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The Majority Cottenham II was released in September 2018 as an newer version of the earlier Cottenham digital radio, with updated software and alarm functions.
This compact radio from budget British brand Majority is one of the cheapest Bluetooth radios on the market. It has a stylish finish and comes in a choice of either grey or blue. How does this radio perform and is it worth buying? Find out in this review…
Features
- FM/DAB/DAB+ radio
- Saves 20 preset stations (10 on FM and 10 on DAB/DAB+)
- Bluetooth with up to a 10 meter range
- Dual alarm clock with snooze function
- Sleep timer
- Mains or battery powered with 4 x D batteries
- Headphone jack
- Telescopic aerial
Dimensions: 30 cm wide x 25 cm high x 8 cm deep
Performance and use
Like most DAB radios, the Majority Cottenham II is quick and easy to set up. It automatically sets the correct time and finds the stations available in your area. It’s quite easy to set the alarms and save preset stations after reading the concise and easy-to-follow instructions manual (available online here).
The Cottenham II can be powered by the mains or used as a portable radio with four 1.5V D batteries. Batteries aren’t included, and are an additional expense. It could be more convenient if the radio had a built-in rechargeable battery, though some people prefer replaceable batteries.
This radio has Bluetooth is good for listening to Spotify, podcasts and internet radio via a smartphone. The range is about 10 metres, which should be enough for most people.
The Cottenham II has decent sound quality for a radio of its size. However, the volume is limited and the sound quality will deteriorate if you turn it up high. It’s fine for listening to in the kitchen or the bedroom, but don’t expect a room-filling sound.
The biggest drawback with this radio is that it’s quite unreliable. You might be lucky and get a faultless model, but several buyers have had issues with the radio freezing or stopping working altogether. You should be able to get a refund if this happens, but buying this radio is still something of a gamble.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Compact design—good for a bedside table
- Generally good DAB reception
- Alarms and presets are easy to set
- Stylish design
- Decent sound quality
- Has Bluetooth
Cons
- Relatively unreliable—some buyers have found that their radio stopped working shortly after buying it
- Sometimes freezes and requires a factory reset
- Not rechargeable (takes batteries)
Verdict
Overall the Majority Cottenham II is a decent radio. It has a nice design, a good range of features including Bluetooth and a dual alarm clock and a low price tag. However, it’s probably worth looking for a more reliable radio.
Similar radios
There is a number of other budget Bluetooth DAB radios on the market. One interesting radio to consider is the AZATOM Woodlands, which is more expensive than the Cottenham II but offers more features including a USB port for playing MP3s and a remote control. Another good budget option from Majority is the Little Shelford, which has a nice retro design and is very light and portable.
If you’re not keen on the Cottenham II’s design, you might want to consider some of Majority’s other similar radios in this price range, including the Majority Girton and the Majority Histon II.
For some more options see our roundups of the best DAB radios with Bluetooth and the best clock radios.
Had 2 both broke/ locked up within 4 months stay well away from this radio