Digital radios: How to buy the best digital radio What to look for in a digital radio
For stereo sound, choose a digital radio with two speakers
The features available on digital radios are more like those on a set-top box or PVR than an those of an analogue radio. Deciding on the ones you need is easy and will ensure you’re not sold a DAB radio that’s more complicated, and more expensive, than you need.
For help choosing a DAB digital radio watch the Which? buyers' guide video
Electronic Programme Guide (EPG)
An Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) allows you to select a digital radio station and scroll through to see future programmes. These are rare on DAB radios and generally only available on models that also have a record function. One radio with an EPG that can be set to record programmes is the Pure Evoke-3.
Recording live radio
A small number of tabletop digital radios can record to the radio's internal memory or a memory card. It's worth checking the capacity of the memory and how many programmes can be saved, as some wipe over any previously recorded material.
A good rule of thumb is that 1MB can store one minute of digital radio for stations broadcasting at 128kbps, which most do. However, BBC Radio 3 broadcasts at a higher bit rate of 192kbps. It’s worth noting that most radios with a record facility record programmes in MP2 format. If you want to play back recordings on an MP3 player, you’ll need to convert the file first.
Pause and rewind
Like recording, pause and rewind features are becoming less common because they’re a drain on energy use - the radio is constantly recording what’s just been broadcast.
Most radios with pause and rewind allow you to go back about 10 or 15 minutes depending on the bit rate of the broadcast. Pure claims the Evoke-3 can be rewound up to 30 minutes.
If you’re interested in a radio with pause and rewind, check our test results for the Pure One Classic, Pure Evoke-3 and Pure Elan II to find the best sounding model.
FM and AM
Most digital radios can also tune in to FM radio. But not all do - something to consider if you take your digital radio to a remote holiday spot where there's no digital signal.
If you already have an FM radio, and you're buying a digital radio for a different room, be aware there's a small time difference between analogue and digital broadcasts – a minor irritation if you have both radios on at the same time.
You may also notice a time difference between two different digital radios playing the same station – this is worth noting if you’re buying a second one for another room.
Intellitext
Intellitext is a feature on some Pure radios like the Pure Siesta and Pure Elan II. It allows you to receive scrolling text information about the broadcast you're listening to. It’s available on several models, not just expensive ones.
When you’re listening to sports broadcasts you’ll get up-to-date information about scores and refereeing decisions. The text can be paused using the ‘textSCAN’ function and stored so you can read the information in your own time.
Intellitext is different from Radio Text, which is the scrolling text that provides information like the title of the song that is playing or the radio show you’re listening to. This kind of scrolling information is available on many digital radios.
Stereo sound
If you want stereo sound, choose a tabletop digital radio with two speakers. The stereo effect on portable digital radios is limited because the speakers are close together. Some mono models will allow you to connect your digital radio to your hi-fi to listen in full stereo glory.
Presets
Digital radios tune in automatically to all the available stations when you first turn them on. There are so many stations available on digital that presets can be a big help. Saving your favourite stations as presets means you can access them quickly.
With ‘Direct access’ presets, all you have to do is press one button for the radio to return the stations you've programmed in making it quick and easy to find your saved stations. They're particularly useful if you’re using the radio by your bedside – you can just feel for the buttons when you’re half asleep.
Some models have presets that you have to use a menu to access - these are less convenient.
