We also held off on testing boombox-style radios like the Sony CFD-S70, focusing on more minimalist tabletop designs. Two speakers packed into a cabinet that small cant give you much sonic impact or channel separation, though, so if youre looking for stereo, youd be better served by the WR-50P. The semicircle tuning dial is easy to read, the centrally located tuning knob has a smooth feel, and the green LED light above the dial lets you know when youve locked on to a stations strongest signal. This is an amazing tabletop radio thats well worth your money. The KEiiD Compact tabletop radio offers almost any functionality you can think of, including an AM/FM radio, CD/MP3 player, Bluetooth, USB, AUX, and SD card inputs. Our reviews and buyers guides are always either based on reviews weve done ourselves, or aggregated from trusted sources. One of the other key features of this table radio is the Ferrite antenna that ensures a clear connection and good sound. Sangean WR-2: Although the WR-2 represents a functional upgrade over the WR-11SEin its digital tuner, station presets, and front-panel headphone jack, just to name a few featureswe prefer the WR-50P if youre shopping for a model with a digital tuner and station presets. Tuning to 95.1 FM, a popular classic-rock station in our test location, required us to situate the dial between 94 and 95. And often they review only the products that provide the most kickbacks when you buy. It also produced minimal noise in the high frequenciesa bonus, since some of the other radios we tested tended to get quite hissy or to start distorting at higher volumes. We also found some really great AM/FM tabletop only options for the purists out there. You can connect the Bose Wave SoundTouch to your home internet and stream from popular internet radio sources like Spotify and Pandora. The best part about the dials is the LED tuning indicator on the Tune dial. We are always transparent about where our information comes from so that you dont have to waste time and money buying the wrong thing. WHY WE LIKE IT: The Tivoli Audio Model One is the best retro design tabletop radio, with a classic walnut wood exterior, large speaker, and large tuning dial. It picked up a total of 19 FM channels, earning the top score among our picks in that regard, and received 16 AM channels, with only the Sangean WR-15 and WR-11SE radios beating it in AM reception. All in all, despite the large size and sometimes complicated setup process, the Uniden BC365CRS is a solid addition to our list.
Why its great: The Sangean WR-15 has been one of our favorite radios since 2017. You can also use the best internet radio.
Overall radio performance is excellent, especially when it comes to AM signal, due mostly to the ferrite antenna. Sangeans WR-50 is also available as a single cabinet without the SP-40 companion speaker, taking about $50 off the pricebut if you think you might have any interest in upgrading to the full stereo experience at any point in the future, we recommend that you go ahead and buy the complete system now.
Once we narrowed down the list and brought in a group of radios for testing, we put each model through extensive sound and tuning testing, and we compared their style, features, and ergonomics. Theres also the Panasonic RF-2400D with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Though it has a tuning dial, overall it provides much less of an analog experience than our other picks do; anyone who prefers pressing a button or typing in the exact channel might prefer this radios controls over those of our other picks. WHY WE LIKE IT: The KEiiD Compact is the best digital tabletop radio with high-definition sound, built-in Bluetooth connectivity, and overall excellent audio quality. Theres a lot to find positive with the Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV tabletop radio. Unfortunately, you cant get direct internet access with the unit, but with the Bluetooth functionality, you can use your phone to access online streaming services. Who its for: We recommend this radio for FM-only listeners, especially those who might want their radio to double as a Bluetooth speaker. Reception: FM and AM radioAntenna: internal, with an optional external FM antennaConnections: auxiliary audio input, line audio output, headphone jackBattery-operable: noBluetooth support: no. Sound quality isnt a huge concern for most radio shoppers, but we still kept it in mind when making our picks. Its clear and crisp, and the bass enhancing technology actually does wonders for the radios deeper sounds. After 36 hours of research and tests of more than a dozen emergency weather radios, were confident the Midland ER310 is the best choice for most people.
Theres also the Panasonic RF-2400D with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. While the Sangean WR-11 doesnt offer much in the way of extra key features, you do get several external connections to use on the back of the radio. This makes the WR-50P a great choice if you count yourself among the rare breed of tabletop radio shoppers who are primarily interested in music performanceit wont do much for talk shows, but it will make your favorite music sound fuller and more dynamic, with a better sense of space, than our other picks. If you dont mind the expensive price tag, the Bose Wave SoundTouch IV can give you the most immersive and premium sound experience of any of the tabletop radios on our list. If you forego camping for boating, then youll need our best boat speakers. The WR-11SE scored similarly to the WR-15 in the number of FM channels it received and fell behind by just a few stations in AM reception. Most tabletop radios offer a limited one-year warranty, like most consumer electronics.
We were impressed with the overall sound that this stereo radio could output, which is more than some of the top shower speakers. By a large margin, most people surveyed reported a desire for a simple radio that they could tune to their favorite local public radio station and then leave set there in perpetuity. Boses sound is rich and clear, no matter what the source. In our tests, the WR-15 delivered rich, monophonic sound, with surprisingly robust bass for its size, plus a neutral midrange. For a more modern take on the radio, look at the best satellite radio for home. You can tune the radio with the large tuning knob on the side of the radio, as well as control the volume. In addition, the WR-50P is pricier than other models we recommend, retailing for $185 for both the radio and the additional speaker. Youre better off with the Studebaker SB2000, which sells for less and got better reception in our tests. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. When we placed the radio too close to a wallwithin 2 or 3 inchesthe bass became boomy, especially when we listened to talk radio. The Crosley Solo also has an AM/FM tuner and connects to any portable audio device. We also asked current owners about how they used their radios and what sorts of features they would look for, should their current radio meet an untimely end. We tracked how many and which channels each radio received, how clear the reception was, and whether each radio had any stability issues in holding the tuned channels. WHY WE LIKE IT: The Soundance SDY019 is the best stereo tabletop radio on our list, and it comes in at an incredibly affordable price point. It could still be of interest to you if you need an upward-facing speaker, which is a feature unique to this radio. It performed well in our channel testing, particularly in receiving FM stations, and it provided solid sound for its size and price, though its audio was not quite as rich as the sound of the Sangean or Victrola models we recommend. There were some occasions when the FM signal was weaker than we expected, but this didnt happen often and didnt create a negative experience during regular use. It picked up a total of 18 out of 42 San Diego FM stations, and it produced the least amount of static (at least on the FM side) of the radios we tested, with help from its tall, retractable antenna. We also looked for a range of different style options, since we found that design is a big factor in shopping for a tabletop radio. Victrola Willow: This radio, surprisingly, performed the best of all in our FM testing, thanks to its attached external antenna. We locked on to popular FM and AM radio stations with ease, and the green LED light was especially helpful to confirm when we had the strongest signal. It lights up when youre getting the best reception, so youll always have the best listening experience. (For reference, the best performance we saw was a total of 21 stations, due to our testing locations distance from the transmitters. The radio is a bit larger than other options weve featured on our list, but it needs the real estate for all the buttons and dials. All in all, for a budget tabletop radio, the Soundance SDY019 is an excellent addition to our list. This radio provided rich, robust sound and played surprisingly loudso loud that we needed to put it on low levels for casual listening. You also get a 3.5 mm audio jack to plug in headphones for private listening. The SB2000 has an auxiliary audio input for you to connect another audio source, but it lacks the line output and headphone jack youll find on some of our other picks. You can even connect to your smartphone using an optional Bluetooth accessory. Based on the polling responses, we quickly homed in on the list of essential features that most people are looking for in a tabletop radio. Absolutely! A good design is quintessential to good audio quality, especially when you consider how different materials can enhance or decrease a radios acoustics.
Other key features of this digital radio include. This radio also lacks Bluetooth features, if thats something youre looking for. The walnut finished material also enhances the sound quality of this radio through its inherent acoustic properties. We preferred radios that have stereo speakers, but also included those with mono speakers, especially since its hard to find stereo drivers in more portable tabletop radios. The radio also sounds great; its one of the best sounding analog tabletop radios on our list, although it can get a bit bass-heavy at times. Thats our promise and our commitment.. Christen and Rex [Founders of Gadget Review], Copyright 2022, All Rights Reserved | Gadget Review. Although it didnt pick up a ton of AM channels, it landed in the middle of our testing results, even beating more expensive radios like the Tivoli One BT in reception. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Audio can struggle a bit at higher volumes, but its overall really good. And although this radio gets a lot of style points, our one style complaint concerns the channel dial: The numbers are small and look like they were placed there with a label maker, diminishing the radios otherwise attractive exterior. This eye-catching radio might play only FM radio, but it offers great sound and power for its price, and it includes Bluetooth support.
Why its great: The Sangean WR-15 has been one of our favorite radios since 2017. You can also use the best internet radio.
Overall radio performance is excellent, especially when it comes to AM signal, due mostly to the ferrite antenna. Sangeans WR-50 is also available as a single cabinet without the SP-40 companion speaker, taking about $50 off the pricebut if you think you might have any interest in upgrading to the full stereo experience at any point in the future, we recommend that you go ahead and buy the complete system now.
Once we narrowed down the list and brought in a group of radios for testing, we put each model through extensive sound and tuning testing, and we compared their style, features, and ergonomics. Theres also the Panasonic RF-2400D with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Though it has a tuning dial, overall it provides much less of an analog experience than our other picks do; anyone who prefers pressing a button or typing in the exact channel might prefer this radios controls over those of our other picks. WHY WE LIKE IT: The KEiiD Compact is the best digital tabletop radio with high-definition sound, built-in Bluetooth connectivity, and overall excellent audio quality. Theres a lot to find positive with the Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV tabletop radio. Unfortunately, you cant get direct internet access with the unit, but with the Bluetooth functionality, you can use your phone to access online streaming services. Who its for: We recommend this radio for FM-only listeners, especially those who might want their radio to double as a Bluetooth speaker. Reception: FM and AM radioAntenna: internal, with an optional external FM antennaConnections: auxiliary audio input, line audio output, headphone jackBattery-operable: noBluetooth support: no. Sound quality isnt a huge concern for most radio shoppers, but we still kept it in mind when making our picks. Its clear and crisp, and the bass enhancing technology actually does wonders for the radios deeper sounds. After 36 hours of research and tests of more than a dozen emergency weather radios, were confident the Midland ER310 is the best choice for most people.
Theres also the Panasonic RF-2400D with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. While the Sangean WR-11 doesnt offer much in the way of extra key features, you do get several external connections to use on the back of the radio. This makes the WR-50P a great choice if you count yourself among the rare breed of tabletop radio shoppers who are primarily interested in music performanceit wont do much for talk shows, but it will make your favorite music sound fuller and more dynamic, with a better sense of space, than our other picks. If you dont mind the expensive price tag, the Bose Wave SoundTouch IV can give you the most immersive and premium sound experience of any of the tabletop radios on our list. If you forego camping for boating, then youll need our best boat speakers. The WR-11SE scored similarly to the WR-15 in the number of FM channels it received and fell behind by just a few stations in AM reception. Most tabletop radios offer a limited one-year warranty, like most consumer electronics.
We were impressed with the overall sound that this stereo radio could output, which is more than some of the top shower speakers. By a large margin, most people surveyed reported a desire for a simple radio that they could tune to their favorite local public radio station and then leave set there in perpetuity. Boses sound is rich and clear, no matter what the source. In our tests, the WR-15 delivered rich, monophonic sound, with surprisingly robust bass for its size, plus a neutral midrange. For a more modern take on the radio, look at the best satellite radio for home. You can tune the radio with the large tuning knob on the side of the radio, as well as control the volume. In addition, the WR-50P is pricier than other models we recommend, retailing for $185 for both the radio and the additional speaker. Youre better off with the Studebaker SB2000, which sells for less and got better reception in our tests. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. When we placed the radio too close to a wallwithin 2 or 3 inchesthe bass became boomy, especially when we listened to talk radio. The Crosley Solo also has an AM/FM tuner and connects to any portable audio device. We also asked current owners about how they used their radios and what sorts of features they would look for, should their current radio meet an untimely end. We tracked how many and which channels each radio received, how clear the reception was, and whether each radio had any stability issues in holding the tuned channels. WHY WE LIKE IT: The Soundance SDY019 is the best stereo tabletop radio on our list, and it comes in at an incredibly affordable price point. It could still be of interest to you if you need an upward-facing speaker, which is a feature unique to this radio. It performed well in our channel testing, particularly in receiving FM stations, and it provided solid sound for its size and price, though its audio was not quite as rich as the sound of the Sangean or Victrola models we recommend. There were some occasions when the FM signal was weaker than we expected, but this didnt happen often and didnt create a negative experience during regular use. It picked up a total of 18 out of 42 San Diego FM stations, and it produced the least amount of static (at least on the FM side) of the radios we tested, with help from its tall, retractable antenna. We also looked for a range of different style options, since we found that design is a big factor in shopping for a tabletop radio. Victrola Willow: This radio, surprisingly, performed the best of all in our FM testing, thanks to its attached external antenna. We locked on to popular FM and AM radio stations with ease, and the green LED light was especially helpful to confirm when we had the strongest signal. It lights up when youre getting the best reception, so youll always have the best listening experience. (For reference, the best performance we saw was a total of 21 stations, due to our testing locations distance from the transmitters. The radio is a bit larger than other options weve featured on our list, but it needs the real estate for all the buttons and dials. All in all, for a budget tabletop radio, the Soundance SDY019 is an excellent addition to our list. This radio provided rich, robust sound and played surprisingly loudso loud that we needed to put it on low levels for casual listening. You also get a 3.5 mm audio jack to plug in headphones for private listening. The SB2000 has an auxiliary audio input for you to connect another audio source, but it lacks the line output and headphone jack youll find on some of our other picks. You can even connect to your smartphone using an optional Bluetooth accessory. Based on the polling responses, we quickly homed in on the list of essential features that most people are looking for in a tabletop radio. Absolutely! A good design is quintessential to good audio quality, especially when you consider how different materials can enhance or decrease a radios acoustics.
Other key features of this digital radio include. This radio also lacks Bluetooth features, if thats something youre looking for. The walnut finished material also enhances the sound quality of this radio through its inherent acoustic properties. We preferred radios that have stereo speakers, but also included those with mono speakers, especially since its hard to find stereo drivers in more portable tabletop radios. The radio also sounds great; its one of the best sounding analog tabletop radios on our list, although it can get a bit bass-heavy at times. Thats our promise and our commitment.. Christen and Rex [Founders of Gadget Review], Copyright 2022, All Rights Reserved | Gadget Review. Although it didnt pick up a ton of AM channels, it landed in the middle of our testing results, even beating more expensive radios like the Tivoli One BT in reception. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Audio can struggle a bit at higher volumes, but its overall really good. And although this radio gets a lot of style points, our one style complaint concerns the channel dial: The numbers are small and look like they were placed there with a label maker, diminishing the radios otherwise attractive exterior. This eye-catching radio might play only FM radio, but it offers great sound and power for its price, and it includes Bluetooth support.