![]() Don’t get us wrong: a good DAB radio makes the most of every station, bringing talk shows and music to life, but if you’re expecting hi-fi quality audio, you may feel mildly disappointed.īest Bluetooth speaker 2023: Portable, waterproof and rugged options for every occasionĭAB+ is now supported by even the cheapest new digital radios – it’s a requirement for the green digital tick mark – and allows broadcasters to use the more efficient HE-AAC v2 audio codec, providing space for more stations without the same compromises on sound quality. The result? DAB doesn’t necessarily sound that amazing and can even be inferior to old-fashioned FM. In a bid to cram more stations on a single multiplex and keep costs down, they also tend to use low bit-rates in their broadcasts. Some UK stations still broadcast over the older DAB standard, which uses the dated MP2 codec. One of the most confusing things about DAB is that there are actually two standards in play: vanilla DAB and the newer DAB+. DAB, in case you’re wondering, uses a broadcast DAB signal so it’ll work in places where Wi-Fi isn’t available. This is great, but it might restrict where you can listen. This streams radio stations from the internet by connecting via your household Wi-Fi network. In the event that you’re not covered, or your station selection is poor, you could opt for an internet radio station instead. ![]() READ NEXT: Best internet radios Is DAB available in my area?ĭAB reception now stretches across most of the UK, covering 97% of the UK population. A higher spend will get you more luxurious materials, a larger speaker, a more powerful amplifier, stereo and more features, but you don’t have to spend more than £200 unless you’re looking for something that’s less a radio than an all-in music system with DAB built-in. Best DAB clock radio: Pure Siesta ChargeĭAB radios are now available at around the same prices as the old analogue models, and you can pick up a decent, simple, single-speaker radio for around £20 to £40.Best ultraportable DAB radio: Roberts Revival Petite.Best cheap DAB radio: Majority Little Shelford.Best cheap pocket-sized DAB radio: Groov-e Milan.That’s why we’ve picked a selection of the best, covering different styles and price points, so that you can buy the best DAB radio for you. The DAB radio market isn’t quite as busy as it was a few years ago, but there are still a lot of options out there. You can listen to them without interference and – as long as you can get a signal – you’ll get flawless, clear digital sound. There are now more than 50 stations broadcasting nationally on DAB, along with many regional and local stations. FM radio has been saved from extinction and will keep running until at least 2032, but if you’re thinking of buying a new radio, then picking up one of the best DAB radios is the way to go.
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