VQ Retro Mini Portable Dab Radio with Bluetooth Speaker and Aux - Dab+ FM Bedside Dual Alarm Clock Radio, Battery Operated Radio and Digital Radio Mains Powered - Light Grey

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DAB radios are more than just broadcast devices. To get the most out of yours, consider models with the following useful features: Alarms Some radios use dedicated rechargeable batteries which will recharge when the radio is plugged into the mains, even while you’re listening to it. Additionally, there’s the option to connect your own devices through a Bluetooth connection too. The system works easily with everything from Apple Music to Spotify.

You should also consider getting a smart speaker instead of an internet radio. These are also connected via wi-fi, and you control them with voice commands rather that with buttons. You can use a smart speaker as an internet radio by asking for your favourite radios stations, and it will play them through services such as TuneIn Radio. This gives you more choice of models, starting at lower prices – the only disadvantage is that smart speakers don’t also have DAB and FM radio like internet radios typically do. On average, sound quality is often better on smart speakers, too. For more information, see our guide on how to buy the best smart speaker. Five ways to listen to the radio for free The “Pop” option is great for listening to a lot of top 40 radio stations. However, you might need to fiddle for a while longer if you’re looking for something that’s suitable for talk radio. VQ Retro Mini radio: Verdict Some radios have a dedicated remote control, or an accompanying smartphone app that can act as a remote control. These can be very handy if you’re choosing a radio for a living room or dining room, so you won't have to get up every time you want to adjust the volume or switch stations. With a stunning design that splits into no fewer than 19 different colour options, you really can’t go wrong from an aesthetic perspective. It allows you to stream internet radio, and any other audio on your smartphone, to your DAB radio – so you can listen to everything from podcasts and audiobooks to your personal music collection. NFC (near field communication) is simply an easier way of connecting via Bluetooth – instead of finding the radio in the Bluetooth menu on your smartphone or tablet, you can simply touch your device on the ‘N’ symbol on the radio.

Bluetooth is the secret to making a standard DAB radio ‘smarter’, without having to pay more for an internet radio. Now, don’t get us wrong, there are few elements of the VQ mini radio that don’t quite live up to the experience you would get with something like the Retro Revival Uno from Roberts. Miss some features of internet radios, such as internet-only radio stations, podcasts, audiobooks, and music-streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music (may require subscriptions). However, if you get a DAB radio with Bluetooth, you can stream all these features to your radio from your smartphone or tablet. Using conventional batteries, such as AAs. Choose one of our best rechargeable batteries to save money and help the environment. Most portable Roberts radios are powered this way. The Pure Elan E3 (pictured above) is an anomaly in the Pure portable radio family since it takes conventional batteries. Internet-connected radios have wi-fi, usually in addition to DAB and FM radio. They generally now have Bluetooth, too, to stream audio from your smartphone or tablet. This means you get a wide choice of ways to listen. The best internet radios tend to be sold at a premium as a result, and there aren’t that many internet radios on the market to choose from in the first place. They’re usually either tabletop or portable radios. Pros of internet radios:

What’s more, the Retro Mini can achieve volumes that are a lot higher than we expected when we started testing out this device. However, if you can get a Retro Mini that works properly, we think that you should be delighted by the majority of the features and functionality.

Make sure you're not influenced by cost, style or brand alone when deciding on a radio, as you could easily end up with one you'll regret buying. Some budget, fashion or nostalgia-focused radios in particular may look great, but can have tinny sound and awkward menus and buttons that are a frustrating pain to use. We’ve also found a surprising number of disappointing radios from the biggest brands. Best DAB radio features to look for Do consider carefully which features you actually need – you’ll save money by avoiding those you’re unlikely to use. Which brand: Roberts or Pure? It’s an academic argument, though: all DAB radios we review also give you FM radio too, so you don’t lose out. You can easily switch between the two to get the best sound quality wherever you are. Also it’s important to note your radio’s speakers have a far greater impact on the quality of sound than choosing between DAB and FM broadcasts – it’s more important to choose a DAB radio we recommend. The Retro Mini features DAB & DAB+ Digital Radio along with traditional FM, meaning you can listen to all the available stations broadcast in your area from the likes of; your national, commercial, and local broadcasters. Finding new stations couldn’t be easier. The auto scan finds all your available stations with a simple alphabetical list to scroll through. Once you find a new favourite station, save it to one of sixty available presets. The range isn’t as extensive as you’d find on the internet services mentioned above, and the number of channels you can access depends whether you’re on Freeview or you get your TV from a service provider such as Sky or Virgin Media. That said, all the big names are there, from BBC Radio 1 to BBC Radio 6 Music, Capital FM, TalkSport and others.

This way, you can easily buy yourself 10 more minutes in bed when needed. No one wants the frustration of groggily battling with a poorly designed radio when they’ve just woken up. Battery power Tabletop radios tend to be larger and heavier than other types, meaning they can often sound better.

Rambler Mini Travel Pouch

Because the VQ Retro is a mini radio, you can’t expect it to compete with a huge boombox or Hi-Fi setup. Ultimately, this radio is more about convenience and portability than volume. Pros: The easiest design to use when you’re sleepy, often have large screens which are ideal if you have poorer eyesight The Retro Mini sounds fantastic with the premium single ultra-wide full range 5W speaker delivering a rich and room-filling audio experience. You can also tailor the acoustics with a range of six available presets for different music genres. Although you will get a little distortion at higher volume levels, it was nowhere near as bad as we expected.

The 1960s-inspired radio is classic in design and has a smooth rubber finish, with a matte cream-style facia. Perfect for someone looking for a retro radio with modern features and a vintage style. Below, we round up the various options for listening online, and explain how to access thousands of major radio stations worldwide. Smart speakersAccording to the design team at VQ, The Retro Mini radio was their chance to create something capable of standing the test of time with modern functionality and unbeatable charm. DAB radios are easier to use because you simply choose the name of your preferred station, rather than having to tune it in manually like you do with FM. The sound quality of DAB radio tends to be better because there’s no natural static. DAB radio generally has good coverage across the UK, but in remote areas you might still struggle to get a good signal and have to use FM or internet radio instead. DAB radio benefits: Our favourite option has to be the walnut-style VQ Retro mini radio. It looks just like a device from Pure, but at a fraction of the price tag. If you have a smartphone, you can stream everything internet radios offer to a Bluetooth DAB radio instead, which will cost less. If you have a smart speaker with a voice assistant, you'll be able to ask it to play any available internet radio station. Most smart speakers use the TuneIn radio app to find and play your chosen stations, and for BBC radio stations they run via the BBC's dedicated service; for example with an Alexa smart speaker, simply say: ‘Alexa, ask the BBC to play Radio 4.’ Digital radio on smartphone, tablet and computers