Summary:
A stylish and inexpensive FM radio with limited features and mediocre sound

Buy it online:
No longer available

The KitSound Swing Mini is a retro 1920’s-style FM radio with a leatherette casing that comes in a choice of colours: black, blue, red or beige. It can be plugged into the mains or used as a portable radio with batteries. While this radio looks fantastic, how does it sound and perform? Let’s find out…

Features

Dimensions: 17.9 cm wide x 11.5 cm high x 7.2 cm deep
Weight: 630 g

Performance and use

When you turn the KitSound Swing on for the first time, you have to set the time and manually. This is less convenient than many digital radios which set the correct time and date automatically.

The sound quality is acceptable for the size and price, but it lacks bass and sounds quite tinny. The radio is fine for casual listening, especially on speech stations, but it is quite disappointing for listening to music.

You can save up to 20 preset radio stations, which is more than enough for an FM radio. Saving and accessing stations is quite fiddly though—it would be better if the radio had 5 dedicated preset buttons rather than requiring you to use a menu. Setting the date and the alarm is also quite fiddly and unintuitive, which is a shame.

The radio comes with a user manual (you can also find it online here). It’s generally clear, but you may need to read and re-read some of the instructions to figure out how to use some of the radio’s functions.

The screen is only illuminated when the radio is on, which isn’t very convenient if you want to use it as a clock. On the plus side, it means the display won’t disturb you at night, in contrast to many other radios that have a bright blue display light on all the time.

The KitSound Swing looks very stylish, and you’d expect it to cost more than it does. The strap seems to be made from real leather, and the radio’s build quality is decent for the price.

The radio has some useful functions including a sleep timer so you can set the radio to play for 30 minutes or so and then switch itself off as you drift off to sleep. The KitSound Swing’s most unusual feature is the thermometer that shows you the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit.

You can connect also your phone via the aux-in cable and use the radio as a speaker. This is very handy, but sometimes there is interference which disrupts the sound.

The KitSound Swing can be plugged into the mains or used with four AA batteries, though it gets through batteries very quickly so you’ll probably want to use mains power most of the time.

Verdict

If you want a stylish FM radio for a rock-bottom price, the KitSound Swing Mini is a good choice, but it does have some serious drawbacks. While it has some nice features such as a thermometer and a carrying handle, overall the KitSound Swing Mini feels limited when compared to other radios. There’s no DAB radio or headphone jack, and the radio only has one alarm where many others have two.

This radio’s sound quality is also quite disappointing, though it’s roughly in line with other small, cheap radios. To conclude, the KitSound Swing is fine if you want an inexpensive and funky retro radio, but you should be aware of its limitations.

Similar radios

One of the best FM radios in this price range is the Roberts R9993. It’s not as stylish as the KitSound Swing, but it has better sound quality and also lets you listen to MW and LW wavebands as well as FM.

If you’re looking for something that works better as a clock radio, you might be interested in the Sony ICF-C1 FM/AM Clock Radio. It offers two alarms in contrast to the KitSound Swing Mini’s one, and also has a projector so you can see the time projected onto the wall while you’re in bed. For some more clock radios to consider see our roundup of the best clock radios here.

The post KitSound Swing Mini Portable Radio Review appeared first on Best Radios.

The KitSound Jive is a retro-style DAB/FM radio that harks back to the rock and roll era. It’s has a 1950s-style design and is available in blue, beige, black or a retro flower design.

The Jive is a small portable radio that has a carrying handle but can also be plugged into the mains. It could be a good choice for a stylish retro kitchen or for listening to while enjoying a picnic. Let’s see what it can do…

Features

Dimensions: 27 cm wide x 15.5 cm high x 11 cm deep
Weight: 1.25 kg

The Kitsound Jive has most of the basic features you would expect from a portable FM/DAB radio, though it doesn’t have a headphone jack. It would also be nice if the radio had Bluetooth, but for many people the absence of a headphone socket and Bluetooth won’t be a problem.

Design and build

The KitSound Jive has a classic 1950’s design that looks superb on a kitchen countertop. A lot of other manufacturers produce very similar-looking radios, and although Kitsound is a less well known brand, the Jive looks as good as similar products from better known manufacturers like Roberts.

Despite its low price, this radio feels well made and appears to use high-quality materials. The faux-leather material used is realistic and doesn’t feel cheap and tacky. When it comes to the controls, however, it’s a different story. Unfortunately, the controls feel quite poorly made, and the volume control isn’t sensitive enough, which means it becomes loud too quickly.

Sound quality

For a small, low-priced DAB radio, the Kitsound Jive sounds good. It’s crisp and clear, and sounds quite warm. There isn’t a lot of detail or depth to the sound, but it’s fine for listening to in the kitchen or the garden.

Ease of use

The Kitsound Jive is straightforward and easy to use. This radio doesn’t have a huge number of features, which helps keep the interface simple and intuitive. As mentioned above, however, the volume control is fiddly and it can be hard to get the volume you want.

Verdict

The KitSound Jive is a great-looking retro radio that offers good value for money. The sound quality is decent, and it’s straightforward and easy to use.

This radio does have some serious flaws, most noticeably the lack of a headphone socket. The volume control is a bit too sensitive, which can be frustrating. Overall though, the Kitsound Jive is a good buy for the price.

Similar radios

When it comes to choosing a retro DAB radio, you have a lot of choice. Many other radio manufacturers produce radios with a 1950’s or 60’s design, so it can be hard to know which to go for.

If you’d like a retro radio with Bluetooth, you could consider the VQ Retro Mk II, which will allow you to stream audio wirelessly. If you’d like a retro radio with MW as well as DAB, you should take a look at the Steepletone Dorset.

One of the most similar-looking radios to the Kitsound Jive is the Roberts Revival RD60, which is substantially more expensive than the Jive. For some more retro radios to consider, see this article: Best Retro Radios Available in the UK.

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