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There are a lot of shower and bathroom radios available on the market, but most of them have quite a lot of negative reviews. This is often due to either poor build quality or poor reception, which is a common problem since the shower isn’t the ideal place to get good radio reception.
Fortunately, there are a few high-quality shower radios available in the UK. We’ve picked out some of the best models on the market. Skip down to read our reviews, or read on for some more information to help you choose the right shower radio.
About shower radios
A shower radio is a radio that has been specially designed to be water-resistant so it can be used in the shower. Shower radios often have a hanging strap which you can use to hang them from the shower.
Others have a suction cup which lets you attach them to the shower wall. For safety reasons, shower radios are battery-powered and usually lack a headphone jack, since water and wires don’t mix well.
Are shower radios actually waterproof?
Shower radios are water-resistant, but technically speaking, most of them aren’t waterproof. The definition of waterproof according to Merriam Webster is “impervious to water”, which would mean you could completely submerge the radio in water without it doing any damage.
Most shower radios aren’t quite that tough—they can withstand being splashed by water but you shouldn’t overdo it. Most shower radios have an IP code of IPX4, which means they are resistant to the “splashing of water”.
However, there are several fully waterproof shower speakers on the market, which have IPX7 ratings, meaning you can submerge them in water.
Are shower radios safe?
Yes, if the radio you’re buying is a genuine shower radio it should be perfectly safe. You should only use a water-resistant radio in the shower—not a regular radio. In particular, you should never use a radio with headphones near water. Shower radios don’t have headphone jacks, as this could electrocute you.
Features to look for in a shower radio
Shower radios are often simple FM radios with a single speaker and limited features, though they can have more advanced features such as Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a good feature to have as it means you can listen to any kind of audio from your phone while you’re in the shower, so instead of being limited to the radio, you can also listen to MP3s, podcasts and so on.
Here’s an overview of some of the features you might want to look for in a shower radio:
- Bluetooth: This lets you stream audio from your phone through the radio’s speaker.
- DAB: DAB gives you a greater choice of stations but will result in shorter battery life.
- At least IPX4 water resistance: This means the radio will withstand being splashed by water in any direction.
- Clock/timer: This is useful if you’re on a tight schedule.
- Suction cup: Some radios and shower speakers can be stuck to a shower wall or bathroom tiles using a suction cup on the back of the unit.
- Hanging strap: Some radios can be hung over a showerhead or other convenient place, so it will be at eye level and you won’t step on it while showering.
Best Shower Radios in the UK
1. Majority Eversden
The Majority Eversden is a dependable FM/DAB/DAB+ shower radio that you can also use around the house. It comes in an elegant white or classic black design which should match any room’s decor. This radio also features Bluetooth, so you can use it to listen to any of your devices which can be paired with the Eversden.
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ Radio
- IPX5 water-resistance rating
- Battery life of up to 15 hours
- Bluetooth
- Saves 20 preset stations
- Strap holes so you can easily hang it on your shower
- Dual alarm clock
- Shockproof
- 3-year warranty
- Headphone jack
Dimensions: 5.29 x 13.79 x 15.89 cm
Weight: 499 g
Pros
- Can be hung on a shower or stood on its own
- Stylish
- Volume goes quite loud
- Features a clock
- Good reception
Cons
- No major cons
Summary
This radio is more expensive than some of the other FM shower radios on the market, but it’s a high-quality product with good reception. It’s a very reliable radio that will provide you with all the tunes you could dream of and will look great in your bathroom. The alarm clock function means you won’t get carried away singing in the shower and forget the time.
2. BassPal Shower Speaker
This product is designed primarily as a Bluetooth speaker for the shower rather than a radio but it also has a built-in FM radio.
Unlike most of the other products reviewed here, the BassPal Shower Speaker is fully waterproof, not just water-resistant. You can submerge it in water for 30 minutes without damaging it. This makes it good for listening to in the shower and bath.
Features
- Bluetooth
- FM radio
- Waterproof (IPX7 rating)
- Suction cup
- Floats in the bath
- LED lights (can be switched off)
- Built-in rechargeable battery (charges with a micro USB charging cable)
- Built-in microphone for hands-free calls via Bluetooth
Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.2 x 6.5 cm
Weight: 299 g
Pros
- Easy to pair with a Bluetooth device
- Fully waterproof
- Features Bluetooth
- Nice LED lights
- Decent sound quality given its size
Cons
- Takes a long time to charge up (about 3 hours)
- Not designed primarily as a radio
Summary
If you listen to lots of music, radio or podcasts on your phone, the BassPal Shower Speaker is a good choice. It will let you listen to music in the shower or bath without risking getting your phone wet. It offers reasonably good sound quality and value for money.
3. John Lewis Spectrum Digital Shower Radio
The Spectrum Shower Radio from John Lewis is a stylish product with a useful strap for hanging it in the shower.
The Spectrum Shower Radio offers FM as well as DAB, so it gives you more choice of stations than an FM-only radio. It uses a rechargeable built-in battery which lasts for up to 12 hours.
Features
- FM/DAB radio
- Rechargeable battery
- IPX4 water resistance
- Carrying/hanging handle
- 3-watt speaker
- Headphone jack
Pros
- Good reception
- Light and easy to carry
- Decent sound quality
Cons
- Difficult and fiddly to turn on and off
- Shorter battery life on than an FM
Summary
If you’d like DAB radio in addition to FM, the Spectrum Shower Radio is a great option. The battery life is slightly shorter than AM/FM radios because of the digital radio function, but you’ll have more stations to listen to on John Lewis’ Spectrum.
This radio is a good choice for listening to around the house and in the garden, not just in the bathroom.
4. VICTORSTAR S602 Shower Speaker
This product is a Bluetooth shower speaker rather than a radio, but it does feature an FM radio as well. The VICTORSTAR Shower Speaker is quite a versatile product that you can use to stream music, take hands-free calls and listen to FM stations – all while enjoying a shower!
Features
- Bluetooth 5.0
- FM radio
- IPX4 water resistance
- Clock
- Suction cup for attaching to a shower wall
- Microphone for hands-free calls
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 5.5 cm
Weight: 127 g
Pros
- Connects to Bluetooth easily
- Decent FM reception
- Small and compact
- Good sound quality and can go loud
Cons
- A little on the pricey side for the size and functions offered
- Suction cup may be a little weak
Summary
This product is designed more like a Bluetooth speaker than a radio, and if you just want to listen to the radio it’s not ideal.
The volume level is quite high, even on the lowest setting, which is perfect for those who want their shower singing disguised but not great for those with en suite bathrooms and a sleeping partner in the next room. A shower speaker is a good alternative to a full-on radio, but if listening to the radio is your sole aim, opt for a purpose-made shower radio.
5. POPyourShower
The POP shower radio offers FM and DAB/DAB+ radio and has a built-in rechargeable battery which is perfect for a portable radio. The little handle means it can be taken anywhere (there is a headphone jack for personal use) and hung up in the shower when in use.
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ radio
- In-built rechargeable battery
- Saves 4 preset stations
- IPX5 water-resistance rating
- Headphone jack
Dimensions: 24 x 8 x 24 cm
Weight: 739 g
Pros
- DAB radio
- Looks good
- Good sound quality
- Decent reception
Cons
- Instructions may be a little bit vague
- On/off switch badly designed
Summary
The POPyourShower radio looks good, sounds good and is at a decently accessible price point for a water-resistant DAB radio. The unfortunate placement of the on/off button can prove bothersome, but overall, it is a good little shower radio.
Conclusion
If we had to pick just one of these radios to recommend it would be the John Lewis Spectrum because it offers DAB radio and has pretty good sound quality. It’s a well-designed product from a trusted brand which offers a 2-year guarantee on all of its electronics. The Spectrum was also designed primarily as a radio rather than having the radio added as an afterthought.
If you listen to a lot of music on your phone though, the BassPal Shower Speaker is a better choice, as it will let you listen to audio from your phone using Bluetooth.
Thanks for the reviews, very helpful.
(just one small comment that your statement “Shower radios don’t have headphone jacks, as this could electrocute you.” is not correct. You will not be electrocuted by a headphone socket in a battery radio)