7 best DAB radios for kitchen discos and garden parties

If there was an award for “most perfectly radio-looking radio”, the Ruark R1 MK4 would win. Actually, we’ve just decided to create that award: congratulations, Ruark!

The R1 MK4 is the fourth iteration of a famous model, and the best of the bunch. The gorgeous, hand-crafted wood grille neatly hides a heap of features and a sophisticated soundstage that has no right to be in such a compact box. It’s not just DAB, either, with a Bluetooth receiver letting you besmirch the audio technology with your choice of embarrassing Spotify playlists.

The Roberts Revival series of radios is perhaps the best you can get. It hits the sweet spot between modern audio technology and retro styling, perfectly shown by the istream 3.

Don’t let the attractive 1960s design fool you – the istream 3 has all the mod cons you could shake a digital stick at, from DAB and internet radio to Spotify and USB connectivity. All this is a bonus, though, as it’s the sound quality that’s the primary takeaway – it’s among the cleanest, most-balanced performances on the market for this price.

Beauty is much more than skin deep. Granted, the Sony XDR-S4ID won’t be to everyone’s modern-sleek-chrome-no-buttons-all-curves tastes, but this little powerhouse scans for your favourite channels, offering five presets. (A word of warning: these will disappear if you’re using batteries and they run out.)

It’s easy to take with you, the sound is capable without pulling up any trees, and the LED screen is very early years of DAB. Not much to dislike, a load to enjoy.

Let’s face it, the British winter can feel a little on the long side (and this is from a dyed-in-the-wool winter apologist). The short days and dark mornings can begin to weigh on our mood, which is why the concept of the light alarm clock is such a winner.

The bodyclock luxe 750DAB is at the top of the tree when it comes to starting your winter mornings on the right foot – its gradual, natural daylight-mimicking tech helps you to wake up in a gentle, energised fashion, with 20 sounds that can accompany your own little sunrise. If you fancy a radio wake-up call, the bodyclock luxe also has Bluetooth, DAB and USB connectivity, with a more-than-handy audio setup.

Loewe has made it clear what its Klang range is all about. German for “sound”, the klang S1 packs plenty of the stuff into its sleek silhouette, combining DAB/DAB+/FM/internet radio tuning with integrated streaming and crystal-clear speaker setup.

The S1 is among the most design-forward radios on the list, the aluminium housing coming in basalt and light grey, and the compact frame taking up very little room. It’s a classic minimalist German design that would look at home just about anywhere and make you feel slightly better about the conspicuous pile of washing hiding in the kitchen.

Configuring and programming the S1 is straightforward via the set’s impressively large top display, the remote control or the partner Loewe radio app. With up to 25,000 stations available, we suggest the app.

The Roberts Revival range does it again with the petite. The name is apt: it’s a tiny radio that fits pretty neatly in hand, but still manages to give off a premium air. The Roberts retro design approach comes into its own here, creating a DAB pocket rocket (10 DAB and 10 FM presets) that offers a clear screen, big tuning knob and amp-style speaker grille.

The petite also connects to your favourite streaming services via Bluetooth, and has a 12-hour wireless battery life, meaning you can take your old-school looks with you wherever you go.

It feels a little unfair to the rest of the list to class the Ruark R3 as a DAB radio. Its smart-radio tuner offers internet radio, DAB, DAB+ and FM, with access to stations and podcasts worldwide, including a raft of on-demand services.

However, the R3 offers much more than Greg James (although we’d be happy enough with that). It’s a fantastic all-in-one music streaming and CD system that produces sound much richer and louder than its size would suggest. It’s also a beautiful piece of tech art that would elevate any room. If you’re looking for a centrepiece audio player, and have the cash to spare, the R3 is the way to go.