Which rechargeable DAB radios keep going in a power cut?
Updated October 6, 2026
Short answer
A DAB radio only keeps working in a power cut if it runs on batteries or a built-in rechargeable battery. On our shortlist the Roberts Revival Petite 2 claims up to 20 hours per charge. The Pure Woodland claims 14 hours and the JBL Tuner 3 claims 12 hours.
Why does a mains DAB radio go silent?
A DAB radio only keeps working in a power cut if it runs on batteries or a built-in rechargeable battery. All four radios on our shortlist have a built-in rechargeable battery. Battery life figures are claims by the maker.
A radio that runs on standard AA or C batteries can be kept going with spare batteries during a long power cut. None of the four here lists a slot for standard batteries. So a full charge before the power goes is the preparation.
How long does each one last on a charge?
From the specs the Roberts Revival Petite 2 has the longest claimed battery life at up to 20 hours. All four charge over USB and three of them ship without a mains adaptor. The Majority Petersfield Go is the exception and comes with a mains cable.
- Roberts Revival Petite 2: up to 20 hours from a 2600 mAh battery and about 6 hours to charge
- Pure Woodland: up to 14 hours from a 4000 mAh battery
- JBL Tuner 3: up to 12 hours plus 3 hours with Playtime Boost and about 3.5 hours to charge
- Majority Petersfield Go: 10 to 12 hours from a 1000 mAh battery
Which one for the kitchen and which for the garden?
The Roberts Revival Petite 2 is a palm-sized set with DAB, DAB+ and FM and 20 presets. It weighs 430 g and has a headphone socket. The Pure Woodland is IP67 rated with reinforced bumpers and a handle. The JBL Tuner 3 is IP68 rated and has six direct preset buttons.
The Majority Petersfield Go is a 59 g pocket radio with a clip and wired earphones included. It has 20 presets and a headphone socket. Its 1000 mAh battery is the smallest of the four.
What do reviewers say?
What Hi-Fi? named the Roberts Revival Petite 2 its best budget DAB radio and Which? has tested it. TechRadar lists the Pure Woodland among its DAB radios for the garden. The Majority Petersfield Go tops the bestradios.co.uk pocket DAB list and has a What Hi-Fi? review.
From our shortlist
Palm-sized DAB+ and FM radio with a built-in battery rated for up to 20 hours.
IP67 outdoor DAB+ and FM radio and Bluetooth speaker with a 4000 mAh battery.
IP68 DAB+ and FM radio and Bluetooth speaker rated for up to 12 hours per charge.
Pocket DAB+ and FM radio with a clip and a built-in battery that weighs 59 g.
Related questions
Can I keep a DAB radio going with spare batteries?
A radio that runs on standard AA or C batteries can be kept going with spare batteries during a long power cut. None of the four radios on our shortlist lists a slot for standard batteries. They rely on a built-in rechargeable battery and a USB charge before the cut.
How long does the Roberts Revival Petite 2 last?
Roberts claims up to 20 hours from the built-in 2600 mAh battery and about 6 hours to charge over USB-C. Battery life figures are claims by the maker. A USB power adaptor is not included. It also offers Bluetooth streaming and an alarm with snooze.
Is a waterproof DAB radio useful in a power cut?
The Pure Woodland is IP67 rated and the JBL Tuner 3 is IP68 rated. Both are dust- and waterproof from the specs. That matters outdoors more than for the power cut itself. The Pure claims up to 14 hours and the JBL up to 12 hours plus 3 with Playtime Boost.
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