Best Portable Shortwave Radios of 2025

"I am very pleased with this radio. It’s simple to use, small, and has a good speaker that delivers clear audio. I appreciate that it comes with a power cord for a 110-volt outlet and can also run on AA batteries."

"I bought this radio for my mother as a Christmas gift, and she loves it. She easily gets good AM and FM reception, and the large knobs make it easy to use. It’s a sturdy product that she uses daily, and she manages to set the clock herself."

"I enjoy listening to the radio while I’m on the computer or doing other chores. This radio is easy to use with its digital tuning display, making it simple to find the right station. I really like the sound quality and the overall value for the price."

"As a long-time radio ham, I've owned many phenomenal receivers, but I was pleasantly surprised by this radio's amazing performance for its low cost. It’s well made and easy to use, easily receiving shortwave stations globally."

"I didn't expect much from this inexpensive radio, but it truly exceeded my expectations. I used it for 3.5 days straight during Hurricane Helene, and the batteries held up perfectly. It's lightweight, portable, and provides excellent AM and FM reception."

"I find this little radio to be a fantastic deal. It has great reception for its size, and while I haven't fully tested the shortwave capability yet, I'm very satisfied with the quality. The sound is clear and not tinny at all."

"I was pleasantly surprised by the number of stations this radio picks up. The clear reception exceeded my expectations. I love how easy it is to move around and use in different rooms, like the kitchen. Just a little tip: it's very lightweight, so I have to be careful where I place it to avoid it tipping over!"

"After trying another radio that didn’t perform well, I found this one. The reception is fantastic, pulling in a lot of clear FM and AM stations. The large LCD display makes it easy to read, and setting the time was straightforward. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a reliable portable radio!"

"I bought this radio mainly for power outages, and it did not disappoint. The sound quality is impressive, and the digital tuner makes tuning stations much easier than a traditional knob. It’s battery-powered or can be plugged in, which is perfect for my needs!"

"I bought this Panasonic portable radio for emergency use during storms, and it has far exceeded my expectations. It picks up AM and FM signals incredibly reliably, even during rough weather. It’s become an essential part of my emergency kit, providing me peace of mind. I also enjoy using it at the drive-in cinema, where the sound quality is surprisingly great. The analog tuning gives it a classic feel, making it easy to adjust the station with precision. Best of all, it's compact and lightweight, so I can take it anywhere without worrying about recharging. Overall, this radio works perfectly for both emergencies and fun events!"

"I wanted a battery-powered radio with strong reception and decent sound quality for my home. This radio feels sturdy and is reasonably priced, meeting all my requirements. For those who have complained about poor reception, I believe that could be due to surrounding conditions and shouldn't reflect poorly on this little radio."

"I decided to find a simple, inexpensive radio for my home to deter thieves. This radio is small and easy to use—just one switch for AM or FM, a volume dial, and a tuning knob. The excellent reception in my area makes tuning super easy. The sound is decent, though not my priority. At $28, it's a fantastic deal. My only concern is that the antenna only moves left and right, which might be a slight issue for some. Overall, I'm very pleased with this radio—it's refreshing to find something designed for simplicity in today's over-engineered world."

"I'm really impressed with the amazing sound quality. There are various bandwidths to choose from, and the bright display is easy to read. The build quality is excellent, and tuning is smooth without annoying beeping."

"I was torn between the PL-880 and the Tecsun PL-680, but I chose the PL-880 and have no regrets. It has many features, including some hidden ones. The included case is sturdy, and the rechargeable battery lasts a long time."

"The radio's reception improves significantly with an outdoor wire antenna. Using earphones or connecting to an external amplifier through the line-out jack gives me very good FM stereo audio. The SSB capability for ham radio is also impressive."

"After several months, I still give this radio 5 stars. I’ve found that if I turn off the display when not in use, the battery life is actually quite good. I enjoy listening to various stations throughout the day, especially New Zealand and ham radio operators in the evenings. The audio quality is outstanding, and I appreciate the leather cover that serves as a stand. Overall, I’m very pleased with this purchase!"

"I find this radio to be a great little device. It’s small and easy to take on adventures. The tuner works wonderfully, and I love that it can scan for channels automatically. Listening to conversations between airline pilots is fascinating! It has a sleep mode, which is perfect for when I drift off. While the battery management could be better, this radio truly opens a window to the world of radio communication."

"I was pleasantly surprised by how great this inexpensive pocket radio is. Among my collection of small portable radios, the V115 stands out as the best pocket radio I've ever owned. The sound quality is impressive for its size, and the reception is very good. I primarily use it to catch NPR news and the local classical station while I'm outside, and it does this remarkably well, surpassing my other pocket radios. I've also experimented with the shortwave bands, and it reliably picks up WWV on several frequencies. Overall, I’m very satisfied with its performance, especially considering the price."

"This radio offers the best value for a portable radio. The audio quality from the speaker is surprisingly good given its small size, and both FM and AM reception are impressive. I appreciate the SD card feature for recording and playback, which allows me to use various sources, including my phone or microphone. The ability to connect to my computer and transfer music is another great functionality. While the shortwave reception isn't perfect, I haven't found much to listen to there anyway. Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase."

"I was surprised by the amazing sound quality from such a tiny device. The USB-C charging is a nice modern touch, and overall, it's easy to use. The reception is great across all bands; this little radio outperforms many of my more expensive ones. I would give it a 10 out of 10 and highly recommend it!"

"As a career RF Engineer, I find the Tecsun PL-330 to be an outstanding value. For just $80, it performs exceptionally well. I managed to receive Toronto The New Classical FM from 97 miles away, and the sound was crisp and delightful. The PL-330 is so compact that I can easily carry it anywhere. You can't go wrong with this purchase!"

"I got this radio mainly for its shortwave SSB capabilities, and I was pleasantly surprised by its performance, especially with an added antenna. The rechargeable lithium battery lasts a long time, and USB charging is super convenient. However, I find the tuning knob a bit challenging because it has detents that hinder smooth tuning, especially in crowded bands. Nevertheless, this radio will be my go-to for travel because of its great value and performance!"

"This little powerhouse delivers amazing sound for its size. The telescopic antenna offers great reception, and I love the features like the memory card port for music. With solar, crank, and plugin charging, I can power it up in various ways. Plus, it can charge my dead phone too!"

"For its size, I'm impressed by the sound quality. This radio is well-made, and the weight feels just right. I appreciate the thoughtful features, and the solar panel charges effectively even in low light. I believe you won't regret buying this radio!"

"I find this compact radio to be perfect for emergencies and just for fun. It arrived on time, and after getting used to the buttons, I realized it offers more than what was advertised. The battery holds a charge surprisingly well, making it an excellent choice for outdoor activities!"

"After experiencing a tornado, I realized the importance of having a reliable radio. This digital radio with AM, FM, and shortwave capabilities has become a lifesaver for us. We keep it ready for use in our basement."

"Living in the suburbs, I find the Raddy RF206 to be a feature-packed radio. The AM and FM reception is crisp and clear, while the shortwave needs some getting used to. I appreciate its ability to run on both batteries and AC power, making it perfect for my workshop."

"I truly enjoy using this radio. It offers excellent reception and has a strong built-in speaker. Running on AA batteries for hours is a huge plus. The Bluetooth and USB support work seamlessly, making it easy to switch between modes. However, I wish it had stereo sound instead of mono."