Isn't a radio a bit of a 20th century device? Can't you play internet radio through pretty much any connected device you can lay your hands on? In short, why would you want to buy a radio?
This page is why. True, you can play radio on lots of other devices, but there's a lot to be said for having dedicated devices that excel at certain tasks. Sound quality, for one: do you really want to listen to 6Music on your laptop's speakers?
Plus today's radios do a lot more than just bring you the airwaves. They have built-in streaming services, physical connections for hooking up separate components, gorgeous designs and some are even entire systems in one.
These are the best you can currently buy, each meticulously tested by our experienced reviews team. We put them through their paces (the radios, that is, not our reviewers) in our state-of-the-art testing rooms, and use them at home as if they were our own. Verdicts are agreed upon as a team to eliminate bias, and we're always honest in our opinions, no matter how many noses it puts out of joint. For more on our testing process, check out our how we test section lower down this page.
The quick list
Here's a quick breakdown of our picks for the best internet radios with a short summary and some of the key features that they individually offer. If you're after more details, click the photo of the radio to drop down to the in-depth entry.
The R1S is easy on the eye, but its articulate and authoritative sound ensures it's not a case of style over substance. Its great feature set and effortless versatility make it the complete package. And now it's a What Hi-Fi? Award winner.
If you’re after a high-quality music system that looks great and sounds wonderful, the Ruark R2 Mk4 should be at the top of your wishlist. Offering a rich sound, impressive dynamics, and a great range of features, Ruark's R2 Mk4 is a pricey but impressive internet radio. It's a What Hi-Fi? Award winner, after all.
Featuring a modern-retro aesthetic, the Revo SuperConnect Stereo improves on its mono predecessor by adding stereo sound. Alongside radio, it also comes packed with a range streaming services such as Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music.
As hi-fi and audio editor, I've tested my fair share of internet radios over the 10+ years I've been in the business. Of course an internet radio has to sound great in order to make our list, but it needs to do a lot more, too. It must be versatile, easy to use, give you quick access to a wide range of radio stations from around the world, and look pretty appealing to boot. We're not just talking high end here either – even the more wallet-friendly models need to be accessible and fun to listen to. And if they have streaming features, even better!
Best overall
This is another winning entry in Ruark's entry-level line of radios – literally, as it picked up a What Hi-Fi? Award this year. It's the first with wi-fi and music streaming support, and while it's pricier than its predecessors, it's comfortably the best internet radio for most people.
Just look at it. It's gorgeous. It's small enough to sit on a desk or bedside table, yet manages to cram in a decent-sized screen whose text is never too cramped. And the build quality is second to none, with an acoustically damped cabinet, slatted walnut wood grilles (just like on the more premium R410 system) and a demure mid-grey lacquer finish. Ruark's RotoDial controller is also present and correct, and as reassuringly solid and responsive as ever.
Internet radio is on board of course, along with Bluetooth, streaming via the most popular music services and a USB-C port for charging your mobile. There are even physical connections for plugging in an MP3 player and wired headphones. And while the sound quality is a bit of a departure for Ruark, it's one we welcome – it foregoes the usual rich, full-bodied sound in favour of a more articulate, precise and authoritative profile. There's plenty of detail, the timing is immaculate and it generates a surprising amount of bass for a unit this size. All of which makes it the best internet radio currently available.
Read the full Ruark Audio R1S review
Best premium
We called the last model “gorgeous”; the new Ruark R2 Mk4 is even more elegant and elevated, so much so we gave it a What Hi-Fi? Award. So much of the Ruark R2’s appeal lies in its stylish, sleek design that exemplifies the modern-retro trend so prevalent across hi-fi products today.
This sturdy unit is made for sound quality as well as beauty, with its damped polymer cabinet acoustically tuned. The R2 comes in two finishes: light cream or espresso, with ash or walnut grilles respectively. The rounded edges of the cabinet, the new handcrafted slatted wood grille on the front, and the bonded glass display are all are made to a very high quality.
The R2 has that naturally rich, weighty, and expressive sound signature, and features plenty of functionality and connectivity in the form of FM/DAB/DAB+ tuners, internet radio, Bluetooth, and alarms.
Read the full Ruark Audio R2 Mk4 review
Best system
We loved the original Revo SuperConnect internet radio, but nearly a decade later, the stereo upgrade has taken things to new heights. The SuperConnect Stereo is a certified five-star performer in pretty much every department, serving up superb sound alongside sleek retro-modern looks and a whole raft of features and connectivity options.
In fact, the SuperConnect could well be your go-to alternative to a traditional multiple-box separates hi-fi system, such is the raft of functions on display and the level of sound produced. The range of physical connections is substantial (RCA analogue output, 3.5mm aux in, a digital optical output and 3.5mm headphone jack), while wireless options are accommodated courtesy of wi-fi and Bluetooth, with Spotify Connect, Deezer and Amazon Music music services supported. As a bonus, you can even stream tunes from connected devices on your home network. There’s also the usual access to FM, DAB/DAB+ and internet radio you’d expect from, well, a radio.
Hi-fi quality sound is the SuperConnect Stereo’s real trump card, though. It now has two 3.5-inch BMR drivers powered by a 30W Class D amplifier. Tracks feel balanced, weighty and properly substantial, with far more depth and subtlety than you’d normally associate with a single radio unit. Whether in our listening rooms or at home in the kitchen, Revo’s latest always felt balanced, in control and immensely enjoyable to listen to.
When we first heard that Revo was planning to charge £489 / $599 / AU$899 for its latest internet radio, it initially felt a tad steep. Having tested and lived with the SuperConnect Stereo for a number of weeks and experienced its class-leading sound and effortless usability, we can cheerfully confirm that it’s worth every penny.
Read the full Revo SuperConnect Stereo review
How to choose
Internet radios don't just bring you internet radio. The best models offer all sorts of extras, like Bluetooth, FM and DAB radio, a 3.5mm headphone jack and streaming from music services like Spotify and Amazon Music. Think about whether you would use these, or if other devices in your home already have them covered – there's no point paying for features you're not going to use.
On the subject of paying, prices vary considerably, but you don't always need the most expensive option. Our pick for best overall is the cheapest from our selection.
You should also consider its design and build quality. A radio is on show at all times, and is often positioned prominently to get the best sound. If you're going to see it every day, make sure it's not something you hate the sight of.
And while voice controls are often standard, if you are going to be pressing buttons, you want ones that feel satisfying to use.
How we test
We independently review hundreds of products each year, always as a team, at our state-of-the-art testing facilities located in London, Reading and Bath. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency and of course, impartiality, while making sure no opinion goes unheard from our team of audio experts.
All radio products are tested against rivals in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference. We test not only the raw audio quality of internet radio (and FM and DAB) but all its advertised features from Bluetooth connectivity to streaming support to the alarms and presets.
Performance is important but only in the context of a radio's value. A much more expensive radio might come with lots of bells and whistles, like various streaming service support and lots of connectivity options, but if you're only ever listening to the same four radio stations, you might be better served by a more focused radio that caters to your needs. Equally, if your internet radio is doing double duty as your main audio system, it needs to be up to the task (and your budget). And if you're not getting outright audio enjoyment, it's not exactly great value. A five-star product both performs great and is excellent value.
We choose only the best products from all of our reviews to feature in our Best Buys. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict. At What Hi-Fi? we are proud to have been delivering honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
You can read more about how we test and review products on What Hi-Fi? here.
F.A.Q.
What’s better: internet radio or DAB radio?
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Internet radio gives you access to tens of thousands of radio stations from across the world, so you get far more choice than DAB radio. DAB is perfect if you're happy to listen to local and national stations. Internet radio is your portal to world music but remember, you will need a wi-fi/internet connection. Sound quality? Again, that depends on the radio station and the strength of your connection. It isn't necessarily true that one always sounds better than the other.
Is it worth buying an internet radio?
We think so, which is why we put together this guide. It is worth remembering that a smart speaker will also give you internet radio, though its feature set may well differ from a dedicated internet radio.
What is the difference between internet radio and online radio?
Nothing really – they are one and the same. But the terms may be used differently. Online radio generally refers to radio listening through a browser, as then you're online and so able to open other browser tabs and windows. Internet radio usually refers to listening through a device that's connected to the internet (like a radio), but that you don't use for more general online purposes.
Recent updates
- 11th October 2024: Added mention of Award-winning status to both Ruark entries. Rewrote intro. Deleted duplicate headings in 'The Quick List'.
- 26th July 2024: Deleted Jump Menu. Added 'Recent updates' section. Replaced Roberts 94L with Ruark Audio R1S. Added gallery images for Ruark R2 Mk4.
- 17th May 2024: Converted to new Best Buy format. Added author bio, 'How to Choose' and 'FAQ' sections.
- 12th December 2023: Replaced Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 with Ruark Audio R2 Mk4. Added mention of What Hi-Fi Awards 2023 winners.