LB-100
One of the best selling jobsite radios on the market. Rugged construction, water resistant design, best-in-class reception and large dials make it a perfect choice for most worksite conditions.
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5W
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No
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6.8 lbs
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No
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Best Quick 4 Player Game – Milwaukee M18
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Best Storage Compartment – Milwaukee 2792-20 M18
With built-in charger for M18 batteries, premium sound, top class reception, reinforced roll cage and Bluetooth support – 2792-20 is the best Milwaukee jobsite radio in the line up.
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40W
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Yes
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17.1 lbs
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Yes
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Best Sci-Fi – Makita RM02
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Best Small Jobsite Radio – Makita RM02
The lightest, most portable and most basic worksite radio in our review. It comes with stereo sound, headphone jack and 30 hours of battery life. The best small jobsite radio we could find.
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N/A
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No
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1.7 lbs
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No
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Best Strategic Play – Sangean U4
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Best Weather Alert Jobsite Radio – Sangean U4
The only rechargeable digital tuning radio with RBDS weather alerts in our list. It is packed with features, streaming options and delivers high quality sound that is loud and clear.
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12W
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Yes
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10.7 lbs
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Yes
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Best Wargame – Ryobi P746 One+
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Best 3-Year Warranty – Ryobi P746 One+
A medium size stereo worksite radio that runs on 18v Ryobi Lithium Ion batteries or AC power. It features a built-in audio equalizer to tailor the sound to your preferences and can charge USB devices.
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14W
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No
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6 lbs
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Yes
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1. Best Loudest Jobsite Radio – Bosch PB360C Power Box
Bosch’s Power Box is the veritable Rolls-Royce of jobsite radios. It is heavy (24 pounds), but that is because it is packed with loads of features, is extremely loud and has four-way power outlets.
A metal and rubber cage around the unit is sturdy to protect it from impacts and other physical damage onsite. In fact, it is the most rugged roll cage we’ve seen in worksite radios.
It is also weatherproof. No matter what conditions you are working in, the PB360C will not miss a beat.
The Power Box has impressive sound quality. It has four crystal-clear directional speakers delivering delivers 360° enriched stereo sound and a premium subwoofer. It is the loudest jobsite radio in our review, which is handy if you are using noisy tools.
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One feature that we especially loved was the Power Box’s dual-purpose as a power strip. It comes with a few built-in outlets that allow you to plug-in tools or other appliances that run on 10 amps or less, which offers a ton of utility when you are working.
The Power Box can be plugged into the wall or used on the go. You do not need to continuously spend money on batteries, either; it runs only on the rechargeable Bosch 18V battery, which is sold separately for a steep price.
The latest version of the Power Box also features Bluetooth that delivers a strong and reliable signal up to 150 feet away. There is a media drawer built into the unit for housing Bluetooth devices, but we found it to be too small for most smartphones.
Our only real gripe with the PB360C other than the considerable price tag is that the latest model no longer supports a wireless remote, two AUX inputs rather than one, and an SD card reader, it seems to have refocused on Bluetooth instead.
Bottom Line Bosch’s PB360C Power Box is the ultimate powerhouse of job site radios. It is the biggest and loudest radio in our review, and it is perfect for you if you are looking for a predominantly stationary radio for extra-rugged environments. You get Bluetooth connectivity, a well-designed cage and a multitude of other features.
8/10
Sound 90% 90%
Features 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 70% 70%
POSITIVE
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Bluetooth range of up to 150 feet
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Most durable roll cage we’ve seen
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Extremely loud and quality sound
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Doubles as a power strip
NEGATIVE
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Bulky and heavy
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Missing features from last model
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Expensive batteries
Check Price
2. Best For General Jobsite Use – DeWALT DC012
Dewalt’s DC012 jobsite radio is all about user-friendliness. It looks nice, and it sounds quite good.
It is reasonably portable at 14 pounds, and it does a spectacular job of charging your Dewalt batteries for use in power tools or in the radio itself.
The unit has a pleasingly simple look, with one large speaker on either side of the backlit center display.
The rubber buttons and dials on the front and top of the radio are large and easy to handle even if you have work gloves on. The unit is entirely encased in a robust hard plastic cage to guard against falls.
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On the side of the radio are three electrical outlets. They have a combined rating of only 10 amps and can be used for plugging in work lights, phone chargers, or other light devices.
The radio is durable and water-resistant, though hard plastic casing looks like it could have benefitted from the inclusion of some shock-absorbing rubber.
Dewalt DC012 comes with the ability to recharge Dewalt 7.2-18V batteries which are sold separately. The unit can fully charge batteries in an hour or less, and it can run off one of those charges for up to eight hours.
The radio itself can run either from an electrical outlet or from a Dewalt rechargeable battery.
The sound quality of this jobsite radio is a mixed bag. The bass is strong, but the mid-range and treble are not as great. The volume is very loud, and you will experience little to no distortion even at max.
The DC012 does not support Bluetooth, so the only way you can play music is by using the AUX input. There is a Bluetooth adapter that can be bought separately, however.
To make up for the lacking personal media support, the radio comes with an 11-inch flexible antenna. The FM reception works well anywhere, but AM can get patchy outside of urban areas.
Bottom Line
Dewalt DC012 is well-designed and intuitive, and it is great for people who want both quality and simplicity. It is ideal for those who work at crowded work sites, as the bass and the overall sound goes up very loud. It is not as good for those working outside of the city, though, because the radio reception is not excellent.
7.3/10
Sound 70% 70%
Features 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Classic, user-friendly design
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Charges batteries fast
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Powerful bass
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Loud sound
NEGATIVE
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Weak mid-range audio
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No Bluetooth
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No media drawer
Check Price
3. Best TSTAK Compatible – DeWALT DWST17510
Most jobsite radios have a utilitarian design, but not DeWALT DWST17510, which looks more like a sleek toolbox or a briefcase than a radio.
In addition to looking nice, the handle and the shape f the 13.6-pound unit is easy to pick up with one hand and carry around.
If you are using TSTAK compatible modules, you will find this worksite radio extremely useful as it can be stacked with your other modules via its side latches.
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Dewalt’s design for the unit is extremely tough. In fact, it received the IP54 certification for weather and dust resistance.
Sound quality is excellent, even at high volumes. It has four HD speakers, one on each corner, accompanied by a premium subwoofer and an assisted bass resonator.
The unit has Bluetooth, meaning you can listen to your personal library. The radio reception, though, is the weak link for DWST17510’s. Besides, the radio does not support the AM band.
Audio is controlled via a full-color touchscreen that flips out from the center console. It looks nice, but it may be impractical if your hands get wet or you wear gloves during your work. The interface can also be controlled over a smartphone app.
DWST17510 doubles as a battery charger. It can charge batteries very quickly, but it burns through them faster than most jobsite radios You can charge 12V, 20V, and 60V batteries with the unit.
The unit is capable of running off wall power in addition to the batteries it charges.
Bottom Line
Dewalt’s DWST17510 is a good choice if you want a high-quality jobsite radio with a bit of elegance and class. Being compatible with DeWALT’s TSTAK system is an additional bonus for anyone using TSTAK modules as you can stack them together. It is weatherproof, but the touch screen and the lack of a shock-absorbing cage make it better-suited for jobs where it will not take too much beating.
8.5/10
Sound 80% 80%
Features 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 90% 90%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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TSTAK module compatible
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Sophisticated audio
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Easily portable
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IP54 dust and water resistance rating
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Huge battery capacity
NEGATIVE
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Expensive
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Weak receiver, no AM band
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Touch screen
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Media drawer too small
Check Price
4. Best Portable – Milwaukee 2590-20 M12
Milwaukee 2590-20 is a small, light unit that is durable and has great sound for its size.
It is less expensive than most jobsite radios in our list, yet those cost savings comes a slightly cheaper build.
Each side of the 10.5-inch tall unit sports a circular speaker, both of which are water-resistant and are covered by an aluminum mesh shield to prevent damage.
The unit has small rubber handles on either side that make it easy to carry around.
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Between the speakers are a thin LCD display, several rubber buttons to control audio, and a flip-down media drawer to house your media device. The drawer, however, is not big enough to hold larger phones.
On the back of the unit is a jack for plugging in a wall charger and a place for a li-ion battery. The wall jack does not actually charge the radio, just supplies it with power while it is plugged in. You can only use 12V li-ion batteries in the radio, which are affordable and readily available.
The amount of sound to come out of such a small jobsite radio is amazing. It does not offer the crystal clear audio of a much larger model, but it can almost get as loud.
The design of the radio is solid, and a black polymer coating encasing much of the unit will protect it from bumps. The speakers and the media drawer are sealed and weather-resistant too. It is probably not a good idea to take the 2590-20 M12 into extreme conditions, though.
The buttons on the unit are conveniently placed, but they are also quite small and bunched together because of the radio’s compact size. This makes them hard to push with gloved hands.
Although Milwaukee’s site claims the radio’s advanced tuner will produce better reception than any other jobsite radio, we did not find it to be the case. The reception was just ok, as stations from both the AM and FM bands dropped out in urban areas occasionally.
Bottom Line
Milwaukee 2590-20 is a compact, lightweight build makes it excellent for contractors and others who want to move around a lot during their work. It is also perfect for camping and other “on-the-go” outdoor activities. You can get a better-sounding, more heavy-duty jobsite radio for twice as much, but you may rather opt for portability.
6.8/10
Sound 80% 80%
Features 60% 60%
Ports / Connections 60% 60%
Value 70% 70%
POSITIVE
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Compact and portable
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Surprisingly loud
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Durable for the size
NEGATIVE
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Small buttons
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Mediocre receiver
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Cheap-feeling AC charger
Check Price
5. Most Streaming Options – Makita XRM09B
XRM09B is a great worksite music system that features a radio, music player and various streaming options from your device.
It has impressive speakers, a stylish EQ, and supports the latest Bluetooth standards.
The durable, heavy-duty body pushes the unit weight to  12 pounds, but a well-built handle makes it easy enough to lift and transport.
Aesthetically, the centerpiece of the radio is the reverse-contrast display, which changes colors based on the EQ you have selected.
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Above and below the display are two rows of large rubber buttons that are easy to manipulate even with work gloves. Also on the front panel is a large rubber knob as well as the 5V USB charging port and AUX jack. Overall, we found the Makita XRM09B to be the most attractive jobsite radio in our review.
The unit’s audio is loud and clear. Makita has added a large, powerful subwoofer since the last model, and the unit now has no trouble in noisy environments. The mid- and high-range speakers are excellent as well.
Unfortunately, the addition of the subwoofer resulted in a greater weight (12 pounds compared to the old 10 pounds) and much shorter battery life (up to 18 hours compared to up to 35). Using Bluetooth reduces battery life even further.
The unit does not have a roll cage, but the body is dust and water-resistant enough to get an IP65 rating.
The XRM09B runs on Makita’s 12V, 14.4V, and 18V rechargeable batteries, although it does not charge them itself. The 18V sells separately, though it’s expensive. Alternatively, the radio can also run on AC.
Bottom Line
Makita’s XRM09B is ideal for those who need durability but do not want to sacrifice sound quality to get it. The battery life can be a problem because of the powerful speakers, but people who can recharge the device’s battery often or have spare Makita batteries will love this unit.
8.8/10
Sound 90% 90%
Features 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 90% 90%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Attractive design
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Bluetooth
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Advanced EQ
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Very Durable
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Crystal-clear sound
NEGATIVE
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Does not charge batteries
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Heavier and shorter battery life than the older model
Check Price
6. Best Radio Reception – Sangean LB-100
LB-100’s retail name is “The Lunchbox,” which gives you an idea of how portable, lightweight and simply designed it is.
There are only a few ergonomically designed buttons on the unit, hence it is the most accessible jobsite radio on our list.
The unit is extremely durable with a hard plastic roll cage that protects it from impacts, although it is not designed to withstand extreme force.
The body of the radio, which actually looks a bit light a yellow plastic lunchbox, is made from tough material that earned it IP54 certification for water and dust proofing.
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The LB-100 only has a single five-watt, 5.25-inch diameter speaker. The audio is bass-heavy, and that can wash out the mid- to upper-range notes. You can turn the volume to the maximum without getting distorted, but it may not get loud enough for very noisy environments. The AM/FM reception is great, even in rural areas. The unit does not have Bluetooth or AUX, though, which means radio is the only way to listen to music on it. The device runs on four traditional C batteries, which are inexpensive and last a while. Alternatively, it can also run from wall power via an AC cable.
Bottom Line
The Lunchbox is a compact utility worksite radio that is easy to carry around, making it perfect for people who move around a lot. Fans of sports and talk radio will especially love it because of its great reception and long battery life, although music listeners may be disappointed by the lackluster sound. On the downside, we’d love to see Bluetooth or AUX support.
7.5/10
Sound 80% 80%
Features 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Light and portable
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Very durable
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Easy-to-use design
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Good reception
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Inexpensive
NEGATIVE
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Washed-out sound
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Too quiet
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No Bluetooth or AUX
Check Price
7. Best Storage Space – Milwaukee 2792-20 M18
The 2792-20 M18 is everything a heavy-duty jobsite radio needs to be and nothing more. Durable, loud, easy to control, and with strong personal media support.
The unit is fairly big and heavy at 17 pounds, but it has three handles to help you carry it around. The boxy design is good for storage and does not take up too much floor space.
The backlit LCD of the device sits atop a panel of large rubber buttons and a rubber dial, all of which are big and easy to manipulate even with work gloves.
The large, square speaker cover is beneath the panel. 
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On the back of the unit is Milwaukee’s signature bottle opener. A rubber roll cage protects most of the unit’s corners and there are no exposed outlets, but the materials used on the exterior of the radio itself feel a bit cheap.
The device has Bluetooth and a media drawer on top of the device that is large enough to hold even bigger phones during playback. There is also an AUX-in and an AM/FM tuner for playing music.
2792-20’s sound quality is a little underwhelming. It has two mid-range speakers, two tweeters, and no subwoofer, resulting in a weakish bass. The volume does not go up as loud as you would expect from such a large, heavy unit either.
The device runs off Milwaukee’s M18 batteries, and it can also charge them. Most jobsite radios sacrifice some sound quality while charging a battery, but not 2792-20. It has two USB ports, too, and they charge mobile devices only while the stereo is on. Sadly, there are no general-purpose electrical outlets on the radio.
Bottom Line
Milwaukee’s 2792-20 M18 Radio is a good choice for those who want a basic jobsite radio that allows your song collection to be streamed on the radio in a number of ways. It is especially handy for those who mainly use their own music collection at work. In addition, it comes with a large storage compartment and a bottle opener at the back.
8.3/10
Sound 80% 80%
Features 80% 80%
Ports / Connections 80% 80%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Three handles
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Many streaming options
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A large media drawer
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Good battery charger
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A built-in bottle opener?
NEGATIVE
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Mediocre audio
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No outlets
Check Price
8. Best Pocket Size Jobsite Radio – Makita RM02
At 1.7 pounds and a size small enough to fit into your pocket, the RM02 is the smallest jobsite radio in our review.
It is easy to control, it has an excellent tuner, and the sound is surprisingly good for the size of the radio.
The radio’s simple design consists of a panel of large, easy-to-press buttons, a volume knob and a pair of indents to hang a strap on top and a non-backlit LCD screen nestled in between tuning buttons on the front.
Below the LCD is a speaker shield. On the back of the device, a rotating hook folds out to allow you to hang the radio up.
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On the side of the device is an AUX-in jack. The RM02 does not support Bluetooth, though, which is disappointing for modern radio. The unit is equipped with a pair of small speakers that, while not as strong as those on a heavy-duty jobsite radio, are surprisingly powerful. They play talk and music clearly for a pocket-sized player, and they turn up very loud without losing quality. We found the radio reception to be great, too, thanks in part to a rotating rubber antenna atop the device. The hard plastic of the Makita RM02 feels sturdy enough to withstand a few drops, especially since the radio is so light. It is not “jobsite tough,” though; not even the product page on Makita’s site mentions any kind of durable design or weather resistance. The radio is compatible with Makita’s 12V CXT batteries, which come in two and four amp-hour versions. The radio can run for 30 hours on 4Ah.
Bottom Line
Makita RM02 is best for people who want a radio to take with them on quick jobs that are not too intensive. It can take more of a beating than a traditional portable radio (e.g. drops from short distances, exposure to humidity, etc.), but it is not ideal for heavy-duty work.
7.3/10
Audio 80% 80%
Features 60% 60%
Ports / Connections 70% 70%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Pocket-sized
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Affordable
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Great reception
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Loud for its size
NEGATIVE
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No Bluetooth
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Not very durable
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“Small” sound quality
Check Price
9. Best Sound Quality – Sangean U4
The U4 is a beast; it is big, it is heavy, it is loud and it has a list of features that will give less-techy users anxiety.
If you need and can use most of them, it will give you everything you want and more from a heavy-duty jobsite radio.
The sound quality is on par with the best jobsite radios out there. The mids and highs are clear, and they are grounded by a powerful base.
In fact, this radio has received an award from Mozaw.com for the best new sound quality radio in 2019.
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It has Bluetooth, a built-in alarm clock, a built-in one amp USB charger that works only when the device is off, a program that automatically warns you of upcoming hazardous weather, a smart battery charger, an AUX port, a rotary bass and treble control, and so much more. Sangean did put a lot of thought into the design and ergonomics, hence using most of the above functions is pretty straightforward.
The unit is IP64-certified for resistance to water and dust. A hard plastic roll cage and a solid build will protect it from most impacts you can expect in a job site.
On the downside, the radio is indeed a bit heavy and bulky. At 14 pounds it is only relatively portable, yet a handle built into the top of the roll cage makes it easy to carry around for those willing to lug around the weight.
Sangean U4 runs on D batteries, which are cheap and easy to replace. It has a built-in charger to recharge the batteries itself. The device also runs on AC wall power.
Bottom Line
Sangean U4 is perfect if you are looking for additional features such as the weather alert, USB charging and others that you would genuinely use. It strikes a good balance between bulky alternatives and ultra-portable jobsite radios, so if you do not need to move your radio around the job site too often, Sangean U4 may be one of the best jobsite radio for you.
9/10
Sound 90% 90%
Features 90% 90%
Ports / Connections 90% 90%
Value 90% 90%
POSITIVE
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Feature-rich
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Sound quality
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Can charge D-size batteries
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Durable
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 NOAA Weather Radio
NEGATIVE
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Below-average volume
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Big and heavy
Check Price
10. Best Warranty Worksite Radio – Ryobi P746 One+
Ryobi’s P746 is a relatively light and portable unit at seven pounds. It has a modern design, fairly good sound, and excellent support for your mobile devices.
The radio has two USB charging ports, which both put out 2 amps of power. This means the radio will charge devices like media players much faster than most other jobsite radios out there.
It also has Bluetooth and a device tray that is big enough to hold even large phones, making it convenient when streaming music from your phone.
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The Bluetooth, however, is not that strong, and starts to drop out at 50 feet away from the unit. The device also has a decently powerful AM/FM radio.
In addition to the usual AUX-in jack, the P746 has an AUX-out which is used to get other devices or speakers to reproduce the sound. We are not sure where and when this option could be used, yet it is there if you need it.
Unless it is plugged into the wall via its AC cord, the unit works only with Ryobi 18V One+ batteries. It gets an impressive 30 hours of playback, although there seems to be some battery drainage even when the radio is not in use.
The P746 One+ does not come with the most durable build for a jobsite radio. The AUX and USB ports are not covered, and the strap to hold media players is not protected. There is no roll cage, and the materials used feel rather cheap.
The sound quality is average. It is loud, thanks to four precision-tuned bass ports, but the mid- and high-range notes are often drowned out by the bass.
Bottom Line
Ryobi P746 One+ is a great choice for those who love using personal media at work. It offers extra-fast USB charging, and the radio has very long battery life. It is not exactly heavy-duty and probably should not be taken into extreme jobsite conditions, but it is portable and loud, ideal for slightly more casual outside work.
7.5/10
Audio 70% 70%
Ports / Connections 80% 80%
Features 70% 70%
Value 80% 80%
POSITIVE
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Lightweight
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Fast USB charging
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Spacious built-in media tray
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Long battery life
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AUX-out
NEGATIVE
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Mediocre Bluetooth range
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Not especially durable
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Mediocre sound quality
Check Price
Jobsite Radio Wrap-up
We’ve combed the jobsite radio marketplace for the best products out there to deliver you the top 10 jobsite radios you can buy today.
The Sangean U4 AM is the best sounding jobsite radio we reviewed, and the Bosch PB360C is the most durable.
The Sangean LB-100 had the best radio reception, and the Ryobi P746 One+ had the most seamless personal audio support.
Dewalt DWST17510 had the most attractive design, and the Makita RM02 is the best small and portable jobsite radio we could find.
The Dewalt DC012 did the best job at staying user-friendly while still presenting a heavy-duty unit, and the Milwaukee M12 wins our choice for the best compact jobsite radio.
Milwaukee 2792-20 M18 and the Makita XRM09B are both solid choices that do a good job of integrating helpful features with classic aesthetics.
SUPPORTING TOPIC #1
TODO
Frequently Asked Questions
What capacity power bank do I need?
It depends on the devices you are planning to charge. The easiest way to work it out is:
Find the mAh rating for the device you are planning to charge (e.g. 2000 mAh)
Add 20% that will be lost in the process of charging (e.g. 2000 + 20% = 2400 mAh)
You will get the power bank’s capacity required to fully recharge the battery of your device once
How long does it take to charge a power bank?
This directly depends on two factors – power bank’s capacity (mAh) and the electric current produced by the charger (amp). The higher the capacity, the longer it will take to charge. The bigger the power of the electric current is, the less time it takes to recharge the battery.
How else do people refer to a power bank?
It can be referred to as a power bank, battery pack, portable charger, power cell and even a fuel cell.
What type of cells are used in power banks?
Generally speaking, it is either lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) or Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion).
Li-Ion batteries are cheaper to make and have their efficiency decrease with age.
Li-Po batteries are more expensive to produce and last longer.
How much of the actual capacity do power banks retain?
If you maintain the power bank well, you can expect from 80% to 90% of the nominal mAh efficiency to be retained.
The post Top 10 Best Jobsite Radios – Review & Comparison appeared first on Crunch Reviews.
from Crunch Reviews https://www.crunchreviews.com/audio/best-jobsite-radios/ via IFTTT
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crunchreviews · 7 years ago
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CES 2018: Lenovo launches Smart Display with 8/10-inch screen and Google Assistant - Price, Availability, Specifications, Videos Read more âžş http://j.mp/2D55m9s
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crunchreviews · 7 years ago
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Letown LT9 Smart Modular 4K Dash Cam - https://gdfl.us/Letown
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crunchreviews · 7 years ago
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Microsoft releases Photos Companion app for Android and iOS Read more âžş http://j.mp/2CqeIr7
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crunchreviews · 7 years ago
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Top 5 Upcoming Tech & Gadgets of 2018
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crunchreviews · 7 years ago
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CES 2018: LG announces world’s first 65-inch UHD Rollable OLED Display Read more ➺ http://j.mp/2FeAC3z
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