WHY WE LIKE IT: The Uniden BC365CRS is the best tabletop radio for emergencies and staying connected to various frequencies. Read Full Review: Panasonic RF-2400D Review. Who its for: This radio is a good choice for someone who wants to try out radio listening without making a big investment or who wants a more portable, battery-powered radio to move around the house. The WR-50 features AM/FM, Bluetooth, 18 radio presets by remote control, individual bass and treble controls, and a built-in telescopic FM Rod antenna. Finding the best tabletop radios can be an exercise in knowing exactly what you want. A good tabletop radio should be as pleasing to touch as it is to look at, with ergonomic dials and easy-to-use controls. It focuses purely on AM/FM functionality, and it does it well. This is one of the key features of this radio. The AM/FM tuner is large and easy to read, making the overall operation much easier. If you forego camping for boating, then youll need our best boat speakers. Sure, sound quality and reception are important, but our research has found that radio owners and shoppers primarily want something stylish that will look great in their home. It has an AM/FM tuner, CD/MP3 player and the option to use a Bluetooth adapter to connect to your phone. The WR-50P has a more digital and utilitarian look, with an LCD screen and a brushed-aluminum faceplate. WHY WE LIKE IT: The Soundance SDY019 is the best stereo tabletop radio on our list, and it comes in at an incredibly affordable price point. Most recently, he has taken over as editor of SoundStage Access, a publication dedicated to high-value audio and tips and tricks for budding audiophiles. You may find some options with a longer warranty, but those are few and far between. When it comes to audio quality, the Tivoli Audio Model One is surprisingly impressive, especially considering the mono speaker driver. Of course, it features AM/FM radio functionality, or else it wouldnt be included on our list. Crosley Solo: This model was our previous budget pick, but we decided to dismiss it this time around due to its inconsistent pricing. You can also use the best internet radio. The two areas have a similar number of FM radio stations available, but our California testing involved much longer distances between the testing location and the radio signal, and we got less reception there overall in comparison with our results in a city where more signals were coming from less than 10 miles away. Furthermore, other key features to do with sound include the two powerful 40mm speakers and an enhanced bass resonator that delivers deep bass. On every Bluetooth-equipped radio we tested, the Bluetooth audio tended to sound a little quieter than the radio audio, but the Houstons loud volume range made up for the quieter Bluetooth sound. With access to weather and emergency services bands and the ability to set up 500 different channels, the Uniden radio is perfect for those who like to stay prepared. When we used its internal FM antenna, the WR-15 picked up 17 of the 42 FM radio stations available in the San Diego area at the time of our testing. Who its for: We recommend this radio if you like the retro look of the Sangean WR-15 but prefer a horizontal cabinet design instead of a vertical one. With fun colors and the option to run it on batteries, this radio is easy to try out anywhere in your home without making a big investment. Its taller, vertical form distinguishes it visually from many competitors. However, we also favored radios that provided additional functionality. The two speakers are the same size, measuring 8 inches tall and 7 inches deep, and you can place them only up to 6 feet apart with the connector cord, so its harder to casually add this system to a place in your home compared with our other picks. We independently review everything we recommend.
Who its for: This radio is great for anyone who wants an old-school look paired with easy tuning, great sound, and solid reception, all tucked into a vertical cabinet thats ideal for both shelves and countertops. This model also comes in a black cabinet. On top of being an AM/FM radio and comprehensive scanner, you can also set up to 500 different channels to easily flip through your favorite stations. If you dont mind the expensive price tag, the Bose Wave SoundTouch IV can give you the most immersive and premium sound experience of any of the tabletop radios on our list. It could still be of interest to you if you need an upward-facing speaker, which is a feature unique to this radio. Most tabletop radios offer a limited one-year warranty, like most consumer electronics. This is an amazing tabletop radio thats well worth your money. We also found some really great AM/FM tabletop only options for the purists out there. After 36 hours of research and tests of more than a dozen emergency weather radios, were confident the Midland ER310 is the best choice for most people. The radio is a bit larger than other options weve featured on our list, but it needs the real estate for all the buttons and dials. If you want an impressive, multi-functional HD tabletop radio, look no further than the KEiiD Compact. And often they review only the products that provide the most kickbacks when you buy. Dennis is a regular contributor to Wirecutter and has been reviewing AV equipment for two decades, for publications ranging from Robb Report Home Entertainment to Home Theater magazine to HomeTheaterReview.com. We heard more static on this radio than we did on the WR-15, but it still performed better than many other radios we tested, and it picked up popular stations clearly. The best thing about the Bose is its amazing audio quality. What are the different Bluetooth audio codecs and how much do they affect a devices sound quality? And although this radio gets a lot of style points, our one style complaint concerns the channel dial: The numbers are small and look like they were placed there with a label maker, diminishing the radios otherwise attractive exterior. With those parameters in mind, we sifted through product pages and retail listings, eliminating any radio that was too pricey, missing features, or saddled with terrible customer reviews. The only gripe we had was the somewhat weaker bass, which was still rich in its own right, especially when compared to some of the less expensive options on our list. Why its great: The Sangean WR-15 has been one of our favorite radios since 2017. And it delivered clearer signals with louder sound and less static than we got from many other radios we tested. The best part about the dials is the LED tuning indicator on the Tune dial. Were on a mission to fix the broken user review system. The design is reminiscent of retro radios but remains clean and easy to navigate, and the radio is available in three finishes: walnut, black leatherette, and silver piano (shown above). For your car, you will want the best satellite radio for the car. If you want a retro look and a vertical design: Sangean WR-15, If you want a horizontal version of our favorite retro radio: Sangean WR-11SE, If youre on a budget or want battery power: Studebaker SB2000, If you want Bluetooth and listen only to FM stations: Victrola Houston, If you want a true stereo setup: Sangean WR-50P, A more traditional (but still retro) look, A stereo radio system with tons of features, What You Really Need to Know About Bluetooth Audio, The Best Bluetooth Audio Receiver for Your Home Stereo or Speakers. She previously wrote about technology and home design for Sunset. All of the radios on our list offer superb sound quality, no matter what audio source youre using. Read Full Review: Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV Review. We also compared sound quality, listening to see what qualities of a song were lost through various radio speakers. It also has a series of (small) buttons and even comes with a remote. One of its three dials allows you to easily switch between radio, Bluetooth, and auxiliary sources, and as you do that, the channel dials color switches between red, blue, and green, respectively. If you want two-way communication, check out the best CB radio. You can power the Panasonic RF-2400D with either 4 AA batteries or with the included AC power cable that plugs into the wall. two powerful 40mm speakers and an enhanced bass resonator that delivers deep bass. The Panasonic RF-2400D is one of the simplest tabletop radios on our list. Read Full Review: Tivoli Audio Model One Review. The SB2000 has an auxiliary audio input for you to connect another audio source, but it lacks the line output and headphone jack youll find on some of our other picks. It often retails for close to $100. Sangean WR-12: The WR-12 is simply a larger WR-11SE with stereo speakers. The radio features tone controls to adjust treble and bass, but sadly no balance controlsso youll have to achieve parity of level output between the two speaker cabinets the old-fashioned way, by repositioning them. We also held off on testing boombox-style radios like the Sony CFD-S70, focusing on more minimalist tabletop designs. Each of these manufacturers focuses on high quality reception and solid design aesthetics. You can even connect to your smartphone using an optional Bluetooth accessory. It picked up a total of 19 FM channels, earning the top score among our picks in that regard, and received 16 AM channels, with only the Sangean WR-15 and WR-11SE radios beating it in AM reception. Our mission is to empower you to find the product youre looking for and get exactly the information you need to make the right buying decision. Why its great: The super-affordable Studebaker SB2000 did surprisingly well in our channel tests, scoring as well as some Sangean models in its FM-radio performance in the San Diego area, but we heard more static on stations that were farther away. Nena has been testing and reviewing home technology gear since 2016, and previously she served as the associate home editor covering technology and design at Sunset magazine. While its true that you get what you pay for when it comes to audio products, you still get an excellent audio experience with the budget Soundance SDY019. This system can easily fill the room, no matter what audio source its using. This tabletop radio doesnt just sound great, it also features a ton of capabilities. Not all radios are battery-powered, so we awarded bonus points to those that can switch between using batteries and a wall outlet for power. For a more modern take on the radio, look at the best satellite radio for home. The SB2000 has an auxiliary audio input for you to connect another audio source, but it lacks the line output and headphone jack youll find on some of our other picks. It has a handle at the top and a small telescoping antenna attached, and you can use either battery power or the built-in power cord, which tucks into the battery case. Studebakers SB2002 model is nearly identical and adds a headphone jack, but it has slightly different styling and usually costs about $10 more. While the Sangean WR-11 doesnt offer much in the way of extra key features, you do get several external connections to use on the back of the radio. A radio can have all the functionality in the world, but if it doesnt sound good, it isnt worth the purchase. This eye-catching radio might play only FM radio, but it offers great sound and power for its price, and it includes Bluetooth support. We ranked radios that combined AM/FM tabletop functionality with streaming and Bluetooth functionality higher on the list. The AM/FM radio stations you get are in HD quality due to the digital tuner built into the KEiiD, so even that sounds great. What really sets this radio apart is its dual-speaker design, which allows not only for true stereo sound but also wide stereo sound, depending on how far you spread the two speakers apart. Its also designed extremely well, with a nostalgic feel and large, easy-to-operate knobs. Sound quality isnt a huge concern for most radio shoppers, but we still kept it in mind when making our picks. She also covers smart displays, smart speakers, and wireless TV headphones for Wirecutter. The best AM/FM radio to buy is the Panasonic RF-2400D. *At the time of publishing, the price was $184. For any radio with Bluetooth abilities, we tested both the sound quality and the range of the Bluetooth signal. This article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser. WHY WE LIKE IT: The Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV is the best-sounding tabletop radio on our list, with the classic Bose audio and design quality. Flaws but not dealbreakers: The WR-50P is large, especially when youre using both the primary speaker and its companion unit. This makes the WR-50P a great choice if you count yourself among the rare breed of tabletop radio shoppers who are primarily interested in music performanceit wont do much for talk shows, but it will make your favorite music sound fuller and more dynamic, with a better sense of space, than our other picks. Its indicator light was constantly flickering, highlighting its own tuning difficulties. We were testing a refurbished unit, though, so this could just be an issue for the particular device we tested. With its strong signal and classic design, the Sangean WR-11 is one of the best AM/FM tabletop radios on our list. See How we picked and tested for more details on our testing process.) For instance, 89.5 FM, NPRs San Diego station, was closer to 89 on the dial, while 100.7 FM, a popular music station, landed on nearly 102. It includes the same LED light found on the WR-15 to let you know when youve locked on to a station, along with both an internal antenna and an additional external FM antenna. You can connect the Bose Wave SoundTouch to your home internet and stream from popular internet radio sources like Spotify and Pandora. We locked on to popular FM and AM radio stations with ease, and the green LED light was especially helpful to confirm when we had the strongest signal. The Crosley Solo also has an AM/FM tuner and connects to any portable audio device. Flaws but not dealbreakers: The main downside to this radio is that the source dial is missing a setting for the auxiliary input. The Bose Wave radio brings superb audio quality and extended functionality to your table. If your biggest worry is having something portable for emergencies: Check out our guide to emergency weather radios. Its not quite a mini Bluetooth speaker, but its still got a great sound. Absolutely! By a large margin, most people surveyed reported a desire for a simple radio that they could tune to their favorite local public radio station and then leave set there in perpetuity. You get a clear digital LED display, with buttons on the top of the radio that you use to operate the device. You can even connect to HAM radio frequencies. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Its also multi-functional, with a CD player, option Bluetooth connection, and alarm clock functionality. But the highest volume settings were loud enough to fill a 10-by-12-foot room. She can often be found adding another smart speaker to a random corner of her home, much to her partners chagrin. The volume dial, in particular, is small and cone shaped, which makes getting an ideal grip difficult; we had to hold the radio down with our other hand to get a good enough grip to change the volume or station. Our reviews and buyers guides are always either based on reviews weve done ourselves, or aggregated from trusted sources. The Crosley Solo also has an AM/FM tuner and connects to any portable audio device. And you might want more room so that you can fully extend the long, telescoping antenna attached to the back, a factor that further limits your placement options. Radio isnt what it used to be, especially now that you can get radio stations via the internet or through streaming services. The WR-11SE scored similarly to the WR-15 in the number of FM channels it received and fell behind by just a few stations in AM reception. You can tuck away the power cord, but it is not detachable. All in all, for a budget tabletop radio, the Soundance SDY019 is an excellent addition to our list. In fact, during our testing, we found that the Tivoli offered the best reception of any option on our list. We tracked how many and which channels each radio received, how clear the reception was, and whether each radio had any stability issues in holding the tuned channels.
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