In today’s age of innovations, sticking to the old-school portable radio might sound like a horrible idea but with a range of advanced radios in the market, it is evident that the demand still exists. Buying out the best portable radios for FM reception can save you from disconnection in the unprecedented times by pulling in stations when all other gadgets fail.
Nonetheless, finding the best suitable option for you when there are hundreds of other units available can leave you scratching your head. Portability is of great concern as disconnection is generally encountered when you are far away from home. Hence, your radio should be the least in weight along with having a strong power backup to save you from unexpected shutdowns.
The quality of the antenna is also an important factor as it will be solely responsible to catch frequencies. The preset function found in the modern units has made programming simpler. Similarly, several other features accompany the newest models to help the user in all possible manners.
To help you out in finding the best match, we have tested and found these 6 models to be the best in their relative price ranges:
1. Sangean DT-160 AM/FM Pocket Radio with 100 Operating Hours
With its compact and lightweight built, Sangean DT-160 proves to be the most portable yet powerful unit in the market. To our surprise, the selectivity and sensitivity of this radio for FM stations is exceptional. It instantly pulls in the active bands available in your area and never lose signals of the selected channel.
To help you with keeping a track of your favorite stations, the radio will secure 10 FM and 5 AM stations in its memory. To upgrade the reception quality, you can activate the DBB (Deep Bass Boost) feature with the supplied or other sophisticated earbuds.
After installing 2 x AA batteries your radio can continue operating for around 100 hours. The smart auto-off function shuts the radio after 90 minutes to save the battery life. You will also be alarmed by low-battery indicators when the battery is about to run out.
The LCD on the radio has simplified functioning by updating you about time, signal strength and tuned stations. You can also dial and listen to the broadcast of a specific station by using the digital tuner. Although the jog dial has complexed the tuning, reading the user manual thoroughly can help you in getting your hands on this handy device.
2. Panasonic RF-2400D AM / FM Portable Radio
For the valiant tourists daring voyages in the wild and harsh weathers, going with a portable yet durable radio would be best. The Panasonic RF-2400 has a plastic frame that makes it lightweight but to secure durability, sturdiness accompanies as well.
Since the radio works on both AC supply and 4 x AA batteries, you can expect it to function smoothly under all circumstances. A large dial scale integrated into the unit assists in viewing the frequency numbers from a far distance and the fluorescent pointer highlights the scale so you can tune easily even in the dark.
The RF2400-D features a new tuner that has not only simplified tuning but has also increased the range of reception. The latest Auto Frequency Control (AFC) feature installed in the radio saves you from the effort of tuning by automatically searching the best available channels.
To boost reception, the built-in large 10cm speaker renders a fairly good sound. You can also use the headphone jack to experience a high sound quality but as the FM is mono, you will get sound through one channel only.
3. Vondior Portable Pocket Radio
Buying a radio to secure a stable connection will save you from stressing out of isolation when all other network resources run out, as in case of a power outage or an expedition to a remote area. The Vondior radio can prove to be the best option in such situations as it only requires 2 x AA batteries to continue operating for long hours.
You can switch in AM or FM stations to listen to broadcast news meanwhile the long-ranging antenna will catch signals efficiently for smooth reception. Besides, the in-built tuning dial helps you in tuning the right frequencies. This small radio comes with a powerful speaker that can produce loud and clear sound making it audible for everyone sitting across the room.
As the radio is compact and made of silver plastic, you can carry it on your trips without any fear of accidental damages. The carrying strap helps you in taking the radio anywhere with convenience. It also contains a headphone jack so you can listen to your favorite songs in rich sound quality when outdoors.
4. PRUNUS J-288 AM FM Portable Radio with Bluetooth Speaker
This small yet stylish radio is best for both indoors and outdoors. With a 56 cm long antenna, the radio is best at pulling in AM/FM stations while managing to keep the reception smooth and static-free. To save you from the hassle of tuning frequencies every time you start the radio, this unit comes with a memory capacity of 98 FM and 99 AM stations so you can promptly start listening to the broadcasts.
The 3W stereo speakers installed deliver a loud and clear sound with no bass. Compatibility is our favorite feature of this device. The 4.0 Bluetooth feature enables the user to connect their phones and play their favorite music in the stereo speakers. You can also transfer data from SD card, AUX or USB, hence allowing you ease in all possible manners.
To power the radio, a 1500 mAh battery is installed that can continue operating for 6-8 hours. The sleep-timer feature secures battery by shutting off the radio at the pre-set time. And to prevent unintended functioning, a lock key function is incorporated in the radio.
5. DreamSky Pocket Radio with Loudspeaker
An antenna plays the most dominant role in pulling the AM/FM stations efficiently. Keeping this fact in mind, a long 16.5-inch antenna is integrated into this radio that catches frequencies from farthest stations to smoothly broadcasts music, news, talk shows and whatnot.
With the built-in speaker, you can hear the news with your family. And if you want to listen to the broadcast by yourself, you can use the earphone jack to deliver a clear sound. For the power supply, the radio requires only 2 AA batteries that can last for several days.
As the radio does not demand any complex operating setups, they can be a perfect gift for the elderly ones. And owing to the compact built of DreamSky, you can expect it to accompany you for the morning jog, while doing household chores or camping away from home.
6. Kaito KA321 Pocket-Size AM/FM Shortwave Radio
The Kaito radio is probably the best if you are on a budget as it offers maximum reception quality at a minimum price range. With no complex setup required, all you need to run this radio is a set of AA batteries. The radio is small enough that it fits easily in your pocket while this tiny device is more powerful than your expectations. The featured telescopic antenna swivels at 360 degrees to ensure you have a stable worldwide connection with far-ranging stations.
The dedicated knob allows easy dialing for fine-tuning. Whereas the DSP functionality has further enhanced reception. Though a palm-sized radio, the sound it generates is worth praising. However, you can also switch to plugging earphones in the stereo jack for an enhanced listening experience.
Conclusion
This range of FM radios is best at offering the two most important features: quality reception with portability. Although the extra features may differ with different price ranges, they all have garnered appreciation for efficiently broadcasting farthest stations.
While the Kaito KA321 offers a decent reception range at a fairly low price, no one can beat Prunus J-288 when it comes to compatibility.
Sangean, on the other hand, is our favorite as it offers smooth reception along with ease of operating by integrating an LCD into it. However, it’s higher in cost as compared to the others on the list.
In brief, all radios are reliable for FM reception, check out their prices to decide which one can be a perfect match as per your likings.