The Best Workshop Radios of 2025

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

When you’re sanding, staining, or completing other DIY projects in the workshop, a little background noise can help you get the job done. And what could be more convenient and cost-efficient than a radio that runs on the very tool batteries that you already have at hand? If you’re a metalworker who likes heavy metal or a carpenter who’s into talk shows, you’ll want to consider these sound systems, some of which also charge devices, store gear, and even open bottles.

Photo: amazon.com

DeWalt’s DCR028B large, over-molded handles cleverly double as an integrated roll cage. The radio is lightweight, yet durable and convenient to transport.

This small radio features two 3.5-inch woofers and two 1-inch tweeters for high-quality sound. It has an AM/FM receiver, Bluetooth, and an auxiliary input. It also has a USB port, but this port only charges devices. It comes with an AC adapter for wall outlets and runs on 12V or 20V Max batteries, but it does not charge them.

Milwaukee’s M18 radio has loud, clear sound that’ll drown out workshop noise, and charging capabilities that can help you power up your tools as you’re listening to tunes. It has a 40-watt amplifier and a customizable equalizer that lets you dial in bass and treble settings.

This Milwaukee radio and charger combination works on both AC power and any of the brand’s M18 batteries. It also charges those batteries when plugged in, and it can charge mobile devices in both cordless and corded modes. It features AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, auxiliary input, and a USB port for device charging. There is a weatherproof storage compartment at the top of the radio unit, as well as a built-in bottle opener and three durable metal handles that also act as a roll cage.

Ryobi’s wireless Bluetooth speaker has 8.5 times the clarity than the P746, and runs on the Ryobi 18V batteries. It’s not a radio—it’sjust a standalone speaker—but it has a charging port, an integrated rubber handle, and 125-foot Bluetooth range. If you prefer your Spotify playlists to listening to what’s on the radio, this may be the sound solution for you.

Photo: Amazon

This wee radio weighs just 1.7 pounds and is under 7 inches long, a fraction of the size and weight of most workshop radios. It plays AM and FM radio stations and comes with an earphone jack for listening to the game without bugging others. The Makita also has an auxiliary jack for plugging in an MP3 player or an iPod, but it’s not Bluetooth-capable. The radio’s sound quality isn’t amazing, but it can fit just about anywhere, and runs off Makita’s 12V batteries.

Photo: Amazon

With an aluminium-and-rubber roll cage, 360-degree stereo sound, and large buttons and knobs that are easy to manipulate when wearing gloves, Bosch’s jobsite radio has some thoughtful, useful details. Bluetooth 5.0, which connects at distances up to 100 feet, AC outlets, USB charging, and a digital tuner round out this stereo’s terrific features.

With a JIS 4 water rating (equivalent to IPX4, which means that it can withstand water splashes), the Sangean U3 radio is worth considering if you keep your radio near a utility sink or work around water. Other features that this 10-inch by 10-inch by 15-inch radio has that we don’t see on many others are two alarms (including a sleep timer) and an automatic scan through radio stations. When you get engrossed in a project, it pays to have an alarm to remind you when to stop!

Photo: The Home Depot

Compact, with dimensions just shy of 10 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches, Milwaukee’s 12-volt radio runs for about 10 hours on a M12 RedLithium battery. We especially like how easy the radio is to hang—it has a hollow handle and a self-centring keyhole, and buttons and dials that are protected on the top of the unit.

The post The Best Workshop Radios of 2025 appeared first on Bob Vila.

​Read More