The SDR15 is an attractive retro clock radio from Currys’ own brand Sandstrom. It offers FM and DAB/DAB+ radio as well as a dual alarm clock. Find out more about what it can do and how it performs in this review…

Features

Dimensions: 23 cm wide x 13.8 cm high x 9.9 cm deep
Weight: 975 g

Performance and use

The Sandstrom SDR15 has an attractive retro walnut and white design. While the radio looks great, the LCD display is very small and quite hard to read. The small screen, combined with an unintuitive design, make using functions like the preset stations quite tricky.

The SDR15 sounds decent, but a bit tinny. It would be nice if the radio had an adjustable EQ or a bass boost function to mitigate this. However, given its price the Sandstrom SDR15’s sound quality and tone is acceptable.

Verdict

The best thing about the Sandstrom SDR15 is its attractive design, which makes it look more expensive than it is. The Sandstrom SDR15 has a nice retro finish and would look great in the kitchen.

However, there are some issues with this radio. The controls are quite fiddly to use, especially when you want to save and access preset radio stations. The display is also very small, which makes using the controls even trickier. The radio also sounds quite tinny, though you’d expect that from a radio of the Sandstrom SDR15’s size and price.

Similar radios

Another small DAB radio with an attractive retro finish is the VQ Retro Mini, which is inexpensive and has a great range of features including Bluetooth.

Another nice retro DAB radio is the KitSound Jive, which has a 1950s-style design and features a dual alarm as well as a carrying handle for easy portability.

For some other options to consider, see our recommended clock radios or this roundup of the best retro radios available in the UK.

The post Sandstrom SDR15 DAB+/FM Clock Radio Review appeared first on Best Radios.

The Sandstrom SDABXCR13 is an inexpensive FM/DAB radio with an alarm clock with a stylish and compact design.

You probably haven’t heard of Sandstrom before. Sandstrom is a label owned by Currys PC World that consists of affordable alternatives to products from better-known brands.

So how does the Sandstrom SDABXCR13 perform? Find out in this review…

Features

• FM/DAB radio
• Alarm clock with snooze function
• Saves 20 preset stations (10 on FM and 10 on DAB)
• LCD display
• Sleep function
• 5 mm headphone jack

Dimensions: 17.1 cm wide x 9.5 cm high x 7.2 cm deep
Weight: 300 g

Performance and use

Unsurprisingly, the Sandstrom SDABXCR13 doesn’t have great sound quality, but it’s ok for listening to briefly in the morning and before you go to sleep.

This radio has some decent alarm features. You can set the alarm to wake up to either a radio station or a regular alarm buzzer sound. You can also set two separate alarms so you could have one alarm for weekdays and another for weekends.

However, there are some issues with using the Sandstrom SDABXCR13 as a clock radio. The display has two brightness levels, but the lower brightness level is still quite bright, so it’s not ideal as a bedside radio unless you cover it or turn it away from the bed. Also, you need to turn the radio on to be able to set the alarm, which isn’t ideal.

Other features available include a headphone jack for private listening and a sleep timer so you can drift off without worrying about leaving the radio on.

Pros

• Sold with a 1-year manufacturer’s guarantee
• Easy to use
• Small, compact and stylish
• Good value for money
• Generally easy to use

Cons

• Display is too bright at night
• Becomes louder at high volumes
• Alarm is fiddly to use
• Radio needs to be on to set the alarm

Verdict

The Sandstrom SDABXCR13 looks very smart and offers good value for money, but it’s not ideal as a clock radio. One of the biggest flaws with this radio is that the LCD display is very bright, so it will probably keep you awake if you have it on your bedside table at night. There are better designed clock radios out there for a similar price, so overall the Sandstrom SDABXCR13 isn’t recommended.

Similar radios

If you don’t mind spending more money to invest in something higher quality, you should consider the Pure Siesta Rise, which is an FM/DAB clock radio that offers great performance and an intuitive design.

A good budget alternative could be the AZATOM Horizon, which is an affordable digital bedside radio with Bluetooth.

For some more clock radios to consider see this article: Best Clock Radios.

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