Review: Lenco portable DAB+ radio packs a mighty punch

This dinky little radio hides an impressive secret

Famously, video killed the radio star. Only that it didn't. Radio is still rocking some 40 years after The Buggles lamented its demise, be that internet radio, DAB or good old-fashioned FM.

The Lenco PDR-046 (or the 045, the only difference as far as I can tell is the colour) is a smart little portable DAB+ radio that also offers FM and Bluetooth connectivity. You can currently pick the black version - which I tested - up from HMV for 109.99 (as you can the silver version here).

The radio has been created with the environment in mind, crafted from high-quality ABS with wheat fibre and natural bamboo. Even the packaging is made entirely from recycled FSC cardboard, with no plastic included.

It's a lovely-looking, quality device that's much smaller than the images make out. And as it's portable, this is a good thing! It's also plenty light enough for you to carry around in a backpack, I found set-up initially a little bit tricky as you'd need an electron microscope to read the supplied manual. Luckily, one search online and I was away.

After finding some instructions in 12pt font, operation was actually pretty smooth. It's easy enough to toggle between the modes and scanning - and then saving - channels was relatively simple and user-friendly. The LCD display was bright and clear, and from here you can also set an alarm or a timer.

Battery life is a decent seven hours, and charging with a USB-C cable is fast enough. Radio reception is also impressive, I live in a digital 'blackspot' at the best of times but by using the retractable ariel I was able to pick up both FM and DAB.

Now here is where we come to where I think the PDR really earns its corn. The speakers - for their size - are outstanding. I've got several much larger Bluetooth affairs but this blew them out of the water when it came down to clarity and power. Often you get one or the other, but very rarely both.

And the great thing is that you can use the radio as an external Bluetooth speaker, so you can pair up your iPhone or tablet when on your travels. A quick heads-up is that you should set your device's volume to full power first.

The PDR is a solid, well-built radio that's dinky enough to take anywhere. And if you do, just make sure you turn it up!