Wake up to your favourite shows with the best radio alarm clock. After all, these smart appliances need more love – and we’re convinced that radio alarms will make getting up a little bit brighter in the morning. Especially if you set the alarm to play your favourite music station, you’ll be grooving in your sleep and jiving your way out of bed, ready to start the day. A radio alarm clock is just one of many fantastic radio options on offer.
Perhaps, you’re wondering: what is a radio-controlled alarm clock? It’s both an alarm clock and radio built into the same device. For ease, you can pop it at your bedside, setting “the alarm to alert you at a set time, and instead of making a generic noise, you can wake up to sound,” says Roberts Radio. Luckily for you, the dreaded alarm will 'connect' with your chosen radio station, so – you wake up to music or the news.
Best radio alarm clock at a glance
• Best overall radio alarm clock: Roberts Zen Plus – View Offer at Roberts Radio
• Best radio alarm clock with Bluetooth: Pure Evoke H3 in Oak – View Offer at Argos
• Best radio alarm clock with CD player: Roberts Sound48 in White – View Offer at Amazon UK
• Best radio alarm clock under £50: Roberts Chronologic VI – View Offer at Roberts Radio
Since the lockdowns, radio seems to have made a resurgence for many of us. With nothing new and only repeats to watch on TV, many of us turned to the radio in these times of difficulty. Since its conception, radio has evolved to encapsulate more than the news. With digital DAB radio, you’re offered more stations than ever before, with a reliable signal and no feedback. There are 54 stations broadcasting on national DAB radio, says Digital Radio UK. It’s undoubtedly making radio more accessible for many of us.
Whether you’re looking for a handy rechargeable portable radio to take to parties or something a little simpler, we have many models to consider. For outdoor enthusiasts taking frequent trips into the wilderness, a wind-up radio is a smart option, as it requires no electricity and is powered by you. Plenty of options and features suit every lifestyle, including Bluetooth speaker capabilities, an auxiliary or headphone jack and multiple wavebands to tune into. You’re spoiled for choice… Below, discover the best radio alarm clock the UK offers.
Best radio alarm clocks 2023
Best overall radio alarm clock
www.robertsradio.com
Drift off to the sounds of nature with the Roberts Zen Plus. The preloaded sleep soundscapes and natural wake sounds are designed to help you fall asleep and wake up naturally. With this DAB+ alarm clock, you will be waking up on time, with no problem. It's decked out with Bluetooth, several alarm modes and a USB charging port, so no missing out.
Customer review: "Love the design of the Zen Plus. It is easy to set up a time and date, neat size for bedside, clear face with minimal buttons, great volume and exceptional rich sound. The USB charging is very useful. Bluetooth function is great as it turns Zen Plus into a Bluetooth speaker. Instructions are not intuitive, particularly for setting the alarm and sleep timer. The sleep timer would be easier to use if it was a mode rather than a sub-menu of the settings mode. Sleep sounds are easy to use. Overall, I loved the product and would certainly recommend it to family and friends."
Pros
- Pre-loaded and stress-free sleep sounds
- Has a USB port for charging your phone
- Bluetooth, DAB and FM capabilities
Cons
- The use takes some time to get used to
Best radio alarm clock for seniors
With a large display, this Roberts Ortus 3 is ideal for many of us. It boasts an array of brilliant bedside features: two alarms, any button snooze, a nighttime display and digital radio for crystal-clear sound. It's designed to make waking up that little bit easier. For a personal experience, use the 20 pre-sets and tailor the radio to your sleep style.
Customer review: "This radio is great, it has all the features I want in a clock radio, including a sleep function. I found it easy to set up the stations and the alarms using the manual. The large display is really nice if your vision is a bit blurry first thing in the morning! Although, one of the main reasons I got Roberts was to get a durable product that will last many years. Hopefully, this will be the case, but I can't tell you that yet, as my radio is only 3 months old. If I was nitpicking, when pressing the buttons, they are not super smooth and make a bit of noise. Overall, a great DAB radio for the price though."
Pros
- Jumbo dimmable clock display
- Two alarm timers and any button snooze
- USB smartphone charging
Cons
- No Bluetooth capabilities
- Some customers reported tricky buttons
Best radio alarm clock with Bluetooth
www.argos.co.uk
Next, we have the Pure Evoke H3 in Oak, which is feature-packed and comes with an impressive sound that is small enough to fit nicely everywhere. For easy streaming, the H3 is a great option. Not only is it user-friendly, but has a durable, brilliant sound thanks to its high-quality wooden construction and the most recent speaker technology.
Customer review: "This replaces a very old radio to use in my kitchen. It doesn't take up much space and looks good. The sound is excellent and love the display giving information when in radio mode ie:- station tuned to, programme on, music being played and contact info for the programme (telephone, text or email). It's fabulous!"
Pros
- Real wood casing means natural-sounding audio
- Connects to Bluetooth and has a headphone jack
- Comes with dual alarms and timers for your day
Cons
- It doesn't come with a rechargeable power unit
Retro radio alarm clock
www.johnlewis.com
Or, why not choose the acoustically-dreamy Roberts Revival iStream? Choose between Sunburst Yellow, Black, Duck Egg, Midnight Blue, Pastel Cream, Dusky Pink, Berry Reed, Teal Blue or Charcoal Grey. This device brings radio flying full force into the modern age, with DAB and internet stations, streaming from Spotify and Bluetooth connectivity.
Customer review: "I suppose it's a smart speaker that looks like a retro radio. Its also a DAB radio and traditional FM radio. It can stream podcasts as well as a link to your phone or play from USB devices. It does all manner of things!
It has great tone and is a handsome thing."
Pros
- Attractive, colourful 1950s styling
- Excellent DAB and internet sound
- Huge range of listening options
Cons
- Doesn't come with batteries and doesn't have the longest battery life
Best radio alarm clock with wireless charging
www.robertsradio.com
The Roberts Ortus DAB Charge is the bedside clock radio with it all. With a built-in wireless phone charger, DAB/DAB+/FM radio and Bluetooth connectivity, this piece of kit has your morning and night routine covered. Enjoy smart features such as 20 station presets, dual alarms with a snooze function and an adjustable display dimmer.
Customer review: "I set up my Ortus Charge with a bit of fear and trepidation having read a number of negative reviews. How wrong they are. I am 79 and had no problem with any of the settings and very pleased with both the DAB reception and the sound quality. The only thing I have not been able to do is delete a preset station which I have duplicated by mistake. I would add that even though the courier had slightly dented the radio box the excellent interior packing meant that the radio was not affected. There are so many great features - I like the alarm settings options especially the gradual increase in volume-no longer being woken up with a start."
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Wireless charging with Qi-certified smartphones
- Dual alarms and snooze function
Cons
- May not support your smartphone
Best radio alarm clock with CD player
Enjoy crystal-clear audio with Roberts Sound48 in White. It boasts Bluetooth listening, an intuitive CD player and a quad alarm for versatile waking up. It has Sleep and Snooze timers for an extra few minutes in bed, reliable and safe. Plus, the Sound48 has an aux port, an impressive 40 pre-sets for favourite stations and USB smartphone charging.
Customer review: "This compact clock radio has all the radio features that one could ever wish for, coupled with a high standard CD table and a clock with an alarm. From my perspective as a new owner in the twilight of his years, the instructions could not have been more clear for all of its many functions. I am delighted with this product and would certainly recommend it to all those with limited space but wanting an excellent clock radio whose sound quality is as good as my main set downstairs."
Pros
- Multiple alarm functions including a CD player
- Enjoy smart listening with Bluetooth and aux
- Store your stations with 40 handy presets
Cons
- Not a portable radio alarm clock
- May not be user-friendly for all settings
Best wake-up light radio alarm clock
Having a bedside light, radio and clock in one is incredibly useful for saving space on your bedside table, and the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 750DAB will ensure you have the calmest wake-ups and bedtimes. Lumie is the light therapy specialist and you can help to beat SAD and treat the winter blues. It has Bluetooth speakers, DAB and alarm settings.
Customer review: "I am using the product for nearly two years, bought it when I realised that I have SAD, and helped a lot with waking up early morning refreshed. It is an expensive item, but it is worth it for my health. I can recommend it as a life changer. Setting it was a bit tricky, but I easily got the hang of it. I could feel whenever I left my phone charging overnight in another room I rested better and woke up gently with birds chirping ( it is my favourite setting, there are plenty of other options), with a sunrise leading to a nice start for a busy day."
Pros
- Light, radio, clock, and alarm in one
- Good-quality sound
- Customisable functions
Cons
- Some found the setup instructions a little tricky
Budget radio alarm clock
www.argos.co.uk
Or, consider the Bush Portable in Black, boasting clear audio from your favourite stations. A DAB model automatically finds available stations - less faff and more listening. Rise and shine! There is a built-in alarm with a sleep timer function. With this model, you have full control over your listening with pre-sets and easy-to-use channel flicking.
Customer review: "This little radio is great value and has good sound reception."
Pros
- Intuitive alarm with sleep timer function
- 20 pre-set spaces for favourite stations
- DAB and FM for versatile listening
Cons
- No additional features like Bluetooth or smartphone charging
- Some customers found the pre-set feature tricky to use
Best radio alarm clock under £50
www.robertsradio.com
Last, we have the Roberts Chronologic VI, which comes highly reviewed. An old reliable, it comes with FM and AM wavebands for versatile listening. Why not go back to basics? It has a reliable alarm and snooze button to help you wake up on time - with backup battery power, auto dimmer and a large LED time display for accessibility.
Customer review: "It's healthy to go back to basics and unplug! I used to use my iPhone and iPad as alarm clocks but got into the habit of browsing in bed, which delayed getting to sleep. So I bought an analogue clock radio to avoid this. Now my smart devices are put in a bedroom cupboard and I get ready for bed and wake up to calming Classic FM instead. What an amazing difference! I sleep and feel much better. This clock radio is of great quality for the price. I love its soft amber display that dims automatically when you turn off the lights. If you want to unplug and unwind and if you sleep more peacefully in a dark room, you'll love it!"
Pros
- Alarm and snooze button
- Back-up battery power
- Large LED time display
Cons
- Basic with no DAB stations
Verdict: Which is the best radio alarm clock?
For a restful night's sleep and reliable wake-up, we love the compact Roberts Zen Plus. With preloaded sleep soundscapes and natural wake sounds, this radio alarm clock has been designed to help you fall asleep and wake up naturally. It's a DAB+ radio and has Bluetooth and a USB charging port.
FAQs
How do I choose the best radio alarm clock?
Nowadays, there are plenty of places to listen to your favourite smooth voices and tunes. With the help of Deputy Digital Editor Stephanie Antony, we’ve put together a brief list for your consideration.
Additional features – come first. Arguably, the most important, since you’re looking for a radio that will wake you up from your peaceful slumber daily. Some models come with a dual alarm, with plenty of options, alarms and settings.
User experience – is how easy it is to use… As you’ll be setting the alarm daily or weekly, ensuring ease of use is paramount. After all, you don’t want to be fiddling about with buttons each time. A straightforward process is preferred. We’ve listed some user-friendly options if you require this.
Audio quality – may be different across radio alarm clocks, especially since the introduction of DAB radios. Generally, DAB radios will have a better sound. You don’t want to wake up to any distortions. With any luck, the sound is clear enough to hear and get you up.
Design – is down to your personal preferences. There are plenty of sleek and modern radio alarm clocks on the market. However, many companies are going back to basics and reproducing the retro look, which we know and love. Above all, make sure it doesn’t take up too much room on your bedside table.
Future-proof – your radio. After all, FM and AM won’t be around forever. Gradually, DAB will take over and you don’t want to be left in the dark. We recommend getting a radio alarm clock with multiple wavebands for versatile listening, just so you’re covered.
Still a little lost? Stephanie has written an in-depth guide on how to choose a radio, with sound advice.
What is DAB/DAB+ radio?
DAB is a digitally transmitted sound. In the near future, radios that use traditional radio waves (FM) will be phased out in favour of DAB radio – as the DAB range is wider and the sound quality is arguably better. With time, you won’t be trying to find the exact wavelength of a show, it’ll be automatic.
Use the Postcode Checker to see what you can listen to, locally.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Yours, an all-rounder who will write on anything from décor to wellness. When not scouring the net for the best home bargains, Piper is listening to a musical soundtrack and tending to her houseplants.