Who makes the best radios? That’s a difficult question to answer, as there are a lot of companies out there making great AM, FM, DAB and internet radios.
These radios range from cheap portable pocket radios to expensive high-end sound systems.
Some of these radios are style icons, while others are made with just sound quality in mind.
Here are 10 of the best radio brands in 2019, in alphabetical order.
AZATOM
Price range: £ (budget)
AZATOM are a British audio equipment manufacturer who make a range of products including headphones, speakers and radios.
Their products tend to be modern and stylish, making heavy use of black and silver in their designs.
AZATOM’s radios usually combine a lot of features and offer good value for money.
AZATOM products are affordable, but not always as reliable or well made as some of the more expensive alternatives.
John Lewis & Partners
Price range: ££ (mid-priced)
It might surprise you to find out that the department store John Lewis & Partners actually make some of the best radios on the market.
John Lewis have quite a big range of own-brand radios, with something to suit most needs and tastes. This includes both modern-looking and retro-style DAB radios, as well as radios with CD players and Wi-Fi.
John Lewis radios are a good choice if you’re looking for a combination of value for money and quality.
All of their products come with a 2-year guarantee and John Lewis tend to offer good customer service and support, so you have peace of mind when buying from them.
Logik
Price range: £ (budget)
Logik is Currys’ own brand of budget electronics.
Logik radios are some of the cheapest on the market, and they are a good choice if you’re looking to save money.
Logik radios prioritise function and affordability over design, so they’re not the most stylish or well-made radios.
Their range includes some good budget clock radios and portable radios.
Majority
Price range: £ (budget)
Majority’s radios are designed in Cambridge, England, and many of their radios are named after places in Cambridgeshire.
However, like almost all radios, they are made in the Far East.
Majority’s products tend to be low-priced and budget-friendly, though they’re not always especially reliable.
Majority make some of the cheapest radios with Bluetooth and internet radio, so they’re a good choice if you’re looking to get a lot of features for your money.
In terms of style, Majority products are quite varied, ranging from modern designs to retro radios.
Pure
Price range: ££ (mid-priced)
Another British radio manufacturer, Pure was founded in 2002.
The company pioneered DAB radio in the UK and their first model, the Evoke-1, was one of the first DAB radios available for less than £100.
Pure radios tend to have elegant, minimalistic designs often featuring wood casing.
Pure’s radios tend to be dependable, and they come with a 3-year manufacturer’s guarantee which is more than most brands offer.
However, they tend to be expensive compared to other products with similar features, and sometimes you have to buy an expensive battery pack to use them as portable radios.
Having said that, their products are usually cheaper than those from Ruark or Revo.
Revo
Price range: £££ (high-end)
Revo manufacture classy, high-end radios. Their products combine beautiful design with cutting-edge technology.
Revo radios aren’t cheap, but they are hard to beat when it comes to build and sound quality.
Revo produce several great internet radios and stereo sound systems.
They don’t manufacture pocket radios, instead focusing on larger radios that would be a good choice for a living room.
Roberts
Price range: ££ (mid-priced)
Roberts started out in 1932 and have been manufacturing radios for over 80 years.
Their first DAB radio was released in 1999, and the company now offer over 20 different DAB radios in all shapes and sizes.
Roberts radios are known for their build quality, and tend to offer better DAB reception than most other brands.
Roberts are one of the best-known brands in the UK and are highly regarded by consumers, though some feel that the quality and durability of their products has declined in recent decades.
Price-wise, Roberts products range from cheap portable radios to expensive sound systems.
Ruark
Price range: £££ (high-end)
Ruark Audio are a family-owned British company. They started out as a manufacturer of loudspeakers, and have brought that audio engineering expertise to their range of high-end radios.
Ruark make some of the best-sounding DAB radios on the market.
Their products are very expensive, but can be a good choice for audiophiles who want to enjoy excellent sound quality.
Sony
Price range:££ (mid-priced)
Japanese company Sony radios make a huge range of electronics products, from TVs to cameras to DAB radios.
Their radios tend to have a classic style that hasn’t changed much since the 1990s. They are often very intuitively designed and easy to use.
Sony radios are usually robustly made and have good sound quality compared to their rivals.
As well as radios, Sony also produce a lot of quality Hi-Fi systems, many of which offer DAB radio.
Tecsun
Price range: ££ (mid-priced)
If you’re interested in the world of shortwave radio, Tecsun are one of the most recognised brands worldwide.
This Chinese brand make some of the best shortwave radios, with all the features you need to enjoy shortwave radio broadcasts from across the world.
Their radios range in price and include some cheap FM radios as well as some expensive shortwave radios for more advanced hobbyists.
Tecsun also make a few DAB+ radios which they sell in Australia, but in the UK they are more popular among shortwave listeners.
VQ
Price range: ££ (mid-priced)
VQ, formerly known as View Quest, are a British company who produce fun, fashionable DAB radios.
Many of their radios have unique and colourful designs such as floral patterns, while others have sleek, more minimalistic finishes.
In 2012, VQ partnered with ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater to create the VQ Emma Bridgewater range of decorated DAB radios.
VQs radios are a good choice if you’re looking for something different with an eye-catching design, but their products don’t offer the best value for money.
Which Radio Should You Buy?
For our latest recommendations, check out our roundup of the Best DAB Radios in the UK.