How to Choose the Best Radio Headphones
Despite the prevalence of music streaming, many still prefer the ease of radio. And who can blame them? It’s free, easily accessible, and you don’t need to rely on an internet connection. Radio offers a lot of variety and is an excellent source of entertainment, information, and music. It’s great for those who want to beat the boredom of routine. It’s especially useful for those who work in isolated places without access to the internet. Choosing which radio headphones isn’t exactly a straightforward process. Aside from factors like build quality and comfortability, you’ll also need to consider what type of radio headphones to opt for, what connectivity features it has, and whether to prioritize AM or FM tuning. To guide you, we’ve compiled some important factors to consider before making a purchase. So, let’s get started!
3M WorkTunes Connect + AM/FM
Key features
Noise Reduction Rating: 24dB AM/FM Availability: Both Type: Over-ear Weight: 0.85 lbs Station Presets: Up to 50 stations Battery: 2 AA batteries (not included) or optional lithium battery pack Connectivity: Bluetooth and 3.5mm AUX cable Other Features: Bass Boost option, Safe Volume Control, Audio Assist Technology, integrated microphone.
The 3M WorkTunes Connect + AM/FM has AM/FM capability with a Bass Boost option. This allows you to enjoy music and radio programs with better dynamic clarity. It also comes with extra audio features and connectivity options, making these radio headphones our best overall pick. AM/FM radio headphones come with a few other advantages depending on what type you purchase. Here are the different types of radio headphones available today:
Hearing protection devices: As the name suggests, hearing protection devices (HPDs) are designed to block out excessive noise to protect your ears. Many HPDs have built-in AM/FM radio tuners to eliminate the need to stay within range of an audio source for added safety. If you do a lot of lawn mowing, shooting sports, or work in industrial plants, having an HPD with a built-in radio is a great way to hit two birds with one stone.
Bluetooth headphones with radio tuners: Some headphones come with both Bluetooth connectivity and AM/FM tuners. These headphones are more versatile because you have the option of listening to music from your phone.
Regular radio headphones: These types are strictly for radio listening only and don’t have any extra features.
Good signal reception is dependent on the quality of the following factors:
Antenna
Antennas are responsible for intercepting radio signals in the air. Without a good antenna, you’ll lose the radio function of your headphones. Internal antennas are recommended for AM radio. AM radio waves travel long distances along the ground’s surface, making them easier to pick up. On the other hand, FM radio waves travel in a straight line from their source and at shorter distances. As such, longer external antennas are recommended to intercept them efficiently.
Radio receiver
A radio receiver converts radio waves into their listenable form. Ideally, you’ll want a receiver with greater sensitivity and selectivity. Radio receiver sensitivity helps pick up and transmit even the weakest of signals. Radio receiver selectivity allows your radio headphones to tune into a specific frequency with better accuracy. This makes it less susceptible to interference from other frequencies.
Location
Location is an essential factor when it comes to good signal reception. To illustrate, a mediocre antenna placed in a good location can give you the same reception that an excellent antenna placed in a bad location can. This is especially true for FM radio. As said, FM radio waves travel in a straight line. So they can be easily obstructed by physical structures such as buildings, trees, etc. If you enjoy news updates, discussions, and other talk programs, you’ll get more from AM radio. Those who enjoy music and want an alternative music source will appreciate FM tuning. This is a great time saver as it allows you to save your favorite stations for quick and easy access. The number of stations that can be saved will vary by brand or model. Some offer just one preset, while others offer as many as 50 presets.
Materials used: A good build involves the use of heavy-duty plastics and high-quality ear padding. You’ll also want sturdy hinges that won’t easily break, thicker cables, and the like. Overall design: This focuses on how well the headphones are assembled. Ideally, you’ll want to look for elements such as metal-reinforced headbands, fewer joints that could become weak points later on, and the like. Product feel: Durably-built headphones tend to feel more solid and weighty in the hands. In contrast, cheaper headphones tend to have a rickety, flimsy feel to them. IP ratings: IP or “Ingress Protection” ratings indicate how well a product’s internal circuitry is protected against foreign bodies like dirt, dust, and moisture. This is especially important if you intend to use your headphones outdoors.
Having additional connectivity options gives you more flexibility. If you can’t get good reception, you can simply listen to music on your phone via Bluetooth or an AUX cable. An SD card slot also lets you listen to songs saved on an SD card. When choosing a pair of headphones for comfort, keep the following factors in mind:
Weight: Heavy headphones can feel bothersome after prolonged wearing. They can fatigue the neck muscles or develop pressure points around the head that can eventually feel painful. To avoid this, try going for lighter headphones that weigh 0.55lbs at the most. Headphones above 0.75lbs are already considered heavy. Breathability: Some padding materials can feel hot over the ears after extended use. To ensure better breathability, try to choose headphones padded with fabric, such as velour or microfibre. Thick foams or plastic materials can hinder airflow, leaving your skin feeling stifled and sweaty. Adjustability: Adjustable segments also add to comfortability. Features like extendable headbands and rotatable ear cups allow the headphones to adapt to the unique contours of your head. This gives you a more natural fit so you can wear your headphones longer. Materials and Padding: Padding is designed to help distribute pressure from the clamping force equally. Sometimes, the quality of the padding can affect this, especially if it’s too thin and doesn’t offer much support. To avoid this, try to pick out headphones with thicker and softer padding.
Bluetooth capability allows you to connect these headphones to your mobile phone. This helps you stay entertained even during instances of poor radio reception. You can also rest easy knowing your hearing is fully protected. The headphones’ noise reduction capability lessens the need to turn up the volume in loud working environments. The Safe Volume Control also automatically adjusts the audio volume to keep it at a safe level of 85dB max. Moreover, you can save up to 50 of your favorite radio stations into the headphones’ memory. And you can access them easily through a handy button control panel on the side of the ear cup. The Audio Assist Technology provides voice guidance for device set up. This makes it easier to operate them without taking them off or fiddling with manuals. Lastly, the 3M WorkTunes Connect + AM/FM headphones also feature an integrated microphone. This makes hands-free calls quick and hassle-free. Unfortunately, the headphones’ Bluetooth performance may fall short for some users. Sound quality is average at best, even with the bass boost feature. You may also experience a few audio dropouts if you wander too far away from your audio source. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Zihnic Bluetooth Headset
Key features
Noise Reduction Rating: N/A AM/FM Availability: FM only Type: Over-ear Weight: 0.62 lbs Station Presets: N/A Battery: 1 built-in lithium-polymer battery Connectivity: Bluetooth, 3.5mm AUX Cable, SD Card Other Features: High-Definition stereo sound, Fast Charge battery, integrated microphone.
The Zihnic Bluetooth Headset offers better portability with a streamlined, foldable design. It also comes with 4-in-1 audio functions and a built-in rechargeable battery, making these radio headphones our strong runner-up pick. These headphones are outfitted with high-definition stereo speakers that provide immersive sound quality. Its passive noise reduction capability blocks out ambient sounds so that you get clear audio without turning up the volume. With Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, you can easily connect your headphones to any Android and iOS device. It provides a stable connection of up to 33 feet, so you won’t have to worry about audio dropouts, giving you greater freedom of movement. When combined with the integrated microphone function, you can also seamlessly switch from music mode to call mode. The headphones provide 4-in-1 audio functions with AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, an AUX cable, and an SD card slot. These extra options provide flexibility in how you can access and listen to your music. It’s also especially helpful if you’re in an area where you can’t get good radio reception or internet. A 450mAh rechargeable battery further adds to the convenience of these headphones. It offers 14 hours of listening time on a single charge, which is enough to keep you entertained throughout the day. It also only takes 2.5 hours to fully charge, thanks to its fast charge function. Last but not least, the Zihnic Bluetooth Headset is designed for comfort. The combination of a foldable design and protein leather ear pads gives you a more natural, cushioned fit so that you can wear them as long as you like. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Hanwis Portable Personal FM Radio Headphones
Key features
Noise Reduction Rating: N/A AM/FM Availability: FM only Type: Over-ear Weight: 0.48 lbs Station Presets: 1 station Battery: 2 AA batteries (not included) Connectivity: 3.5mm AUX Cable (not included) Other Features: External metal antenna, LCD display, Auto and Manual Search.
The Hanwis Portable Personal FM Radio Headphones offer decent specs at an extremely affordable price, making these radio headphones our best budget pick. These headphones offer digital FM radio, supported by an extendable metal antenna with high reception sensitivity. This ensures you get good reception no matter where you are. If you want to change things up, you can switch to an AUX cable and listen to music on your phone. Locating your favorite radio stations is easy with the combination of an Auto and Manual Search function and a handy LCD screen. The channel memory function also allows you to save one station for one-touch access. You can expect a comfortable listening experience with these headphones. The ear cups and adjustable headband are padded with soft protein leather, giving you a comfy, secure fit. They’re also one of the lightest headphones on this list, which ensures long-wearing comfort so that you can keep them on all day. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Flyoukki Portable Personal FM Radio Headphones
Key features
Noise Reduction Rating: N/A AM/FM Availability: FM only Type: Over-ear Weight: 0.43 lbs Station Presets: 11 stations Battery: 2 AA batteries (not included) Connectivity: 3.5mm AUX Cable (included) Other Features: 15-level Volume Control, Auto and Manual Search, Enhanced Bass.
Weighing less than half a pound, the Flyoukki Portable Personal FM Radio Headphones are the lightest headphones on this list, making them our most portable pick. The headphones are outfitted with a thin, lightweight adjustable headband. This allows for better airflow, which is helpful if you’re working outdoors or in hot conditions. The foldable design makes carrying and storage easy so you can take them anywhere. The Flyoukki Radio Headphones come with an FM radio function and crystal clear reception. You can cycle through the available stations with the Auto and Manual Search function, and save up to 11 of your favorite stations for easy access. The headphones have good sound quality that’s further improved by an enhanced bass effect. You can also be assured your hearing will be protected in noisy environments thanks to the headphones’ passive noise reduction and 15-level volume control. If you want to listen to music on your phone, you can do so easily with the AUX cable included with the headphones. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync
Key features
Noise Reduction Rating: 25dB AM/FM Availability: Both Type: Over-ear Weight: 0.94 lbs Station Presets: 10 stations Battery: 2 AA batteries (included) Connectivity: 3.5mm AUX Cable (included) Other Features: Patented Air Flow Control Technology, LCD display, digital antenna.
The Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync comes in a high-viz neon green color, which makes it ideal for use in situations where there’s poor visibility or lighting. The addition of a padded reflective headband increases the safety benefit and adds to comfortability as well. It also comes with a great hearing protection system that keeps you safe from excessive noise exposure. For these reasons, these headphones are our top pick for safety and visibility. The earpads are built with a Patented Air Flow Control Technology, which optimizes airflow in the earcups and helps reduce unwanted noise across all frequencies. This, in turn, eliminates the need to turn up the volume to unsafe levels. A digital antenna also sees to it that you’re getting clear radio reception. The combination of both ensures good sound quality that isn’t at the expense of your hearing. Moreover, an external LCD display makes searching for your favorite stations hassle-free. You can also save as many as 10 stations to the headphones’ memory for quick access. The batteries are located on the outside of the earcup, which makes replacing them quick and easy. You can also get up to 140 hours of playback from a new pair of AA batteries, which is more than enough to keep you entertained throughout multiple workweeks. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
Retekess V112
Key features
Noise Reduction Rating: N/A AM/FM Availability: Both Type: Earbuds Weight: 0.94 lbs Station Presets: 29 stations Battery: 1 built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery Connectivity: 3.5mm AUX Cable (included) Other Features: LCD display, Lock Switch.
The Retekess V112 has some of the best ratings when it comes to AM/FM frequency and connection stability. It also has a decent amount of station presets, making this our best earbuds with pocket radio pick. This pocket radio is thin and lightweight and is about the size of a credit card. You can easily slip it into your back pocket, making it very handy for all types of activities. It also comes with a lock switch so that you don’t accidentally switch stations if you happen to press any buttons while it’s in your pocket. It has a relatively large, clear LCD display that shows what frequency you’re on, volume, and battery level. A simple control pad allows you to toggle between AM and FM frequencies, adjust volume, and scan for stations. You can also save as many as 29 stations in its memory for convenient access. This makes Retekess V112 very user-friendly, even for older individuals. The built-in battery takes about 3 hours to fully charge and provides up to 10 hours of use, which is perfect to get you through a full workday and then some. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
