Digital alarm clock with radio
Combines precise timekeeping with radio listening, making it a functional addition to any bedside table for daily routines.
Books, Music & Media
Radios
8 kinds worth knowing, 8 picks, and what to check before you buy.
A radio makes a good gift for someone who likes background sound without a screen: the person who has the news on over breakfast, listens to the game in the garage or goes to sleep to a late-night call-in show. Dads, grandparents and uncles tend to use one every day, and teens often like a small speaker that also picks up local stations. Before you choose, think about where the radio will sit. A plain AM FM radio suits a kitchen counter or workbench. Internet radio suits someone whose favourite stations are too far away to pick up over the air. The best gift fits into a habit the person already has.
Kind 1 of 8
FM radios for everyday listening
FM is what most people mean by "the radio": local music, talk and sports stations with clear sound. A basic FM set suits almost anyone, from a grandparent at the kitchen table to a teen who wants a clock radio by the bed. Before you buy, check how it tunes. Big knobs or a few preset buttons are easier than menus. Make sure the display is easy to read in the dark if it goes on a nightstand. Look at the antenna too, because reception varies a lot from room to room, especially in basements and rural areas.
Kind 2 of 8
AM FM radios for news, talk and sports
An AM FM radio adds the AM band, where much of the news, talk, farm reports and play-by-play sports still live. It suits the listener who follows a hockey or baseball team by radio or wants local updates while cooking or working in the shop. Compact portables go easily from room to room, and a retro tabletop set looks nice on a shelf. Check how well it picks up AM, since cheaper sets often pick up buzz from nearby electronics. Also check whether it runs on batteries, plugs in or does both, depending on where it will be used.
Compact portable am fm radio
This classic device offers simple access to local broadcasts, perfect for listeners who appreciate straightforward audio entertainment anywhere.
Retro style tabletop radio
Blends classic aesthetics with modern audio technology, perfect for adding a touch of nostalgic charm to any room while enjoying clear sound.
Kind 3 of 8
Internet radio for stations from anywhere
An internet radio connects to home Wi-Fi and streams stations from around the world. That includes the hometown station someone left behind years ago. It suits people who moved away, fans of niche genres and anyone whose house gets poor over-the-air reception. Before buying, confirm the person has reliable Wi-Fi where the radio will sit and is comfortable with a short setup. Check whether you can save favourite stations as one-press presets. Setups that need an app or account can frustrate someone who just wants to turn it on and listen.
Wi-fi internet streaming radio
Connects to thousands of global stations and podcasts via home Wi-Fi, ideal for exploring diverse audio content from around the world.
Kind 4 of 8
Shortwave radios for curious listeners
A shortwave radio picks up international broadcasts, amateur operators and far-off stations, often late at night when signals travel farthest. It suits a hobbyist, a retired tinkerer or a teen interested in how radio works. Keep in mind that shortwave listening takes patience. What you can hear changes with the time of day, the season and the antenna. Look for a multi-band set that also covers AM and FM, so it gets used every day. A readable tuning display and a jack for an external antenna matter more than a long list of features.
Multi-band shortwave radio
Unlocks the fascinating world of international broadcasts and distant signals, perfect for hobbyists and curious listeners.
Kind 5 of 8
Portable radios with Bluetooth
A portable radio with Bluetooth plays local stations and can also stream podcasts or playlists from a phone. It suits someone who moves between the garage, deck, cottage and kitchen and doesn't want two separate devices. Check whether it runs on a rechargeable battery or standard batteries. Also check how long it lasts away from an outlet and whether the handle or size is practical to carry. Controls that switch easily between radio and Bluetooth make it much more pleasant for older listeners.
Kind 6 of 8
Digital radios with sharper tuning
"Digital radio" can mean two things. One is a set with digital tuning, which locks onto the exact frequency and stores presets. The other is a radio that receives digital broadcast signals. Digital tuning is useful to almost everyone and especially helpful for people who find analog dials fiddly. Before buying, check which digital broadcast standard the radio supports and whether stations near the recipient actually use it. A set that receives nothing digital locally will still work fine as a regular AM FM radio, but that extra feature won't get used.
Kind 7 of 8
Bluetooth speakers with a built-in FM tuner
This is a speaker first and a radio second. It's built for phone music, with an FM tuner added for when there's no signal or no playlist ready. It tends to suit teens, students and anyone who takes music to the backyard or beach. Check that the FM tuner actually works on its own, since some models need a wired antenna or a cable plugged in to pick up stations. Battery life, water resistance and simple buttons matter more than extra lighting effects.
Portable bluetooth speaker radio
Offers versatile audio playback, combining wireless music streaming from devices with traditional radio reception for on-the-go entertainment.
Kind 8 of 8
Weather alert radios for storm season
A weather alert radio receives weather broadcasts and can switch itself on when an alert is issued for the area. It suits people in rural areas, cottage owners and anyone who deals with storms, ice or power outages. In the US, look for NOAA weather band coverage. In Canada, check that it receives Environment Canada's Weatheradio broadcasts in the recipient's area. Many models add a hand crank, a solar panel or USB charging. Confirm how the alert is set to a local region, because some models take a few setup steps.
Noaa weather alert radio
Provides critical emergency alerts and continuous weather broadcasts, essential for households preparing for severe weather events.
Multi-function hand-crank radio
A reliable power-independent device for emergencies, featuring a hand-crank generator for continuous operation during power outages.
How to choose radios as a gift
- Picture where the radio will live, such as a nightstand, kitchen counter, workshop or cottage, and choose the size and power source to match.
- For older listeners, big knobs, a readable display and a few presets make a radio more useful than a long list of features.
- Think about what the person listens to now: local sports and talk suggest AM, music suggests FM, and distant stations suggest internet radio.
- Check reception where the recipient lives, especially in rural areas, basements or apartment buildings with thick concrete walls.
- If the radio needs Wi-Fi or an app, make sure the recipient has the setup at home or someone to help them.
Usually safe to skip
- Novelty radios shaped like cars or characters often have weak tuners and tinny sound, so they end up on a shelf instead of in use.
- Feature-packed models with menus inside menus tend to frustrate someone who just wants the morning news at the press of a button.
- A shortwave set for someone with no interest in the hobby usually goes unused, since tuning distant stations takes time and patience.
Questions people ask about radios
- What kind of radio is best for an older parent or grandparent?
- A simple AM FM tabletop or portable radio with large knobs, a clear display and a few station presets is usually the easiest to live with. Skip models that depend on apps or menus, and choose one that plugs in so there are no batteries to swap.
- Does an internet radio need a phone or computer to work?
- Most internet radios connect straight to home Wi-Fi and play on their own once they're set up. Some use a phone app for setup or extra features. Check whether presets can be saved on the radio itself so daily listening doesn't depend on a phone.
- Will a weather alert radio work in Canada?
- Many do. Check that the model receives Environment Canada's Weatheradio broadcasts and that a transmitter reaches the recipient's area. Models made mainly for the US weather band may still pick up Canadian signals, but it's worth confirming the frequencies and alert setup before buying.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
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All radios picks
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