Tabletop radios tend to be larger and heavier than other types, meaning they can often sound better. Some radios have a dedicated remote control, or an accompanying smartphone app that can act as a remote control. These can be very handy if you’re choosing a radio for a living room or dining room, so you won't have to get up every time you want to adjust the volume or switch stations.

According to the design team at VQ, The Retro Mini radio was their chance to create something capable of standing the test of time with modern functionality and unbeatable charm. The VQ Retro mini radio comes with DAB and DAB+ connectivity, as well as standard FM, so you can listen to any station you like.Do consider carefully which features you actually need – you’ll save money by avoiding those you’re unlikely to use. Which brand: Roberts or Pure? If you and your partner need to get up at different times, look for a model with dual independent alarms, an increasingly common feature. Snooze button If you’re still having trouble, buying an internet radio may be the answer – this will work in range of your home wi-fi signal, and most models have DAB and FM radio as well in case signal improves in your area in the future. Does DAB radio sound better than FM radio? No matter which colour you choose, the VQ retro mini is bound to live up to its name. The eighties-inspired theme resonates all the way from the leatherette-feel handle, to the wooden casing.

Bluetooth is the secret to making a standard DAB radio ‘smarter’, without having to pay more for an internet radio.The 1960s-inspired radio is classic in design and has a smooth rubber finish, with a matte cream-style facia. Perfect for someone looking for a retro radio with modern features and a vintage style. Now, don’t get us wrong, there are few elements of the VQ mini radio that don’t quite live up to the experience you would get with something like the Retro Revival Uno from Roberts. People often find that it’s easier to access these internet features via your smartphone’s touchscreen anyway, as it can be fiddly to navigate them using the buttons on a radio. Some internet radios have an accompanying app to solve this issue.

The great thing about the Retro Classic is its multi-functionality for such a small device. It has DAB/DAB+ FM Radio, and Bluetooth 5.0, and is compatible with all smartphones and devices. This contemporary, retro-styled digital radio is perfect for listening to music, FM radio, podcasts, or streaming your favourite sounds whilst working at home, cooking in the kitchen, or enjoying being out in the garden. Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to transition most BBC and commercial radio stations to DAB+, with both consumers and the industry generally happy with the audio quality of DAB stations.It allows you to stream internet radio, and any other audio on your smartphone, to your DAB radio – so you can listen to everything from podcasts and audiobooks to your personal music collection. NFC (near field communication) is simply an easier way of connecting via Bluetooth – instead of finding the radio in the Bluetooth menu on your smartphone or tablet, you can simply touch your device on the ‘N’ symbol on the radio. It’s an academic argument, though: all DAB radios we review also give you FM radio too, so you don’t lose out. You can easily switch between the two to get the best sound quality wherever you are. Also it’s important to note your radio’s speakers have a far greater impact on the quality of sound than choosing between DAB and FM broadcasts – it’s more important to choose a DAB radio we recommend. Another excellent feature is that the VQ Retro Mini comes with an equaliser, so you can adjust the sound quality to suit your specific needs. There are 5 different EQ settings built-in. The Retro Mini features DAB & DAB+ Digital Radio along with traditional FM, meaning you can listen to all the available stations broadcast in your area from the likes of; your national, commercial, and local broadcasters. Finding new stations couldn’t be easier. The auto scan finds all your available stations with a simple alphabetical list to scroll through. Once you find a new favourite station, save it to one of sixty available presets. The “Pop” option is great for listening to a lot of top 40 radio stations. However, you might need to fiddle for a while longer if you’re looking for something that’s suitable for talk radio. VQ Retro Mini radio: Verdict