How to buy a radio: FM, world band, battery powered
What you need the radio for
People buy radios for different reasons, and the reason decides the choice. For power cuts you need a simple model on batteries or with a built-in rechargeable battery, which catches FM and does not need a socket. For an elderly person, big buttons and a clear dial matter. For a hobby, a world-band receiver with shortwave (SW), sometimes with an SSB mode. For a kitchen or workshop, a tabletop model with good sound is a fit.
Bands worth knowing
FM means local stations with good sound quality. AM/MW (medium wave) and SW (shortwave) give long-distance reception, but need a good antenna and sensitivity, and often a location outside the city. World-band receivers, like the Tecsun PL-660, cover all these bands. DAB is rarer. So decide beforehand which stations you plan to listen to.
Power for outages
For power cuts it is good when the radio runs on AA batteries or a lithium battery and also charges over USB. There are models with a hand-crank dynamo or a solar panel that work without a stock of batteries, but their reception and volume are usually modest. Ask how many hours the radio runs on one charge and whether the battery can be replaced.
What to put in your request
- model: for example, Tecsun PL-660, if you have already chosen;
- bands: FM, AM/MW, SW (world band), SSB, DAB;
- new or used;
- power: batteries, rechargeable battery, mains, solar panel, dynamo;
- what for: power cuts, an elderly person, a hobby, the kitchen;
- size: pocket, portable, tabletop, retro;
- delivery and budget.
Example: “I need a compact radio for power cuts: FM and shortwave, powered by AA batteries with USB charging, new. Courier delivery to Singapore, budget up to $45.”
How to compare offers
Check whether the antenna, adapter, battery and case are in the box. Ask about sensitivity, a headphone output and a dial backlight. For used retro models, also check the state of the dial, the potentiometer and the speaker. Don't take “world band” literally: some models have only one extra band, so check the list.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
Create a short request on BlaBlaPrice, and sellers will reply in the chat: model, price, condition, delivery. They compete for your choice, so the offers often get better. The best offer by value is shown first, with reviews next to each. The service is free for buyers, and your phone is hidden. Read the details in the “How it works” section.
And if you want a radio as part of a system, look at music systems or portable speakers.
