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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This mini radio looks great, sounds good, and even comes with a few extra features, like USB charging and Bluetooth connectivity thrown in. 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? 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 Below, we round up the various options for listening online, and explain how to access thousands of major radio stations worldwide. Smart speakers

Another excellent feature is that the VQ Retro Mini comes with an equaliser, so you can adjust the sound quality to suit your specific needs. There are 5 different EQ settings built-in. Some radios use dedicated rechargeable batteries which will recharge when the radio is plugged into the mains, even while you’re listening to it. They’re also particularly useful for radios with lots of functionality, such as internet radios, where performing a long series of button presses can get clunky. Most non-budget DAB radios are also compatible with DAB Plus, although the UK is well behind the continent in taking up this technology. For radio stations that support it, DAB+ offers improved sound quality.Retro Mini is born in Britain with expert design & engineering at our studios in the Hampshire countryside. Bluetooth is the secret to making a standard DAB radio ‘smarter’, without having to pay more for an internet radio.

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. What’s more, the Retro Mini can achieve volumes that are a lot higher than we expected when we started testing out this device.

Many cars are unfortunately still sold with FM-only radios. If you’re buying a new car, we’d strongly recommend choosing a trim level with DAB radio, or get it fitted as an option. You can also easily add DAB radio to your existing car – see our handy guide on how to get DAB radio in your car. Should I buy an internet radio? Ability to listen to podcasts, audiobooks and music-streaming services such as Spotify (may require subscriptions) without a connected smartphone or tablet. According 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. There are also a few modern features thrown in for good measure, like a USB charging port, so you can keep your phone powered while you’re jamming to your favourite tunes. VQ Retro Mini radio: Features If you and your partner need to get up at different times, look for a model with dual independent alarms, an increasingly common feature. Snooze button

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 VQ Retro Mini stands out as one of the most popular DAB radio options online for people with a love of retro style, and a limited budget. 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. Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to transition most BBC and commercial radio stations to DAB+, with both consumers and the industry generally happy with the audio quality of DAB stations.Additionally, there are some complaints online about many of these models being delivered faulty – which is a huge issue. DAB radios are more than just broadcast devices. To get the most out of yours, consider models with the following useful features: Alarms