Portable radios are a favorite for the outdoors. You can tune in to your favorite stations and catch on news, talk shows, and even current gossip anywhere. Their compact and lightweight design allows for easy carriage if you are traveling light.
A quality radio broadcast comes with the type of radio you pick. Because of varying models and styles, it can be difficult to narrow down the choices. But that’s what we do.
Whether you want to keep it traditional or looking for something more than AM/FM radio, we’ve got you covered.
These three radios will give you the best bang for your buck.
Sony ICF-P26 Portable AM/FM Radio (Best Small Travel Radio)
- Built-in speaker and headphone jack
- Telescoping antenna
- Carrying strap for added convenience
- Battery powered; 2 x AA (sold separately)
- LED tuning indicator & LED battery status indicator
Our best travel radio option is Sony ICF-P26. It is pretty small; just a few cm longer than a deck of cards. Coming from Sony, this radio is not a fancy-looking product with no functionality. It sticks to the basics which makes it ideal for travel.
Build Quality and Functionality
We like the overall look and feel of the Sony ICF-P26. This radio has a glossy black plastic finish on the upper part of the cabinet. The speaker section below it has a matte-black grille. It gives you great sound whether you are in a cramped space or out enjoying a picnic.
At the top and bottom of this radio is a matte black finish. The radio does not pick up fingerprints on the matte parts. But the glossy plastic will need wipe downs now and then. It may also scratch easily so it’s best to store it with soft items instead of keys or tools that may scratch it.
You get a smooth tuning wheel and an ON/OFF switch on the right side of the radio. The switch also acts as the band selector between FM and AM.
On the left side, Sony does not disappoint with the wide volume wheel. It feels nice in the hand. You can easily turn the volume up and down without any hassle. And, you can listen using a pair of headphones thanks to the included 3.5mm headphone jack.
You will like the stability of this radio. It comes with a flat case base that bears a seating rail. The rail goes all around the base making it hard to tip over when you brush over it.
Tuning and Battery
Sony ICFP26 comes with a red LED indicator for the tuning. It also includes a green LED for the battery level. The green light will dim when it’s time to change the battery. The battery compartment is hinged.
It’s a thoughtful feature since you are less likely to lose the battery door when changing batteries.
For better tuning and coverage, Sony has included a strong telescoping antenna. It stows at the back of the radio. The antenna is a bit stiff. It should hold up to years of swiveling up and down.
Pros
· Long and durable hand strap
· Energy efficient (100 hours on 2xAA batteries)
· Delivers clear mono audio to left and right earpieces
· Hinged battery door
Cons
· Left-side jack makes it hard to listen when the radio is in the pocket
C Crane CC Skywave Handheld Radio – Best Airband Handheld Travel Radio
C Crane CC Skywave is one of the most sought travel radios on the market. It covers more than just the basics. As you will see, it is a little bigger and has more functions than the Sony ICF-P26. This also means you will pay a bit more for this model.
Build Quality and Functionality
C Crane CC Skywave has an all-plastic frame. Only the buttons and band-border are glossy. The rest is all matte meaning it will not pick up dust. The ON/OFF switch is a red button on the front of the radio. Just below it is the AM/FM button.
This radio features Shortwave, NOAA Weather, and Air Band. To access the bands, just press the WX/SW/Air button on the bottom part of the radio. The volume wheel is on the right side. You get two scan buttons that help you tune in without toggling through stations one at a time.
With the keypad, you can easily input a band frequency.
We like the inclusion if the Air Band. It is a great source of entertainment. You can listen in on pilots and air controllers just for fun. Or get some valuable information like airline schedule changes.
C Crane CC Skywave comes with a clock, alarm, bandwidth filters, weather alert, and a sleep timer. Not to mention the lock button which disables all the other buttons. It is a nice feature for travel.
You will get a pair of earbuds and a carry case with this radio. It also comes with a wrist strap adding to the travel convenience. What’s more, there’s a fold-out back stand to stabilize it on flat surfaces.
Tuning and Battery
This radio has 400 memory presets. It is easy to save a channel using the keypad. Next time you want to listen, you won’t need to tune in. Just input the number where you have saved the channel and the radio will retrieve that channel.
The radio uses two AA batteries. It can also use rechargeable AA batteries or an AC adapter. It gives you up to 70 hours of battery life on AAs. Compared to the Sony ICF-P26, it is a decent time since it has more functions to offer.
Pros
· Easy to grip plastic frame
· Tactile responsive buttons
· Lock key function
· Easy memory feature for up to 400 presets
Cons
· Does not provide for dual UTC/Local time
· Lacks an external antenna
Xeneo X21 Outdoor Wireless Speaker– Best Bluetooth Speaker with FM Radio
Do you want to bring music and still listen to radio shows? A Bluetooth speaker with FM radio is a nice convenience on the go. The Xeneo X21 is an outdoor wireless speaker that offers both possibilities.
Build Quality and Functionality
This speaker comes in a hard-shell case. The cylindrical shape is barely the size of a soda can. It is easy to store in tight backpack pockets. There’s a lanyard strap on the side and a belt clip if you don’t like using the lanyard.
The Xeneo X21 speaker is IPX6 water-resistant. It means it can take on a few splashes and the interior components won’t get damaged. You can listen to music in the shower or even out in the rain.
This speaker has a digital signal processor and 12W power drivers. It is omnidirectional such that the bass can come from either the bottom or the top. The stereo sound is just astonishing. It has clear mids and enhanced highs that make for superior sound.
Its support for TWS (True Wireless Stereo) technology is the best thing about Xeneo X21. You can connect two Xeneo speakers without an app. TWS gives you full right and left channel stereo for better sound.
Battery and Tuning
The Xeneo speaker connects to your Android or iPhone as soon as you turn on Bluetooth. The process is very straightforward. To connect to FM radio, just press on the FM tuner. Then, press on the play button for a few seconds. The speaker will automatically scan the available channels.
If you don’t have a phone, you can connect to this speaker using an AUX cable included in the package. It also has an SD card port which enables you to listen to MP3s.
The Xeneo X21 uses one rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. It can run for approximately 24 hours. The battery life is shown on the connected phone’s screen. This way, you will always know the juice level.
Pro
· IPX6 water-resistant
· Supports TWS technology
· Offers hands-free call functionality
· Powerful bass with only one speaker
Cons
· Sound is drowned when it’s around water
Conclusion: Which Travel Radio is Best?
Radios are still ubiquitous when it comes to travel. Whether it’s a small palm-sized model or a multifunctional radio, there’s a brand for you. The best travel radio meets your needs in terms of space and functionality.
Like the Xeneo X21; it is a model designed for those who want more than just radio. It is small enough to fit on a bicycle’s water bottle stand. For weather updates and alerts while listening in on air traffic controllers, the C Crane CC Skywave is a great choice.
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