Radio has been consumed by time in the age of modern technologies. If you’re an old soul looking to reminisce about the good old days while listening to the radio, you’ve come to the right place.
Perhaps you’re going to the beach and suddenly remember your childhood summers where the radio was lying nearby streaming music, you’ll want to get a radio right now, even though the Bluetooth speaker option is there, and it is actually a better choice, you still refuse to let go of radio?
Well, I am here to help you on that one, because in today’s article, I’ll go over some of the best radios for beach on the market right now to help you improve your beach experience.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Affordable  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Waterproof Radio  | 8.5 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Portable  | 9.1 | Check Latest Price | |
Best High-End  | 8.8 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Overall  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price |
Top 5 Best Radios For Beach
5. DreamSky Radio – Most Affordable
When it comes to FM radios, DreamSky is an excellent option to consider because of its ease of use and affordability.
This is a low-cost portable radio that will get you through most situations.
It has a simple, minimalistic design that is straightforward to use, making it a great compact radio to take with you.
It’s even small enough to fit in your pocket, measuring just 8.2″ × 4.5″ × 2.2″ inches. You won’t even notice it’s there at 1.76 pounds weight.
Still, I’m not going to lie. I really appreciate how they designed this radio; it’s a blend of modern and vintage design, allowing us to experience two worlds at once.
It features both AM and FM bands, as well as a metal telescopic aerial for optimal reception. If you’re in a spot with a bad signal, you can extend the antenna out to around 14 inches.
This beach radio is modest, but it produces a good, clear sound if you don’t have high expectations, or say if you aren’t an audiophile, I mean an audiophile would be in the wrong place if he is seeking audiophile tier sound quality on a radio.
If you require isolation, there is a 3.5mm jack for headphones. This radio runs on two AAA batteries and isn’t connected to an electrical grid.
Why Should You Buy It?
For the money, you simply can’t beat it, a simple yet good-looking radio that won’t have a problem coming everywhere with you, especially on the beach.
4. Sangean TB-100 Radio – Best Waterproof Radio
The next radio comes from Sangean, a third-party manufacturer with a reputation for producing high-quality devices at a reasonable price.
Right here we have their radio that is built like a “tank”.
The SANGEAN TB-100 provides exceptional sound quality, durability, rain and shock resistance, and convenience. This radio is made for both indoor and outdoor use, so carrying it to the beach won’t be a problem.
It’s one-of-a-kind in terms of design. I can’t lie, and it certainly doesn’t look like a radio. It has a dark green finish and an orange-colored LCD display that is easy to read. Furthermore, the TB-100 is constructed of a highly robust ABS plastic substance. No doubt that this bad boy is ready to take some rough punishment.
That’s not all, though. This is one tough waterproof beach radio, with an IPX4 water resistance rating that protects it from rain or splashes from any direction.
It contains 10 stations presets for 5 AM and 5 FM stations, as well as PLL synthetic tuning for fade-free reception. You’ll be able to get through them with ease thanks to the buttons on the radio and the orange LCD that I mentioned.
There’s a 5-inch water-resistant speaker that will keep you entertained while you’re at the beach. It sounds appealing, there isn’t a single flaw with the sound quality.
When it comes to battery life, you won’t have to be concerned because it has rechargeable batteries that are designed to last a long period.
Why Should You Buy It?
If you are looking for a real waterproof radio, this one is to go. Not only it is waterproof but really well built you can use it for more than just beach, feel free to take it to mountains because it can even clash with rocks.
3. Sony ICFP26 – Best Portable
We know what to anticipate when we see the Sony logo on a device.
Nothing but good quality.
Sony is a brand that has pushed limits in every industry that it has ventured into, and when it comes to technology, Sony is expected to be present.
The Sony ICFP26 is the third item on the list, and it is an excellent radio from Sony.
This is a little, lightweight radio that fits easily in your pocket; simply toss it on your jeans and go out on your journey. You’ll also find a built-in hand strap, which will make portability a lot easier.
It’s small, measuring 4.69 x 2.74 x 1.50 inches and weighing only 3.04 ounces.
There’s practically nothing to see here in terms of appearance. It is up to you to judge whether this is a good or bad thing; some people prefer minimalistic design while others do not.
This Radio is a simple black rectangle with two LED indications.
There are also input and output connectors on the device, allowing you to attach your headphones, ah, the good old days of mp3 players.
It’s an integrated AM/FM radio tuner with decent quality. I wouldn’t say anything serious, but it can’t be awful coming from Sony.
On the other hand, the long antenna aids in receiving decent tunes without being muffled and such.
As for batteries, it uses two AA batteries.
Why Should You Buy It?
This AM radio is ideal for traveling because it is compact enough to carry in your pocket. You won’t have to worry about obtaining good reception because it has a long telescoping antenna. So yeah, for the beach it is a great companion.
2. Eton Elite – Best High-End
The second item on the list would be a high-end radio, one of a kind that you don’t see very often.
Well, its price is something you don’t see often either. The first time I saw it, I nearly fell from the chair.
Those who enjoy radio and have money to spend will not be disappointed by this radio.
The Elite 750 delivers exceptional radio reception and audio quality because of Eton’s legacy of superb engineering.
It has a traditional appearance and style that matches its excellent performance.
Yes, the iconic retro style is present on this beach radio, and it’s a nice touch from Eton Elite that, while being a 2020 device, seems like something from the 1980s.
Because it measures 5.75 x 14.65 x 7.24 inches and weighs 7.1 pounds, I can’t really call it a portable radio.
I suppose the high weight is a method of emphasizing Eton’s commitment to its radio. It’s something that’s designed to mostly sit in a location rather than be taken.
It’s a feature-rich radio with DSP Technology that improves tuning sensitivity and eliminates interference for greater sound quality. You can program up to 1000 channels, 100 for each band, and configure up to 55 channels to easily tune into your favorite stations.
It covers all radio frequencies, from AM and FM through SW SSB and VHF.
It sounds great, and I’d go so far as to say it sounds better than any of the other portable outdoor radios on this list, but that’s understandable given the price.
Why Should You Buy It?
It is a great radio that I would recommend to everyone but that’s it if you can bypass the painful price that it comes with. Those are some serious money just for a radio but if you are fine with it, this radio won’t fail to impress.
1. Panasonic RF-2400D – Best Overall
When it comes to radios, this Panasonic radio is one you’ll see on a lot of lists.
The Panasonic RF is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a portable radio that is both light and powerful.
Not only that but it is quite durable and made to survive harsh terrains and especially the beach.
In terms of design, it’s a simple radio with a white or silver hue and a button layout similar to those seen on an 80’s radio.
In my opinion, the straightforward design is a winner in this case. It measures 3.23 x 9.21 x 4.8 inches and weighs as little as 1.96 pounds.
The Panasonic RF is a little radio that allows you to listen to AM/FM stations wherever you are thanks to its form factor and also It excels in particular with its radio dial. It’s big enough to be easy to operate, yet small enough to get the exact frequency you need.
But don’t get your expectations up just yet; it’s still a radio, and unfortunately, there’s no room for audiophiles here. You won’t be impressed by its audio quality; after all, it features only a 10cm speaker.
However, this does not imply that it sounds bad in any way.
Another useful feature is the presence of a headphone jack, which allows you to listen silently when necessary.
The AM/FM portable radio can also be powered by four AA batteries or a rechargeable battery, making this FM Radio really versatile and with great battery life. Definitely one of the best radios for beach.
Why Should You Buy It?
In this situation, the Panasonic RF-2400D is one of the best options for a reliable portable AM/FM radio for camping or on the beach. It’s small, light, and covers a wide frequency range.
Consider these factors when purchasing a radio: Buying Guide
When buying a Radio for the beach there is some factor you need to consider since you are not just buying a simple radio, there is a bit more to that than just grabbing the cheapest solution out there.
Capacity to withstand Water and Dust
We all know that almost any radio can stream music, but can they withstand those unexpected splashes or when you spill your drink?
If it can, you’re fine; if it can’t, I’ve got some bad news for you.
When you’re at the beach, you’re not trying to keep your radio from breaking; instead, you’re trying to enjoy the moment, so the radio will have to take care of itself, which is why dust and water resistance are so crucial.
Because the radio will be sitting on the sand for the majority of the time, the sand should not be able to harm it either not only water.
How Loud Can it Get and Sound Quality?
Isn’t it true that we buy a radio to listen to music, or is it possible that this isn’t the case this time? Aren’t we buying it for nostalgia purposes?
Well that too, but it still has to have good sound quality so it can make our beach experience even better with some nice background music.
When it comes to the background, we all know that a packed public beach or pool during the summer is a noisy atmosphere.
With that said, it suggests that the radio we intend to purchase should be loud enough for us to hear it, or else it will be worthless and it will remain just a vintage figure.
We don’t want anything too loud to pierce our ears and irritate others, but just the perfect amount of volume so we can hear it as a piece of background music.
Reception Quality and How Long Can It Stream Music?
On the beach, there are no electrical outlets. So in order to operate without running out of power for an extended period of time, your radio must have an independent power supply.
Simply said, look for a radio with long battery life; it would be a pain if it suddenly stopped playing music, and your beach day would be miserable as a result.
But that’s not all; reception quality is also vital; you don’t want to waste your fun time constantly fidgeting with the antenna.
When you set the station, you should only hear clean audio with little to no static.
Portability and How Should It Look Like?
Another key factor to consider is the radio’s mobility and design.
Not only should it be strong to endure some knocks and bumps, but it should also look beautiful; after all, if they didn’t seem appealing, I’m sure we wouldn’t buy them.
We all know what radio can do in terms of audio quality; we don’t expect audiophile-level quality.
However, since we are not planning on doing weight lifting on the beach, it should be very portable and lightweight.
Plus, when you consider the rest of the luggage you are carrying, it may become a bit cumbersome to carry everything.
Beach Radios: Benefits and Downsides
Below you can find some of the advantages and downsides of radios, so you can decide whether or not it is a smart idea to carry a radio to the beach.
Benefits Downsides
| Music and news can be accessed at any time and from any location. | They are quite hard to be used and annoying most of the time. |
| There will be no dull moments, only sheer enjoyment. | Due to being outdated, they are confusing, sadly modern kids won’t know how to use one. |
| There’s no need to be concerned about water or sand damaging your radio. | They are really limited when it comes to features, while some might have a one or two extra features some are plain radios |
| It is quite useful in case an emergency occurs | I think that a Bluetooth speaker will be a better option unless you are buying the radio only for nostalgia. |
Beach Radios: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it possible to have a waterproof radio for the beach?
A: Yes it is possible. I’m not sure about old radios, but most current ones come in a variety of configurations, including water and dust resistance.
Q: What is the maximum volume that beach radios can reach?
A: This mostly depends on the radio that you have some of them can get really loud some that are only basic radios can’t reach so high
Q: Are radios dying with the arrival of Bluetooth speakers?
A: It pains me to say but Yeahh they are. Bluetooth speakers come with tons of features and can stream music in many ways. On the other hand, a radio is just a radio it can’t do what a Bluetooth speaker does, but a Bluetooth speaker does what radio can
Q: Are all beach radios FM radios?
A: Most beach radios are just normal radios, so it goes without saying that they operate on FM radio stations, despite the that some of them might have cutting-edge technology that offers them different types of connectivity.
Q: Which FM radio is best?
A: Well the ones listed above all have proven to provide decent sound quality, nothing groundbreaking nothing awful either, it’s all about preferences at the end of the day.
Final Thoughts on Beach Radios
When it comes to beach radios we want a radio to play music while we are enjoying the sunny weather on the beach, but does it only have to play the music that’s all?
Yes, we just want a radio to accompany us through the day with some good tunes. We don’t want anything extraordinary like what speakers with Bluetooth connectivity have to offer. We simply want a portable beach radio that can survive some water and dust.
Finding portable radios to take on the beach is not rocket science, for example, all of the above-listed radios will prove more than enough.
Now that the technology is better than ever you can find even Bluetooth connectivity on beach radios and other features.
Despise being outdated and outperformed by Bluetooth speakers, radios remain great electronic devices that provide good quality sound.
With that being said no matter for what radio you opt, the thing that matters is quality sound. Afterward, if it is a waterproof radio or if it can only play music in FM radio mode doesn’t matter that much.
We just need durable radios with clear FM sounds, at least we old souls do.
Hopefully, this list of the best portable beach radios proved helpful to you.
You Might Want to Keep Reading
If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far, you can keep reading since I’ve written quite a few posts.
For example, you have a list of the best soundbars for an iMac, or if you’re a gamer with a PS5, you check a list of the best soundbars for a PS5.
There are also the top gaming soundbars if you are just a gamer in general.
The best Bluetooth speaker for boats is also available, check that one out. Yeah, even the greatest speakers for ATV riding.
If you enjoy jumping rope, have a look at some of the best headphones for jumping rope.
There are also comparison blogs, such as Sennheiser HD 800 S vs Focal Utopia, which is a battle of high-end giants.
Sennheiser 598 vs Audio-Technica M50X, for example, is another great comparison.
There’s also an explanation of how vinyl records work if you’re interested.
Alternatively, if you’re curious about the differences between active and passive speakers, you can read about that too
That pretty much sums up all; happy reading and listening.
Sound Artist
I’m a Sound Artist creating immersive sonic experiences. I turn everyday objects into music, turning the mundane into something marvellous!
