Best Tabletop Radios – Reviews & Buying Guide

If you think tabletop radios are only for boomers, you need to rethink that. Radios are enjoyed by young people as much as adults enjoy them. Buying the perfect tabletop radio can elevate the room’s look as well.

Radios, particularly tabletop radios, have seen a paradigm shift in their features over the past twenty years. If you want to buy modern and feature-rich tabletop radios, read our reviews of the best tabletop radios and buy the right tabletop radio for your home.

The Tivoli Audio Model One BT is the best AM/FM tabletop radio you can buy. The stylish and contemporary design, the sound quality, the Bluetooth feature, and the fact that it weighs only one pound make this the ultimate winner of tabletop radios.

We have also reviewed about fifteen other tabletop radios, including digital radios. You can buy one that fits your needs. Here’s our top-rated list of tabletop AM/FM radios.

• #1. Tivoli Audio Model One BT – Editor’s Pick
• #2. Sangean WR-11: Elegant Tabletop Radio
• #3. Victorla Retro Wood: Best Value For Money
• #4. Panasonic RF-2400D – Best Budget Tabletop Radio
• #5. Como Audio: TableTop Radio with Advanced Tech
• #6. Sangean WR-2: The Digital Tabletop Radio
• #7. Soundance SDY019 Tabletop Radio
• #8. Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV & Tabletop Radio
• #9. KEiiD Compact Tabletop Radio
• #10. Bose Wave Music System IV
• #11. Sangean WR-50P Table Top Stereo
• #12. Crosley Solo Radio CR3003A
• #13. Tivoli Audio Music System Home
• #14. Sony ICFP26 Portable AM/FM Tabletop Radio
• #15. Sangean WR-15WL AM/FM Tabletop Wooden Radio

#1. Tivoli Audio Model One BT – Editor’s Pick

Tivoli Audio Model One BT Tabletop Radio Review

Featuring a handmade cabinet and advanced tech for brilliant sound quality, the Model One BT speaks the language of design elegance with hermetic simplicity. It is our top tabletop radio pick because it focuses on one job – “being a radio”, and it is excellent at it. If I have to put my money on a tabletop radio, then Tivoli One BT is my choice.

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Design

Tivoli Audio Model One is elegant in every way. It is a simple and classy tabletop radio with a great tuner. It has both AM and FM modes. It is sturdy but small enough to fit on a nightstand or a dresser.

This tabletop radio is a furniture-grade product and has a handmade cabinet. It gives a classy look and provides an inert housing for acoustics.

Tuning & Buttons

There is a single dial for tuning both AM and FM stations. It features an amber-tuning LED in addition to a power indicator LED.

There are three dials sitting neatly on its face. One is for band selection, the other is for volume control and the last, and the biggest, is for sensitive tuning.

Antenna

Tivoli Audio Model One BT has an FM antenna wire. An external AM antenna jack is also present. The radio has a 3.5 mm aux input to plug in your earphones/headphones. The radio is Bluetooth-enabled and allows wireless streaming of your favorite playlist from any compatible BT device.

Speaker

Tivoli Audio Model One BT has a single speaker, but it does its job perfectly. At normal sound levels, the sound is clear and rich.

Talk of the sound, and it is brilliant! The 3” long-throw driver gives precise bass response and tonal balance. The unit can nearly or completely eliminate interferences from nearby wireless devices using its Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology.

Too techy? In short, it sounds great and gives cuts off the noise.

Tivoli Audio Model One BT doesn’t have a remote, clock, or alarm. It cannot really produce high volume levels. It is also a little pricier than other tabletop radios.

The design, features, reliability, and quality of the Tivoli Audio Model One BT radio make this one of the best tabletop radios to buy.

#2. Sangean WR-11: Elegant Tabletop Radio

Sangean WR-11 Tabletop Radio Review

With killer looks and awesome sound quality, the Sangean WR-11 features the iconic rotary dial that is so radio-like. Well, it is a radio that focuses on looks and simplicity.

If you want a tabletop radio that is an all-rounder, then the Sangean WR-11 is for you. It has a classic vintage design that will take you back to your good old memories. The cabinet is an MDF one and has a real walnut finish. The MDF cabinet and walnut finish are not only for visual appeal; they also improve the sound quality significantly. The dynamic bass compensation further enhances the audio quality.

Just like the Panasonic radio, its sole focus is on AM and FM. It is extremely easy to use and operate and it has an amazing sound quality. It has a LED indicator which tells you when you are getting the best reception. The rotary dial is accurate.

This vintage-looking radio gives a rudimentary aux input facility where you can connect either your phone or other audio sources like iPod/MP3 player. You can also connect your headphones or some recording device. It is a small and portable radio. You can listen to your iTunes songs on this.

The only glitch in this AM/FM radio is poor reception of signals. You can add an external antenna to have good reception, but it gets bulky! It doesn’t have a remote, a clock, an alarm, or a Bluetooth function.  

All in all, for the price, the Sangean WR-11 tabletop radio is a fantastic choice.

#3. Victorla Retro Wood: Best Value For Money

Victorla Retro Wood Bluetooth FM/AM Tabletop Radio Review

If you have a thing for vintage stuff, you are going to fall head over heels for the Victorla Retro. With great sound quality and integrated Bluetooth, this AM/FM radio is a pleasure you don’t want to miss.

Victorla tabletop radio comes with a classic vintage look and if you love vintage things, this will make you go weak in your knees.

You get AM/FM and Bluetooth features. The Bluetooth can be paired with laptops, smartphones, and tablets.  It has built-in stereo speakers.

The tuning and volume knobs are of the right size. It also has a treble and bass knob so that you can customize your listening experience. The reception is “okay” even in places with weak signals.

The sound is amazing especially with this prize. Even at normal sound levels, the radio is pretty loud. There may be some distortions in sound when you crank up the volume to the maximum level.

It is solidly built. The cabinet is made of MDF board but looks great.

Overall, this tabletop radio is a great catch given its cheap price.

#4. Panasonic RF-2400D – Best Budget Tabletop Radio

Panasonic RF-2400D Review:

With a brilliant old-school design and a large control knob, the Panasonic RF-2400D combines efficiency and portability in s small package.

If you like old school tabletop radios, then this will be your best bet. It focuses solely on AM/FM function. The feature-rich radio is reliable and user friendly. There is one large turning knob with which you can tune the radio and control the volume. It is not only big for easy use but also accurate enough to give you the exact frequency that you want.

The portable radio also has 3.5 mm audio jack for the ones who want to listen privately with their headphones. The reception of the signals both indoors and outdoors is fantastic. The station tuner is extremely precise which allows you to tune to emergency or/and weather stations when required.

This AM/FM tabletop radio has a single, 4-inch large speaker that provides good sound quality. If you want an amazing sound quality, then you may have to look for other radios.

As far as powering options are concerned, you can fire it up with four AA batteries or you can hook it up the wall plug. It works with both AC and DC. Four AA batteries are good enough for you to last your camping trip.

It is durable and is priced decently.  Since it can be used outdoors, it makes an excellent choice for boaters, hunters, fishers, campers, etc. The radio performs excellent when it comes to AM signals but falters a little for FM signals.

It also doesn’t have a clock, a remote, Bluetooth, or an alarm function.

#5. Como Audio: TableTop Radio with Advanced Tech

Technical Specifications of Como Audio: Solo Wireless Music System:

Brand Name	Como Audio
Model	Solo
Weight	4.1 pounds
Type	Internet
Radio Bands supported	Internet/FM
Item dimensions	5.19 x 9.44 x 4.72 inches
Power source	Batteries

Como Audio Solo Wireless Music System Review:

Vintage looks with a dash of modernity, the Como Audio is a class apart! This old-looking fellow packs in some extraordinary features you cannot say no to!

Como Audio Solo Wireless Music System is a one touch streaming system. It has a lot of capabilities and its sound is highly reliable.

The cabinet is handmade and furniture grade and has multiple wood finishes. So, you can select the finish that matches your décor. It sports a very compact design.

This tabletop radio comes with remote control. The remote can, however, make only a few basic changes. It is extremely easy to use and control.

It has Wi-Fi connectivity, too! You can enjoy music through Spotify, Wi-Fi, Internet radio, FM radio, Bluetooth, and music player. The Internet radio of Como Audio has over 30,000 free stations for you to listen.

This radio also has a USB input so that you can plug in your USB flash drive and other storage devices. The USB port is also used to charge devices like your smartphone, Amazon’s Dot or Google’s Cast.

Just like Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV, Como Audio Solo comes with an app called Como Control. You can download it from both Play Store and App Store. It is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, too! It also has an alarm function.

The visual display feature allows you to know the details of the song like the artist, lyricist, and the album.

It misses the bass you find on Bose, but it still does an outstanding job in producing a pleasing audio quality. You can even plug in your earphones for some private listening on a lazy afternoon or late-night escapades.

It doesn’t have a CD player so you can’t play your favorite CDs on Como Audio Solo. The knobs can turn out to be somewhat small for your fingers, but it was perfect for me because I am small, extra small!

Though it is compatible with Alexa, it is not compatible with Amazon music and there is no AM radio. That’s a bummer!

#6. Sangean WR-2: The Digital Tabletop Radio

Sangean WR-2 AM/FM-RBDS Wooden Cabinet Radio Review

If design finesse is what you are looking for, the Sangean WR-2 could be that ultra-cool dude in your house. Real wood, great sound—you are going to love it! This goes well with any kind of interior design and has an amazing signal reception quality. I highly recommend this tabletop radio.

John

Sangean has made a name for itself in the radio niche. There is no list in the radio category that doesn’t have Sangean’s name in it.

Sangean WR-2 is stylish and contemporary. The radio comes in three finishes – walnut, piano black, and piano white. The tabletop radio looks ultra-cool in piano black (personal preference).

The cabinet is made of real wood, and hence, the sound produced is fuller, thanks to acoustics. You kind of get the feel of large home stereo system with this compact portable radio.

The LCD display has eight settings for brightness. It also has a real time clock and an alarm. You can wake up to your favorite radio station singing into your ears, or you can have the buzzer do the dirty job. There is no snooze option for the alarm. You can turn off the alarm by pressing the alarm button or by pushing blue power button.

You get a remote control with this radio. Almost all the function can be controlled with the remote.

It has 10 memory presets. It has an external AM antenna, which enhances the reception. It also has connectors for both AM and FM antennas. The reception is good even in areas that have poor reception for AM/FM.

One thing I didn’t like was the tuning knob. It is too shallow. The tuning knob should have been a little like the volume knob.

#7. Soundance SDY019 Tabletop Radio

Technical Specifications of Soundance SDY019 Tabletop Radio:

Brand Name	Soundance
Model	SDY019
Weight	0.9 pounds
Type	Digital
Radio Bands supported	FM
Item dimensions	9.5 x 2.2 x 2.5 inches
Power source	Batteries

Soundance SDY019 Tabletop Radio Review:

If you are okay with a bit of functional complexity, the Soundance SDY019 with its tons of features will fit right in your budget. Check it out!

If you are tight on budget but still want a decent radio, then Soundance SDY019 tabletop radio is a better choice for you. It is just not a good radio, but it also comes with multiple features like Bluetooth speaker, alarm clock, and the like.

With one click, it searches all the stations and saves them too! You can manually tune the stations and save them if you don’t want to have hundreds of radio stations in your radio.

SDY019 comes with two small but powerful speakers that give you a remarkable listening experience. It has a USB input and an aux input, too, where you can plug in your earphones and listen to whatever you want.

This portable radio also supports micro SD card and TF card with a simple plug-and-play option. It supports multiple audio files like WAV, MP3, WMA, etc.

The SDY019 has a built-in microphone that allows you to talk handsfree when you get a call. The speakers support iPhone, iPod, Samsung smartphones and most smartphones available in the market.

The design is sleek and contemporary. The LED screen displays time, alarm clock, activity of Bluetooth, and battery level. The battery is good and with full charge, you can use it for 8 hours straight.

It is also compatible with Alexa. The buttons are a little less given the number of features present in this radio. The instructions will sail you through this difficulty.

In a nutshell, it is a wonderful radio that you can get at this price.

#8. Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV & Tabletop Radio

Technical Specifications of Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV & Tabletop Radio:

Brand Name	Bose
Model	738031
Weight	13.2 pounds
Type	Internet
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	8.70 x 14.49 x 4.30 inches
Power source	Electric cord

Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV & Tabletop Radio Review:

Hi-tech, brilliant, elegant – the Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV is a type of radio-cum-music system that you will kill for.

Think of great sound and one brand flashes bright and that’s none other than Bose. Bose has made a place in this niche and the Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System IV lives up to it.

It is an all in one music system. It produces an amazing sound quality – be it songs from your CDs (yes, it is a CD player as well) or from radio stations.

Because it is a tabletop radio with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, you can source your audios from AM/FM stations, Internet or local radio, or from your stored music library.

You can stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with compatible devices like a smartphone. It also has a free Sound Touch app where you can access songs from Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.

The speakers produce a high-end bass sound that heightens your listening experience.

It has a visual display that shows the details of what is being played. You can adjust the brightness and it packs in an automatic night dimming feature.

It has a dual alarm which you can use if you and someone in your family have to wake up at different times. You can snooze the alarm by tapping the sensitive top of the sound system. Its 9-volt battery maintains the clock and alarm function.

You get an infrared remote that allows you to control almost all the functions of this Bose music system remotely. Did I mention it is Alexa compatible?

The music system works perfectly with Bose speaker system to give you an immersive surround sound experience. It is needless to say that its sleek and modern look speaks the tune of modern and contemporary home designs.

The only negative of this tabletop radio is its price. But with the features that it gives, this music system packs a punch and justifies the price.

#9. KEiiD Compact Tabletop Radio

Technical Specifications of KEiiD Compact Tabletop Radio:

Brand Name	KEiiD
Model	KD-V01
Weight	20.6 pounds
Type	Digital
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	26 x 8.6 x 6.3 inches
Power source	Batteries

KEiiD Compact Tabletop Radio Review:

A champion in its own rights, the KEiiD Compact Tabletop radio doubles up as a standalone speaker when you hook it up with a TV, PC, laptop, iPod, etc. You won’t regret your decision.

You get almost every functionality in KEiiD tabletop radio that you can imagine. It has AM/FM radio, CD player, MP3 player, USB, aux, SD card input, and Bluetooth. The only thing that is missing is the direct Internet access.

The design is simple and the cabinet is made of wood. It fits in almost all the rooms of your house. What it lacks in design (if you think so) is compensated by its features and awesome sound quality.

You can choose the type of music from various options like jazz, pop, rock, or classical. You can even manually set the bass, treble, etc. as per your taste

It has a remote control. You can connect your phone with radio and talk on the phone handsfree.

The HD display shows the title, artist and countdown time of the playing track. The screen displays the contacts and calling history and guess what? You can call someone directly through this radio!

It doubles up as a speaker for your TV, laptop, iPod, PC, tablet, etc. using the available cord that makes it work like a speaker and gives you the feel of a home theater.

It is just not feature-rich, but it delivers almost all the functionalities with precision. The Bluetooth, sound quality, reception, and CD and MP3 player are exceptional. The sound it produces is clean and crisp.

#10. Bose Wave Music System IV

Technical Specifications of Bose Wave Music System IV:

Brand Name	Bose
Model	737251
Weight	1 pound
Type	Digital
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	6.97 x 12.75 x 19.02 inches
Power source	Batteries

Bose Wave Music System IV Review:

If the clarity of sound is a high priority and price doesn’t matter, the Bose Wave Music System IV with its sleek design can be your next best companion.

If you don’t have any budgetary constraints and want to get a great music system that also offers radio, then Bose Wave Music System is the best choice.

The design and looks are pretty much similar to Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System. The design is pretty modern chic.

Both the sound quality and reception are fantastic. The sound produced fills the room creating an immersive audio blanket around you. The sound is soothing to the ears and the radio receives signals from a wide range of stations.

It has a CD player along with MP3 player and AM/FM functionality. It also has dual alarms. This function works perfectly for couples who have to wake up at different times of the day.

You can just tap or touch it to turn it on and off, and even can snooze the alarms with just a tap. It also has a clock function to help you keep track of time.

The Bose Music System comes with a remote control that handles all the functions. The credit-card-style remote has 10 presets, and it is needless to say, it is an absolute pleasure to work with.

You can get an optional Bluetooth adapter which allows you to connect your phone or other device to the music system.

#11. Sangean WR-50P Table Top Stereo

Technical Specifications of Sangean WR-50P:

Brand Name	Sangean
Model	WR-50P
Weight	8.2 pounds
Type	Digital
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	9.4 x 6.7 x 11.9 inches
Power source	Batteries

Sangean WR-50P Review:

Delivering excellent stereo sound experience, the Sangean WR-50P is a Bluetooth-enabled big boy you will love to have around you.

If you love stereos and want to get a tabletop radio, then look no further and bring the Sangean WR-50P home. They have two speakers – one is the master speaker and the other is a slave speaker. The stereo sound of this AM/FM tabletop radio is simply excellent.

You with get both AM/FM and Bluetooth. It has an aux input for external devices. It also has FM stereo headphone output. It has a real-time clock that gives the real time of your time zone.

The crisp sound is the USP of this radio, and trust me on this, you are going to love it. But be warned, the audio quality is better in Bluetooth mode. In the radio mode, the quality of sound drops a bit and there is an explanation for that – RECEPTION QUALITY.

It has a remote which performs almost all the functions. The visual display feature has four different levels of brightness. The moment you turn off the radio, the brightness level that you chose before turning it off stays on.

The display provides the information about the song or the radio station that you are tuned into. If you want, you can change the display to show time of the day as well.

It also has a settable alarm clock with snooze option and adjustable sleep timer. The alarm timer is given by radio or buzzer.

The signal reception of this radio is excellent thanks to DSP technology that they use.

The only two negatives that I experienced was, one it turns off when left unused for some time, and two, it is a little pricier than its counterparts. And yes, if you go for only one speaker, the stereo sound experience will be missing.

#12. Crosley Solo Radio CR3003A

Technical Specifications of Crosley Solo Radio CR3003A:

Brand Name	Crosley Radio
Model	CR3003A
Weight	3 pounds
Type	Analog
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	7.5 x 5.75 x 7.5 inches
Power source	Electric cord

Crosley Solo Radio CR3003A Review:

This simple 1960’s classic American-style radio is all about a decent experience on a small budget. Its decent audio quality and signal reception are in perfect tune with its price range.

It is an old school tabletop radio that is budget friendly. This budget radio gives moderately good sound quality and signal reception.

The design is simple but chic. Crosley Solo has maintained the design of classic American radios of the 1960s.

The looks and the functions are very simple. It is an analog tabletop radio. It has two LED lights. One of the LED lights turn green when you turn on the device. The other LED light turns yellow when you tune into any radio station.

The aux input will allow you to connect your headphones for some solo or private listening sessions.

Unlike the major chunk of radios, the speaker of Crosley Solo faces upwards and not frontwards.

The sound quality is fine but the deep bass and treble go a little haywire sometimes.

There are no preset functions, no Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi, etc.

#13. Tivoli Audio Music System Home

Technical Specifications of Tivoli Audio Music System Home:

Brand Name	Tivoli
Model	Tivoli Audio Music System Home in Black
Weight	11.6 pounds
Type	Internet
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	16 x 6.5 x 8.75 inches
Power source	Electric cord

Tivoli Audio Music System Home Review:

Preserving the contemporary design language, the Tivoli Audio Music System Home adds a dash of elegance to your table. Whether you love radio or streaming wirelessly – this smart boy has you covered.

Tivoli is one of the companies that you can rely on when it comes to radios. Their audio music system, Home, didn’t fail to impress people.

It has a very contemporary and incredible design that goes well with modern and contemporary homes. The cabinet is made up of furniture grade wood and aluminum hardware. The walnut finish is a treat for the eyes.

The stereo experience is enhanced by the four-driver configuration. The sound produced by Tivoli’s Home is clear with deep bass and balanced fidelity.

Just like Bose Wave Music System and Como Audio Solo, it is loaded with features like FM and AM, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. You can listen to songs from almost any device or media source. It also has an ethernet jack which strengthens the Internet connection.

The tabletop radio comes with an app called Tivoli Audio ART APP. Through this app, you can connect to Alexa and few other music services.

It also has a CD player and it even lets you connect with Spotify to listen to your favorite lists.

The LED screen displays time, details of the song or the radio station.

#14. Sony ICFP26 Portable AM/FM Tabletop Radio

Brand Name	Sony
Model	ICFP26
Weight	0.125 pounds
Type	Analog
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	1.5 x 4.69 x 2.74 inches
Power source	Batteries

Sony ICFP26 Portable Tabletop Radio Review:

This tiny tabletop radio is designed with ultimate portability in mind. It comes with a very small price tag.

Sony ICFP26 is one such radio that you can pop in your bag and forget about it. It is a very basic radio. It focuses solely on AM/FM function.

It is very lightweight and has a very compact and sleek design. It is extremely easy to use. The battery life of the portable radio is amazing even though the batteries are the normal AA batteries.

If you want to listen to radio stations while commuting or waiting for someone or something, this is the best portable thing you can lay your hands on. Don’t be mistaken though! It is a tabletop radio that can sit on any unattended corner of your busy table, doing the job it is designed to do.

Sony has thrown in an easy carry strap for frequent commuters. The radio tuner is integrated in the device itself. There is a 3.5 mm jack for headphones. The LED displays the status of the batteries.

#15. Sangean WR-15WL AM/FM Tabletop Wooden Radio

Technical Specifications of Sangean WR-15WL:

Brand Name	Sangean
Model	WR-15WL
Weight	4.3 pounds
Type	Analog
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	11.9 x 8.6 x 7 inches
Power source	Electric cord

Sangean WR-15WL AM/FM Tabletop Wooden Radio Review:

Featuring an elegant design, the Sangean WR-15WL is all about great reception, easy usage, and a great listening experience. Regret won’t set in after the purchase.

This tabletop radio delivers what it promises. The design is simple and elegant. The cabinet is made of MDF. The solid MDF improves the audio quality. The sound quality is further enhanced by the dynamic bass compensation.

The Sangean WR-15WL tabletop radio is available in three finishes – walnut, Silver piano finish, and black leatherette.

There are three rotary dials. One for volume, the second one for selecting the radio band, and the last one for tuning the radio stations.

An LED tuning eye informs you whether you achieved the best reception for a particular radio station or not. There are provisions for external AM and FM antenna. You can even plugin your headphones in 3.5 mm jack.

It also has an aux input which allows you to plug in any of your portable devices like your smartphone and enjoy the music. You can also connect this radio with an amplified speaker system.

#16. Sparc SHD-BT1 Tabletop Radio

Technical Specifications of Sparc SHD-BT1 Tabletop Radio:

Brand Name	Sparc
Model	SHD-BT1
Weight	2.4 pounds
Type	Analog
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	4.5 x 4.5 x 8 inches
Power source	Batteries

Sparc SHD-BT1 Tabletop Radio Review:

Simple and elegant, the Sparc SHD-BT1 is a feature-rich radio for low-budget shoppers. It doesn’t compromise on quality despite its low price tag.

Sparc SHD-BT1 is best choice if you want good reception, clear sound, and want to stay in the $60ish budget.

It sports a plain and simple design. The device is extremely easy to use. It is smaller than Sangean WR-50P and Tivoli Audio Model One that makes it suitable as a bedside radio.

Though it may look too plain, it packs in tons of features. It has dual alarms and a sleep timer. The sleep timer can be used only when the device is on. You can also see time on its visual display screen.

The display screen doesn’t get dim when the lights get out. You have do dim the screen’s light manually.

It has 20 presets, an aux input where you can plug and play any supported media device of your choice. It also has a USB port which allows you to charge your phone or stream music from your phone or flash drive.

It comes with integrated Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming from compatible devices like Bluetooth-enabled phones and MP3 players.

It is a digital tabletop radio and hence has a fantastic reception.

It has only one speaker but the sound produced is great.

#17. Sony CFDS70 Tabletop Radio

Technical Specifications of Sony CFDS70:

Brand Name	Sony
Model	CFDS70 B
Weight	5 pounds
Type	Digital
Radio Bands supported	AM/FM
Item dimensions	13.4 x 9.2 x 6.2 inches
Power source	Batteries and AC

Sony SFDS70 Tabletop Radio Review:

If you have cassettes, this tabletop radio will let you walk the old route. Don’t be fooled, though! You can even pop in a CD if you prefer to do so.

It is a small tabletop radio with not-so-great but “okay” design and looks. It is an AM/FM radio with CD player. This boy is a digital radio with digital tuner and features 30 station presets. It has a sleep timer as well.

It also has a built-in cassette tape deck with which you can even record.

The battery life is tremendous. After a full charge, it can stay on for up to 19 hours depending on usage. You can power up this portable radio with batteries and AC.

There is one aux input which allows you to connect other media devices or your headphones for some private listening sessions.

The dual stereo speakers deliver great audio quality and enhance the overall listening experience. On the downside, the volume is not really high for the price range.

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Tabletop Radio Buying Guide

You just can’t buy any and every tabletop radio that you see on the Internet. You need to take note of few things like sound quality, portability, power, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc. before making a purchase.

After all, it is your hard-earned money that you would spend on buying it and it should be worth the money you spend.

Here is a quick list of things that you need to focus while buying a tabletop radio:

Sound Quality

Sound quality is one of the parameters that is extremely crucial for radios. I have seen in my tests that lesser the price of the radio, less impressive is the sound it generates.

Generally, all the radios more or less have good quality sound but if you are a keen listener and a music lover, you should go for a radio that provides crisp, clear and pure sounds even if the radio is pricey.

A mono device has a single speaker which somewhat dulls the listening experience. Stereo speakers or mono speakers with advanced technology produce better sound quality.

The sound quality doesn’t just depend on the number of speakers. It depends on driver size, the environment where you place it, material with which the cabinet is made, etc.

Coming to the material that is used to make the cabinet, for most of the radios, the material used is either plastic or MDF. Both are cheap and easy to get but it heavily compromises on the audio quality. The wooden radios fare far better because of the acoustics and deep bass.

Connectivity

We have ushered into a connected world. Syncing multiple devices has become necessary.

The three basic connections for a radio are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3.5 mm jack.

The 3.5 mm jack allows you to use your headphones or earphones and listen to songs or whatever with privacy. This feature goes very well with bedside radios. Wi-Fi-enabled radios allow room for a clutter-free experience. Additionally, you can enjoy Internet radio, too!

Having Bluetooth connectivity just adds another feature on a radio’s cap. It allows for wireless streaming of your favorite playlists or streaming music service like YouTube Music, Spotify, etc.

Portability

What’s wrong if a tabletop radio is portable? You can take your radio anywhere you want and it will help in keeping you entertained and informed.

Portable radios are always better than stationary ones but there are few things to remember. The portable radio must be light, robust, and small.

It should fit in your bags or your pockets without any problem. The moment your radio is portable, the sound quality may tumult.

Reception

What is the use of the radio if it can’t receive AM and FM signals? A good tabletop radio should pick even weak signals. Unfortunately, the reception is not always that great indoors. You may have to get an external antenna. It is better to grab an omnidirectional antenna.

Design

Design may not make your radio good or bad – it is the features that matter but design of the radio also increases/decreases the appeal.

Tabletop radios are usually present in lounges, living rooms, etc. and the radios have to match the interior décor to give a nice visual appeal either by seamless integration or a bold contrast.

You get tabletop radios in multiple designs like retro, compact, contemporary, and some are even futuristic.

Touch

The tabletop radios should look good and even feel good and pleasing to touch. Well, this is not really a big thing. It is an important factor for the perfectionists. If you are one of them, you may want to consider this factor.

Size

Size may not seem to be a big issue but the tabletop radio must accentuate your home décor instead of becoming an eyesore. So, you should keep your home in mind and buy the tabletop radio

Budget

Radios come in different price ranges. There are awesome radios that are in the price range of 25 to 35 USD and there are some that can reach USD 500.

You need to decide on the features and design that you need in your radio and then choose the one that fits in your criteria and is budget-friendly for you as well.

The radios with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, alarm, and remote are generally pricey than the ones that focus only on AM and FM.

Extra Features You Need

You need to keep in mind the features that you expect from your tabletop radio and make a purchase. You may want to have an alarm function in your tabletop radio that will wake you up every morning with your favorite AM/FM radio station.

Again, you have to be mindful of your budget because if you are going for low budget then, the features will be less.

Types of Tabletop Radios

Tabletop radios are present from the 1920s and developed over time to be more versatile than a simple radio.

You can, however, get a simple AM/FM radio as well or you can go for a tabletop radio that is loaded with features like the versatile Bose Wave SoundTouch Music System.

Tabletop radios are generally of three types – Internet radios, digital radios, and analog AM/FM radios. Satellite radios are also present but they are not widely used. So, I will skip it for now.

You must know what these are before buying tabletop radios.

Analog AM/FM Radios

This is the oldest type of tabletop radio. It is a classic and is present mostly in vintage-looking radios.

This type of radios gives only AM and FM tuning and by far it is the cheapest type, but it is used by millions of people all over the world.

Even though digital and Internet radios have stormed the market, analog radios are still in the race. Some manufacturers who focus on modern digital versions have their spin of analog radios as well. Check out the best AM FM Headphone and Portable AM FM Radios 2021.

Digital Radios

These radios use the technology that converts sound waves to digital signals for the transmission of information.

The digital receivers decode the digital signals. After the digital signals are decoded, you can listen to the music. This looks like a long process but it happens in a jiffy.

What is the benefit of digital signals in the first place? It produces high quality sound. It can be compared to the quality of CDs.

They give better audio quality and your device remains useful if AM/FM signals are shut down in the future, which I don’t think will happen anytime soon.

Internet Radios

Internet radios make the latest trend. With the help of Internet radio, you can listen to a radio station over the Internet. It uses Internet to send and receive signals.

You can enjoy thousands of stations through the Internet radio. You can access Wi-Fi radio or Internet stations from your PC.

However, buffering issues plague the Internet radios and if your area has bad Internet connectivity, it will affect the reception of the Internet radios.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tabletop Radios

Additional Resources:

• https://shop.panasonic.com/audio-and-video/radios/amfm-radio/rf-2400