contributing student writer: Bianca Stupka

Do you want to break free from a world reliant on internet and streaming? In today’s digital age, access to your owned media and the outside world depends on access to the internet, specific apps, and the sites hosting your media files. Simple events, such as an internet price increase or outage, could leave you stranded with useless and empty technology for an unknown time. With portable and physical media (specifically radios) there are fewer risks of unknowns or loss of connection to the world.

As an avid collector of obsolete and physical media types, I’ve bought and used several different radios. For this review of the best portable radios, I’ve selected three radios that I own and have regularly used for over a year. I would recommend these selections to anyone who is looking to define their media usage in their own terms, without relying on internet connection or corporate decisions and price changes.

Essentials

The CC Skywave, listed at $77.99, is by far the most efficient and diverse portable radio. It offers five radio channels—the classic AM and FM, the WX (Weather) channel, the AIR (Air traffic) channel, and the SW (Shortwave) channel. The signal on the radio is excellent and rarely falters, except on the AIR and SW channels that have farther range and are, naturally, weaker.

However, an easy fix for any weakening radio signals is the XHDATA AN-80 Antenna Reel. For only $9.90, the XHDATA Antenna Reel is the perfect radio accessory when dealing with signals that reach across thousands of miles, such as AIR and SW, but can also simply help with basic radio interference that could impact even AM and FM channels.

The CC Skywave also has the option of setting up an alarm clock system or creating an alarm for weather alerts, which can be useful in everyday situations. The Skywave also has a long-lasting battery, which I can attest to after having used it for several months and still having the battery at full charge. The Skywave also offers a sleep timer on the device, where the radio will automatically shut off after a set amount of time to conserve battery, as well as the basic battery life indicator in the top left of the lighted LCD.

The Skywave also has 400 memory presets to save various stations so that you can easily find and return to them later. Other Skywave features that help with the basic radio functionality are the options to tune in fast or slow speed, making for quicker or more precise tuning, alongside indicators to apply to music or voice-based stations and an air squelch option, which can refine your listening experience to radio stations by clearly filtering noise.

The only downside to the CC Skywave is that, with the variety and number of its endless options and stations, it can be a bit difficult for new radio users to navigate. Luckily, the provided user manual for the CC Skywave is very easy to follow with a detailed table of contents section. However, it can still be a bit frustrating to users to have to continuously check the user manual to configure the radio settings. There is the possibility that some users may find that the CC Skywave offers too much.

Cheaper Alternative

The SEMIER SM-226 is a simple, cheaper alternative to the CC Skywave, listed around $30. This is a portable radio for users who are interested in radio, but don’t want to commit to something as serious or complex as the CC Skywave. Where the Skywave has five separate radio settings, the SEMIER only has the classic AM and FM settings. This is much easier to navigate, with only a small knob on top to tune and the indicated tuning station marked on the front. It should be noted that its signal strength is not as good as the CC Skywave, but it’s not inferior enough to make a noticeable difference. There will be slightly more static across stations, but with the radio positioned correctly, the static will fix itself. Also, the XHDATA AN-80 Antenna Reel previously mentioned is also compatible with the SEMIER radio and can help strengthen any weak signals if used as an accessory here.

While the SEMIER lacks five separate stations and does not offer memory presets and tuning options, it does have something that the CC Skywave does not: a built-in cassette tape player opening in the front. This also offers users the chance to experience another type of physical media that will not become obsolete due to internet or site changes. The cassette player automatically stops at the end of the film, and there are options to play, pause, move forward or backward, and record your own audio tapes.

For the user looking for a simpler, cheaper alternative to the CC Skywave, as well as one who’s looking to pursue the use of other physical media types like cassettes, the SEMIER SM-226 is a perfect starting point.

Aesthetic Alternative

The Victrola VBB-25 is similar to the SEMIER SM-226. For $69.99, it offers only AM and FM channels, alongside a cassette player that allows recording and fast/back forward. The tuning and navigation are simple compared to the CC Skywave and require no real assistance from the user manual.

However, the Victrola does offer a Bluetooth option, which is not available on the SEMIER or the Skywave. The Victrola also offers something else, which is a sleek aesthetic appearance. For the user who wants a unique and simple portable radio, the Victrola is the best choice. Its appearance is wide and offers a handle for easy carrying, which may also mean that it’s less likely to be brought outside like the small, elegant SEMIER and Skywave radios. Nonetheless, the Victrola is still portable, though heavier duty. The Victrola’s size also means that it has a larger speaker and generally louder sound than the small speakers of the SEMIER and Skywave.

The Victrola VBB-25 is for a user looking for a simple, pretty radio that has a nostalgic and timeless appearance. The only downside is that its price is almost comparable to the Skywave, while it still offers much fewer options other than its Bluetooth connection, quality sound, and tailored appearance.

Overall Comparison

Overall, all three radios are quality and offer some slightly different features across one another. For users looking to take a serious interest in radio use, the CC Skywave offers multiple unique features at a great price. For users looking for an introduction to radio use and aging physical media, the SEMIER SM-226 is optimized for simplicity and easy navigation. For users looking for both a simple and tasteful radio experience, the Victrola VBB-25 is sleek, defined, and still offers the connection to today’s technology with its Bluetooth options.