To help you make your choice, here is a comparison of the best portable radios -

DR

The editorial staff of 20 Minutes did not participate in the production of this article.

These radios are a compact solution for listening to music from your favorite stations.

Those for construction sites, for example, are also part of specific solutions.

So what is the best portable radio right now?

This buying guide and its selection will help you make your choice.

Everything you need to know before buying a portable radio

What are the differences between portable radios and internet radios?

Internet radios make it possible to receive international airwaves.

Some portable radios can therefore be Internet radios.

They can also be connected radios, that is to say compatible with various networks (such as Bluetooth) or with voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, etc.).

Others will be content, however, to be FM and DAB / DAB + radios.

What is an analog radio?

There are two main categories of portable radios.

Analog radios are traditional models.

They only have an AM / FM tuner.

They are now supplemented by digital radios, which can receive tuners of other kinds, and in particular DAB +.

What is digital terrestrial radio (DTT)?

The RNT now bears the name DAB + (for Digital Audio Broadcasting).

It is the successor of the FM which must provide new frequencies when those of the FM are saturated.

The RNT has been online since June 2018 and covers different areas of life all over France.

Small selection of portable radios among the best of the moment

Philips AZ215B / 12: the portable radio with CD player

Philips AZ215B-12 portable radio - DR

The Philips AZ215B / 12 features the traditional FM tuner.

This simple model thus offers access to most current radios.

But it complements that with a player compatible with all CD, CD-R and CD-RW discs.

Once the disc is in place, you can program up to 20 CD tracks.

The music then benefits from an output power of 3 W RMS and dynamic bass amplification.

The pros and cons of the Philips AZ215B / 12 portable radio:

Most :

  • Featuring a CD, CD-R and CD-RW compatible player;

  • Dynamic bass boost;

  • Easy transportation;

  • Programming up to 20 tracks.

The lessers :

  • Basics after all.

Get the AZ215B / 12 model

Philips AE2160 / 04: the compact portable radio

Philips portable radio AE2160-04 - DR

The AE2160 / 04 is a lightweight model: this FM radio weighs only 520 grams.

It can be transported with one hand without any difficulty.

It also gives the choice of power supply and can be connected to the mains or receive two batteries.

In this second case, it will display an autonomy of 300 hours.

The Philips AE2160 / 04 is compatible with long wave and medium wave (MW / LW), this allows it to receive many stations.

The pros and cons of the Philips AE2160 / 04 portable radio:

Most :

  • Lightweight device;

  • Easy transportation;

  • Little price ;

  • Battery powered or mains powered.

The lessers :

  • Is satisfied with the FM tuner.

Get the model AE2160 / 04

JVC RA-F539B: the portable radio compatible with DAB +

Portable radio JVC RA-539B - DR

This portable radio from JVC extends the reception possibilities by integrating the DAB + tuner.

In addition to having access to a host of new stations, it can memorize up to 60 of them.

The JVC RA-F539B is however very light: only 500 grams.

It also acts as an alarm clock.

It is easily adjusted thanks to its 2.8-inch LCD screen, whose brightness remains low when you sleep.

The pros and cons of the JVC RA-539B portable radio:

Most :

  • DAB + compatible;

  • Light;

  • Easy adjustments;

  • With alarm clock function and adapted brightness.

The lessers :

  • Access to the snooze function a little more complex.

Get the JVC RA-539B model

Muse M-29 PK: the portable radio for children

Muse M-29 PK portable radio - DR

The M-29 PK radio is first and foremost a model for children.

However, the device has better connectivity.

It actually integrates a CD player and a USB port for MP3 players.

It also has a microphone.

The little ones will be able to have fun recording their own songs.

The Muse M-29 PK can run on mains or LR14 batteries, making it even more versatile.

The pros and cons of the Muse M-29 PK portable radio:

Most :

  • With integrated microphone;

  • Featuring a CD player and a USB port;

  • A design that will appeal to children;

  • Battery operated or mains powered.

The lessers :

  • Perfectible design quality.

Get the Muse M-29 PK model

Avantree Soundbyte: the portable Bluetooth radio

Avantree Soundbyte portable radio - DR

The Avantree Soundbyte is a radio compatible with Bluetooth 5.0.

It can thus connect to most current smartphones and tablets and be used as a speaker.

Its wrist strap and extremely light weight also allow it to be easily carried with you.

The Soundbyte actually weighs only 158 grams.

However, it has an output power of 6 W and includes a rechargeable battery with an autonomy of 15 hours.

The pros and cons of the Avantree Soundbyte portable radio:

Most :

  • Ultralight model;

  • Compatible with Bluetooth 5.0;

  • A maximum autonomy of 15 hours;

  • A well thought-out wrist strap.

The lessers :

  • FM tuner exclusively.

Get the Soundbyte model

Philips DAB & FM Radio: the stylish portable radio

Philips portable radio DAB & FM Radio - DR

This FM and DAB + compatible radio stands out for its style.

The appliance actually benefits from a wood and fabric style allowing it to blend in with the decoration of a kitchen.

It also integrates Bluetooth and can connect to all current devices.

Rather light (860 grams), this portable radio is easy to carry and can be powered by batteries or from the mains.

Pros and cons of the Philips DAB & FM Radio portable radio:

Most :

  • FM, DAB + and Bluetooth compatible;

  • An attractive design;

  • With kitchen timer;

  • Mains or battery powered.

The lessers :

  • Thought for a kitchen, to be avoided elsewhere.

Get the DAB & FM Radio model

JBL Tuner 2: the waterproof portable radio

Portable radio JBL Tuner 2 - DR

The portable radio from JBL is a light and portable model: it weighs only 543 grams.

But it is first and foremost designed to withstand external constraints.

This is why the Tuner 2 is waterproof.

IPX7 certified, it can even withstand immersions up to 1 meter deep.

This radio, which can receive FM and DAB / DAB + frequencies, also produces quality sound.

And with its 12 hours of autonomy, it can follow its user everywhere.

The pros and cons of the JBL Tuner 2 portable radio:

Most :

  • An IPX7 certified radio;

  • Lightweight and space-saving;

  • Good sound reproduction;

  • 12 hours of autonomy.

The lessers :

  • A little more expensive.

Get the JBL Tuner 2 model

PerfectPro Ubox 500R: the portable construction site radio

PerfectPro Ubox 500R portable radio - DR

The PerfectPro brand offers a portable radio capable of withstanding the vagaries of a construction site.

Its design makes it resistant to water, dust and shocks.

The Ubox 500R can be connected to the mains or run on batteries.

It is compatible with FM and DAB + tuners, and it can receive RDS information.

It also has a built-in USB reader and can therefore connect to all your peripherals.

The pros and cons of the PerfectPro Ubox 500R portable radio:

Most :

  • Adapted to construction sites;

  • FM / DAB + tuners;

  • Bluetooth compatible and integrated USB port;

  • Compatible with RDS information.

The lessers :

  • More expensive model.

Get the Ubox 500R model

PerfectPro DAB + Pro: the durable and compact portable radio

PerfectPro DAB + Pro portable radio - DR

The PerfectPro brand also offers the DAB + Pro, an IP65 certified construction site radio.

Resistant to rain, splashes, dust and shocks, it is also more compact, weighing only 1.5 kilograms.

It is FM / DAB + compatible, interprets RDS information and has an AUX port for MP3 players.

It is finally compatible with Bluetooth and can therefore stream music transmitted by a smartphone.

The pros and cons of the PerfectPro DAB + Pro portable radio:

Most :

  • IP65 certified;

  • Compatible with FM / DAB + tuners;

  • Bluetooth compatible;

  • Compact for a device of this category.

The lessers :

  • Be careful not to hang the antenna.

Get the DAB + Pro model

Portable radios must first be chosen based on the origin of its music.

In addition to the old FM tuner and the new DAB / DAB +, they now have access to Bluetooth.

They also integrate AUX and USB ports.

To choose the best portable radio, you must therefore pay attention to the connectors and accessible bands.

In addition, take the time to learn about the type of power supply to your device.

Some models can run on batteries, while others will favor a rechargeable battery.

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The editorial staff did not participate in its realization.

The prices mentioned in this article are indicative and are subject to change.

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