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Sangean U4DBT review

Portable digital radio. Priced at $239.

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CHOICE Expert Rating

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CHOICE Expert Rating

This is the product's overall performance score, based on key tests conducted by our industry experts in the CHOICE labs.

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The product's best features and benefits

Bad points

Drawbacks or issues you need to know about
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Radio type View more details.

Portable radios have a battery and can also be easily carried around. Benchtop radios often deliver the loudest sound and may also offer things like a CD player in the mix. A Bedside radio should offer an easy to read clock display and an alarm.

Portable
Recommended View more details.

We recommend digital radios with a CHOICE Expert rating of 75% or above.

CHOICE Expert Rating View more details.

This overall score is made up of listening (40%), reception (30%), ease of use (25%) and standby energy (5%).

Sound quality score View more details.

A panel listens to each radio at a comparable volume for distortion, rattles or other odd noises, stereo separation where appropriate and a natural sound across all frequencies.

Reception score View more details.

We check for reception quality in different locations ranging from an area with optimal reception through to an area with difficult reception due to its distance from the broadcast tower and no line of sight for the signal to reach the radio.

Ease of use score View more details.

We look for ease of the initial set-up, clear labelling, placement and functionality of the buttons and knobs, size and clarity of the display and intuitive and logical menus.

Standby energy score View more details.

Calculated kWh per year based on 19 hours a day in standby mode.

Shop Ethical rating View more details.

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

N/A
Warranty (years) View more details.

Stated warranty of the digital radio. You're still covered by the Australian Consumer Law regardless of the manufacturer warranty.

1
Country of origin
China
Availability View more details.

'Tested model' refers to digital radios that are currently available in shops and online. 'Discontinued model' refers to digital radios that are no longer available in shops, but may be available in second-hand stores.

Discontinued model
Price View more details.

This is the recommended retail price, but you can usually find a more competitive price by shopping around.

$239
Annual standby energy cost View more details.

Calculated kWh per year based on 19 hours a day in standby mode at 40c/kWh.

Number of speakers
1
Claimed power output (W) View more details.

Measured in watts. More watts essentially means more volume.

7
Info shows bitrate and codec View more details.

The bitrate communicates the quality of a radio stream. The higher the bitrate, the better the stream.

Bitrate only
Carry handle
Yes
Dimensions (H x W x D, cm) View more details.

Rounded up to nearest 0.5cm, in open configuration if applicable.

34 x 30 x 26.5
Screen dimensions (W x H, mm)
66 x 24
Display lines x characters View more details.

Display characters are approximate.

2 x 16
Weight (kg) View more details.

Including power lead, if not detachable.

4.6
Battery type
6 x D
Website
sangean.com.au
Bluetooth View more details.

Bluetooth support allows you to play your own music from your smart device to the speaker.

Yes
AM radio View more details.

Can the radio receive analogue AM broadcasts?

No
FM radio View more details.

Can the radio receive analogue FM broadcasts?

Yes
Number of DAB+ presets View more details.

The number of digital stations that you can save for quick access.

5
Streaming View more details.

Built-in support for streaming services such as Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music. The radio can connect to the services directly, rather than playing from an external device via Bluetooth, such as your phone. A direct connection has better sound quality.

No
Internet radio View more details.

Can the radio stream online radio stations? This requires an internet connection.

No
Wireless network streaming View more details.

Via a local Wi-Fi network.

No
Stereo aux input (3.5mm) View more details.

To connect external devices via a cable such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Yes
CD player
No
USB input View more details.

The USB port on some digital radios can be used to play media stored on a removable USB drive, however the USB port on some models can only be used for firmware updates or charging devices such as your mobile phone or tablet.

Yes (for charging external device only)
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
No
Remote control supplied
No
Remote control app available View more details.

Apps available on iOS or Android can control the radio menu items, select stations and may even be able to play content from a smart device on the digital radio.

No
Clock in standby View more details.

Does the clock stay on when the radio is in standby mode?

Yes
Number of alarms View more details.

Many digital radios have an alarm and some have more than one which can be handy for reminders.

2
Alarm snooze button
Yes
NFC View more details.

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology streamlines the pairing process between a phone and a compatible accessory. It's the same technology used in tap-and-go style mobile payments.

Yes
Play/pause controls
Yes
3.5mm line out View more details.

To connect additional speakers or an external audio device (such as a DAC).

No
Screen dimmer control
No
Batteries supplied
No
Rechargeable View more details.

Some portable digital radios have in-built chargers. With the setting enabled and the power plugged in, rechargeable batteries can have their charge replenished. 

Yes
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