The best portable DAB radios for power cuts
Portable DAB radios that run on batteries in a power cut.
Updated October 2, 2026
A DAB radio for a power cut needs to run without the mains. Most radios on this list take AA or C cells you can swap in the dark. The rest run on a built-in rechargeable battery. Think about which of the two suits your cupboard.
Battery life is a maker's claim and the figures here run from about 6 hours to 80 hours. Weight matters if the radio moves between rooms or goes in a bag. Bluetooth, a headphone socket and an alarm are the extras to weigh up.
The shortlist, ranked
How the score works- 1
Wooden-cabinet Revival DAB+ and FM radio with Bluetooth and a carry handle.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA (LR6)
- Presets: 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM)
- Bluetooth: Yes
Why it is here: TechRadar ranks it number one as best DAB radio for most people.
- 2
Retro portable DAB and FM radio that Roberts rates for up to 80 hours on four C cells.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM (per robertsradio.com)
- Battery type: 4 x C (LR14) alkaline, or rechargeable C cells charged in the radio
- Battery life: 80 hours
- Presets: Unlimited (Roberts)
Why it is here: Roberts claims up to 80 hours from four C cells.
- 3
Portable DAB+ and FM radio with Bluetooth and a carry handle rated for up to 15 hours.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA (not included)
- Battery life: 15 hours
- Presets: 80 (40 DAB + 40 FM) per Dec 2025 manual; website spec table says 20
Why it is here: Up to 15 hours from four AA cells according to Majority.
- 4
IP68 DAB+ and FM radio and Bluetooth speaker rated for up to 12 hours per charge.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: Built-in Li-ion 9.0 Wh
- Battery life: 12 hours
- Presets: 6 direct preset buttons
Why it is here: IP68 rating covers water and dust for outdoor use.
- 5
Pocket DAB+ and FM radio with a clip and a built-in battery that weighs 59 g.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: Built-in Li-ion 3.7 V 1000 mAh
- Battery life: 10-12
- Presets: 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM)
Why it is here: Weighs 59 g and clips to a pocket or bag strap.
- 6
Compact fabric-covered DAB+ and FM radio that runs on four AA cells or USB-C power.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA (UM3/LR6)
- Presets: 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM)
- Bluetooth: No
Why it is here: Four AA cells keep it going when the mains is off.
- 7
DAB+ and FM radio with Bluetooth 5.0 and a kitchen timer on mains or four C cells.
- Bands: DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x C (LR14)
- Presets: 20
- Bluetooth: 5.0
Why it is here: AC adapter is supplied and four C cells take over in a power cut.
- 8
Kitchen DAB+ and FM radio with IPX4 splash protection and a USB port to charge a phone.
- Bands: DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x C (LR14/R14), not included
- Battery life: 24 hours
- Presets: 20 (10 DAB+ + 10 FM), 10 direct buttons
Why it is here: Four C cells give about 24 hours with alkaline according to Panasonic.
- 9
Palm-sized DAB+ and FM radio with a built-in battery rated for up to 20 hours.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: Built-in rechargeable Li-ion 3.63 V 2600 mAh (9.438 Wh)
- Battery life: 20 hours
- Presets: 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM)
Why it is here: Rated for up to 20 hours on the built-in battery.
- 10
Compact Revival DAB+ and FM radio rated for up to 25 hours on four AA cells.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA / LR6 (not included)
- Battery life: 25 hours
- Bluetooth: Yes
Why it is here: Up to 25 hours on alkaline AA cells is among the longer runtimes here.
- 11
Rechargeable DAB+ and FM radio with stereo speakers and a colour display in an eco build.
- Bands: DAB+, FM
- Battery type: Integrated rechargeable lithium 2,000 mAh
- Battery life: 6-7
- Presets: 30
Why it is here: Two 2.5 W speakers with a passive radiator play in stereo.
- 12
IP67 outdoor DAB+ and FM radio and Bluetooth speaker with a 4000 mAh battery.
- Bands: DAB+, FM
- Battery type: Built-in 4000 mAh (3.7 V, 14.8 Wh)
- Battery life: 14 hours
- Presets: 6 (3 buttons, each 1 DAB+ + 1 FM)
Why it is here: IP67 rating covers dust and water for use outdoors.
- 13
Compact DAB+ and FM radio with a dual alarm that runs on mains or four AA cells.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA
- Battery life: 15 hours
- Presets: 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM)
Why it is here: Power adaptor is included and four AA cells cover a power cut.
- 14
Rechargeable DAB and FM radio with Bluetooth and stereo speakers plus 40 presets.
- Bands: DAB, FM (DAB+ not stated)
- Battery type: Built-in rechargeable battery (Micro USB charging)
- Battery life: 7.5 hours
- Presets: 40 (20 DAB + 20 FM)
Why it is here: Forty presets give room for 20 DAB and 20 FM stations.
- 15
Light DAB+ and FM radio with Bluetooth 5.0 and 80 presets on mains or four AA cells.
- Bands: DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA (UM-3), not included
- Presets: 80 (40 DAB + 40 FM)
- Bluetooth: 5.0
Why it is here: Eighty presets leave room for 40 DAB and 40 FM stations.
- 16
Retro DAB+ and FM radio with Bluetooth that charges NiMH AA cells inside the radio.
- Bands: DAB, DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable (charged in the radio), not included
- Battery life: 8-10 (alkaline)
- Presets: 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM)
Why it is here: Rechargeable NiMH AA cells charge inside the radio with the supplied mains adaptor.
- 17
Light DAB+ and FM radio with Bluetooth 5.1 that runs on four AA cells or USB power.
- Bands: DAB+, FM
- Battery type: 4 x AA (not included)
- Presets: 10 (5 DAB+ + 5 FM)
- Bluetooth: 5.1
Why it is here: Four AA cells or USB power give two ways to keep it running.
- 18
Pocket DAB+ and FM radio on two AA cells with supplied earphones and a lock switch.
- Bands: DAB+, FM (RDS)
- Battery type: 2 x AA (LR6)
- Presets: 10 (5 DAB+ + 5 FM)
- Weight: 63.5 g (2.2 oz)
Why it is here: Two AA cells are easy to swap when the power is off.
Head-to-head comparisons
All dab radios side by side
Specs from the makers. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Model | Score | Bands | Battery type | Battery lifemaker's claim | Presets | Bluetooth | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roberts Revival RD70 | 9.0 | DAB, DAB+, FM | 4 x AA (LR6) | - | 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM) | Yes | 1710 g (60.3 oz) |
| Roberts Vintage Radio | 8.9 | DAB, DAB+, FM (per robertsradio.com) | 4 x C (LR14) alkaline, or rechargeable C cells charged in the radio | 80 hours | Unlimited (Roberts) | No | 900 g (31.7 oz) |
| Majority Little Shelford | 8.9 | DAB, DAB+, FM | 4 x AA (not included) | 15 hours | 80 (40 DAB + 40 FM) per Dec 2025 manual; website spec table says 20 | 5.4 (manual); website lists 5.0 | 762 g (26.9 oz) |
| JBL Tuner 3 | 8.7 | DAB, DAB+, FM | Built-in Li-ion 9.0 Wh | 12 hours | 6 direct preset buttons | 5.3 (Auracast) | 500 g (17.6 oz) |
| Majority Petersfield Go | 8.7 | DAB, DAB+, FM | Built-in Li-ion 3.7 V 1000 mAh | 10-12 | 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM) | - | 59 g (2.1 oz) |
| Roberts Play 11 | 8.6 | DAB, DAB+, FM | 4 x AA (UM3/LR6) | - | 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM) | No | 360 g (12.7 oz) |
| Philips TAR5505 | 8.4 | DAB+, FM | 4 x C (LR14) | - | 20 | 5.0 | 860 g (30.3 oz) |
| Panasonic RF-D30BT | 8.2 | DAB+, FM | 4 x C (LR14/R14), not included | 24 hours | 20 (10 DAB+ + 10 FM), 10 direct buttons | 4.2 | 1100 g (38.8 oz) |
| Roberts Revival Petite 2 | 8.1 | DAB, DAB+, FM | Built-in rechargeable Li-ion 3.63 V 2600 mAh (9.438 Wh) | 20 hours | 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM) | Yes | 430 g (15.2 oz) |
| Roberts Revival Uno BT | 8.1 | DAB, DAB+, FM | 4 x AA / LR6 (not included) | 25 hours | - | Yes | 1000 g (35.3 oz) |
| Lenco PDR-046GY | 8.1 | DAB+, FM | Integrated rechargeable lithium 2,000 mAh | 6-7 | 30 | 5.0 | - |
| Pure Woodland | 7.8 | DAB+, FM | Built-in 4000 mAh (3.7 V, 14.8 Wh) | 14 hours | 6 (3 buttons, each 1 DAB+ + 1 FM) | 5.1 | 900 g (31.7 oz) |
| Majority Histon | 7.6 | DAB, DAB+, FM | 4 x AA | 15 hours | 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM) | No | 250 g (8.8 oz) |
| Groov-e Vienna | 7.6 | DAB, FM (DAB+ not stated) | Built-in rechargeable battery (Micro USB charging) | 7.5 hours | 40 (20 DAB + 20 FM) | Yes | 382 g (13.5 oz) |
| Azatom Desire X2 | 7.6 | DAB+, FM | 4 x AA (UM-3), not included | - | 80 (40 DAB + 40 FM) | 5.0 | 290 g (10.2 oz) |
| Roberts Rambler Uno | 7.3 | DAB, DAB+, FM | 4 x AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable (charged in the radio), not included | 8-10 (alkaline) | 20 (10 DAB + 10 FM) | Yes | 635 g (22.4 oz) |
| Pure Elan One² | 7.3 | DAB+, FM | 4 x AA (not included) | - | 10 (5 DAB+ + 5 FM) | 5.1 | 350 g (12.3 oz) |
| Sangean DPR-39 | 7.1 | DAB+, FM (RDS) | 2 x AA (LR6) | - | 10 (5 DAB+ + 5 FM) | - | 63.5 g (2.2 oz) |
Frequently asked questions
Does DAB radio work in a power cut?
Yes if the radio can run without the mains. Every radio on this shortlist can. Twelve take AA or C cells and six have a built-in rechargeable battery. A spare set of cells keeps an AA or C radio going. A built-in battery needs charging before the lights go out. The Roberts Revival RD70 only runs its alarms on mains power.
How long do batteries last in a DAB radio?
It depends on the radio and the figures are maker claims. Here the Roberts Vintage Radio claims up to 80 hours on four C cells. The Roberts Revival Uno BT claims up to 25 hours on AA cells. Built-in batteries start at 6 to 7 hours on the Lenco PDR-046GY. The Roberts Revival Petite 2 leads that group at up to 20 hours. Several makers publish no figure.
Does a DAB radio need wifi?
No. None of the radios on this shortlist lists a Wi-Fi connection. None needs an internet connection to pick up stations. They receive DAB and FM broadcasts over the air. Bluetooth is a separate feature. Thirteen radios here have it for playing audio from a mobile phone. The radio works as a radio without that link.
What is the best portable DAB radio?
That depends on what you carry it for. Several UK reviewers name a pick. What's The Best calls the Roberts Revival Petite 2 its best overall portable DAB radio. Yours names the same radio best portable radio overall. bestradios.co.uk ranks the Majority Little Shelford first among portable DAB radios. For a pocket radio that site puts the Majority Petersfield Go first.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking one, the store may pay us a commission. The price stays the same for you, and commissions do not decide which emergency radios we recommend. Specs come from the makers; range and battery life are their claims. Our method.