The 5 Best Transistor Radios
Let’s get into our Wayback Machine and return to a different time: a time before cell phones with unlimited music libraries; a time before Mp3 players, Napster and file sharing; and a time before CD players, Discman and Walkman. Let's return to the day when the transistor radio ruled the Roller Disco Rink as the cutting-edge way to listen to music on the go. Packed with a 9-volt battery and a single-ear headphone, all the top AM hits were yours with the simple turn of a dial. As it turns out, the transistor radio never went out of style – it just became more feature-rich without increasing in size. The transistor radio will always be a summertime classic, and we’re here to share with you the five best ones on the market today
Sony ICFP26
For Perfect, Sony Days
Simplicity and functionality are the key traits of the Sony ICFP26. It’s a classic transistor radio, made by one of the top names ever in consumer electronics. Powered by two AA batteries, this radio gets excellent AM/FM reception with it’s telescoping antenna and LED tuner. Clear and resonant sound come from the integrated speaker or through the dual earphone/headphone jack, and with a built-in hand-strap, you can either carry your radio safely by hand or stick it in your pocket (it weighs less than 7 ounces and is only 4.65-inches tall). It’s a basic, dependable, affordable transistor radio, and really, what more do you want than that?
Pros:
- Sliding on/off switch prevents accidental battery drain
- Sleek, jet-black design
- Louder than expected
Cons:
- No belt clip
- No stereo, only mono
Vondior Pocket Radio
May Last Even Longer Than The 70’s
What could be worse than listening to the big game on your transistor radio when suddenly the batteries run out? Or planning a camping trip with your emergency radio only to find it’s dead on arrival? The Vondior Pocket Radio puts an end to these sad moments with a patented transistor design that uses less battery power than other radios. (There is some debate out there as to whether 9-volt or AA is the most efficient and longest-lasting way to power a transistor radio. The folks at Vondior go with AA batteries). Perhaps just as good, some owners have reported receiving AM radio signals from hundreds of miles away using the Vondior – so you know it’s going to work just fine at your baseball game.
Pros:
- Available in black and silver
- Sturdy earphone jack
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Telescopic antenna loosens mounting screw
- Tuner covers frequency range in only two revolutions
iRonsnow Emergency Radio
Snowbody Does It Better
If you have to be caught in a storm, this is the radio you want as your companion. Featuring the standard AM/FM radio bands, the iRonsnow comes with a powerful, 3-bulb LED flashlight, along with a plug-in mobile phone charger, all of which are powered by hand-crank, solar cells or internal battery. The iRonsnow can also help you avoid emergencies entirely with its integrated NOAA Weather Radio, which keeps you immediately posted about storm watches and storm warnings in your area. Weighing less than a half-pound and only five inches long, it’s the perfect transistor radio to stick into your emergency preparation bag, secure in knowing it will be ready to work if the situation arises.
Pros:
- 1000mAh power bank
- Comes in black or red
- USB chargeable
Cons:
- Won’t run on conventional batteries
- No headphone jack
Prunus J-01
Something Old, Something New
The Prunus J-01 takes an all-time classic and makes it better. Prunus puts in all the features you’d expect to find in a transistor radio, then adds a DSP chip and copperized antenna for increased stability and reception. If you want some different music than what you can find on AM and FM bands, there’s a 64 GB SD card port on the back that supports Mp3 and .wma file format, allowing you to bring along your music library. The Prunus J-01 also features a shortwave radio band as well, making it perfect for boaters who need an all-in-one radio solution.
Pros:
- Waterproof and dustproof
- USB chargeable
- Low battery warning light
Cons:
- Does not use regular AA batteries
- Lower volume than other similar models
Greadio Retro Radio
Ain’t No Party Like An Old School Party
If you’ve been shopping for a transistor radio, you’ve seen for yourself that not a lot has changed about the basic design since the 1970s. But take it back another 40 years before that, and radios were Art Deco masterpieces that sat proudly on your desktop. Greadio takes the transistor radio back to the Golden Age with their Retro Radio, which features a cherry wood facing and speaker grill, with “burned” lettering for the controls. Instead of placement on the side, the large, “futuristic” tuner is square in the middle of the radio. Even with these features, the unit is no larger than standard transistor radios, making it even cooler.
Pros:
- Rounded edges for comfortable handling
- Still fits in your pocket
- 12-month warranty
Cons:
- Tips easily when placed on edge
- Medium-low battery life
Frequently Asked Questions
Transistor radios seem so . . . 1970s. Why don’t I get a digital radio instead?
Digital technology has certainly revolutionized the way we look at and listen to all sorts of media. However, a “gigital radio” simply employs vast numbers of tiny transistors in their integrated circuits – in other words, it’s still technically a transistor radio. The digitization certainly helps to reduce radio imperfections like drift, static and distortion, but the real reason for getting a digital radio is to receive digital signals, like SiriusXM and other satellite channels.
What does the transistor actually do in a transistor radio?
A transistor is a small circuit that is capable of taking a weak electronic signal and amplifying it into a stronger signal: it’s a current booster. This is what made it possible to create a small radio that could receive AM radio signals and convert them into loud music – the transistor acts as the signal amplifier. This is the same technology used in microphones, hearing aids and loudspeakers. Interestingly, a transistor can also work as an electronic switch, which is why every modern computer is made up of millions of tiny transistors.
How come there are some AM radio stations I can’t hear at all during the night, while others I can hear from 1,000 miles away?
During the day, AM radio signals pass through the ionosphere, getting absorbed and not traveling very far. This means that when the sun is out, you’re basically hearing only line-of-sight transmissions from these stations. At night, however, AM radio signals reflect off the ionosphere, then subsequently reflect off the ground and hills, interfering with each other. For this reason, some states require AM stations to lower their wattage and reduce their signal during the evening, making it difficult to hear that station. Other states don’t have these regulations, so their high-wattage stations reach further without the interference.
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