Roberts Solar DAB radio

The world's first solar DAB

Product

Roberts solarDAB

Promise

Billed as the world's first solar powered DAB radio, this digital tuner promises to do away with batteries and chargers forever thanks to low-consumption design.

Performance

According to the literature, a full charge of the onboard power pack will give the listener 27 hours of digital radio - a massive bonus in bad weather or when you forget to take the radio out to charge it up for a day. The advantage of grabbing a DAB is the clarity of the signal, allowing you to tune in to weather reports, shipping forecasts and news while you're on the move. Or even just blast some decent music out while you're at a lonely campsite!. Charging times will of course vary according to light conditions, but in full sunlight the photovoltaics will suck up enough juice to play the radio while simultaneously charging the batteries.

Verdict

Keep it in daylight as much as you can and this won't let you down: it plays back with the rich, warm tones that Roberts have become famous for among radio connoisseurs, a cut above your titchier, tinnier DAB fare.