10 Best Jobsite Radios of 2024 – Top Picks, Reviews, & Comparisons

The hum-drum of the job site can quickly become mind-numbing, especially on days taken up mostly by the same activity. Times when you’re figuring things out and using your mind aren’t so bad. However, some days can seem like they drag on forever. For these, a radio might be just what you need.

Sadly, lots of job site radios are low-quality. These radios need to be loud and clear so that you can hear them over the humming of the machines. Many of them do not hit this mark, though. Plus, most job site radios are going to be exposed to the elements a bit more than other radios, so their durability needs to be significantly higher as well.

To help you choose the right radio for the job, we took a look at some of the top job site radios on the market. Below, you’ll find our top reviews.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		PORTER-CABLE PCC771B Bluetooth Speaker & Radio	Versatile Bluetooth compatible Comes with 12 presets	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Sangean LB-100 Ultra Rugged Compact Radio	Rugged design Roll-cage Rain resistant	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		DEWALT DWST08810 ToughSystem Radio	Bluetooth Dust and water-resistant Full-range of sound	CHECK PRICE
		Milwaukee 2792-20 Electric Jobsite Radio	On-board charger Premium speakers Bluetooth within 100 feet	CHECK PRICE
		Bosch PB360C Bluetooth Power Box Jobsite Radio	Bluetooth up to 150 feet Provides sound in every direction Equalizer controls	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Jobsite Radios

1. PORTER-CABLE Bluetooth Speaker & Radio – Best Overall

The PORTER-CABLE PCC771B Bluetooth Speaker & Radio is the best radio for the job site by far. It is Bluetooth compatible, so you can stream your music while also keeping your phone safely in your pocket. It also comes with 12 presets so that you can save your favorite radio stations for streaming as well. The AUX mode also allows MP3 play, just in case you have an MP3 player.

As you might imagine, all these different ways to play also makes this a very versatile speaker. No matter how you plan on playing your music, this speaker can likely handle it. This is one of the reasons we recommend it so highly.

This radio is also straightforward to figure out, even though it has a lot of different functions. The equalizer is easy to utilize and allows you to raise and lower the treble and bass levels. The antenna works very well and allows you to fine-tune the signal.

We found the only minor downside is that this radio’s audio isn’t as loud as some other options, according to users. However, it is extremely affordable. Despite this, we rate it as the best jobsite radio you can buy today.

2. Sangean LB-100 Ultra Rugged Compact Radio – Best Value

For those on a budget, the Sangean LB-100 Ultra Rugged Compact Radio is the best job site radio for the money. It is much less expensive than most other options on the market, while still having adequate audio and quite a few features. It is rain-resistant, so you can safely use it outside in the elements. It is also dust and shock-resistant, which help with its overall lifespan. It has rubber shock blocks that are very effective. They prevent the radio from being damaged when dropped.

While being very durable, this radio is also extremely portable. It is smaller than most, so you can easily carry it around without any issue. The rotary tuning and volume control are rugged and designed to take a beating. It even comes with a backlit display and a flexible antenna.

This radio can operate with the long power cord or on 4 C batteries. Using the cord will save you a bit of money. However, if you need to, you can rely on the batteries.

Our main complaint about this radio is the warranty is not very substantial. It doesn’t work particularly well or cover a wide variety of damage.

3. DEWALT ToughSystem Radio – Premium Choice

DeWalt products are expensive. But they are also usually very high-quality. The DEWALT DWST08810 ToughSystem Radio fits this exactly. It is quite expensive – more expensive than pretty much anything else on the market. However, it is also one of the best job site radios out there.

It is Bluetooth-enabled and can connect to a smartphone from up to 100 feet away. It offers premium sound with a full range, including an on-board subwoofer. It is rechargeable and cordless, so you don’t have to deal with pesky cords while on the job site. It can be used with a cord, however, we imagine most people will choose to use it with the batteries.

It is compatible with the charger of many of DeWalt power tools. It is rated to withstand dust and water, so you don’t have to worry about it being exposed to the elements (or sawdust).

The major downside of this radio is the price. It is costly! However, it is a DeWalt, and is of higher quality than most other options on the market.

4. Milwaukee 2792-20 Electric Jobsite Radio

The Milwaukee 2792-20 Electric Jobsite Radio has a built-in charger for charging the on-board lithium-ion batteries quickly. It runs for quite an extended time on one charge, so you don’t have to worry about it dying in the middle of a job. The water-sealed compartments provide plenty of protection against water and dust, breakdowns on the job site.

The premium speakers and 40-watt amplifier produce a clear and rich sound. It isn’t the absolute most incredible sound on the market, but it is sufficient. The Bluetooth retriever can connect to other devices within 100 feet, allowing you to travel around the job site without losing connection.

The equalizer is entirely customizable, and it provides 10 station presets, so you can easily find all your favorite radio stations.

This radio is costly, which is one reason it is lower on our list. The front grill also seems to rust easily if you use it outside a lot. You can always re-paint it, but this is a problem you shouldn’t have when paying this much money.

5. Bosch PB360C Bluetooth Power Box Jobsite Radio

As one of the more expensive options on our list, the Bosch PB360C Bluetooth Power Box Jobsite Radio really wasn’t our favorite. It is suitable for most job sites and should make most users pleased. However, you’re going to pay a lot more for it than you probably should. You can find equally as powerful options for cheaper. For these reasons, we put this radio in the middle of our list.

It is Bluetooth and can connect to a smartphone within 150 feet. It has 4-way speakers and a subwoofer, which provides high-quality sound in all directions. It is perfect for putting in the middle of the workspace, allowing everyone on all sides to hear. It has separate controls for the bass and treble, so you can easily customize them. It is durable, thanks to the rubber roll cage. It is designed to withstand water and dust as well.

It runs on batteries and can also be plugged into an outlet. The batteries can be recharged, so you won’t have to invest in new batteries every week or so.

On the downside, it says it comes with an app, but the app doesn’t work well in the least.

6. Ryobi P746 One+ Dual-Powered Stereo

The Ryobi P746 One+ Dual-Powered Stereo is not low-quality. You can use one of the company’s 18V batteries to power it or plug it in directly to the wall. It hosts multiple listening platforms, including Bluetooth, MP3, or radio stations. You can even charge your device using the radio’s built-in charger, which is nice if you listen to music using your smartphone. You can also personalize your listening experience using the equalizer controls. The bass and treble are entirely adjustable.

The extra speakers have an added auxiliary out function. This allows you to add high-quality speakers to improve the sound quality. However, for the price, we felt that the speakers included should have been of higher quality.

Overall, this radio is about average in terms of sound quality. The radio reception is okay as well. On a cheaper radio, this wouldn’t be a problem. However, if we’re going to spend a few hundred dollars on a radio, we would expect the sound quality to be relatively high. This just isn’t the case with this radio. The audio sounds a bit muffled.

7. Makita Cordless Bluetooth Job Site Radio

Like many job site radios we’ve reviewed thus far, the Makita XRM09B Cordless Bluetooth Job Site Radio is expensive. However, it isn’t as expensive as some of the other options we’ve included on this list. Overall, we’d rate it as a mid-priced radio.

It is equipped with Bluetooth, so you can wirelessly connect your phone to it. The menu is easy to figure out and allows you to switch the settings, clock, and volume. The battery can last for up to 18 hours with the compatible 18V LXT lithium-ion battery, or it can last up to 7.5 hours with the appropriate compact battery. Neither of these batteries is included, and they cost quite a bit, so you will need to factor them in when budgeting for this item.

The bumpers and aluminum guards do protect this machine from dropping, elongating the machine’s overall lifespan.

This unit does come with a subwoofer, but it is not exceptionally high-quality. We were quite disappointed with the subwoofer. The overall audio performance is not exceptionally high-quality. It is okay, but not what we would have expected for this price.

8. Porter Cable PCCR701B Jobsite Radio

The Porter-Cable PCCR701B Jobsite Radio landed so much lower on our list for one reason – it is not Bluetooth compatible. It can pick up AM and FM stations and has an auxiliary port so you can plug your phone in. However, Bluetooth should really be included on all radios these days. You can use your smartphone with this radio by plugging it in. However, most people will not want to leave their phone next to their radio while they’re working.

Furthermore, even though it lacks this essential feature, it isn’t enormously underpriced. It is fairly moderately priced. There is no reason to pay this much for a radio without Bluetooth.

It does have a durable roll cage, which helps protect it on the job site. It also has corded and cordless power options. This allows you to use it with batteries or plug it directly into the wall.

9. Ridgid R84087 Jobsite Radio

There were quite a few things we didn’t like about the Ridgid R84087 Jobsite Radio. It is decently expensive. Once again, this was a common problem we found with these radios. They are often overpriced!

This radio is Bluetooth-compatible. However, it is somewhat difficult to connect easily. There seem to be some problems when the device is covered in its thick case, which will likely be the case for most people who work on the job site.  This radio is also quite bulky and does not transport easily in the least. There is also very little reason for it to be so bulky. The size does not improve the overall quality of the sound or make the radio more durable.

With all that said, we did like the storage capabilities of this radio. You can easily fit your phone or MP3 player into the compartment on the radio. This will keep it safe while you’re working. It can also work with multiple music sources, including Bluetooth, radio, and an auxiliary cord.

10. Makita XRM02W Cordless Job Site Radio

The Makita XRM02W Cordless Job Site Radio is not expensive. However, this is about the only positive aspect of this radio. While you aren’t going to pay very much for it, you’re likely better off choosing a different radio, simply because it is relatively low-quality. There is an apparent reason why it is so much cheaper than many other options on the market.

There seem to be some packaging problems, and all the accessories for this radio are not always included with it. For example, many people reported that the antenna was not included, even though the description and user manual state that it is. You will end up spending money on extra accessories should this happen, as this mix-up does not seem to be covered by any warranty.

You cannot use the full range of this radio. If you turn it up too loudly, it will distort. The battery only lasts about 6 hours as well. This is generally shorter than most workdays, so you won’t be able to listen to it all day long. It will also need to be charged at the end of every day.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Jobsite Radio

Buying a job site radio may seem like a straightforward decision. However, there is a lot that can go into this choice. A radio’s sound quality and durability are only just the surface. There are countless other features you need to be aware of. Otherwise, you could end up paying way too much for a sub-par radio.

In this section, we’ll look at all the features you need to stay aware of when shopping around.

Cost

Most job site radios are exceedingly expensive. You’re going to spend hundreds of dollars on a premium option (on most options, in fact). When shopping for one of these radios, it is essential to keep this in mind.

Cost is not always tied to performance, either. Some are very expensive radios that have sub-par features. Other times, you may find an excellent radio that is much cheaper than most other options. Our reviews pointed out quite a few cheaper options than most that also offered exceptionally high quality.

Audio Quality

When you’re purchasing a job site radio, the most important thing is the quality of sound it produces. Some are relatively low-quality and only produce a subpar sound. Others produce excellent sound, though most options lie somewhere in the middle. It is quite challenging to find a job site radio with perfect audio, but you should choose an option that is as good as you can find.

Generally, it is difficult to test the quality out before you make your purchase. Since the price tag isn’t always related to the quality, you can’t trust that either. Instead, you need to rely on the experiences of those who have used the radios and read reviews, like ours. We discuss the audio quality of all the radios we reviewed, so you should check for a breakdown of the radios with the best audio.

Power Options

Most radios can take batteries or be plugged into the wall. Some can only do one or the other, however. You must consider how you would like to power your radio before you make your purchase. Some people will want both options, but others probably won’t care. It just depends on your situation and preferences.

One thing we highly recommend is to choose radios that come with batteries if they require them. Most require a rechargeable battery, which can be quite expensive. Batteries can cost hundreds of dollars and may potentially end up costing more than the radio itself. Sometimes, the radios are compatible with other batteries made by that company. If you have battery-powered tools created by that company, you may be able to use one of the batteries you already have.

Of course, that also means you wouldn’t be able to use the tools while using the radio, which could be a significant problem.

Portability

No job site radio is going to be left in the same place for an extended period. You’re going to be moving it around often. For this reason, you must choose a portable option. You’re going to be traveling with this radio regularly in all likelihood. You do not want to choose a bulky and cumbersome option.

Luckily, most manufacturers realize that portability is essential, so they have designed their radios to be as small as possible. Many in this article are relatively small, suitable for those who prize portability as paramount. Simultaneously, a few on the market aren’t incredibly portable, and we recommend avoiding those for that reason.

Durability

When you’re using a radio on the job site, it must be durable. It is going to be exposed to the weather and plenty of dust. If you want it to last more than a few months, it must be durable to withstand these elements.

Most radios also come with roll cages, which prevent them from taking much drop damage. Many are also covered in some sort of rubber or plastic. Aluminum is a standard option as well since it is lightweight and exceptionally durable.

Which particular option you choose isn’t significant. However, you should ensure that you choose one designed to withstand the rigors of the job site.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article helped you figure out the perfect radio for your job site. There are many options on the market to choose from and, with the price often so high, you should do your due diligence to ensure that you choose right the first time.

For most people, we recommend PORTER-CABLE PCC771B Bluetooth Speaker & Radio. It is Bluetooth-compatible and can connect to radio stations and your phone through an auxiliary cord.

We also liked the Sangean LB-100 Ultra Rugged Compact Radio as a budget option. It is inexpensive while also having many different features.

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