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Over the years, the price of DAB radios has come down, and today there are a wide range of affordable pocket DAB radios that you can choose from. A pocket or handheld radio is a great gadget to have when you are walking, jogging, commuting, gardening or just relaxing around the house.
Pocket DAB radios usually cost between £20 and £100 and will normally offer FM as well as digital radio.
Most people will listen to pocket radios through headphones, which are sometimes supplied free with the device, and some of the radios that we have reviewed here even have a small, built-in speaker.
Read on for reviews of some of the best models that are available in the UK in 2021 or scroll down for an overview or what to look for in a pocket DAB radio.
Best Pocket DAB Radios
1. Majority Petersfield-Go
The Petersfield-Go is one of the most popular pocket FM/DAB radios in the UK. It’s made by budget radio brand Majority, and is attractively priced compared to radios from better-known brands such as Roberts.
The Petersfield-Go is small enough to fit in your pocket and can be charged via a USB cable.
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ radio
- Rechargeable internal battery that offers up to 12 hours of playback time
- Headphone socket (3.5 mm)
- Keylock feature
- LCD display
- Earphones included
- SD port for playing MP3s
- Clasp for attaching to clothing
Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 cm
Weight: 118 g
Pros
- Small and light
- Good battery life compared to other pocket digital radios
- Easy to use even if you’ve never had a DAB radio before
- Automatically sets the right time and finds DAB stations
Cons
- Earphones included are poor quality
Summary
The Petersfield-Go is popular for a reason: it’s a low-priced pocket radio with a good range of features and a small, light design.
The sound quality will depend on the DAB reception where you live and the headphones you use with it. Read our full review of the Petersfield-Go here.
2. Roberts Sports DAB5
The Roberts Sports DAB5 is a popular pocket radio from well known British brand Roberts.
Despite the brand name this radio is still quite affordable, and only costs a bit more than cheaper radios from brands such as Majority.
Unlike most of the pocket radios reviewed here the Roberts Sports DAB5 takes two AA batteries rather than charging via USB. This could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your personal preferences.
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ radio
- 5 dedicated preset buttons for quickly tuning into your favourite stations
- Key lock so you won’t accidentally press buttons when it’s in your pocket
- Takes 2 AA batteries (not included)
- Earphones included
- Sleep timer
Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.2 x 2 cm
Weight: 68 g
Pros
- Easy to access preset stations
- Feels well made
- Attractive design
Cons
- Batteries don’t last very long and replacing AA batteries can be expensive
Summary
The Roberts Sports DAB5 is a high-quality radio that feels a bit higher-end than some of the cheaper alternatives.
It’s easy to use and has some useful extra features such as a sleep timer which is great if you listen to the radio in bed. However, it gets through AA batteries quickly which can become expensive if you don’t have some good rechargeable batteries.
Read our full review of the Roberts Sports DAB5 here.
3. Sony XDR-P1
The Sony XDR-P1 is very high quality product and one of the top-rated small digital radios in the UK.
It’s slightly bigger than most of the radios reviewed here. This radio measures 11.5 x 5.7 x 2.4 cm so it might be a bit large for your pocket.
The product is more expensive than some of the other handheld radios reviewed here, but if you want an assurance of quality, this radio is a good option. It has an inbuilt amplifier which means you don’t need to use earphones.
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ radio
- Inbuilt speaker
- Saves 20 preset stations
- Headphone jack
- Sleep feature
- USB charging cable
- Auto-tune feature
Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.7 x 2.4 cm
Weight: 168 g
Pros
- Easy to use
- Good reception
- Built-in speaker sounds surprisingly good
- Finds DAB stations quickly
Cons
- Volume when using headphones doesn’t go very loud
Summary
This is a very high-quality product, and the speaker sounds amazing for its size. It’s not the cheapest or smallest pocket DAB radio, but it’s definitely one to consider. Read our full review of the Sony XDR-P1 here.
4. i-Box Portable DAB
i-Box’s portable DAB is one of the most popular radios available on the market. Since the establishment of the brand in 2012, i-Box have always had a strong focus on high quality audio and attractive styling.
Manufactured by Philex Electronic Ltd, this feature-packed little radio is generally well-received by users and is small enough to fit in your pocket whether you are working, running, or relaxing at home.
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ radio
- USB rechargeable lithium battery offering up to 8 hours of playback time from a si