Sony ICF-306 Radio Review

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Summary:
The Sony ICF-306 is a decent portable AM/FM radio, but there are better options out there for the price.

Buy it online:
See on Amazon.co.uk

The Sony ICF-306 is a simple portable AM/FM radio that is the ideal size for carrying around the house or listening to in the garden. Let’s see what it can do…

Features

AM/FM radio
LED battery level and tuning indicators
Carrying handle
Headphone jack
Takes 2 x AA batteries
Telescopic aerial

Dimensions: 19 cm wide x 9.7 cm high x 5.1 cm deep
Weight: 399 g

Performance and use

The Sony ICF-306 is a very straightforward radio that is easy to use. The tuning knob is a little over-sensitive, but there is a useful LED tuning light to help you find the right frequency.

This radio has good battery life, and will last a lot longer on batteries than a portable DAB radio would. Unfortunately there’s no option to plug the Sony ICF-306 into the mains.

The Sony ICF-306 sounds decent for a radio of its size and price, though it is a bit tinny. Nevertheless, the sound quality is clear and not distorted.

It’s easy to carry the Sony ICF-306 around as it has a carrying strap and only weighs 399 g. The radio’s light weight means it’s easy to knock the radio over unless you lean it against something.

Pros

Simple and easy to use
Tuning light helps you find the right frequency
Good battery life
Easy to carry around
Clear sound

Cons

Battery-powered only
Sounds quite tinny
No DAB radio (though this means it has better battery life)
Tuning knob is a bit over-sensitive
Very light, so it’s easy to knock over

Verdict

The Sony ICF-306 is a decent portable AM/FM radio, but there are better options out there for the price. The radio’s sound quality could be better and tuning it in is quite fiddly, so our advice is to look elsewhere.

Similar radios

One of the best portable AM/FM radios in this price range is the Panasonic 2400EB-K, which is a bit bigger and heavier than the Sony ICF-306 but is easier to tune in and performs better overall.

If you want something very small and light you should consider the Roberts Sports 925, which is one of the best handheld AM/FM radios on the market.

For some more options, see this article: Best AM/FM Radios.