The 10 Best Portable Radios in NZ

The best portable radio in NZ overall is the Panasonic RF-2400DGN-S, thanks to a large analogue dial with a fluorescent pointer that stays readable in the dark and a solid, sub-kilogram cabinet. A battery AM/FM set still belongs in every Kiwi emergency kit, because it keeps working when the power and the mobile network do not.

Finding a good portable radio in New Zealand means choosing between very different jobs: an everyday AM/FM set for the kitchen, a genuine emergency crank radio for power cuts, a Bluetooth speaker with FM built in, or a shortwave receiver for serious long-range listening. We’ve reviewed 10 real, well-reviewed portable radios to cover all of those needs.

If you only read one recommendation, make it this: the Panasonic RF-2400DGN-S is our pick for Best Overall, a simple, reliable AM/FM radio with dual AC/battery power and a genuinely large dial. If price is the priority, the MONODEAL DAB+/FM radio is the best budget option, and if you want a radio built specifically for power outages, the Sangean MMR88 or Midland ER310 crank radios are the ones to check first.

#	Product	Best For
1	Panasonic RF-2400DGN-S Portable AM/FM Radio	Best Overall
2	MONODEAL Portable DAB+/FM Digital Radio	Best Budget
3	Sangean MMR88 Multi-Powered Portable Radio	Best Emergency / Weather Radio
4	Greadio Walnut Wooden FM Radio & Bluetooth Speaker	Best Retro / Vintage Style
5	Sangean DT800 Pocket Radio	Best Compact / Pocket Radio
6	Sangean ATS-909X2 Professional World Receiver	Best Long-Range / Shortwave Radio
7	Sangean H205 Waterproof Shower & Weather Radio	Best Waterproof / Outdoor Radio
8	Avantree BoomByte Portable FM Radio & Bluetooth Speaker	Best Bluetooth Speaker + Radio Combo
9	Midland ER310 Emergency Solar Hand Crank Weather Radio	Best Solar / Crank Powered Radio
10	Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio	Best Premium / Hi-Fi Sound Radio

1. Panasonic RF-2400DGN-S Portable AM/FM Radio – Best Overall

Panasonic’s RF-2400DGN-S sticks to a proven silver, retro-styled cabinet with a genuinely large analogue dial scale and a fluorescent tuning pointer that lights up in the dark. At 23 x 8 x 12cm and just under a kilogram, it’s substantial enough to feel solid on a kitchen bench or bedside table without being a chore to move around.

The AM/FM tuner uses auto frequency control (AFC), which nudges the dial onto the nearest strong station rather than demanding pinpoint manual tuning, handy for weaker AM signals outside the main centres. For a single-driver mono set, the speaker fills a room with clear, unfussy sound.

It runs on either the included AC adaptor or four AA batteries (sold separately), so it keeps working straight through a power cut and can equally live permanently plugged in on a shelf.

There’s no Bluetooth, no digital display and no station presets here. It’s a straightforward analogue radio for people who want reliable AM/FM without a learning curve, and an easy pick for a kitchen, workshop or bedside radio.

Pros:

• Genuinely large, easy-to-read dial with an illuminated pointer for night use
• Dual AC/battery power means it keeps working during outages
• Auto frequency control makes tuning far less fiddly than fully manual dials
• 309 ratings at 4.5 stars is a strong trust signal for the price point

Cons:

• No Bluetooth, USB charging or digital tuning — analogue only
• Batteries not included despite being one of the two power options
• Mono sound from a single speaker, not built for critical listening

Key specs: AM/FM tuner with auto frequency control; mains AC adaptor or 4 x AA batteries (not included); 23 x 8 x 12cm; 0.94kg; illuminated analogue dial.

2. MONODEAL Portable DAB+/FM Digital Radio – Best Budget

This compact black unit (16.5 x 11.9 x 7.2cm) is built around a 3-inch full-colour TFT screen that shows station name and album art, paired with a simple button layout that’s easy to hand to anyone without a manual.

It carries a dual tuner setup, DAB/DAB+ digital alongside standard FM, with auto-scan storing up to 40 presets, plus Bluetooth 5.0 for streaming from a phone and a 3.5mm aux-in for wired sources.

Power comes from a built-in rechargeable battery topped up via the included USB-C cable, rated for around 14 hours per charge, so there are no batteries to buy, though it does need recharging rather than running indefinitely on AAs.

As the cheapest radio on this list that still clears a genuine quality bar, it punches above its price with a colour screen, Bluetooth and DAB+ that pricier competitors sometimes skip. Worth noting for NZ buyers: DAB+ digital broadcasting isn’t a mainstream standard here, so the FM tuner and Bluetooth streaming will do most of the everyday work.

Pros:

• Colour display makes browsing stations far easier than a basic LCD readout
• Bluetooth 5.0 streaming plus aux-in covers phones, tablets and older wired devices
• Rechargeable via USB-C, removing the ongoing cost of disposable batteries
• Over 1,600 ratings at 4.4 stars is a strong trust signal for a lesser-known brand

Cons:

• DAB+ digital reception has limited practical use in NZ
• 14-hour battery life means more frequent recharging than AA-powered sets
• Not an established radio-specific brand the way Sangean or Panasonic are

Key specs: FM plus DAB/DAB+ tuner; Bluetooth 5.0 and 3.5mm aux-in; 3-inch colour TFT display; USB-C rechargeable, ~14 hours playback; up to 40 presets.

3. Sangean MMR88 Multi-Powered Portable Radio – Best Emergency / Weather Radio

The MMR88 is built specifically for emergency use, with a compact black-and-orange body dominated by a fold-out hand crank on one side. At just 0.42kg, it’s light enough to keep permanently in a car, tramping pack or emergency kit without a second thought.

It covers AM/FM with 19 random presets, plus a weather-alert LED indicator and a built-in adjustable LED flashlight, genuinely useful when the power’s out and you can’t see the dial in front of you.

The standout feature is power flexibility: it charges via hand-crank dynamo, a small integrated solar panel, or a USB cable, all feeding an internal rechargeable lithium battery, three independent ways to keep it running with zero disposable batteries required.

As an established radio manufacturer, Sangean charges more here than the no-name crank radios that flood Amazon, but the trade-off is a sturdier crank mechanism and steadier reception. This is a set built for genuine emergency preparedness rather than everyday listening.

Pros:

• Three independent charging methods — hand-crank, solar and USB — with no disposable batteries needed
• Built-in LED flashlight is genuinely useful during power outages
• Weather-alert LED indicator adds an extra layer of safety awareness
• Small and light enough to live permanently in an emergency kit or glovebox

Cons:

• Noticeably pricier than basic hand-crank radios from lesser-known brands
• Small internal speaker prioritises function over listening quality
• Only 147 ratings — a smaller review sample than some other picks on this list

Key specs: AM/FM tuner with 19 presets; charges via hand-crank dynamo, solar panel or USB into an internal rechargeable lithium battery; built-in LED flashlight and weather-alert LED; 0.42kg.

4. Greadio Walnut Wooden FM Radio – Best Retro / Vintage Style

The R919 leans fully into 1950s vintage styling, wrapped in a genuine walnut wood cabinet rather than plastic made to look like wood. At just 11.7 x 5.1 x 6.9cm, it’s small enough to sit on a bookshelf or bedside table purely as a stylish accent piece, whether or not it’s actively playing anything.

Underneath the retro shell sit two genuinely current features: Bluetooth 4.2 for streaming from a phone and a straightforward FM tuner for old-school channel surfing. A 5-watt amplifier with a built-in bass-enhancement circuit gives it a surprisingly full, warm stereo sound for its size.

Power comes from a built-in 1100mAh rechargeable battery good for around 8 hours of playtime, charged over a standard cable rather than needing disposable batteries, so it travels easily to a kitchen, garage, campfire or picnic table.

This is best understood as a Bluetooth speaker with a genuine FM radio built in, not a dedicated set for serious listening — there’s no AM band, no presets and no digital display. But as a decorative, giftable radio-speaker hybrid, it’s proven itself at scale, with over 10,600 ratings at 4.6 stars.

Pros:

• Genuine solid walnut wood cabinet, not wood-look plastic
• Bluetooth 4.2 streaming plus a working FM tuner in one compact unit
• 5W bass-enhanced speaker sounds richer and louder than its size suggests
• Exceptionally well proven — over 10,600 ratings at 4.6 stars

Cons:

• FM only, no AM or shortwave bands
• No station presets or digital display
• Primarily a Bluetooth speaker with radio built in, not a dedicated radio for serious listening

Key specs: FM radio + Bluetooth 4.2 speaker, 5W amplifier with bass enhancement, built-in 1100mAh rechargeable battery (~8hr playtime), walnut wood cabinet, 11.7 x 5.1 x 6.9cm.

5. Sangean DT800 Pocket Radio – Best Compact / Pocket Radio

The DT800 is genuinely pocket-sized at roughly 2.7 x 6.8 x 11.5cm and just 130g, built to slip into a jacket pocket or bag without being noticed, with a minimalist white finish and a small LCD readout.

It pairs an AM/FM tuner with adjustable bandwidth for fine-tuning reception in crowded signal areas, plus Softmute technology that cuts the background hiss you’d normally get scanning between stations on cheaper sets.

It runs on AA batteries rather than a rechargeable cell, which keeps it lightweight and means you don’t need to plan around charging before a walk, run or flight, just carry spares.

As a genuine Sangean, it offers a level of tuner refinement you won’t find on generic pocket radios at half the price, but that refinement comes at a premium paid purely for pocket-sized convenience.

Pros:

• Genuinely pocket-sized and light enough to forget you’re carrying it
• Adjustable bandwidth and Softmute give noticeably cleaner manual tuning
• Alarm timer and adjustable auto shut-off are handy everyday extras
• Strong 4.5-star rating across 143 reviews

Cons:

• AA batteries not included, an ongoing running cost versus rechargeable rivals
• No Bluetooth or digital display
• Priced higher than several larger, more feature-packed radios on this list

Key specs: AM/FM tuner with adjustable bandwidth and Softmute noise reduction; AA battery powered; alarm timer and adjustable auto shut-off; ~2.7 x 6.8 x 11.5cm; 130g.

6. Sangean ATS-909X2 Professional World Receiver – Best Long-Range / Shortwave Radio

The ATS-909X2 is Sangean’s flagship handheld world-band set, and it looks the part: a chunky white body with a large backlit LCD, a rotary tuning knob, and a full keypad for direct frequency entry.

Where this radio earns its keep is reception. It covers LW, MW, SW, FM and even the aircraft band, with dual conversion circuitry and single-sideband (SSB) demodulation that lets serious listeners pull in ham radio and utility transmissions most portables simply can’t decode. A squelch control mutes the hiss between weak stations, and 1,674 station presets across three memory banks mean a shortwave hobbyist can log an entire season of DX catches without running out of slots.

Power comes from rechargeable cells charged over USB, and Sangean has added fault detection to the charging circuit so a bad battery gets flagged rather than silently ruining a listening session.

This is not an impulse buy or a bathroom radio, it’s a purpose-built instrument for people who already know what SSB and dual conversion mean, or want to learn. The price sits well above typical portable radios, so it’s worth going in with realistic expectations that this is a niche, enthusiast-grade purchase.

Pros:

• 1,674 station presets across 3 memory banks for serious logging
• SSB (single sideband) reception for ham radio and utility signals
• Dual conversion tuner for sharper long-range and shortwave reception
• Squelch control cuts noise from weak or empty frequencies

Cons:

• Premium price well above typical portable radios
• Small Australian review sample (60 ratings) compared to mainstream models
• Dense menu system has a real learning curve for casual users

Key specs: AM/FM/LW/SW/Air band coverage with SSB reception, 1,674 presets in 3 memory banks, dual conversion tuner, USB charging, ~208 x 135 x 34mm.

7. Sangean H205 Waterproof Shower & Weather Radio – Best Waterproof / Outdoor Radio

The H205 is built around a tall, narrow vertical body designed to hang from a shower head or a hook without hogging bench space. It comes with a hanging strap, a clip-on FM/weather antenna, and a large, easy-to-read LCD.

Reception covers AM and FM with 20 total station presets (10 FM, 5 AM, 5 weather), plus all 7 NOAA weather channels for US-style emergency broadcasts. A built-in siren function triggers during severe weather alerts, and auto seek makes station-hunting simple with wet or soapy hands.

It runs entirely on batteries rather than an internal rechargeable pack, which keeps things simple but means you’ll want spares on hand for extended outdoor or off-grid use.

This is a purpose-built shower and outdoor companion rather than a hi-fi or long-range set, it’s mono with no Bluetooth or aux input. For NZ buyers the drawcard is really the genuine JIS7 waterproof/submersible rating and Sangean’s reliability, backed by well over a thousand ratings.

Pros:

• JIS7 waterproof rating — fully submersible, ideal for showers, boats and beach use
• Receives all 7 NOAA weather channels with a built-in alert siren
• 20 station presets with auto seek
• Backed by 1,243 ratings at 4.5 stars

Cons:

• Mono speaker only, no Bluetooth or aux input for other audio sources
• Battery-powered only, no built-in rechargeable pack
• Weather-alert channels are tuned to US NOAA broadcasts, of limited use outside that system

Key specs: AM/FM/NOAA weather radio with 20 presets, JIS7 waterproof/submersible rating, battery powered, includes hanging strap and clip-on antenna.

8. Avantree BoomByte Portable FM Radio & Bluetooth Speaker – Best Bluetooth Speaker + Radio Combo

The BoomByte has a slim, flat metal-finish body that looks more like a modern desktop speaker than a traditional radio, built to move between the kitchen bench, garden and beach bag without feeling like dead weight.

What sets it apart is genuine four-in-one flexibility: FM radio, Bluetooth streaming, USB drive playback and micro SD card support all run through the same pair of 7-watt drivers, giving proper left-right stereo separation rather than the mono sound most compact radios settle for.

A claimed 18 hours of battery life comfortably covers a full day of use, and charging is via USB-C, so it uses the same cable as most modern phones rather than a proprietary plug.

It’s a genuine hybrid rather than a specialist device, don’t expect shortwave or AM bands, or any official waterproofing. With over 1,300 ratings at 4.5 stars it’s clearly resonating with buyers who want one gadget that covers radio and Bluetooth duty.

Pros:

• Genuine 4-in-1 device: FM radio, Bluetooth, USB and micro SD playback
• Dual 7W drivers give real stereo separation, unusual at this size
• Claimed 18-hour battery life with USB-C charging
• Strong trust signal with 1,338 ratings at 4.5 stars

Cons:

• No AM or shortwave bands — FM only
• Not officially rated waterproof or splashproof
• Battery life will drop noticeably when streaming Bluetooth at higher volumes

Key specs: FM radio + Bluetooth + USB/SD playback, two 7W drivers, ~18 hour battery life, USB-C charging, ~17.6 x 14 x 4.4cm.

9. Midland ER310 Emergency Solar Hand Crank Weather Radio – Best Solar / Crank Powered Radio

The ER310 wears its purpose openly — a rugged red housing, a fold-out hand crank, and a small solar panel built into the top, all sized to live in an emergency kit or glovebox rather than a lounge room.

On the listening side it covers AM/FM plus NOAA weather-alert channels, storing incoming alerts for an hour so you don’t miss a warning that comes through while the radio is off. A 130-lumen Cree LED flashlight, an SOS beacon that flashes Morse code, and an ultrasonic dog whistle for search-and-rescue scenarios round out the emergency toolkit.

Power is genuinely redundant: a replaceable 2,600mAh lithium-ion battery can be topped up by cranking, by the solar panel, or over USB, and the radio can also run on six AA batteries as a fallback. The same battery doubles as a USB power bank for charging a phone in a pinch.

This is built for blackouts, camping and civil-defence style preparedness rather than everyday listening, it’s AM/FM only with no shortwave bands, and solar charging alone is slow going for a full top-up. With 5,734 ratings at 4.6 stars, it’s clearly a trusted pick for exactly the job it’s designed for.

Pros:

• Triple power redundancy: hand crank, solar panel and replaceable 2,600mAh li-ion battery, plus 6xAA backup
• Doubles as a USB power bank for charging a phone during an outage
• Receives NOAA weather alerts and stores them for later playback
• Exceptionally well reviewed — 5,734 ratings at 4.6 stars

Cons:

• AM/FM and weather bands only — no shortwave
• Bulkier and heavier than a standard portable radio
• Solar panel alone charges slowly; crank or USB are faster top-up options

Key specs: AM/FM/NOAA weather radio, powered by crank, solar, 2,600mAh li-ion battery or 6xAA, 130-lumen Cree LED flashlight, USB output for device charging.

10. Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Table Radio – Best Premium / Hi-Fi Sound Radio

The Model One is a genuine design classic, its furniture-grade, handmade wood cabinet has barely changed since it first launched, with just a few knobs on the front for power/volume, tuning and band.

Inside sits a discrete-component FM tuner that longtime owners repeatedly single out as one of the best analogue tuners available at this size, capable of pulling in stations that get swamped on lesser sets, backed by a built-in AM antenna for medium-wave reception.

There’s no battery here, this is a mains-powered tabletop set with an auxiliary input, so it’s designed to live on a shelf or desk rather than travel outdoors.

This is by far the priciest radio on our list, and it earns its place specifically for the design and the tuner, not for portability or modern extras like Bluetooth or DAB+. It suits a room where a beautifully made object matters as much as picking up the local AM or FM station.

Pros:

• Genuinely iconic, decades-old industrial design with a real handmade wood cabinet
• Analogue FM tuner regarded by long-time owners as one of the best in its class
• Simple, uncluttered operation with nothing to learn
• Solid 4.3-star average across 149 ratings for a premium niche product

Cons:

• Significantly more expensive than every other radio on this list
• Mono sound only, with no stereo separation
• Mains-powered only, with no battery option, so it isn’t portable for daily use
• No Bluetooth, digital display or presets

Key specs: AM/FM analogue tuner with discrete-component FM circuitry; mono output; mains-powered via 12V DC adaptor; handmade wood cabinet; ~21.3 x 11.4 x 13.3cm; 1.43kg.

How to Choose a Portable Radio

Tuner type: a basic AM/FM radio covers local stations and talkback. DAB+ digital tuning is common in Australia but has limited broadcast coverage in New Zealand, so don’t pay extra for it unless you specifically want it. Shortwave (SW) and world-band tuners are for serious hobbyists chasing international and amateur broadcasts over very long distances.

Power source: mains-only radios are fine for a fixed spot like a kitchen or study, but anything you’ll use outdoors or during a power cut should run on batteries, a rechargeable cell, or ideally both. For genuine emergency preparedness, look for a radio offering hand-crank or solar charging as a backup to batteries.

Bluetooth vs pure radio: many modern “radios” are really Bluetooth speakers with an FM tuner bundled in. That’s a great fit if you mostly want to stream music and only occasionally tune into a station, but a dedicated radio design will usually have better AM/FM reception and a longer battery life on radio alone.

Portability and waterproofing: if the radio is coming camping, to the beach, or into the shower, check for an actual water-resistance rating (like JIS7 or an IPX rating) rather than assuming — most everyday portable radios are not designed to get wet.

Emergency features: if the radio’s main job is sitting in a car or emergency kit, prioritise multiple charging methods (crank, solar, USB), a built-in flashlight, and a weather-alert function over sound quality or extra bands.

For the rest of your living room setup, the guides to portable projectors, 32-inch smart TVs and Bluetooth speakers are worth a look.

Radios are for filling a room; when the listening needs to be private, an affordable wireless earbud set does it without disturbing anyone else in the house.

Verdict

For most New Zealand households, the Panasonic RF-2400DGN-S remains our top overall pick: a straightforward, reliable AM/FM radio with dual AC/battery power and a genuinely easy-to-read dial. If budget is the deciding factor, the MONODEAL DAB+/FM radio delivers a colour screen and Bluetooth for less than any other set on this list.

For emergency preparedness, the Sangean MMR88 and Midland ER310 both offer genuine hand-crank and solar charging with no reliance on disposable batteries, while the Sangean H205 is the one to hang in a shower or take on a boat thanks to its JIS7 waterproof rating. If you want a radio that doubles as a stylish decoration, the Greadio walnut wood radio pairs a genuine vintage look with modern Bluetooth streaming, and shortwave enthusiasts should go straight to the Sangean ATS-909X2. For anyone who simply wants the best possible sound from a tabletop set and doesn’t need portability, the Tivoli Audio Model One is the splurge-worthy choice.

Frequently Asked Questions