We’ve a quick roundup of the best internet radios capable of streaming your station of choice. There are other ways of getting internet radio, but many people just want a traditional-looking radio they can put on their kitchen counter or sideboard. These should fit that bill…
Pure One Flow (typically £85)
The bestselling £85 Pure One Flow (also in white) dispenses with touchscreens and other distractions to offer internet radio streaming from a familiar box with dials and buttons. You’ll need a broadband internet connection and wireless router (preferably with an unlimited data plan, so you don’t rack up extra costs if you use up your monthly allowance), so that the wi-fi radio can connect and stream over the internet. The radio stores unlimited favourite stations on Pure’s Connect (formerly called “The Lounge”) website – simply login and add stations from the UK and around the world via your browser, and they’ll appear as a list on your radio.
If you do need to switch back to DAB or FM, you can do so, as the One Flow has tuners to receive stations on these wavebands. In this respect, it really is a “one-stop” shopfront for radio listening. A headphone socket lets you listen without annoying others around you.
The radio isn’t truly portable out-of-the-box – you’ll need a special rechargeable battery pack – and if you want to make a cabled connection to your router, an optional Ethernet Adaptor comes in extra. But, for ease of use and usability, it’s one of the best of the bunch.
Roberts Stream 83i (typically £130)
Don’t be fooled by the rather traditional looks of the 83i; under the case are some serious electronics and audio components to make streaming stations as painless as possible.
The 83i radio has rave reviews from owners, not least because of regular firmware updates to improve and add new features. As is typical at this price, both DAB and FM tuners are also included, to allow you to listen to existing “terrestrial” stations. You’ll still have a choice from thousands of stations “broadcasting” over the internet – including LBC, Choice FM and Real XS.
You can also wake to an internet station of your choice, which is a really useful feature, as is the included remote control. You can stream wirelessly (over wi-fi) or hook the unit up via an ethernet cable to your router. Alas, you can’t use batteries, but nevertheless if you’re looking for a kitchen or bedroom-type radio (with alarm), the Roberts Stream 83i is worth saving up for.
Roberts Stream 106X (typically £97)
The ‘106X uses 6 standard C-cell batteries, which allows you to move the internet radio around your house without being near a power socket. It’s an internet-only receiver (no DAB or FM tuners here), so you’ll be able to stream stations over your wi-fi network, but not listen to Radio 4 on FM, for example.
Two alarm timers help do the job of waking you up to UK-based LBC or a whole heap of stations of your choice from abroad. A headphone socket means you can also doze off to a station without waking your partner.
The Roberts Stream 106X is worth considering if you want a physical radio with modern looks that you can sit on your kitchen counter, without the hassle of downloading apps.
DAB Radio Stations 