Best FM Radio in India for an Immersive Experience [December, 2023]

Since its inception, FM Radio player has been a popular source of entertainment in Indian households. Despite the introduction of digital media, having the best radio for home remains important for many Indians. With ever-evolving technology, several FM radio player with varying additional features have become available in the market.

Through this article, we have compiled the best FM Radio in India based on your requirements and preferences.

How to Choose from the Best Radio in India?

Choosing the best FM radio in India from multiple options can be overwhelming. However, by focusing on the key features mentioned below, you can narrow down your search.

• Sound Quality: A good FM radio player must deliver a clear, crisp sound with minimal distortion and interference. Therefore, look for models that have high-quality speakers and good reception.
• Portability: Based on your needs, decide whether you need a portable FM radio player that is compact and easy to carry; or if you need a more robust and feature-rich FM radio player with features like Bluetooth connectivity.
• Design and build quality: Look for a well-built, durable FM radio player with a user-friendly interface.
• Price: While choosing the best radio in India, make sure you are getting value for money based on the model features and your requirements. Compare radio prices in india and features across different brands and models to decide.

Comparison table with the best FM radio in India

1. Philips RL118 FM Radio

Shop Now

Shop Now

If you are looking for a compact and portable radio, Philips RL118 is the one for you. It delivers excellent quality with a sound output of 200mW RMS and a telescopic aerial to minimise distortion. In addition, the Philips RL118 radio supports FM and AM tuner bands and has a manual control system to tune, switch on/off, and change the volume. Lastly, it can be powered by two R6 batteries or an AC adapter.

Pros:

• Distortion-free sound
• Compact and portable
• Multiple power options

Cons:

• No digital displays
• Limited features

Ratings: 4.5/5

2. Sony ICF-306 Portable AM FM Radio

Shop Now

Shop Now

The Sony ICF-306 Portable AM FM Radio is a lightweight, portable radio with AM and FM tuner bands and comes with a built-in speaker that provides clear, crisp sound quality. The radio also has a headphone jack if you want to listen to it privately.

You can charge the radio with two AA batteries, which provide approximately 110 hours of operation. In addition, the radio has an LED tuning indicator to help you quickly find and tune in to the desired radio station. All these features make it one of the best FM radio in India.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable
• LED tuning indicator
• Headphone jack

Cons:

• No rechargeable battery
• Only AM/FM bands

Ratings: 4.3/5

3. Saregama Carvaan Premium Hindi

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

Saregama Carvaan Premium Hindi is one of the unique radio players from our list of best radio in India. It comes with preloaded 5000 classic Bollywood songs, and you can also tune into AM/FM radio channels on this device.

It comes with an in-built speaker that delivers high-quality audio. In addition, Saregama Carvaan has Bluetooth and USB connectivity to listen to music and a rechargeable battery that gives approximately 5-hour playtime.

Pros:

• Preloaded Bollywood songs
• Great for senior citizens
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity

Cons:

• Limited storage
• Expensive

Ratings: 4.2/5

4. Panasonic RF-2400D AM/FM Radio

Shop Now

Shop Now

The Panasonic RF-2400D AM/FM Radio has a sleek design and comes with an in-built speaker that delivers clear and powerful audio. In addition, it has an LED tuning indicator to find the right frequency easily. Furthermore, the Panasonic RF-2400D AM/FM radio comes with a headphone jack and can be powered by four AA batteries or an AC adapter.

Pros:

• Powerful sound quality
• LED tuning indicator
• Headphone jack

Cons:

• No rechargeable battery
• Basic features

Ratings: 4.1/5

5. Philips Tiger RL191 Radio

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

The Philips Tiger RL191 Radio is a compact, portable AM/FM radio with a retro-inspired design, featuring a built-in speaker for high-quality audio and a headphone jack if you want to listen to it privately. It is battery-powered and an excellent option to carry for outdoor activities.

In addition, the Philips Tiger RL191 Radio has an easy-to-use interface with a large tuning knob for quick and accurate station selection. It also features a telescopic antenna that you can adjust for optimal signal reception.

Pros:

• Portable and compact
• User-friendly interface
• Good reception

Cons:

• Average battery life
• No digital display

Ratings: 4/5

6. iBELL FM700BT Portable Radio

Shop Now

Shop Now

Shop Now

The iBELL FM700BT Portable Radio is one of the best radio for home, offering multiple playback options. The built-in FM/AM tuner allows you to quickly access radio channels on this radio. In addition, it comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 8 hours of playback time. Lastly, the iBELL FM700BT radio has a Bluetooth connectivity feature that lets you listen to music wirelessly by connecting your device to the radio.

Pros:

• Long battery backup
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Portable

Cons:

• Average sound quality
• Bluetooth pairing issues

Ratings: 3.9/5

7. XHDATA D-109 Portable Radio

Shop Now

The XHDATA D-109 is an AM/FM/SW portable radio with added features like USB/TF card support, Bluetooth connectivity, and rechargeable battery. It allows listening to radio, MP3 files, and streaming music wirelessly.

Pros:

• Multiple listening options
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Rechargeable battery

Cons:

• Average sound quality
• Bulky design

Ratings: 4.3/5

8. Philips RL384TV Radio

Shop Now

Shop Now

The Philips RL384TV is an AM/FM/SW radio with TV band support. It delivers a sound output of 500mW RMS and can be powered by batteries or DC socket. The easy tuning knob allows quickly browsing stations.

Pros:

• Good sound quality
• TV band support
• Easy tuning

Cons:

• No digital display
• Battery operated

Ratings: 3.7/5

Conclusion

Even in today’s digital media world, FM Radio Players have successfully remained a popular source of entertainment in India. However, with the developing technology, numerous features are added to the traditional FM radio players, which makes choosing from the best FM radio in India overwhelming. However, if you focus on key features like sound quality, portability, design and build quality, and price, choosing the best radio that suits your needs becomes easier. The 8 best fm radios reviewed in this guide have unique features that make them excellent options for users.

FAQs for Best FM Radio

Q. How to choose the best FM radio in India?

You can choose the best FM radio player in India by considering features like sound quality, portability, design and build quality and price.

Q. What are the best FM Radio in India?

Some of the most best FM Radio in India include the Philips RL118, Philips Tiger RL191, the Sony ICF-306, the Saregama Carvaan, the Panasonic RF-2400D, and the iBELL FM700BT radio.

Q. Are FM Radio Players expensive?

FM Radio Players are generally affordable. However, more advanced models with additional features may cost more.

Q. How to improve the reception of my FM Radio Player?

To improve the reception of your FM Radio Player, try adjusting the antenna or moving the player to a different location.

Q. Which FM radio player has the best sound quality?

Philips RL118 and Panasonic RF-2400D generally deliver the best sound quality among portable FM radio players. However, sound preferences can be subjective.

Q. How can I watch FM radio?

FM radio can be listened to using an FM radio device or tuner. Many mobile phones also come equipped with built-in FM radio functionality. You can tune into local FM stations on your phone using a pair of wired earphones, which act as an antenna. Some apps like JioSaavn also allow streaming FM radio on your phone. Overall, all you need is a device with an FM receiver chip and antenna to start listening.

Q. What is FM full form?

FM stands for Frequency Modulation. It is the encoding technique used for FM radio signals.

Q. How can I play FM radio on my phone?

Most smartphones sold in India come with built-in FM radio capability. To play FM radio on your phone, you need to plug in a pair of wired earphones, which act as the antenna. Open your phone’s native FM radio app or install an app like JioSaavn. The earphones will pick up signals which can be played over your phone’s speaker.

Q. Is FM radio free?

Yes, listening to FM radio stations is free in India and does not require any subscriptions or fees, unlike satellite radio. FM radio can be freely tuned into using any FM-compatible receiver.

Q. Which is the best FM radio to buy in India?

Some of the best FM radios to buy in India include Philips RL118, Sony ICF-306, Saregama Carvaan, Panasonic RF-2400D, Philips Tiger RL191 and iBELL FM700BT. Consider sound quality, portability, price and connectivity when choosing the best FM radio for your needs.

Q. Which is the best FM tuner with Bluetooth?

The iBELL FM700BT is one of the best FM radios with Bluetooth connectivity. It allows you to listen to music wirelessly by pairing your phone or Bluetooth device to the radio. Other good options are Saregama Carvaan and XHDATA D-109 radios that also feature Bluetooth connectivity.

Q. Which brand is best for FM radio?

Some of the top brands for FM radios in India are Philips, Sony, Saregama, Panasonic, iBall and XHData. Philips is renowned for its sound quality while Sony also makes excellent portable radios. Saregama Carvaan comes preloaded with songs.

Q. Can we hear FM radio with Bluetooth speaker?

No, you cannot directly listen to FM radio on a Bluetooth speaker. Bluetooth speakers need to be wirelessly paired with a smartphone or device which is receiving the FM signals through its antenna. However, some Bluetooth speakers like Saregama Carvaan also have built-in FM tuners, allowing listening to radio.

Q. What is the best frequency for FM radio?

The frequency range for FM radio stations in India is between 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz. The frequencies between 88 MHz to 108 MHz generally provide the best signal reception and audio clarity.

Q. What is the best indoor FM radio antenna?

Some good options for indoor FM radio antennas include simple telescopic/extendable antennas, multi-directional dipole antennas or amplified antennas. Outdoor roof-top antennas receive signals the best but indoor antennas like Mohu Leaf Metro work well for most urban locations.

Q. Which radio company is best in India?

Some of the top radio companies and brands in India are All India Radio (AIR), Saregama, Sony, Philips, Panasonic and Selvel. All India Radio is the national public radio broadcaster while others manufacture radio devices.

Q. Which is the number one radio in India?

All India Radio is the national public radio broadcaster in India and the largest radio network in the country. It has over 420 radio stations and covers nearly 92% of India’s area as well as 99.19% of the total population.

Q. Which is the best wireless radio?

Some of the best wireless radios that do not require wires for connectivity include the Saregama Carvaan Premium, the iBELL FM700BT and the XHDATA D-109. These come with built-in speakers and also offer Bluetooth to allow wireless music streaming from your phone.

Q. How much does a radio station cost in India?

The cost of setting up a private FM radio station in metro cities in India is around 1 to 2 crore rupees for the license and equipment. In smaller towns, the costs range from 50 lakh to 1 crore rupees. The government auction process also involves one time entry fees.

Q. Which is the best free Indian radio app?

Some of the best free Indian radio apps include JioSaavn (for FM), AIR Live Radio, Radio Indigo, Radiocity, and Hungama Music. These allow streaming Indian radio stations, songs and content for free without subscriptions.

Q. What is a good app for FM radio?

Good apps to listen to FM Radio on your smartphone include JioSaavn, Radio Indigo, AIR FM Rainbow, and Radio City FM. They use your phone’s antenna so you can easily tune into local radio stations.

Q. Which FM radio is run by All India Radio?

All India Radio or Akashvani runs Vividh Bharati, the national FM radio service in India. It broadcasts diverse entertainment and music programming over its network of FM Rainbow and FM Gold stations across the country.

Q. Which is the No 1 FM channel in India?

Radio Mirchi is the most popular FM radio channel in India with a weekly listenership of over 49 million across 63 cities. Other leading FM radio channels are Big FM, Red FM and Radio City.

Q. Which Philips FM is best?

Some of the best Philips FM radios include the Philips RL118, Philips RL191 Tiger, Philips RL384TV and Philips RL205 models. The Philips RL118 provides excellent sound quality and portability. Buyers also highly rate the Philips Tiger RL191 radio model.