Best Radios for Running/Jogging 2024

Lots of people find that listening to music while running makes their run easier, and there is growing scientific evidence that music can help athletic performance.

By taking a radio with you on your run, you can listen to music to keep you feeling energised, or catch up on the news and follow sports.

There is a large choice of pocket radios available in the UK, all of which could be used for running/jogging.

Some offer AM and FM radio bands, while others offer FM and DAB digital radio. You can also get MP3 players with FM radio so you can take your whole music collection with you.

Some pocket radios also have a built-in speaker, which would be good if you’re worried that earphones might make you less aware of your surroundings.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a radio for running:

• AM/FM or FM/DAB – DAB radio is gradually taking over analogue radio in the UK, but AM/FM radios are still popular. DAB offers you a bigger choice of stations to listen to, but it eats through batteries quicker, so you would be able to use an AM/FM pocket radio for longer without needing to recharge the battery.
• Keylock feature – This is one of the most important features to look for when choosing a running radio. A keylock feature will lock the keys on the radio so that you can’t accidentally change the station or volume when you knock it.
• Size – Obviously, when it comes to radios for running, the smaller the better. You want something light that can easily fit in your pocket or clip to your shorts or t-shirt. Radios branded as “pocket radios” will normally be small enough, though you should check the dimensions before buying.
• Clip – Some radios have a clip which lets you attach the radio to your clothing. This can be useful as it will prevent the radio banging about in your pocket and stop the headphone cable getting in the way while you’re running.
  If you don’t want to use a clip or put the radio in your pocket, you could consider using a running armband designed for a mobile phone.
• Brand – You might want to choose something from a well-known brand such as Pure or Roberts, but if you want to save money you might get a better deal by buying something from a budget brand such as AZATOM or Majority.
• Earphones – When buying a running radio, you should consider which earphones you will use. Lots of pocket radios come with earphones included, though they’re typically not very high quality.
  Unfortunately, there aren’t any pocket radios on the market with a Bluetooth transmitter, so you won’t be able to use Bluetooth earphones/headphones unless you get creative and attach an external Bluetooth transmitter to your pocket radio.
  However, you can buy portable MP3 players with FM radio and Bluetooth for use with wireless headphones.

Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the best radios for running currently available in the UK.

Best Radios for Running/Jogging

1. Victure M3 Bluetooth MP3 Player with FM Radio

The Victure M3 Bluetooth MP3 Player is a handy device with a lot of features that make it a great companion for taking out on runs.

Technically this product is designed as an MP3 player rather than a radio, but it has an FM radio function as well.

Unlike any pocket radio on the market, it has a Bluetooth transmitter so you can use it with wireless Bluetooth headphones. This means you won’t get tangled up in wires while you’re running.

There’s also a handy clip for connecting the MP3 player to your clothing.

This product is smaller than you might expect—it’s just 5.8 cm (2.3”) tall by 3.7 cm (1.5”) wide.

Features

Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.7 x 1.6 cm
Weight: 24 g

Summary

The Victure M3 Bluetooth MP3 Player is a great choice if you want something with Bluetooth and don’t want to carry around a bulky and expensive phone while running.

It’s a very versatile device with both an MP3 player and FM radio. You can use it to listen to audiobooks, music you’ve downloaded or the radio.

The lightweight design and clip make it very comfortable to run with. Unlike most pocket radios, it can transmit audio to wireless headphones, so you can enjoy your run without worrying about headphone wires getting in the way.

 

2. LEMEGA PR1

The LEMEGA PR1 is a very affordable pocket radio which is ideal for joggers and gym-goers alike.

It offers lots of features for the price, including a few that will be of particular appeal to runners: a button lock function so you won’t accidentally change the station when it’s in your pocket and small size to fit in pockets on your gym gear.

Features

Dimensions: 9 x 5.1 x 1.6 cm
Weight: 99.8 g

Summary

This radio is great value for money and would be an ideal choice for running due to the key lock function.

You may end up wanting to use your own earphones rather than the ones provided, but this isn’t a big complaint given the LEMEGA PR1’s low price.

 

3. AZATOM Pro Sports S1

The AZATOM Pro Sports S1 is one of the most popular pocket DAB radios in the UK, and it’s particularly popular among runners.

It has almost all the features you could want in a running radio including FM/DAB/DAB+ radio, the ability to save preset stations and a key lock function.

However, it doesn’t have a clip to attach it to your clothing.

Features

Dimensions: 9 x 5 x 2 cm
Weight: 104 g

Summary

The Pro Sports S1 is more versatile than most pocket radios since it has a small built-in speaker so you don’t need to use headphones all the time.

Given its performance and value for money, it’s a good choice, though the lack of a clip/clasp could be inconvenient if you’re listening to it while running.

This radio is also larger than some other pocket radios out there, which could be a pro or a con depending on whether you want something ultra-small or something more substantial.

Read our full review of the AZATOM Pro Sports S1 here.

 

4. Retekess V-112 Pocket AM/FM Radio

If you want an AM/FM running radio rather than an FM/DAB one, the Retekess V-112 could be a good choice. It’s cheaper than any of the DAB radios reviewed here (at the time of writing) and might offer better reception depending on where you use it.

Features

Dimensions: 8.5 x 14.8 x 1.3 cm
Weight: 40.8 g

Summary

The Retekess V-112 offers great value for money and has a better battery life than any of the pocket DAB radios reviewed here.

It also includes a strap which lets you hang the radio round your neck. You could use this to hang the radio under your t-shirt while running to prevent the earphone cables getting in your way.

Remember that this radio doesn’t have DAB though, so your choice of stations will be limited.

Read our full review of the Retekess V-112 here.

 

5. Roberts Sports DAB5

As the name suggests, the Roberts Sports DAB5 is designed with active people in mind. It’s a pocket FM/DAB radio from respected British brand Roberts that you can listen to using the earphones included or your own.

The Roberts Sports DAB5 is a good choice for running because it’s very easy to use and has a key lock function.

You can quickly change between your preset stations so you don’t need to scroll through stations while jogging.

Features

Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.2 x 2 cm
Weight: 70 g

Summary

The Roberts Sports DAB5 is the most expensive radio on this list and may seem a bit overpriced given what it does, but it’s well made and is a joy to use.

This radio takes AA batteries rather than having a built-in rechargeable battery. This could be a pro or a con depending on your perspective: If you don’t have an AA battery charger replacing the batteries will be expensive, but it could be more convenient than leaving the radio to charge for a long time.

Read our full review of the Roberts Sports DAB5 here.

 

Conclusion

If we had to pick just one of these products to recommend it would be the Victure M3 Bluetooth MP3 Player. While it’s more of an MP3 player than a radio, it does have a built-in FM radio and also offers a lot of really useful features for running such as Bluetooth for using it with wireless headphones and a clip for attaching it to your clothing.

 

Related posts

• Best Pocket DAB Radios
• Best Pocket AM/FM Radios
• Best Portable DAB Radios