DAB radios are always popular in the build up to Christmas.
They're a good gift for anyone, whether you want to spend £50 on a new portable DAB radio or £1500 on a high-end hi-fi quality radio.
Ford Ennals, the Chief Executive of Digital Radio UK, announced last year that the industry is targeting a digital radio switchover date of 2015 – aiming to double listening on digital radios and considerably expand DAB coverage across the UK by 2013.
Here is our pick of the best DAB radios to buy in the UK today...
Pure Digital One Mini, £39.99
Budget-busting DAB radio for the masses
A cut-down version of the Pure One Classic Series II, this is one of the best value DAB radios on these shores. That's largely to do with the price, although the latest version of the Pure Digital One Mini is far easier on the eye than older models.
With 16 presets spread between DAB and FM tuners, the Pure One Mini manages to find room not only for a line-in to attach a phone, but also an optional ChargePAK B1 battery from Pure that turns this into a portable radio.
Pure One Classic Series II, £65
Sky+-style DAB radio with satin-touch makeover
'Listen Later' is the thoroughly modern addition to the latest version of one of the UK's best-selling DAB radios - up to three hours of radio can be recorded, either on a pause/rewind live radio, or from regular daily and weekly timers.
Elsewhere, the black or white Pure One Classic Series II DAB radio has had a satin-touch makeover - so much nicer than the previous plasticky design - and adds adjustable bass and treble knobs alongside FM, an alarm and sleep timer, 30 station presets and an input for a phone or MP3 player. A dedicated wired i-10 iPhone dock can be added for £34.99, as well as a rechargeable battery from Pure to transform this into a portable radio.
Sony XDR-S16DBP, £59.99
DAB+ in a retro wooden cabinet
Set in a wood cabinet and with stereo speakers, Sony's latest digital radio keeps its simple; two 0.8W speakers and limited controls make for an uncluttered look, although there is some advanced circuitry at play underneath.
As well as DAB and FM tuners, the former is able to receive DAB+ broadcasts, with that future proofing joined by 10 presets for both digital and analogue stations. The Sony XDR-S16DBP includes a sleep timer for drifting off to the shipping forecast, as well as a headphones jack.
Roberts Vintage, £119
'The wireless' lives on in this retro DAB radio
Based on one of its best-selling digital radios, this is one of the more retro products designed to get the older generation to 'go digital' without them realising. Compact and with a retro leather cloth finish and wood effect side panels, the innards are thoroughly modern - DAB and FM tuners are joined by a welcome 'favourite station' button.
Just as appealing to a generation brought up with 'the wireless' is a built-in battery that, when charged, will keep on going cable-free for as long as 80 hours. The Roberts Vintage is ideal for carting from the kitchen to bathroom when The Archers begins and a hot bath beckons.
Pure Twilight, £123
The dawn of a new age in DAB radio?
Often wake up in a bad mood? Pure's latest DAB digital radio comes with six LED lights that mimic the light of dawn to gently rouse you, as well as acting as a soothing nightlight or a pre-sleep reading light. It's also got, err, built-in lullabies so you can drift-off to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.
Elsewhere its skill with DAB/FM radio will keep you wide awake - it includes 30 presets, alarms and an aux-in for cabling-up a MP3 player or phone. Always innovating, the Pure Digital Twilight will have niche appeal, but nobody can accuse Pure's designers of sleeping on the job.
Pure Evoke Mio, £132
Bedside DAB and FM radio with leather-look and light sensor tech
Pure Digital's domination of the digital radio market in the UK is underlined by the Mio - yet another glorious stab at DAB that puts style firmly on the dial. Sold in some unusual two-tone leather-effect finishes - among them teal, pink and cherry - the Evoke Mio is based around the company's best-selling Evoke-1.
Here an OLED display is used in conjunction with a light sensor - essential for those who detest the always-on LCD screens that have a tendency to light up a bedroom at night. For a bedside radio, that's exactly the kind of feature that keeps Pure on top.
Roberts Revival RD60, £160
Retro 'tranny' dressed up for the digital age
A second-hand radio, eh? Not a bit of it - Roberts has always been the king of retro, making radios that were straight out of a 1950s catalogue. The Roberts Revival RD60 continues that trend, albeit with DAB and FM tuners.
We're torn between admiration for the looks and general build quality of this radio, and reservations about its fairly average sound. There's certainly a charm inherent in this DAB radio that we could definitely get used to. This is the DAB radio to treat your mum to this Christmas.
Read: Roberts Revival RD60 review
Vita Audio R1 MkII, from £160
Vita Audio has developed a portable DAB radio that's a bit of a looker
Vita Audio has unveiled the latest version of its iconic R1 radio. It looks and performs better than ever, and can now be made fully portable.
Perfect for 21st century country living, the elegant Vita Audio R1 MkII with its optional hand-stitched leather carry-case will complement any outdoor occasion. Or remove the casing to reveal a contemporary finish in rich walnut veneer or high-gloss black or white lacquers.
Read:Vita Audio R1 mk11 review
Dualit DAB kitchen radio, £160
You've got the kettle and toaster, now buy the matching DAB radio
Dualit's enviable reputation for quality in the kitchen now extends to digital radios. With DAB and FM tuners (and five presets for each) and an 8W speaker - along with notable bassy sound - there's also a line-in for attaching an MP3 player alongside an alarm clock.
Befitting its intended place in the kitchen, there's also a built-in egg timer in the Dualit DAB kitchen radio - and that signature aluminium styling in a bold, but somewhat retro design.
Read: Dualit DAB kitchen radio review
Revo AXiS, £200
Touchscreen multi-format DAB/DAB+, FM and internet radio
Revo's AXiS is a 'connected' multi-format digital radio with the requisite iPod/iPhone docking, audio streaming and access to online music service Last.fm.
AXiS is capable of receiving a full range of radio standards including DAB, DAB+, FM and internet radio, in addition to being able to stream music from your PC or Mac.
Read: Revo AXiS review
Monitor Audio AirStream 10, £99
Portable DAB radio for the purists from Monitor Audio
Monitor Audio's AirStream 10 is a portable digital and internet radio that's bound to appeal to the purists.
The quirky design of the AirStream 10 is also surprisingly functional, since it enables you to stand it on a shelf or pop it on your bedside table. And using high quality materials and Monitor Audio's core design principles, it sounds remarkable.
Read:Monitor Audio AisStream 10 review
Tivoli Audio PAL+, £249
The 'Portable Audio Laboratory' returns with a DAB+ disguise
After almost a decade away, PAL makes its return - and this time it's got DAB and DAB+ as well as FM radio. Complete with a headphones jack and a 3.5mm aux-in for hooking up a phone, the PAL+ has a built-in battery that turns the unit into a portable radio for picnics and BBQs.
Alarm and sleep timers, as well as a weather-resistant shell, add to its travel-friendly design. The Tivoli Audio PAL+ is available in gloss blue, yellow, red, black and white.
Vita Audio R2i, £279
Is this the best-sounding, best-looking DAB radio around?
Compatible with DAB+ as well as DAB broadcasts, the British-designed luxury Vita Audio R2i has an iPhone dock, an FM tuner, five station presets, an alarm function and a credit card-type remote control.
But it's the deep gloss black (or white or walnut) baffle that proves its key feature - we're talking richly detailed, bassy sound from its 20W stereo speakers that most DAB radios and iPhone docks don't get anywhere near.
Read: Vita Audio R2i review
Naim UnitiQute, £1350 (speakers not included)
UnitiQute is the latest DAB radio from the UK's leading hi-fi brand
Naim Audio's UnitiQute is a slightly smaller and more compact all-in-one system than the multi award-winning Naim Uniti, but it packs in all the performance of that beautiful high-end beast. Pretty much all that's missing is an in-built CD player.
CD aside, the UnitiQute is the one of the best performing all-in-one audio players on the market – encompassing DAB/FM/internet radio, streamed audio and USB inputs.
Meridian M80, £999
A 'does-it-all' DAB radio for audiophiles
Meridian's luxurious, leather clad, strikingly-designed, all-in-one entertainment system is aimed at audiophiles who are looking for something a little bit different.
The M80 packs in a CD and DVD player, a DAB and FM radio, along with the i80 Dock for iPod. A hi-fi quality do-it-all DAB for those that really care about audio quality.
Connect with Facebook
No comments