Top 10 - Best Portable DAB Radios of 2019

Our Best Buy DAB Radio of 2019. The VQ Monty combines an eye-catching retro inspired design with powerful audio for a listening experience that rivals much pricier models. We were instantly impressed with the build quality of the VQ Monty, which features a real wooden case with an exposed wood grain. The 10W speaker driver may not compare to some higher-end models but at this price and with VQ’s pioneering Analogue Sound Processing technology, the audio quality is excellent whether you’re listening to spoken voice or music. It also comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity so it will double up as a smart speaker allowing you to stream music from your Smartphone as well. Further benefits include a handy USB charging port, 3.5mm aux-in, FM reception, and an alarm function. The VQ Monty is also compatible with an optional battery pack for added portability, providing up to 25 hours of performance on the go. A Which? Best Buy to boot, the VQ Monty is our top choice if you’re looking for the best quality at a reasonable price!

The VQ Christie is a feature-packed radio that was a serious contender for our Best Buy. With its retro-inspired design and top-class sound it has impressed audio experts and customers alike. Boasting a unique rotating screen, the Christie can sit either horizontally or vertically so that you can make the best use of your space, and the vintage style is offset by a high-quality enamel front plate and leatherette casing, which is available in a wide range of colours to suit decors and tastes. We were blown away by the impressive sound quality and DAB reception provided by the Christie, which would comfortably fill medium-sized rooms, and handles both voice and music brilliantly. Unlike similarly priced models it even includes Bluetooth so that you can connect your smartphone or tablet and use it as a speaker for streaming. There is even an optional battery pack available for nominal price for added portability and value for money!

The flagship model of Pure’s Evoke range, the H4 is an excellent mid-sized DAB radio with a great range of features. First and foremost, the sound quality is some of the best we’ve heard from a model of this size, with a 3” driver that has been carefully tuned by the experts at Pure to ensure peak performance. An innovative snooze handle makes the Evoke H4 ideal as a bedside radio, but it is plenty powerful enough for most living rooms, too. And it’s not just a DAB radio either- the H4 also includes Bluetooth connectivity, so you can choose the soundtrack yourself, and an aux-in connection for devices without Bluetooth. It all comes encased in a gorgeous wooden body, which not only looks great but also helps to give the Evoke H4 a little extra acoustic sparkle.

Similar in design to the No.1 on our list but more compact and without the real wood casing, the VQ Retro Mini offers excellent value for money and comes in a variety of colours to choose from. It’s impressive audio quality belies its small stature and we were blown away by the clarity even at the highest volumes. The 5W speaker driver coped surprisingly well with all types of music and spoken word so don’t worry about whether you’ll be able to hear over the noise of an extractor fan. It also comes equipped with Bluetooth so will stream Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube or your favourite Podcast from your smartphone. If you’re looking for a top quality portable DAB radio then the VQ Retro Mini is well made model and outperforms similarly priced models and even some pricier alternatives so is definitely worth consideration!

Most personal DAB radios offer limited features and poor sound quality, so it’s refreshing to see Pure get things right with the Pure Move T4. Nice and compact, it comes with a toughened glass screen so that it doesn’t get damaged while you’re out and about. Its built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 22 hours’ of listening time through headphones, making it the perfect companion for any adventure. As well as being a great personal DAB radio, the Move T4 also has a speaker with an impressive 4W output- putting it on a par with some much larger models. Prop the radio up on its retractable stand, and you can listen to it anywhere- so it’s a great choice for the garden or kitchen, too! With Bluetooth and an aux-in connection as well, the Move T4 really does it all.

Possibly the most feature-packed portable DAB radio on the market, the Como Audio Amico comes loaded with high-end features. Most significantly, it includes internet radio functionality, so you can tune in to your choice of over 30,000 stations wherever there's WiFi. With up to 8 hours of battery life, you'll get plenty of listening pleasure from the Amico before it's time to recharge. What's more, it also works as a multiroom speaker, pairing up with any other Como devices. That means the music never has to stop- you can easily take it with you around the house. It's even water-resistant, making it ideal for the bathroom.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the Move T4, then the Pure Elan BT3 is a superb choice. Not only does this portable model function as a DAB and FM radio, but it also includes Bluetooth connectivity and an aux-in port. That means you can listen to music from your smartphone or MP3 player while on the go, as the BT3 doubles up as a portable speaker. With a full-colour screen, it’s easy to find your way around menus and stations, and there are even handy one-touch preset buttons to save all your favourites.

The VQ Hepburn is a super-stylish DAB radio that undoubtedly lives up to its name. With a plush leatherette casing and warm, elegant curves, this model is sure to impress. But the Hepburn is more than just window dressing. It also features two powerful 10W speakers for full stereo sound setting it apart from other models at this price. Further benefits include Bluetooth connectivity alongside the DAB and FM modes, Alarm with Snooze, and a USB charging port. Given its compact size and handle, this is an ideal model for moving about the home and is compatible with an optional battery pack (sold separately), allowing you to take your Hepburn with you for hours of listening on the go.

The Panasonic RF-D10EB-K offers excellent value for money and is one of our top choices if you're looking for a decent Portable DAB Radio at a modest price. It’s extremely simple to use, and the speaker inside is surprisingly hefty. That gives it a nice solid sound across all volume settings. If you want to tweak the audio to your liking, then there are 5 EQ presets to choose from. One nice feature on the RF-D10EB-K is the set of preset buttons on the top of the unit. You can store up to 10 of your favourite DAB stations, and then tune in with just a single click. With a modern, understated design, it’s sure to look great in any home, too!