You can also choose the volume of the alarm. The alarm will gradually build up to this volume. However, the lowest volume setting is still quite loud. Summary In terms of value for money, we’d recommend the AZATOM Horizon. However, the Roberts Revival iStream 3 is more stylish and has more features and better sound quality. Multiple alarms: This is useful if you want to have different alarms, for example having one alarm for weekdays and another for weekends. CD bookmarking feature is useful. Most CD players don’t have this feature, so it is one of the Roberts Sound38’s main selling points.

When you hit the snooze button you can choose to pause the alarm for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 minutes, or switch it off altogether.Still a little lost? Stephanie has written an in-depth guide on how to choose a radio, with sound advice. What is DAB/DAB+ radio? You can set the alarm to wake you up to either a standard alarm buzzer sound or a radio station of your choice. Since you can only set 2 presets on DAB and 2 on FM, this can make changing the radio station you want to wake up to a bit fiddly (the easiest thing is just to tune into it first before setting the alarm). DAB is a digitally transmitted sound. In the near future, radios that use traditional radio waves (FM) will be phased out in favour of DAB radio – as the DAB range is wider and the sound quality is arguably better. With time, you won’t be trying to find the exact wavelength of a show, it’ll be automatic. You can choose to use either a standard alarm buzzer sound or a radio station. If you want to wake up to a radio station, you can choose either the last station you were listening to or one of your presets.

Wi-fi for music streaming: Radios with wi-fi - called internet radios - often support music streaming services such as Spotify (may require subscriptions) The Roberts Sound38 offers a great range of features, the highlight of which being the CD bookmarking feature. It’s a good size for the bedroom and has good sound quality. It’s relatively expensive (see price here) , but it’s hard to find something similar for the less.You can choose when the alarm will sound (once/daily/weekdays/weekends), and can also choose the volume of the alarm. Sleep timer: This lets you set a timer so the radio will turn itself off after a set period of time. This Denver MC-5220 offers good value for money (see price here) as long as you’re not too fussy about sound quality. It’s a good option if you’re budget-conscious and want something that will look nice on the bedroom wall. If you want DAB radio and/or better sound quality, read on and consider one of the radios reviewed below. Roberts Radio CD Cube 3-Band Stereo Radio Out of the products we’ve reviewed here, four have Bluetooth: The AZATOM Horizon, the John Lewis & Partners Aria, the Roberts Revival iStream 3 and the Majority Fulbourn II.

independent alarms (set different alarms for weekdays and weekends, or different alarms for you and your partner) The Sony ICF-C1PJ and the USCCE have natural sounds as alarm choices in addition to a buzzer or FM radio. Our reviewers favored the Sony's refreshing wake-up alarms and relaxing white noise to fall asleep to. Since there are two alarms, you can set one alarm for weekdays and another at a different time for weekends. When the alarm sounds, you can push the Skip dial button to switch the radio to standby for 5 minutes. This radio lets you set two separate alarms. You can choose to wake up to a regular alarm sound or an FM or DAB radio station.Bluetooth: This will let you stream music or audio wirelessly from your phone or tablet through the radio’s speaker.

USB charging and Bluetooth are nice additions that help set it apart from other radios at this price point. Nowadays, there are plenty of places to listen to your favourite smooth voices and tunes. With the help of Deputy Digital Editor Stephanie Antony, we’ve put together a brief list for your consideration. The Spectrum is attractively priced, but the process of setting the alarm is quite lengthy and inconvenient. It could certainly be improved, but it still offers good value for money.Comes with a remote control which can be used to activate sleep and snooze functions. This is very useful for using the stereo when you’re in bed. CD player isn’t especially reliable—several buyers have had problems with is after a few months of use If the alarm button is difficult to locate, you can also turn off the alarm on a Bose radio by pressing the power button. To do this, press and hold the power button until the alarm turns off. This radio offers good value for money. However, the screen is quite small and could be difficult to read, plus it doesn’t dim completely. Bluetooth – Bluetooth will allow you to stream internet radio, podcasts and MP3s from your phone or tablet through the radio’s speaker.