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The Roberts DuoLogic is a portable FM/DAB radio with a built-in battery charger. It’s very similar to the Roberts UnoLogic. The main difference between the DuoLogic and the UnoLogic is that the DuoLogic has two 1 watt speakers whereas the UnoLogic only has one 1 watt speaker.
Find out what the DuoLogic can do and how it performs in this review…
Features
- FM/DAB radio
- FM has RDS, which shows information about the programme, station and track on the display
- Powered by the mains or 4 x D batteries
- Favourite station button to tune into your favourite radio station with one touch
- Line-in port for connecting an iPod or other MP3 player
- USB port for software upgrades
- Headphone jack
- Built-in battery charger
- Telescopic aerial
Dimensions: 24.7 cm wide x 15 cm high x 8.3 cm deep
Weight: 1.1 kg
Performance and use
The Roberts DuoLogic generally has a nice tone, though it is a bit too bassy which can be an issue when listening to speech programmes. The radio also has relatively strong reception on both FM and DAB.
The radio can be plugged into the mains or used as a portable radio with 4 D size batteries. Roberts state that this radio can run for up to 100 hours on batteries, though in practice it is unlikely to last so long. The best battery life will be on FM radio, as DAB radio eats through batteries much more quickly.
The Roberts DuoLogic also has a built-in battery charger that can charge 4 D size batteries in roughly 7 hours. You can only charge the batteries when the radio is turned off, which can be quite inconvenient.
Pros
- Good display that shows lots of information about the station, track and so on
- Nice tone
- Strong reception on FM and DAB
- Easy to use
- Charges batteries
Cons
- Quite bassy, which can make speech programmes sound less clear
Verdict
The Roberts DuoLogic generally sounds very good for a small radio, and isn’t tinny. In fact, it suffers a bit from the opposite problem as it’s quite bassy. The radio is also very easy to use and displays quite a lot of info on the display, even when listening to FM.
One of the main reasons to choose this radio is the built-in battery recharger, which is a very convenient feature. Unless you’re bothered by the bassy sound quality, this radio is a good choice.
Similar radios
The most similar radio to the Roberts DuoLogic is the Roberts UnoLogic, which is essentially the same but has one speaker as opposed to two, and has a lower power output.
Another portable DAB radio with a built-in battery charger is the Roberts Play, which is a very affordable FM/DAB/DAB+ radio that offers great value for money. The Play is a newer radio than the DuoLogic and Unologic, having been released in 2013.
A more high-end alternative with a built-in battery charger is the Roberts Expression, which has a very stylish retro design but seems quite expensive for the features it offers.
For some more options, see our roundup of the best portable DAB radios.