Radios Price Comparison

The radio market in the UK is quietly fascinating. Roberts Radio dominates with 58 models and an average price around £135, yet some of the most competitive offers come from Aiwa and Philips — brands that undercut the field significantly while still delivering solid DAB+ reception. Prices across our catalogue range from 19 £ for a basic analogue portable up to 172 £ for premium connected models, which tells you just how wide this category has become.

What's changed most in recent years is the shift from FM to DAB+. The BBC's long-signalled FM switch-off has nudged buyers firmly towards digital tuners, and it shows in the data — the majority of products listed here now include DAB or DAB+ alongside FM. If you're still buying a pure FM set, make sure you have a clear reason for it. For most households, a DAB+ radio is simply the smarter long-term investment.

There's also a clear split between two very different types of buyer. On one side, you have the kitchen-and-bedroom crowd looking for a compact, attractive set from Roberts, Pure, or Tivoli Audio — brands that treat the radio as a piece of furniture as much as an appliance. On the other, tradespeople and outdoor workers are driving strong demand for rugged worksite radios from Makita and Bosch, which run off 18V power tool batteries and can survive a building site. These two worlds barely overlap, yet they share the same category. Worth keeping in mind when you're browsing.

Connectivity has also crept into the mid-range. Bluetooth pairing, AUX inputs, and USB charging ports are now standard above 69 £, meaning your radio can double as a wireless speaker. For those who want internet radio alongside DAB+, the Philips TAR8805 shows that you don't necessarily need to spend a fortune to get it. Compare all available offers on CD players or portable speakers if you're weighing up whether a radio is actually the right format for your needs — sometimes a portable stereo system covers more ground.

One thing our price tracking consistently shows: radios see meaningful discounts during Black Friday and the January sales, particularly Roberts and Pure models at John Lewis and Currys. If you're not in a rush, setting a price alert on your shortlisted model can save you a decent chunk.

How to Choose the Right Radio

Roberts Radio alone lists 58 models — and that's before you factor in TechniSat, Pure, Makita, and the rest. The honest truth is that most radios look similar on a spec sheet but feel very different in use. Here's what actually matters, depending on how and where you plan to use it.

DAB+ vs FM: don't buy yesterday's technology

This is the single most important decision. DAB+ is the current UK digital radio standard — it offers better audio quality, more stations, and automatic retuning when you move between regions. FM is still widely broadcast, but it's analogue, prone to interference, and its long-term future in the UK is uncertain. Our strong advice: unless you specifically need FM for a car aerial or a very specific use case, choose a set with DAB+ as a minimum. AM is largely redundant for home use. If a radio only offers FM/AM in 2026, it's almost certainly a budget compromise — not a feature.

Power source: mains, batteries, or rechargeable?

This shapes how and where you'll actually use the radio. Mains-only sets are fine for a fixed kitchen or bedroom spot, and they tend to offer better sustained audio quality. Battery-powered portables (AA or D cells) give you genuine flexibility — garden, garage, camping — but running costs add up. Rechargeable built-in batteries are the sweet spot for most people: no ongoing battery spend, and you can still unplug and move around. Worksite radios from Makita and Bosch are a special case — they run off the same 18V lithium batteries as your power tools, which is genuinely convenient on a building site but pointless if you don't already own those tools.

Battery life in real-world use

Manufacturers quote battery life under ideal conditions — low volume, strong signal, no Bluetooth. Real-world figures are typically 20–30% lower. For a bedside or kitchen radio used a few hours a day, 10–15 hours is perfectly adequate. If you're taking it camping or using it as an emergency radio, look for 20 hours or more. Roberts and Pure tend to be honest about their figures; some budget brands are optimistic. Check independent reviews on Which? or Trusted Reviews before committing.

Audio output: how loud does it actually need to be?

For a bedroom or small kitchen, 1–2W RMS is genuinely enough. A living room or workshop needs 3–5W minimum to fill the space comfortably. Worksite radios — Makita, Bosch — typically push 10W or more, which is why they cost significantly more. Don't be seduced by high wattage figures on budget sets; speaker quality matters as much as raw power. A 2W Roberts will sound better than a 5W no-name unit almost every time.

Build quality: for the kitchen or the building site?

Most home radios use standard ABS plastic, which is fine for domestic use. If the radio is going in a garage, workshop, or outdoors, look for reinforced casing, rubber bumpers, and ideally some level of water resistance (IPX4 as a minimum for splashes). The Makita and Bosch worksite models are built to take knocks; Roberts and Tivoli Audio prioritise aesthetics. Neither approach is wrong — just match the build to the environment. A premium Tivoli Audio set left on a workbench won't last the month.

Connectivity: Bluetooth and beyond

Above 69 £, Bluetooth is increasingly standard — and genuinely useful if you want to stream from your phone when the radio reception is poor. AUX-in (3.5mm) is handy for older devices. USB ports on worksite radios often serve as phone chargers rather than audio inputs, which is a practical bonus. Internet radio (via Wi-Fi) opens up thousands of global stations but requires a home network — the Philips TAR8805 does this well. If you just want DAB+ in the kitchen, none of this is essential; don't pay for features you won't use.

• Entry-level (From 19 £ to 31 £) : Analogue FM or basic DAB portables from Aiwa, Philips, and Sharp. Perfectly functional for casual listening in a single room, but don't expect rich sound or long battery life. Aiwa's R-190 series sits here — decent build for the price, but limited to analogue. Fine as a secondary radio or a gift, less ideal as your main set.
• The sweet spot (From 31 £ to 69 £) : This is where DAB+ becomes the norm and audio quality takes a meaningful step up. Panasonic, Philips DAB models, and entry-level Roberts all compete here. The Sharp DR-430 and DR-450 offer good DAB+ reception at a fair price. Most buyers will find everything they need in this bracket — it's the range we'd point most people towards first.
• Mid-range with extras (From 69 £ to 95 £) : Roberts Radio, Pure, and TechniSat dominate here, offering better speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and more polished designs. Worksite radios from Makita start appearing too. If sound quality and build matter to you — or if the radio is going in a prominent spot in the home — this range is worth the step up. Tivoli Audio begins to appear at the top of this bracket.
• Premium and specialist (Over 95 £) : Tivoli Audio, high-end Roberts, and professional-grade Makita worksite models. You're paying for exceptional audio, premium materials, or serious site-ready durability. The Makita DMR301 at this level is a genuine workhorse; Tivoli Audio sets are lifestyle objects as much as radios. Hard to justify unless you have a specific need or a genuine passion for audio quality.

Top products

• Philips TAR5505/10 radio Portable Digital Black, Grey, Wood (Philips) : A genuinely attractive DAB+ portable with a wood-effect finish that doesn't look out of place in a modern kitchen. Good reception and solid audio for the price — our pick for buyers who want style without paying Roberts prices.
• Sharp DR-430 Personal Digital Black (Sharp) : One of the best-value DAB+ portables in the catalogue. No frills, no Bluetooth, but reliable reception and a compact form factor. The right choice if you just want a radio that works without fuss.
• Aiwa RMD-77 radio Portable Analog & digital Black (Aiwa) : Aiwa's most capable portable in this range — analogue and digital combined, decent build. A solid outsider pick that undercuts better-known brands. Not the most refined sound, but punches above its price point.
• Makita DMR056 radio Portable Analog & digital Black, Blue (Makita) : The go-to worksite radio for tradespeople already in the Makita 18V ecosystem. Loud, rugged, and genuinely practical on site. Completely overkill — and overpriced — if you're not a tradesperson.
• Philips TAR8805/10 radio Internet Digital Black (Philips) : The most feature-rich Philips in the top 15 — internet radio, DAB+, and FM in one box. A strong alternative to Roberts' connected models at a noticeably lower price. Requires Wi-Fi, so not for the kitchen without a good signal.

Related categories

• CD Players
• Portable & Party Speakers
• Portable Stereo Systems
• Headphones & Headsets
• MP3/MP4 Players
• FM Transmitters
• Dictaphones
• Portable Speaker Parts & Accessories