The Goodmans GSR1889DABBT Heritage is a 1950’s-style FM/DAB radio with Bluetooth. It has a stylish design and offers a good range of features for the price. This radio is available in a range of colours: Blue, Gloss White, Green and Brown. Let’s see what it can do…

Features

Dimensions: 32 cm wide x 17 cm high x 15 cm deep
Weight: 499 g

Performance and use

As soon as you turn the Goodmans GSR1889DABBT on, it will scan for DAB stations and automatically save them in alphabetical order. The radio has rotary tuning and volume dials which are more pleasant to use than the plasticky buttons found on many other DAB radios.

The LCD display gives you the option to see various options including Dynamic Label Segment (DLS), which shows scrolling text about the station, programme and song you’re listening to. You can also see information such as the time and date, signal strength, programme type, bitrate and the name of the ensemble or multiplex the radio station belongs to. This is great if you enjoy geeking out about radio! The screen’s brightness can also be adjusted with a choice of either ‘High’ or ‘Low’ brightness.

The Goodmans GSR1889DABBT has a good alarm feature that lets you wake up to a choice of a buzzer sound, FM or DAB radio. You get a lot of control over the alarm, and can choose the volume, day and alarm duration, as well as the time of course.

This radio lets you save 10 preset stations using a single preset button. This is a bit less convenient than on some other radios that have 5 or so dedicated preset buttons so you can access your favourite stations with just one button press. One radio with individual preset buttons is the Pure One Maxi Series 3.

Technically, the Goodmans GSR1889DABBT has stereo sound since it uses two 10W speakers. However, they are very close together so you don’t get much stereo separation. Nevertheless, this radio has a crisp and clear sound with a good amount of warmth. The speakers seem when constructed, and the radio has a decent amount of weight which helps give the sound some depth.

The Goodmans GSR1889DABBT has an attractive retro finish and feels very well made. It also has Bluetooth so you can connect it wirelessly to your phone, tablet or computer and stream audio through the speakers.

Verdict

Choosing a DAB radio can be tough as there’s are lots of radios with similar features at very different prices. The Goodmans GSR1889DABBT is on the lower end of the price scale when it comes to DAB radios with Bluetooth, but it has very good build and sound quality, and offers excellent value for money. This radio is medium-sized and has a very attractive design, making it perfect for the kitchen.

It would be nice if the Goodmans GSR1889DABBT had a few more features such as a remote control and a USB port for charging devices or playing MP3 files. Nevertheless, if you want a radio that combines good sound quality, solid construction and classy design for less than £100, this radio is ideal.

Similar radios

Goodmans produce a higher-end version of this radio, the Goodmans Heritage II. In addition to DAB and Bluetooth it also has NFC and is compatible with Spotify Connect. It’s significantly more expensive than the regular Heritage at the time of writing, but could be a good option if you’re looking for something more luxurious.

Another good retro radio is the Roberts Classic Blutune which is an FM/DAB/DAB+ radio with Bluetooth from prestigious British brand Roberts. While the Blutune is a nice radio, it arguably offers worse value for money than the Goodmans Heritage.

For some more retro radios to consider, check out this article: Best Retro Radios Available in the UK.

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The Goodmans USB Clock Radio is a cheap and compact FM radio with a dual alarm. It has two USB charging ports so you can charge a smartphone or other device while you sleep. It’s available in two colours: Slate and Concrete. Let’s take a closer look…

Features

Weight: 249 g
Dimensions: 14.4 cm x 7 cm x 6.8 cm
Model number: GCRUSB03

Performance and use

Power and charging

The clock radio is mains powered but uses 2 AA batteries for backing up the time so that it will still be accurate if there is a power cut or if you need to unplug the radio briefly. This radio’s maximum power usage is 8 watts, so keeping it plugged in it shouldn’t have a noticeable effect on your electricity bill.

The clock radio can charge two devices at the same time using the two USB ports. It charges devices with a similar speed to a regular charger would. The USB ports are only for charging—you can’t use them to play MP3s or other audio files.

Ease of use

The controls are positioned on either end of the prism, and don’t seem very intuitive at first. You will probably need to consult the user manual frequently at first.

The mains cable is 6 feet long, which means it should be easy to position the clock radio where you need it.

Display

The digits on the clock display are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) high, so they are quite easy to read. The display can be dimmed quite low so it shouldn’t disturb you at night.

Verdict

The main reason to buy the Goodmans USB Clock Radio is for its useful and effective USB charging ports. Apart from that, however, it has few saving graces. The controls are unintuitive and fiddly, and the radio sounds tinny and isn’t really satisfactory for listening to for any more than a few minutes.

Ease of use is one of the most important things when it comes to bedside alarm clock radios, as most people want something that can quickly be set before going to bed. It’s a shame the Goodmans USB Clock Radio doesn’t deliver in this respect, as the USB charging facility is very useful and the product has a nice, compact design.

Alternative clock radios

A good alternative to the Goodmans USB Clock Radio is the Majority Madingley Hall DAB Radio. It offers FM/DAB radio as well as two USB charging points and dual alarms. It’s easier to use than the Goodmans USB Clock Radio, and also has better sound.

Another option is the Groov-e Bluetooth Wireless Playback Alarm Clock Radio. It can charge two devices via USB and has FM radio as well as Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming. It’s one of the most popular budget Bluetooth speakers in the UK at the time of writing.

For more alarm clock radios to consider, check out our roundup of the best alarm clock radios.

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The Goodmans Oxford radio is a 1960’s-style FM/DAB/DAB+ radio that comes in a choice of colours: Porcelain White, Moss Green, and Sky Blue. It’s a good looking retro radio, but do its sound and build quality match up to its appearance? Let’s take a closer look.

Features

Dimensions: 26 cm wide x 16.6 cm high x 7.4 cm deep
Weight: 1 kg

Build and design

This 1960’s-style retro radio is made from a combination of plastic and metal, and feels fairly durable. Despite using a lot of plastic, the radio doesn’t look tacky. The leather carrying handle is a nice touch that adds some class and makes the radio look more expensive than it is.

Performance and use

Setting up and learning to use the radio is straightforward, but you might need to check the user manual here. The radio doesn’t come with a battery, but you can plug it into the mains instead. If you want to use it as a portable radio, you will need either 6 C batteries or a lithium ion battery.

The radio comes with an aerial, but you probably won’t need to use it as this radio offers good reception to begin with.

The volume can be adjusted using the dial on the top of the radio. To tune the radio, you turn the tuning wheel. There’s also a scan button for finding FM stations.

The sound quality from the radio’s single speaker is crisp and clear without distortion, especially on DAB digital radio. It does lack bass and can sound quite tinny depending on what you’re listening to. It’s great for speech programmes and Radio 4, but leaves something to be desired when listening to music. The volume doesn’t go very loud, so if you want something really powerful this isn’t the radio for you.

Verdict

The Goodmans Oxford radio will look great in your kitchen or bedroom. The controls are very easy to use, even if you’ve never used a DAB radio before. This radio has a classic, nostalgic look at an affordable price.

You could accuse this radio of prioritising looks over sound, as the speaker can sound quite tinny and the radio lacks power. However, if you want an attractive yet sturdy retro radio for listening to in the kitchen, the Goodmans Oxford FM/DAB radio is ideal.

Similar radios

For a bit more money you can get the Goodmans Oxford 2, which comes with NFC and Bluetooth for wireless streaming from your smartphone or other Bluetooth device. This could be a very convenient feature if you have a lot of music on your phone or regularly stream music from YouTube or Spotify.

The Roberts RD60 Revival radio has a similar design to the Goodmans Oxford, but is significantly more expensive. It has better sound quality, but seems overpriced for what it is.

If you’re still undecided, you can also consider one of these retro radios.

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The Goodmans Pocket Sized GDPRDAB Radio is a small and light pocket FM/DAB/DAB+ radio with good battery life. It has a built-in speaker, and can also be used with headphones. Let’s look at this reasonably priced radio in more detail.

Features

Dimensions: 8.9 cm tall x 5.2 cm wide x 1.7 cm deep
Weight: 41g

What’s in the box?

In addition to the radio itself, you also get a rechargeable Li-ion battery, and AC adapter and an instructions manual (also available online).

Performance and use

As with all pocket DAB radios, the Goodmans radio’s DAB reception varies greatly depending on where you use it. Thankfully this radio also lets you listen to FM radio, which is a good backup if your DAB signal is weak. You can improve the signal by adjusting the aerial. However, the aerial is quite flimsy, so it needs to be handled with care.

This radio’s small size and key lock feature make it great for using when you’re out walking or jogging. You can also connect this radio to your car stereo using its aux input, allowing you to listen to DAB radio in your car.

You can recharge the radio using the micro USB cable, which you can plug into a laptop, desktop computer or most phone chargers. The battery life is great, at around 13 hours using headphones, so you can listen to it all day.

The built-in speakers are quite tinny, but they do go quite loud. Unfortunately, this radio doesn’t come with any earphones, so you will need to buy some separately or use some you already have.

Verdict

The Goodmans Pocket Sized Digital & FM Radio is attractively priced, and has a good range of functions. It’s very small and light, making it great for using while walking the dog, cycling or jogging. It also picks up DAB+ stations, making it “future-proof”.

One drawback is the product’s flimsy aerial, which is easy to break if you’re not careful. However, for the price this pocket radio over-delivers.

Alternative radios

For a similar price, you could get the popular Petersfield-Go pocket radio from Majority. This radio offers FM and DAB radio, but doesn’t have a built-in speaker like the Goodmans.

If size is your number 1 priority, you should consider the OXX Clip Pocket Radio, which is the smallest DAB radio in the world according to its manufacturers. It’s more expensive than the Goodmans radio, but it is incredibly small and comes with earphones.

A more expensive and possibly higher-quality pocket radio is the Roberts Radio Sports DAB5 Radio. It has a beautiful white design, and is made by the highly respected British radio manufacturer Roberts Radio.

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The Goodmans Canvas portable radio is one of the most popular and cheapest portable radios currently available in the UK. It has a minimalistic design and comes in a choice of colours (Copper, Slate Grey, and Steel). Let’s take a closer look…

Features

Dimensions: 18.5 cm wide x 11 cm high x 5.8 cm deep
Weight: 349 g

Performance and use

This radio is very compact and should fit easily on a bedside cabinet or in your kitchen. It’s easy to set up and will find available DAB stations within a few seconds.

You have a choice of using either 4 AA batteries or mains power, which makes it very flexible if you want to move it around the house. Like all radios, the Goodmans Canvas eats through batteries quicker when listening to DAB radio than when listening to FM.

Given the price, the sound is very clear and crisp. As with all radios in this price range, the Goodmans Canvas has limited bass and sounds better for speech programmes than music.

The DAB radio’s performance will vary depending on where you use it. For most people, this radio’s aerial should offer good DAB reception, but some buyers in remote areas may find the signal to be too weak.

Verdict

The Goodmans Canvas is one of the more attractive budget digital radios, and has decent sound quality. Battery life is fairly good at around 8 hours, and the radio is small and lightweight making it truly portable. The radio’s design is elegant and attractive, and the choice of colours means you should be able to find one to match your decor and taste.

Alternative radios

Similar DAB radios include the 1byone Portable and the Majority Arbury.  The 1byone Portable is arguably more cutting-edge than the Goodmans Canvas, as it offers Bluetooth streaming. The Majority Arbury digital radio probably has worse sound quality, but it has a built-in battery that can last up to 12 hours, beating the 8 hours offered by the Goodmans Canvas.

You should also consider one of these great DAB radios under £50.

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