3 best portable digital radio

Portable digital radios are electronic devices that allow users to receive and listen to radio broadcasts using digital technology. These radios are compact and designed to be easily carried around, making them convenient for on-the-go listening. They have several features and advantages compared to traditional analog radios, and they are often used in various contexts, including shortwave radio listening.

Key features and aspects of portable digital radios:

Digital Tuning: Portable digital radios use digital tuners, which provide precise and accurate tuning to radio stations. This eliminates the need for manual tuning and reduces interference.
Clear Reception: Digital radios offer better reception quality compared to analog radios. They can provide clear and interference-free audio even in areas with weak signal strength.
Multiple Bands: Many portable digital radios support various frequency bands, including AM (Amplitude Modulation), FM (Frequency Modulation), and Shortwave. Shortwave radios are particularly popular among enthusiasts as they allow the reception of international broadcasts and amateur radio transmissions.
LCD Displays: Portable digital radios often come with LCD displays that show information such as station frequency, time, and other relevant data. This makes it easier for users to navigate and select stations.
Presets: These radios typically allow users to save their favorite radio stations as presets, enabling quick access to preferred channels without the need to manually tune each time.
Alarm and Timer Functions: Some portable digital radios have alarm and timer features, allowing users to set wake-up alarms or timers for automatic shutoff.
Battery Power: They are designed to be battery-powered for portability. Some models have rechargeable batteries, while others use disposable batteries.
Auxiliary Inputs: Some models have auxiliary inputs, such as 3.5mm audio jacks or Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to connect external devices like smartphones or MP3 players.
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB/DAB+): In regions where DAB or DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is available, portable digital radios can receive digital broadcasts, offering improved sound quality and additional station information.
Portable Size: These radios are compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry in a bag or pocket, which is especially useful for outdoor activities and travel.
Weather Alerts: Some models feature weather alert functions that can receive and display emergency weather warnings and alerts in real-time.

Portable digital radios are popular among radio enthusiasts, travelers, campers, and anyone who enjoys listening to radio broadcasts with enhanced clarity and convenience. They offer a wide range of features to cater to different preferences and listening needs.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best portable digital radio on the market

Greadio Portable Shortwave Radio,AM FM Transistor Radio with Best Reception,LCD Display,Time Setting,Battery Operated by 4 D Cell Batteries or AC Power,Big Speaker,Earphone Jack for Gift,Elder,Home

Based on 91 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Strong Reception to Receive AM/FM/SW

Equipped with a long FM/SW telescopic antenna and a built-in AM ferrite rod antenna, If you want to get optimum FM/SW reception, just adjust its length and angle. If you are going to listen to the AM stations, just rotate the direction of radio to figure out the strongest signal.

Two Ways to Power

You can directly plug the AC power to charge the fm radio to listen to your favorite stations whole day while you are indoor; If power outage or you want to take this battery operated radio outdoor, just insert 4 D cell batteries in the radio, that you can continue to enjoy your relax radio time.

Clear LCD Screen & Time Setting

A new upgraded on this shortwave am fm radio-big and clear LCD screen. It is very convenient for you to see all AM/FM/SW channels on it and you also can set time on the display, using it as a clock. The timing systerm is 24 Hours.

Easy to Operate

Without any complicated design, this am fm transistor radio is easy for both elder and children to operate. The knobs are big enough that you can easy to tune the knob to choose the station or rotate the volume. Very convenient design in today's busy life.

3.5mm Earphone Jack

Wants to have some private space to listen this portable battery operated radio? Do not want to disturb others while listening outside? Just plug your earphone to the earphone jack, that meet your special need.

Good Sound Quality

Equipped with 2W high-quality big speaker, this am fm portable radio offers 100% premium good sounds for you.Take it for your party, picnic, camping, playroom, you will have a great time with this digital transistor radio.

Portable to Carry, Perfect for Everyone

A handle on this shortwave fm radio makes it portable to take outside. You can take it for fishing, gardening, camping, hiking, picnic. Enjoy a time travel with your family or friends on this personal digital radio.

Sangean PR-D18BK AM/FM/Portable Digital Radio with Protective Bumper (Gray/Black) Black/ Grey

Sangean

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Sangean's black PR-D18 AM/FM Portable Digital Radio with fully functioning alarm clock capability and a protective bumper brings a new meaning to the word versatile! While it is an ideal companion at a picnic, a ball game or at a camping trip, it can take all the bangs and scrapes those fun adventures can bring, and it also looks great while doing it! It is a true portable AM/FM Digital radio, being ultra-compact and lightweight. All controls are conveniently located, and you can see the frequency and time on the display. The PR-D18 has excellent sensitivity and selectivity and will surprise you at its ability to pull in those distant stations. 5 presets are available on each band, and the auto seek will automatically seek the active stations across the entire band rather than to the next frequency.

Power source type: AC & Battery
Output wattage: 1.0 watts
Included components: product, manual

User questions & answers

Question:	How long is the battery life
Answer:	Batteries not included, 4 AA alkaline, but if u use it low volume they will/shall last pretty long. Vol is 1-10, I use it on 5. The radio is a good deal. And easy to set.
Question:	What is the battery life
Answer:	Not good, I play it about 30- 45 minutes a day, use normal AA batteries , at a fairly high volume. I put a tag on the radio when I changed the batteries, and it has consistently required replacement every 5 weeks. Very disappointing. I had a $15 Sony before this, and that would run months on the same usage schedule.
Question:	Would this work well as an emergency radio
Answer:	I would not recommend any digital tuning radio as first choice for an emergency kit. An emergency kit radio should have good reception traits PLUS long battery life. The Sangean PR-D18 will work as an emergency kit radio for brief emergencies, just do not leave the batteries in that radio long term without using it. For example, do not store the PR-D18 radio in an emergency kit with batteries actually in it because it constantly draws a small amount of energy from the batteries for the tuning section memory which means the batteries could be about gone a year later when you actually need it most. All portable radios with digital tuners also deplete batteries faster in use than an analog radio, even an analog radio that is much larger. If you read the reviews the Sangean PR-D18 is never noted to be a battery life champ with one reviewer stating it "eats batteries like candy." An old fashioned analog tuning AM/FM pocket style radio that uses 2 AA batteries will have much longer battery life in use and is not constantly draining the batteries when packed away for years. I would suggest the Sangean SR-35 AM/FM Analog Pocket Radio, the Sony ICF-S10MK2 AM/FM Analog Pocket Radio (discontinued but still in retail channels including Amazon at this time), the Sony ICFP26 Portable AM/FM Radio (replacement model for the Sony ICF-S10MK2 with minor internal changes plus a sweeping cosmetic revamp), and the less expensive Radio Shack catalog number 1200586 AM/FM pocket radio (not sold on Amazon but you can get one off the shelf at your local Radio Shack store) as more worthy emergency kit radios. If you have room in your kit I could also recommend the Sony ICF38 for much better sound quality but it is larger, heavier and more expensive than the little pocket radios yet delivers equally long battery life. There are also hand-crank-to-charge radios that seem a good choice too but I do not have any real experience with them.
Question:	Is this Radio HD? Tia
Answer:	If you're interested in HD then Sangean has a HDR14 or an HDR16, I have the HDR16 which is fantastic and sounds awesome beyond Stereophonic sound.

Product features

AM/FM-Stereo Digital Tuning Portable Radio

SANGEAN PR-D18 comes in four different color combinations to suit your taste and personality. It’s ultra-compact in size, a mere 6.54 inches long, standing 4.26 inches tall and weighing a feathery 12.5 ounces! Enjoy your favorite stations on the go with the built-in headphone jack that turns off the speaker while headphones are used. Great for nighttime listening, tuning into the ballgame, or in your tent on a camping trip.

10 Station Presets (5 AM/5 FM)

5 presets each for AM/FM and are conveniently located on the front, a press of a button will bring up your favorite stations instantly.

Easy to Read LCD Display with Backlight

See the frequency and time on the easy-to-read LCD display, which is backlit for added convenience no matter where you are!

Adjustable Tuning Step

With the adjustable tuning step, you get to fine-tune to your exact location no matter where your adventures and radio take you.

Station Auto Seeking

Thanks to the auto seeking feature, the radio can automatically sweep through frequencies to look for signals. The excellent sensitivity will surprise you with its ability to pull in those distant stations.

2 Alarm Timers by Radio or Buzzer

A perfect bedside alarm clock allowing you to set dual alarms and choose waking to AM/FM radio or HWS (Humane Wake System) buzzer, a gradual alarm feature that gently raises the alarm volume, so it's not too jarring or abrupt.

Snooze Function

There's also a snooze button for those that like to grab a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning before waking up to reality. In addition, the PR-D18 can be set as a sleep timer from 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, to 120 minutes, so you can fall asleep to the radio listening to your favorite talk or music stations.

Retekess V115 Shortwave Radio, AM FM Radio Digital Tuner, Rechargeable Radio Support Recording, Portable MP3 Radio with Bass and TF Socket (Black)

Retekess

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

If you are looking for battery powered radio with voice recorder,rechargeable battery and support sd card,Try V115 pocket radio with bass sound,good gift for senior

Shortwave radio with presets

portable radio with bass diaphragm,and you can search the radio station by Automatic and Manual,also can direct input radio frequency to search

Travel sw radio with mp3 player

Can play MP3/WMA format music stored in T-Flash card,No "shuffle",If remember the load number,can punch in that number to get to song directly,Repeat mode: All / One / Folder

Small radio with voice recorder

Transistor radio with 3 recording mode

MIC recording you can record what you want to say

Line in recording you can record the playing music

Radio recording Can record the playing radio station

V115 digital radio with 3 record quality selectable:simply 64 kbps;quality 96 kbps;super 128 kbps

Compact world radio receiver

100 Radio presets

Adjustable LCD back light

Multi-band radio with headphone jack

Built in three languages:Chinese, English, Spanish;default language is English

9k/10k selectable for AM tuning increment: the default AM tuning increment is 10 KHz

Sleep timer: shuts off automatically after specified times(00-05...85-90 min)

3.5mm AUX input:connect the external audio equipment

Frequency

FM:87-108MHz; AM: 522-1710KHz (9k); 520-1710KHz (10k)

SW: 4.75-21.85MHz

T-Flash/microSD card(not included)Max 32GB card

1000mAh rechargeable(cellphone) lithium battery (included)

Charging: DC 5V, Micro USB interface

Power:2W

Size:4.7 x 3.1 x 0.9 in

Package:

1 x World Band Radio

1 x USB charging cable

1 x Hand strip with bracket

1 x English manual

Please Noted,This is not a professional ssb radio,so it is weak on Shortwave than the professional ssb radio

Portable shortwave radio;4.7 x 3.1 x 0.9 in very small; compact; It is amazing to find this much functionality in such a small package; Will fit in a man's shirt pocket; No alarm;only sleep timer
V115 transistor radio bass sound with MIC recording and line in recording radio recording etc 3 recording mode and simple 64kbps; quality 96kbps ; super 128kbps 3 recording quality
Tuning method and storage method; Use the automatic search in the menu to automatically search and store the nearby available stations; long press the fast forward button to automatically jump to the next available station; directly enter the station or the stored station number through the digital buttons; Long press the "5" button to manually store the current frequency to the storage location you want
Built in 4 languages Chinese English Spanish and Russian; 9k/10k for AM tuning increment;package not including adaptor;just including usb cable;you can charge the radio from computer or connect phone adapter
AM FM SW radio; FM: 87-108MHz; AM: 520-1710KHz (9/10K); SW: 4.75-21.85MHz; FM reception is best; SW reception is better at night or when an external antenna is connected; AM reception is unstable

User questions & answers

Question:	will this work for fm stations that have odd frequency like 95.5 etc
Answer:	I like this little radio so much I bought it again after I misplaced the 1st one. It tunes in very well. Receives our 1000 watt, university station (88.3). My only beef is the bottom is so slim it struggles to stand upright if the music has a lot of bass. Certainly not a deal breaker. Love this little radio.
Question:	play while charging
Answer:	I just sat here and did it personally before answering. Yes, you absolutely can play the radio, or MP3s while charging. When connected to a charge cable, the "charging" icon appears. Press the "mode" button to turn on the radio. If you have a TF/SD card installed with MP3s. it will default to that mode and begin playing. Press the FM/AM button to switch to the band you want, or the SW button to play shortwave bands. The "charging" indicator continues to show it's charging the entire time. And yes, also you can connect the power cable and play the radio with no battery in it, although it says in the manual not to. Not really sure how it cold hurt the radio to do so???
Question:	What type of battery does this unit use? Just saying it's lithium isn't good enough
Answer:	The Retekess V115 uses a small removable BL-5C 3.7 volt 1000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, about a 1.25" wide by 2" inches tall and about 1/8 inch thick. The radio is supplied with a USB charging cable with a standard type B micro connector. No charging transformer is included. Battery life is exceptional. Spare BL-5C lithium-ion batteries and even separate charging accessories are available on the Internet.
Question:	How do you save a radio preset station
Answer:	First auto scan all the stations by follow reviewer Sologemeni · March 27, 2017 answer. For preset station to no.1 button. 1) By push">>II"button to find your prefer station. 2) push orange "Memo 5" button for 2 sec . You will see the "CH XX" flashing. 3) Key in number 01 now show CH 01. 4) Push play button ">II" once and push again one more time to save it to memory OK . Done. You can preset 80 stations on FM, 60 on AM 300 on SW. For me I will not preset more then total 20 stations. WHY ?