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The Crypto ReDi DB100 is a very affordable DAB radio that could be a good choice if you want something small and light for listening to around the house.
You’ve probably never heard of the brand ‘Crypto’, so is this radio any good? Find out in this review…
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ radio
- Saves 80 preset stations (40 on FM and 40 on DAB/DAB+)
- Mains, USB or battery powered (4 x AA)
- Headphone jack
Dimensions: 18 cm wide x 8.5 cm high x 4 cm deep
Weight: 250 g
Performance and use
The Crypto ReDi DB100 is very easy to set up and start using. The radio is intuitively designed, and the buttons are raised from the surface of the radio, which makes them easy to find by touch. This is good if you are partially sighted.
There are five dedicated preset buttons, which makes it easy to access your favourite stations. Accessing station 6 and upwards is a bit fiddlier, but most people won’t need the extra presets.
The sound quality isn’t amazing, but it’s good for casual listening. There isn’t much bass, but you’d expect this from such a small radio. Despite its small size, the Crypto ReDi DB100 can be turned up quite loud.
To plug this radio into the mains, you will need to connect the USB cable provided to a USB plug, such as one for a mobile phone. This will be fine for most people, but could be inconvenient for some.
As well as using mains power, you can also power this radio directly from a computer via the USB port, or with 4 AA batteries. Batteries should last at least 10 hours, which is fairly good for a DAB radio. If you’re using batteries it’s a good idea to rechargeables so you don’t need to buy new batteries each time they run out.
Pros
- Very light and portable
- Decent battery life
- Good value for money
- Easy to use
Cons
- No alarm clock
- No plug adapter included—only comes with a USB cable
Verdict
The Crypto ReDi DB100 is a good choice if you want something small, cheap and straightforward. It’s suitable for technophobes, although the absence of a standard mains plug could make the radio tricky to use for some people.
Similar radios
One similar radio from a better-known brand is the Sony XDR-S41D, which is a small and portable FM/DAB radio with similar features to the Crypto ReDi DB100. The XDR-S41D is a bit more expensive than the radio reviewed here, but it’s well made, comes with a standard mains plug and also features a useful sleep timer.
Another good choice could be the Roberts Play 10, which is a popular and highly rated product from Britain’s most iconic radio brand. The Play 10 is slightly pricier than the Crypto ReDi DB100, but it’s a quality portable radio.
For some more options, see our roundup of the best DAB radios under £50.