Whatever construction site you go to, you will more than likely see a jobsite radio blasting out music. The purpose of this type of radio is to provide excellent sound quality and loud music whilst being able to withstand the construction environment.
The best jobsite radio is the DEWALT DCR015 MAX Charger Radio, which includes a class D amplifier, woofer and tweeters for excellent quality audio.
Jobsite radios can endure quite a lot of abuse such as impact damage, dust, water and more. A standard radio will never be able to withstand any significant damage and will never work in a true construction or industrial site scenarios.
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Best Sounding Jobsite Radio
| Jobsite Radio | Type | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT DCR015 | Heavy Duty | Additional |
| Bosch PB360C | Heavy Duty | Included |
| Milwaukee 2890-20 | Stackable | No |
| Makita XRM08B | Portable | Included |
| Makita RM02 | Compact | No |
The power source of a jobsite radio is one of the most important factors to consider. This is because not every site you work at will have an electricity source, which means the radio must be able to use its own battery power. However, this it has limitations such as battery life and many people will opt for the more powerful corded versions.
As technology has improved over the years, so has the worksite radio with multiple features to choose from. Bluetooth, AUX and USB connections are fairly common on the majority of devices, which means you do not have to listen to the same radio station with terrible music all the time.
Listening to your own music whilst working can really improve your mood and make working that much easier. Below is a list of the best jobsite radios that provides excellent sound quality and superior durability.
DEWALT DCR015 MAX Worksite Radio
Dewalt is one of the biggest construction product brands in the world and with all their products, you just know they are built to last. This jobsite radio is no different with an intuitive storage box and roll cage that protects all vital electronics from damage.
It is a dual purpose radio because when it is plugged in, it is able to charge both 12V and 20V battery packs. Not only that, if there is no outlets on the job, you are able to use Dewalt battery packs in the radio.
It is a premium jobsite radio by Dewalt and features full range woofers and tweeters, a class D amplifier, green back lit display with digital tuning and much more. Considering it has all this equipment, it is also very lightweight at just 13 LBS.
Other important factors of the DEWALT DCR015 include the fact that it comes with a 3 year limited warranty, 1 year free service and a 90 day money back guarantee for peace of mind. Overall, it is one of the best jobsite radio you can buy with a big feature list and a reputable brand backing the build quality.
Check it OutBosch Bluetooth Power Box Jobsite AM/FM Radio
The PB360C by Bosch is another premium jobsite radio that provides 360 degree audio from a four-way speaker and subwoofer configuration. It is heavier than the Dewalt alternative at 24 LBS as opposed to 13 LBS but it is more durable.
This radio also includes built-in Bluetooth unlike the Dewalt alternative, which is a huge benefit considering everything is tuning wireless. Dewalt do offer a Bluetooth radio adapter but this is an additional cost and another thing to remember.
It is dual purpose as it will run from both a 120 volt AC outlet and a Bosch 18 Volt battery that will power up the speakers and subwoofer. In terms of the protection, it uses an aluminum and rubber roll cage for all round protection against impact.
Overall, it is a heavy duty jobsite radio that plays high quality and loud music, which ticks the most essential boxes. Compared with the Dewalt alternative above, it is very close in terms of the better of the two but if you require wireless streaming of music, this is the best Bluetooth job site radio.
Check it OutMilwaukee 2890-20 Jobsite Radio
The Milwaukee 2890-20 is cheaper than the two powerhouses above and much smaller as its has no roll cage but instead has padded edges for protection. In terms of the outputs of this radio, there is a 2.1A USB charging port and a 3.5mm AUX port. There is also a very clever compartment for storing your phone in to reduce water or impact damage whilst using the outputs.
It runs from both batteries and an AC outlet, although charging your smartphone whilst using batteries will reduce the battery life quite significantly.
Thanks to the stackable design of the Milwaukee 2890-20, it can fit in a range of locations unlike many of the alternatives in this article. It is a highly recommended jobsite radio with excellent durability and weather-proof qualities.
Check it OutMakita XRM08B Jobsite Speaker
The Makita XRM08B is a cordless Bluetooth worksite radio that will run for 32 hours of continuous operation, which is more than enough for a days work. There is no back lit display for this speaker but simple heavy duty buttons for operation.
Playing your music can be achieved via Bluetooth but there is the option for using the AUX port. On the side of the radio is also a USB port that is suitable for charging mobile devices and other electronic devices.
As with the Milwaukee alternative, there is a secret compartment for storing your phone safely at the rear of the radio. In terms of protection, there is a protective rubber padding all the way around the radio and it is also water and dust resistant, which is perfect for rough job sites.
Weighing at just 7.2 LBS, it is the most portable jobsite radio with the added bonus of being cordless. However, this does have its downside as the battery will run out if you forget to charge it.
Check it OutMakita RM02 Compact Job Site Radio
If sound quality and loudness is not something you are interested but you just want standard audio in a compact and durable form, the Makita RM02 is perfect. It uses two powerful front facing speakers that will play continuously for 30 hours.
There is no Bluetooth compatibility but you are able to input an AUX cord to play your own music over the FM/AM radio channels and even plug in your own earphones for private listening.
Overall, it is a small jobsite radio that is cheap and has a good battery life compared to other radios in a similar price bracket. Weighing at just 1.7 LBS, you are even able to hook it to a range of locations with the integrated rotating hook.
For a compact radio, there are no alternative that match the build quality of this Makita RM02 model for the price.
Check it OutJobsite Radio Buying Guide
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a jobsite radio. A jobsite radio is not your ordinary radio – it is specifically designed to be used while doing construction work, and as such, has to be able to play music loudly and be rugged enough to stand up to tough conditions.
There are a lot of jobsite radios on the market, and the details can get confusing, so this guide will help you choose a jobsite radio that meets your needs. Here are some things to consider.
Power Source
Are you looking for a jobsite radio that uses batteries or one that plugs into a direct power source? Many radios are able to do both. An important factor that goes into choosing which jobsite radio to buy is the type of batteries it uses.
The batteries used in jobsite radios are not compatible from one brand to the next, so if you have a lot of power tools of the same brand that use a certain kind of battery, it is probably a good idea to choose a radio of the same brand. This way you avoid the inconvenience and expense of buying batteries specifically for the radio. It is convenient if you get a jobsite radio that uses batteries you already have in the house. Of course, if you plan on running your device from the main, battery compatibility is less important.
It is also worth considering whether the radio has the capacity to charge batteries. A jobsite radio with a built-in battery charger allows the batteries to recharge when it is plugged into AC power. Don’t forget about battery life.
The runtime of a radio is usually listed with the specs. It isn’t important if you are leaving it plugged in while in use, but the runtime is how long the radio will play before running out of charge. Choose a radio with a long enough runtime for your workday if you are planning on running it from the battery.
Durability
A jobsite radio has to be sturdy and able to stand up to being dropped, kicked, and knocked over. However, the specific qualities needed in your radio depends on your job. Do you work in a place that gets wet, or is there a lot of dust?
Some jobsite radios are more water-resistant, dust-resistant, or shock-resistant than others. It makes sense to choose a radio built to stand up to your work environment, whatever that may be.
Radio Options
Some jobsite radios only support basic AM/FM analog radio, while others feature digital audio broadcasting (DAB). The sound quality on a DAB radio tends to be much clearer than on analog, with fewer crackles and hisses.
AM/FM radio has a good selection of stations, but DAB has over 100 digital stations and includes all the ones that are available on AM/FM. Another thing worth considering is whether you want a radio with an auxiliary jack so you can connect another device and play your own music.
Compatibility With Other Devices
You might want to be able to connect your jobsite radio to another device such as a smartphone, iPod, or mp3 player in order to use it to play music you have downloaded. Some jobsite radios are able to connect to your device, while others can connect to and play music from a USB drive.
Getting a jobsite radio with a USB port can be a good option, as a USB stick is compact and can store a lot of data. If you choose a radio that connects to your phone or mp3 device, consider getting one that also charges your device, as otherwise, your mp3 device will eventually run out of charge.
It is also necessary to make sure the jobsite radio comes with a compartment to protect your device. You wouldn’t want your phone or iPod to get broken, and they are not built to stand up to a heavy-duty work environment. Make sure that the device compartment is weatherproof and not merely dust-resistant.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Jobsite radios that can connect to another device via a wireless Bluetooth connection are available. This feature is not strictly necessary but is worth considering if you work far away from where the radio is stationed and find it inconvenient to move just to switch stations. If you have Bluetooth, you can do that from where you are.
Sound Quality
When listening to music on the job, it is important for the sound of the music to be loud enough to hear over the sound of machinery. The exact specifications required will be affected by the amount of background noise in your work environment and how far away you are from the radio while working.
Try to select a jobsite radio with loud, clear sound quality. If it boasts design features that enhance sound quality, it’s probably a good choice. Keep in mind that the need for sound quality is a lot greater if you are using the radio to play music from an MP3 device. If you are planning to only listen to the radio, you can get away with lower quality speakers.
The RMS wattage of a speaker measures the volume at which the sound quality is best. The speaker RMS wattage you want on your radio depends on how loud your work environment is. If you can hear another person when speaking quietly, a 2 Watt speaker will suffice.
On the other hand, if you must shout in order to be heard, a 10 Watt speaker would be better. However, this is all assuming you are right next to the speaker. At a more normal distance, you will want a 5 to 10 Watt speaker if your workplace is quiet and a 15 to 30 Watt speaker if your workplace is loud.
Weight and Size
How heavy is the radio? An excessively heavy or bulky jobsite radio can be inconvenient to transport, but it needs to be sturdy. Different people have different needs where ease of transport is concerned. Choose a jobsite radio that is light and compact enough to be manageable while still meeting your other needs.