Disclaimer: Best Radios UK is audience supported. If you buy via links on here we may get a small commission. This doesn’t impact the price you pay & lets us keep the site free.
The Duronic Apex
Features
- AM/FM radio
- Winding arm for generating energy
- Solar panel
- USB charging cable
- Headphone jack
- Telescopic antenna
- Clock
- Alarm
- Digital display with blue LED lighting
- Torch
Dimensions: 15 cm wide x 7.5 cm high x 5.5 cm deep
Weight: 381 g
Performance and use
The solar panel is unlikely to charge the radio on its own unless you put the radio in direct sunlight for a long period of time. You will probably have to supplement the solar charging with winding the radio up and/or charging it from a computer using the USB cable. The radio can be used for up to 9 hours once it’s fully charged, while the flashlight can be used for up to 6 hours.
This radio is small and light, and is very convenient for travelling, hiking and camping. The sound quality is acceptable for a camping/emergency radio, but not really good enough for listening to music for long periods of time. However, the sound quality is fine for talk radio and speech stations.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Can withstand being used outside in bad weather
- Flashlight is bright
- Inexpensive
- Won’t leave you stranded with no charge as you can wind it up by hand
Cons
- The tuning and volume knobs are quite fiddly, so it can be hard to get the right tuning and volume
- Feels cheaply made
- Aerial is flimsy
- Torch is easy to switch on by mistake, for example when it’s in your bag
Verdict
The Duronic Apex
Similar radios
For some options check out our roundup of the best solar radios or this review of the best wind-up radios. You can also see some recommended radios for the garden here.