A radio, we would argue, is essential in any kitchen. For many people, it's part of their tea-making ritual first thing in the morning, while others enjoy listening to the sounds of the six o'clock news while they're rustling up their dinner. But what are the best kitchen radios in terms of sound quality and style? Our in-house audio expert Chris Haslam has picked out some of the best on the market, complete with Bluetooth, DAB and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The best kitchen radios
The best value kitchen radio: Roberts Rambler Mini
No article about the best radios is complete without Roberts. Founded in 1932, the brand is responsible for some of the most iconic transistor designs. Here, they’ve distilled that unmistakably British look into a compact portable radio with Bluetooth streaming as well as DAB, DAB+ and FM tuning. Measuring just 18cm x 11cm, and in four fashionable colours, it’s an eye-catching accessory. No, it’s not as impressive-sounding as the others on test, but it’s affordable, has battery power convenience, and projects with assurance despite its size.
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The best all-rounder kitchen radio: Ruark R1S
British audio brand Ruark has an almost faultless track record producing premium products that look and sound beautiful. And with the R1S they’ve finally added Wi-Fi streaming and internet radio alongside FM, DAB, DAB+ and Bluetooth to their most popular product.
If you don’t want to be able to play content from internet stations, Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer platforms, the R1 MK4 sounds just as good and costs £60 less. But for me, aside from the initial tedium of inputting passwords using the dial, it is worth the extra, especially as it can now be controlled via the OCTIV app (iOS and Android).
Thanks to the acoustically tuned polymer casing and NS+ neodymium full range driver, this streaming system shines, effortlessly cutting through any kitchen clatter, making itself heard in some style. DAB and streaming platforms sound gloriously rich, and while this isn’t a speaker for parties, it’s easy to get lost in the music as you chop veggies.
App control, Wi-Fi streaming and bright colour display means the Ruark R1S is now so much more than a basic (but flawlessly made) DAB radio. I wish there were Alexa or Google voice controls, especially for more convenient use in the kitchen, but it’s a minor grumble.
The timeless classic kitchen radio: Tivoli Audio Model One+
The original Tivoli Audio Model One was designed in 2000 and boasted unique looks and AM/FM tuning. The One+ maintains the understated, solid-wood elegance of the original – and also its silky-smooth tuning dial – but adds in DAB/DAB+, Bluetooth for streaming convenience and a pin-sharp digital LED display. Unusually for a tabletop radio, it has a single top-firing 75mm speaker and ported cabinet, and despite the lack of directional sound, it does a great job of filling my kitchen with clean and articulate audio. The hands-on controls hark back to a simpler, analogue time, although they do throw in a full remote control in case you decide to position it out of harm’s way on a shelf.
How to clean a kitchen radio
We know. It happens to us all. Your beautiful kitchen radio will suddenly become riddled with grease and grime. Obviously, it's an electrical item so you don't want to start faffing around with liquid soap and hot water. So what's the best way of cleaning kitchen grime off a radio?
You can try using baby wipes to clear off the muck, or a mild surface cleaner on a slightly damp cloth. Be careful with that though, as anything too harsh might start pulling off the radio's coating. Remember to always unplug your kitchen radio before you start cleaning it with any liquids!
