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The Majority Chesterton
Majority are a budget digital radio brand who design their products in Cambridge, England. This radio is named after the Cambridge suburb of Chesterton, and is one of the cheapest portable FM/DAB radios currently available in the UK. Let’s see what it can do.
Features
- Integrated rechargeable battery that can be charged using a micro USB cable or mains power
- Save up to 20 preset stations (10 on FM and 10 on DAB)
- Automatically sets the correct time when you first turn it on
- LCD display
- Headphone jack
- Alarm clock
- Sleep function
- Telescopic aerial
Dimensions: 13 cm wide x 13 cm high x 4.5 cm deep
Pros
- Built-in battery included (you have to buy the battery pack separately with some other radios)
- Small and can easily fit on a windowsill
- Very good value for money (see price on Amazon here)
- Decent sound quality
Cons
- The on/off switch is on the back, so it could be difficult to switch it on and off if you’re in bed.
- Battery life is quite short (around 5 hours)
- Reception is worse than on more expensive Pure and Roberts DAB radios
- If you extend the long aerial it becomes quite unstable as the radio itself is small and light.
- Sounds quite tinny
Performance
As soon as you switch the radio on, it will automatically set the correct time and scan for available DAB stations in your area. Once it’s found the available stations you can set your favourites as presets.
The Chesterton has an alarm, and is a good size for keeping on your bedside table if you want to use it as an alarm clock. It takes a few button presses to use the sleep function, which might be tricky when you’ve just woken up.
The radio uses an internal battery, which has its advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, you won’t have to buy separate batteries, but if the radio’s battery wears down or stops working altogether, it will be hard to replace. Sometimes it’s better to have a portable radio that takes rechargeable AA batteries as they are cheap and easy to replace.
The built-in battery only lasts about 5 hours on DAB, which isn’t particularly impressive. You can charge it via a mains adapter or by plugging it into your computer or other charging point via a micro USB cable.
The radio sounds quite good for its size, if a little tinny. It can also go quite loud without sounding distorted.
Verdict
The main reason to buy the Majority Chesterton
As you’d expect from a cheap product, this radio has some flaws. It doesn’t work perfectly as a portable radio as the battery life is quite poor and you usually have to fiddle with the aerial to get a good signal. However, if you don’t mind compromising on these things, this radio offers excellent value for money.
Similar radios
One similar radio is the Majority Newnham. It’s bigger than the Chesterton, and comes with a carrying handle making it more convenient for using as a portable radio. Read our full review of the Majority Newnham here.
If you’d prefer a radio from a more established brand, the Goodmans Portable Digital & FM radio is a good choice. Like the Chesterton, it’s a small and affordable portable DAB radio. Unlike the Chesterton, it takes AA batteries, which might be better in the long-term when compared to the Chesterton’s bespoke battery, which would be hard to replace. Read our full review of the Goodmans DAB radio here.
You can also see this roundup of the best digital radios under £30.