The Best Bluetooth Radio

We describe a Bluetooth radio as a combination of two common household devices: a Bluetooth Speaker and a Radio System. The radio as we know it has unfortunately become an obsolete appliance in our homes as other technologies have taken over; however, it is still commonly used in our vehicles. It is known for its primary purpose: connecting to AM or FM frequencies to wirelessly stream content in real-time by interpreting a radio station’s satellite dish through the receiver antenna on your radio, to the speakers, and finally to your ears. 

As the years went by, radio systems became more complex. They began to offer additional features such as a built-in CD player, cassette tape deck, auxiliary input(s), onboard equalization controls, and much more. A Bluetooth radio is essentially a radio as described above – with either one or more of the aforementioned additional functions – is capable of wirelessly connecting to a device via Bluetooth. Or, you can think of it as a Bluetooth speaker that can access AM or FM radio waves.

Best Overall

Audio geniuses, Bose, have seriously impressed us with their lightweight, compact, versatile, and user-friendly Wave Music System IV, which packs serious sound and features into a small, sleek-looking housing. While it may not be the cheapest on our list, it most certainly is worth every cent and will prove to provide endless hours of entertainment no matter your preferred choice of listenable media or the genre of music you enjoy.

Best Budget-Friendly Option

Available at a highly affordable price and capable of basic functions, the Victrola Retro Wood Bluetooth AM/FM Radio is a great choice for those on a limited budget and those looking for a simple device without too many extra features. Victrola’s Bluetooth Radio can connect to a Bluetooth-capable device and access local AM or FM radio frequencies. The radio is compact, and its vintage aesthetic suits any environment you put it in.

Best High-End Radio

While its price point may be out of some users’ budget, the Revo SuperCD Bluetooth Radio provides the user with everything you could need plus more. Capable of playing CDs at outstanding quality or connecting to your other devices via Bluetooth or Spotify direct, as well as local AM/FM radio and online radio access, means you have the world of listenable media at your fingertips. Great sounding and powerful speakers provide immersive sound and are a versatile playback system.

Best Vintage Radio

A beautiful vintage-looking Bluetooth radio with a set of additional features such as AM/FM connectivity, USB or 3.5mm Auxiliary Input Cable. This unit’s sound quality is incredibly powerful and full-bodied for such a small device and can guarantee countless enjoyable listening hours. This unit is suitable for use in one’s bedroom, office, kitchen, or living space, and its modern features crossed with a vintage professional feel make it a fashionable choice. The Fuse Vintage Retro Bluetooth AM/FM Radio radio is available at a great price for its features and will prove to be a versatile unit.

Best Radio for Jobsites

Power tool manufacturers Porter-Cable have successfully produced a highly versatile, durable, and powerful Bluetooth radio with various connection options available. The Porter-Cable PCC71B Bluetooth AM/FM Radio is suited to perform on job sites and effectively operates on long-lasting battery life. It is available at a competitive price, and a reassuring warranty is included with the purchase.

AM/FM or DAB Radio

The difference between these two radio types are as follows: A DAB radio is a modern-style, Bluetooth radio device, while an AM/FM radio is a classic-style radio system that operates only on AM or FM frequency channels. The choice is entirely up to you regarding which you prefer or would suit your needs better; however, I am always in favor of versatility and additional options – so having a radio that can play Bluetooth audio as well as connect to AM and FM signals would be ideal.

This specification is another choice and preference-based factor, as it ultimately depends on what you plan on listening to. My general rule of thumb is: If you can have all the options or as many as possible for a reasonable price, then go for it. Rather have the choice to switch over to AM/FM station feeds if you need to connect to a commercial station if you can. However, one can often connect to radio station frequencies from your cell phone, laptop or computer, or television in today’s world. You can then connect to your Bluetooth radio to stream the media wirelessly.

Is it Important to Have Both AM and FM?

This ultimately comes down to personal preference: If you know exactly which station(s) you plan on engaging with while using your Bluetooth radio system, then you can choose a device capable of reaching said station frequencies. If you are unsure or perhaps seek a bit of variety and choice, I would recommend getting an AM/FM radio to provide full access to all local radio station frequencies.

Our Top 10 Best Bluetooth Radios

Modern Radios

Vintage Radios

Jobsite Radios

Buyers Guide

Style

Like pretty much any piece of technology, Bluetooth radios are available in a wide array of styles. This aspect is very important to consider. Ideally, you would want a product that suits your audio-relative needs and aligns practically with your intended use, and compliments the living space it will be situated within. 

Bluetooth radios come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, and many models are available in several color schemes and sometimes even different size options. If you plan on taking your Bluetooth radio to the beach, for example, you’d want a more portable and battery-powered, or rechargeable system. If you plan on using it in your bedroom, a power-fixed and durable option may be better suited for you. You can then decide whether you’d prefer a more vintage-looking option or something more on the modern and slick side of the spectrum.

Casing Material and Design

The enclosure material and design are other important factors to consider, as different materials provide varying levels of protection from the elements and general wear and tear. This ultimately depends on how and where you plan on using your Bluetooth radio setup.

Additional Features

Many Bluetooth radios come fitted with various additional features, which can come in handy if needed and used correctly. Such features include time-sleep control, remote control capability, battery life (if applicable), and a built-in alarm clock, for example.

Audio Quality

It goes without saying that when purchasing an audio device of any kind, the most critical aspect of all is, of course, the audio quality itself. Be sure to assess the technical specifications and, if possible, go and demo the system you’re interested in to see if the sound quality is up to your standard and compliments the style of music you primarily listen to. 

Bear in mind, however, that testing out a model in a store may not be entirely accurate due to the acoustic properties of the store, the surface the speaker is resting on, the volume at which it is played, and other factors. The speaker may sound better or worse in store, so it wouldn’t hurt to read up on some acoustics fundamentals to understand this. It will also help you tremendously when finding the perfect position to house your newly acquired Bluetooth radio system.

Bass Output

The low-end power is yet another significant feature to consider. Even if the music you listen to doesn’t require a bass-heavy response, a poor low-frequency representation can very easily allow all music or media to appear ‘thin’ and ‘weak’ sounding. Again, this can be influenced by acoustic factors, so be sure to study this when setting up and purchasing your Bluetooth radio. You can also acquire a basic idea of how the bass response is on a speaker by assessing the materials and size of the speaker driver’s construction. 

A dedicated woofer or subwoofer will succeed in producing more than enough low-end. Additionally, a full-range full-response driver that produces the entire frequency spectrum can also do either a great job or a poor one. Harder materials used for speaker cone construction, such as ceramic, will produce a tighter, fuller, warmer, and all-round better bass response. Lastly, the larger the driver, the better it reproduces low-frequency content.

Power Output

This specification refers to the device’s power rating and is relatively simple to understand: the greater the power, the louder the system performs. This does not apply to all audio equipment, but it is common in the case of radios. 

Frequency Response

We describe the frequency response of an audio device as its ability to effectively and accurately represent the frequencies sent through the system. In other words, a comparison between the input signal’s characteristics vs. the output signal’s final result. We need to understand this: humans can interpret sounds between 20Hz and 20kHz. 

A frequency response covering this entire spectrum or more is considered good. Next, we want as few deviations in the forms of dips or curves in the frequency range, such as poor treble clarity, too much bass, etc. We call an ideal frequency response a flat frequency response, which means the signal that comes out of the device should sound according to the input signal.

Signal to Noise Ratio

The signal-to-noise ratio of an audio system refers to the amount of noise the system itself produces. This noise is considered unwanted and can be in the form of a hum, buzz, or sizzle-like sound. As you turn up the system’s volume, you will notice this noise increases in volume. It is more audible when there is no audio running through the device, so the signal-to-noise ratio is a figure that represents how loud this signal is while your media is currently playing.

Impedance

Impedance refers to the resistance introduced into an audio system’s circuit. In the case of a speaker, this relates to how difficult it is to power. Impedance is represented in Ohms, and it is essential to remember that the lower the impedance, the easier it is to control. When using wireless streaming technology, impedance should not be a concern. Suppose you use external devices such as power amplifiers or specific signal processors. In that case, you need to be sure to match impedances accordingly to achieve the most out of your speaker system.

Dimensions

For more practical purposes, we need to evaluate the actual dimensions of the speaker itself, especially when purchasing online without seeing the item first-hand before buying. Nobody wants to find out the hard way that their new Bluetooth radio won’t fit as comfortably on your TV cabinet as you’d hoped for.

Connectivity Options

Another critical technical specification to take a look at before purchasing your new Bluetooth radio. While this essentially depends on how you intend to use your Bluetooth radio and connect to it. It couldn’t hurt to have one or more extra options if you purchase other devices (such as televisions or computers) that are no longer cable-compatible with your Bluetooth radio. These connections can include Universal Serial Bus (USB), RCA (Red and White audio cable), Aux (1/8 inch Minijack), or other common audio connection types.

Playtime

As we all know, there’s nothing more disappointing than running out of battery life on one of your trusted devices. Make a point of checking the battery life or playtime specification on the device to ensure a low risk of disappointment when your favorite track suddenly cuts off in the middle of your beach chill session with your buddies. It is also important to remember that we can take additional care of the batteries on our devices, such as a healthy ratio of flat charging/ full charging and partial charging.

Bluetooth Range

When looking at any wireless device, the range in which it can operate is critical to consider. Most Bluetooth devices can function on a reasonable range for most applications. Just be sure to take note of your Bluetooth radio’s wireless range and take care not to exceed the zone, or you may experience signal drops and other unwanted effects.

Bit Depth

This specification, in short, describes the dynamic range processing power of an audio device. A larger bit depth means a greater dynamic range. Dynamic range refers to the volume range of an audio device, i.e., the difference between the quiet and loud parts. A small dynamic range will make a song appear the same volume throughout, while a large dynamic range will effectively represent the music as intended, such as with quiet and loud sections.

Sample Rate

The sample rate of an audio device refers to the device’s sampling resolution. This specification can take a while to understand fully. All that matters for now is to note that a higher sample rate means a greater definition of the media. Typically, music is processed at a sample rate of 44.1kHz.

Brand

Some manufacturers are known and praised for their work in specific fields, like Bluetooth radio in this case, while others are crossing into unfamiliar territory when releasing such a device. Purchasing your Bluetooth radio from a reputable and trustworthy brand will guarantee satisfaction. However, there is no harm in researching lesser-known manufacturers and seeing what others think of their releases – you might just stumble across a very well-priced and satisfactory product in the process!

Warranty

Since we are dealing with electronic equipment, we can expect some inconveniences, even if the radio is taken care of beautifully. A fair warranty plan is always a good option to go for as it can save you plenty of time, stress, and money should anything go wrong with your new Bluetooth radio system.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve scanned the internet for some commonly asked questions that we feel may be relevant to this article, as well as some things that popped into our minds while researching the abovementioned Bluetooth radio products.