9 Best Radios in India (2023 Edition) | How to Select the Best FM Radio?
This is our selection of the best radios in India for listening to your favourite music and information.
If we are continuing with whatever we obtained or acquired in our early stages of life, it signifies it is really important to us and we do not want to lose it.
Despite our fast-paced world’s technological advancements, we still like to perform many things in an old-fashioned manner. Why?
Because the usage of such items is beneficial to us, we are attempting to use them under contemporary advancements.
Radios are one of these items, and they are one of the most versatile and traditional modes of communication that are still in use today.
Radios are the ideal companion for any stress-free atmosphere, whether we’re on a road trip, driving through the city, or simply resting around the house.
Modern radios may also incorporate other useful features, such as a record button, which may be used to record your favourite programs for later listening. This recording capability is also very beneficial for teaching and training.
Previously, most Indian houses possessed a Murphy radio, which was well-known for its excellence. However, the company no longer exists.
However, it is tough to locate a suitable stand-alone best radio to buy nowadays. The majority of local shopkeepers are not yet prepared to sell them in their stores.
We don’t want to hide the fact that almost all home theatres, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers have the best FM radio receiver built-in.
But a dedicated radio unit is an asset for every home. We’ve compiled a list of the top portable stand-alone radios.
Please note that we are in no way linked with these radio brands, and the selection is solely based on our user experience with these radios.
With the introduction of several private FM and community radio stations, a large number of people in the new generation are interested in FM radio listening.
This radio buying guide will also assist them in selecting the best FM radio in India, and we would like to ascertain that all these are the best radios for home.
Best Radios in India
Editor’s Choice: Panasonic RF 2400D Portable Radio
Best in Popular: Saregama Carvaan Mini 2.0
Best classic with good build quality: Sony ICF 306, Sony ICF 19.
Best FM radio with Bluetooth speaker: Amkette Pocket Blast FM Radio
Best compact radio: Sony ICF-P36
Best budget radio: Philips Radio RL118/94, Philips Rudio RL191/94
1. Panasonic RF 2400D Portable Radio
Panasonic’s FM/AM radio is of good quality. The Panasonic 2400D is easy to use. It features an analogue tuning knob, as opposed to the newest digital radios.
When you’ve dialled in the correct frequency, an LED light will illuminate, confirming the correctness of your tuning. It is the best radio in India that has strong reception capability and is suited for receiving AM and FM broadcasts.
When compared to the size of the item, the speaker is surprisingly powerful and clear. This radio has a strong, well-made feel to it, as well as a comfortable weight that isn’t too heavy to hold.
Four AA batteries are required to power it. It may also be powered by an alternating current mains source by using a compatible adapter.
If you want the best FM radio in India for your home or office, this is the best option among the many top FM radio players in India.
We guarantee that this radio receiver may be found on the majority of professionally selected lists of the top 10 FM radio players in India.
Pros
Cons
2. Saregama Carvaan Mini 2.0
It is a modern radio and music player from the Saregama music company. In addition to AM/FM, it boasts USB and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to listen to music from an external drive or your mobile phone.
This device comes bundled with over 350 classic music. It is filed from a rechargeable battery that provides a backup period of about 5 hours.
With this unique FM radio player and combo device, you can listen to your favourite classical music. As a result, we included this device in our list of the top FM radio players in India.
It may be charged with a typical micro USB charger like those seen in Android phones. We found that it is one of the best rechargeable radios.
It has a 3.5 mm connector for connecting earphones or headphones. The Saregama Carvaan Mini 2.0 is available in five eye-catching colours.
Pros
Cons
3. Sony ICF-306 Portable AM FM Radio
You may be aware that Sony is a well-known brand in the electronics industry, with high-quality goods.
The Sony ICF-306 is a two-band (FM/MW) radio with a solid build. It’s small and lightweight and a suitable radio for home purposes.
It offers good sound quality and a headphone jack for private listening. Fine-tuning and battery status are indicated via two LEDs. Two AA batteries are required to power this radio.
Although this radio looks beautiful, as one would expect from a Sony product, the controls are uncomfortably small and badly laid out.
The tuning and volume controls, as well as the band selection switch, would be more convenient if they were repositioned.
If you are looking for the best AM/FM radio, this is a good option for you. If you believe the aforementioned Panasonic radio price is too much, you may go for this as the next best radio in India.
Another model to consider is the SONY ICF-P36, which has all of the same features but a slightly different design.
Pros
Cons
4. Sony (ICF-19) Dual Band FM/AM Radio
The Sony ICF-19 also functions as an FM/AM radio receiver with an analogue tuner. We can take this radio anyplace thanks to the included carrying strap.
Its powerful speaker delivers amazing sound from your favourite radio shows. It can be powered by up to three D-size batteries.
All other functions and features are identical to those found in other Sony radios. If you are looking for a compact FM radio player it is the best option for you.
Pros
Cons
5. Amkette Pocket Blast FM Radio Bluetooth Speaker
It is a radio of the next generation. It is, in fact, an FM radio with a Bluetooth speaker. We happened to catch it by chance and were quite impressed.
It has excellent FM reception and produces louder, more precise sound. If you’re searching for a portable FM radio, this is a fantastic option. It is also rechargeable with a USB-type C charging connector.
It offers provision for Auxiliary input, SD card, and USB connection in addition to Bluetooth streaming capability. After recharging the battery, we received roughly 6 hours of playback time.
Its built-in microphone allows you to record FM radio music or voice notes. Furthermore, the manufacturer provides a one-year manufacturing warranty on this device.
Its overtop number pad makes it simple to pick a music track or FM channel. An incorporated hand strip composed of steel wire and coated plastic serves as an FM antenna in this radio.
If you are looking for the best FM radio with Bluetooth speaker, this is a good option for you. In one word, we can say that it is a good all-in-one FM radio player.
Pros
Cons
6. Sony ICF-P36 Compact Portable Radio (FM/AM)
It’s yet another Sony radio. The Sony ICF-P36 includes an integrated FM and AM tuner. The built-in hand strap increases safety, and this radio is extremely portable.
This radio, like other Sony models, offers a separate headphone plug for personal listening. Its LED signals for tuning and battery status are quite useful; its sound quality is excellent, and the radio is powered by two AA batteries.
As with other Sony radios, there is no power plug connection option here.
Pros
Cons
7. Toshiba (TX-PR20) Portable Pocket Radio with AM/FM
This radio comes in three appealing colours: black, red, and pink. It works well as a pocket radio. It produces a crisp sound and is powered by two AA batteries.
It is compact and capable of receiving AM and FM broadcasts. It has an AUX output that allows you to connect your radio to other devices.
Pros
Cons
8. Philips Radio RL118/94 with MW/SW/FM
The Philips RL 118 is a portable radio with a sound output of 200mW. Philips radios have been very popular in India for a long time. This radio is unique because it can be powered in three different ways.
This is supplied from the main power source, the built-in rechargeable battery, and an external battery (2xR6 battery). It offers analogue-style manual tuning.
We are hopeful that this Philips radio price is within your budget range.
One issue with most Philips radios is that they do not want high-quality, attractive items like those produced by Sony or Panasonic. The build quality of the Philips radio is below average, and it looks to be a duplicate product.
Pros
Cons
9. Philips Radio RL191/94 with MW/FM Bands
This is just another Philips radio. The Philips RL191/94 radio is one of the best in its price range. It has a sound output of 180mW RMS, which is enough for everyday radio listening.
It is powered by two R20 batteries and an optional 3V DC socket for connecting an AC adaptor. As the title suggests, it is a standard analogue-type FM and MW receiver.
Pros
Cons
Deals & Offers: Best Selling Radios on Amazon in 2023
Why Radio Is Still Important and Popular?
According to research across all demographics, radio is still the most popular form of media around the globe. Let us look at the causes behind this.
The radio is an amazing and useful modern scientific invention. It is an inseparable part of our modern life.
Radio broadcasts may give information and entertainment 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide listeners with the most recent news and entertainment.
If they don’t have access to the internet, they may still explore the airwaves for reliable sources. Power isn’t even necessary for battery-powered or hand-cranked radios. It’s an easy method to pass the time.
Radio is not an expensive medium. Anyone, rich or poor, may purchase it and enjoy its various programs from any location in the world. It also acts as a means of communication.
The radio conveys a wide range of important messages. Many government programs are also promoted on the radio. As a consequence, the public will be informed of the government’s plan.
Furthermore, the government broadcasts several public assistance programs. On the radio, several types of warnings are also broadcast.
Radio also transmits a range of other programs, and the hourly news summary provided by most radio stations is incredibly useful to us.
The majority of people in our country can afford radio since it is less expensive. It is used to educate illiterates. It broadcasts and informs the public about family planning programs.
It also airs debates and information concerning some serious illnesses, including cancer and AIDS. It describes what causes them, how to prevent them, and how to avoid them.
There are several popular educational programs available to students. A program might be helpful to the general population as well.
Radio provides pleasure, information, and a means of collaboration.
Weather predictions are something that people in a variety of occupations may become aware of. To educate people, the radio broadcasts a range of educational programs.
We are already quite familiar with a wide range of live sporting events thanks to satellite technology. Sports comments of various sorts are broadcast on the radio.
It’s also easily available to everyone at any time, without interfering with their daily routines, and most modern automobiles have built-in radios.
A radio may be your constant companion on your daily commute, helping you get through long days at work and making your responsibilities simpler.
A large number of ham radio enthusiasts and DXers use various types of radios as part of their hobby.
Related: How to get a ham radio license in India?
Radio is particularly appealing to advertisers as a result of this. In today’s environment, customers prefer subscription services where they will not be exposed to ads.
Radio is the media that will not only allow advertisers to reach large audiences but also target them when they are out and about and close to stores.
Because it is financed by advertising, radio, unlike many other modern media services, does not need a monthly charge.
Podcasts are also regularly available on subscription sites such as Spotify, providing radio with a free alternative to most other services when they grow more pricey.
Radio changes as a result of new technology and changing client tastes. Radio stations may now be accessible via computers, cellphones, and even smart speakers, giving you the freedom to listen to your favourite station whenever and wherever you choose.
Because radio is an audio-only medium, it does not need the time commitment that television does.
Many podcasts appeal to a certain audience and cover specific topics. Furthermore, podcasts aren’t always easy to get by. Listeners usually have to go out of their way to find them.
Radio is a well-established, easily digestible format that emphasizes broad information supplied by frequent presenters to reach a wider audience. Listeners may come and go without missing anything because there are no long-form storylines or story arcs on the radio.
Radio presenters are vital in attracting listeners since they often become friends with regular listeners, with some listening in every day just to hear them. As a result, radio is a less challenging medium to enter than podcasts.
In terms of mobility, accessibility, and affordability, radio outperforms other forms of mass communication such as television.
Nobody wants to carry their television with them everywhere, so having a radio is a terrific way to acquire information on the move, and it can be utilized at home, at work, or in the car.
At any time of the day, you may find a radio practically anywhere. A mass medium such as radio may play an important part in the media sector, especially in distant communities where technical breakthroughs have yet to be made.
How To Choose the Best Radio In India?
Radios have been our all-time favourites for decades. They have been changed to fulfil consumer demand and continue to compete with other devices on the market.
If you prefer listening to portable radios, make sure you have one or a variety of them. However, before you buy one, be certain that you are getting the best one that will satisfy all of your needs.
But how do you go about it? In this guide to the finest portable radios, we’ve identified some crucial factors to consider when selecting a portable radio.
1. Size of the Radio
The first and most crucial step in buying a portable radio is to select one that you can carry with you. Consider its weight and dimensions to ensure that it is easy to move.
We recommend choosing a radio that weighs a maximum of approximately 1 kilogram for easy mobility. However, don’t sacrifice functionality simply because the product is small.
Check the audio quality and sound reproduction, since bigger radios produce more sound. Simultaneously, the larger the radio, the more battery it consumes.
2. Design and Build Quality
We’ve all heard that appearances are important, whether it’s a gadget or anything else. There are many different types of radios to pick from, ranging from vintage to tiny modern.
The design option, on the other hand, is up to you and your home’s taste, but it must be pleasant enough to catch the eye. Portable radios require a more robust and long-lasting build than standard radios.
The main reason for this is that these are portable devices that might be damaged by dampness, falls, or rough handling.
As a consequence, ensure that the portable radio you buy is well-constructed and made of a robust material that can endure drops.
3. Sound Quality
It is vital to examine the sound quality of a portable radio, whether it is inexpensive or expensive.
Examine to check whether it can precisely recreate the sound and cover all noises without distortion. The sound should, at the very least, be audible and give good value for money.
4. Input for Headphone and Power
When purchasing a radio, make sure it has a headphone jack so you may listen to music silently while travelling and avoid disturbing others with a loud sound.
Most portable radios, on the other hand, have headphone sockets, so you won’t have to bother about that.
It should also help if there is a main power input choice. When we use a radio at home or in the workplace, it is preferable to use a power supply rather than batteries.
5. Connectivity
As we all know, radios have excellent built-in speakers and seldom require additional speakers. As a result, even if you don’t have any, they can still make you an excellent speaker.
To link the radio to your music player or mobile phone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, however, proper connection and compatibility are necessary. Also, look for USB connectivity.
6. Additional Features
Portable radios, unlike in the past, today have a range of functions that keep them in demand. There are portable radios with no additional capabilities if you choose, but some will make your life simpler.
A preset feature allows you to save your favourite stations, while an alarm and a sleep mechanism prevent you from wasting batteries by leaving them on for too long.
Furthermore, water resistance is increasingly the norm. It is not essential if you use the radio with caution.
Conclusion
So, those are the considerations to make while purchasing a portable radio. The primary reason for listening to a portable radio is to have a good listening experience.
As a consequence, ensure that you verify all of these characteristics and select one that meets your requirements.
We hope you enjoyed our mini-guide on choosing the best radios in India and look forward to reading more of our posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend the Panasonic RF 2400D Portable Radio as the best FM radio you can buy in India for home or office use.
Even though the selection of Philips radios in India is limited, the Philips Radio RL118/94 and Philips Audio RL191/94 are the best options.
Consider FM signal reception quality, audio output, battery life, portability, simplicity of use, extra features (Bluetooth, USB playback), build quality, and compatibility with multiple frequency bands while looking for the best FM radio device in India.
Pansonic, Sony, Philips, and Saregama are well-known companies in India that provide high-quality AM/FM radio devices that are frequently popular for their performance and durability.
Place your radio player near a window or in a high, nonobstructed area to increase FM signal reception. Signal strength may also be increased by extending the antenna and shifting its angle.
Yes, many latest FM/AM radio receivers include digital screens that display station frequencies, time, and other information. This improves user comfort and tuning precision.
Place your radio receiver away from electrical interference and positioning the radio near windows or open areas in the proper way can help improve the strength of the AM signal.
Yes, most smartphones include built-in FM radio tuners that allow you to listen to FM radio stations without an internet connection or mobile data. However, not all smartphone models have this capability, so check to see if your handset supports FM radio.
No, FM radios are available at a wide range of prices to suit a diversity of budgets. From low-cost radios with simple functions to high-end radios with complex features, there is a radio for any budget. When selecting the best FM radio within your budget, it is critical to evaluate the features, sound quality, and durability.
Yes, you may listen to FM radio stations from many locations across India using FM radios. However, depending on your location and the intensity of the radio broadcast, the reception quality may vary. Some radios also allow you to save and retrieve presets, allowing you to easily switch between stations from various cities.
Yes, many FM radios have a headphone connection or an auxiliary output, allowing you to connect additional speakers or headphones for a more immersive listening experience. This function is very beneficial if you wish to listen to FM radio privately or improve the sound quality by utilizing better speakers.
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I think you should this product on your list
Thank you for your advice. We will review the product and add it to the list if it meets the standards.
Hi I have bought the Amkette Pocket Blast FM Radio Bluetooth Speaker, sorry to say there the reception in my house is very less I can’t hear any channel. The antenna of this device is in form of the handle which is very brittle. I would have to use this as a BT speaker only as no reception at all
We suspect that the issue might be unit-specific, and you should try replacing the unit with a new one. If you are far away from the FM station to which you have tuned, you may experience reception troubles. Our review unit performed admirably, but we are close to the FM stations that we have tuned.