The 9 Best Jobsite Radios, Reviewed!

Feeling unmotivated at work lately? Feeling like the hours do not pass at all and there is no escape from the stress and the exhaustion that you face during your work? Or are you a manager thinking of a way to make the working condition more fun and lively for your employees so that their efficiency is boosted? Then all you have to do is to set your worries aside and bring in a job site radio to your working space and enjoy your working hours and connect with others through these great radios that will play anything that is broadcasted on AM/FM channels, including your favorite motivational songs or the talk show you enjoy listening to, or get weather updates that might be a valuable information to prepare all of you for a coming storm or a hurricane. Although they are called job site radios, they are also great to lighten up the atmosphere of your garage or home workshop or basements where you want to focus on your work while enjoying your favorite music by turning up the volume to the maximum. The important differences between a job site radio and other radios are that job site radios are way more durable and have to be able to give out a quality sound output even when it is loud to cover a large working area. ​If you are planning on buying a job site radio, that is great news for you and your whole team of workers but you have to choose a radio that is efficient, durable and fit your job site's particular requirements. To make it easier for you to choose the best job site radio, we have compiled the top nine job site radios that you can find on the market, compared their pros and cons and finally discussed a few factors that are crucial to know before deciding on the right job site radio.

​Best Pick

Sangean FB-100 Fatbox Rugged Industrial AM/FM Radio ​The reason this radio made to our best pick position is that it scores the highest in both toughness that is required at a job site and also in delivering a high-quality audio output even at its loudest. This radio that features many excellent radio and durability characteristics, is sure to become anyone's favorite work companion in no time.

​Budget Pick

Sangean TB-100SE (Toughbox) AM/FM/AUX-In Ultra Rugged Digital PLL Tuning Rechargeable Radio (Black) ​As the name suggests, this is one tough radio that will withstand rain and fall and entertain you through the roughest work days, while being within your budget. If you are looking for a radio for your worksite without having to spend a fortune on it, this is a great radio that you can look into.

Quick Comparison Between The Best ​Jobsite Radios

Apart from our best and budget picks, there are several other job site radios that we think are worth introducing to you. We have compared their features in details and have also taken into consideration their pros and cons to give you an in-depth idea of what kind of products are available to you on the market when it comes to job site radios. Tune in to the article to know more! [table id=99 /]

1. ​Sangean FB-100 Fatbox Rugged Industrial AM/FM Radio

Sangean FB-100 Fatbox Rugged Industrial AM/FM Radio This radio has an impressively high resistance against rain, fall, and weights thanks to its roll-cage design made of strong ABS plastic that enables it to withstand a fall from a height of six feet and is able to endure 250 pounds of weight. The more vulnerable interiors, for example, the buttons, speakers and the battery compartment are sealed to keep water, dust and other damaging elements away and allows you to carry this radio to even the toughest working conditions. You can fold the sturdy yet flexible antenna made of rubber, to keep it within the protective roll cage, if a situation demands. If you are amazed by how tough this radio is, you will be more impressed by its features related to the radio listening. The highlights in this aspect are the two waterproof 6.5-inch speakers and an efficient amplifier that offer you high volume yet high- quality sound output to fill up even the noisiest work environments. The radio uses advanced PLL tuning which enhances the reception of different radio channels and also offers you different controls that you can use to increase or decrease the reception of different frequencies so that you can always get the best out of your favorite channels. Using the controls on this radio, you can also adjust the bass tones to suit your loud surroundings, choose settings suited to your music genre, preset up to six channels for easy access and do a lot more. ​Other useful features include the battery charger that you can use to charge your Ni-MH batteries while the radio is plugged into an AC supply, the auxiliary inputs through which you can connect your phone or music device and stream your favorite music, with a bonus advantage of padded interior compartment to keep your music devices protected from scratches or weather damages.

PROS

  • ​Protective roll cage design and sealed buttons make it able to withstand rain, fall, and weight
  • ​Has high-quality sound output and a strong amplifier
  • ​The antenna is sturdy and foldable
  • ​Offers auxiliary inputs to connect your music devices such as mp3, CD/ DVD players, iPod, etc. and also a padded interior compartment to protect your external music devices
  • Six presets for easy access to your favorite radio channels
  • Advanced PLL digital tuning allows better reception of radio signals
  • Can be used to charge Ni-MH batteries while it is connected to an AC supply
  • Multiple equalizer settings to control sound quality  

CONS

  • ​It requires batteries to run which are not included and has to be bought separately
  • No Bluetooth function

2. ​Sangean TB-100SE (Toughbox) AM/FM/AUX-In Ultra Rugged Digital PLL Tuning Rechargeable Radio

Sangean TB-100SE (Toughbox) AM/FM/AUX-In Ultra Rugged Digital PLL Tuning Rechargeable Radio (Black) If you are looking for a tough job site radio that gives you a high- quality sound output yet stays simple and compact, this is a radio that might become your ultimate choice. This radio is rain resistant to JIS4 grade which means it can withstand splashes of water and also is dust and shock resistant due to it being constructed of durable ABS plastic. ​Its 5-inch full-range, the water-resistant speaker delivers a high-quality sound output and the radio has been geared with PLL digital tuning and a memory that can save up to ten of your favorite radio channels. Apart from these high grade features, it also offers user friendly features including the 2.7 meters long AC cable that can be easily folded back into a compartment behind the radio to prevent tripping on the cable at the job site, a highly visible backlit LCD display, one-touch memory buttons to access your preset channels, easy to control volume and frequency knobs, a flexible antenna, and an option to run the radio on rechargeable batteries with an LED indicator that tells you the progress of the charging process

PROS

  • ​Dust, rain, and impact resistant
  • ​PLL digital tuning and a flexible antenna for better reception for radio signals
  • ​You can save up to ten preset channels and access them quickly using buttons
  • ​Compact design and simple controls make it easy to use
  • ​Large backlit LCD screen and a battery charging indicator
  • The AC cable can be conveniently folded back into a compartment behind the radio to prevent mess and tripping at the work site
  • 5-inch speaker for a full-range sound output
  • Auxiliary inputs for connecting your music devices through which you can stream music

CONS

  • ​Rechargeable batteries are not included
  • The speaker is located at one side of the front face, not four-way speakers

3. ​Bosch Bluetooth Power Box Jobsite AM/FM Radio/Charger/Digital Media Stereo PB360C

Bosch Bluetooth Power Box Jobsite AM/FM Radio/Charger/Digital Media Stereo PB360C Bosch is a renowned brand that has been there in the market for a long time producing reliable, high-quality products. Hence it comes as no surprise when Bosch produces a job site radio of a superior caliber. If you are looking for a top-notch job site radio in terms of design, durability and sound quality, this is a product that will not disappoint you. Compared to the other job site radios that come with ABS plastic roll cages, this radio is surrounded and well-protected by a roll cage that is made of rubber and aluminum, which makes sure that this will withstand extensive amounts of being tossed, rolled and moved around, even by children. The radio is dust, shock and weather resistant and features separate protected compartments for your plug-ins, battery and media bay. Since this powerful construction brings in a factor of it being heavier than smaller home radios, it has a handle at the top that you can use to carry it around with ease. The radio boasts of four-way speakers and a subwoofer at the bottom that ensures that the sound is evenly spread all throughout your working area and reaches every one of your employees, no matter how the radio is angled for your convenience. The buttons at the front, the backlit screen, and the memory that can store preset channels make it easy for you to operate the radio, tune into your favorite channels and control other aspects of the output sound like bass and treble. ​The surprise cherry topping of this great radio is its Bluetooth function with a 150 feet range that you can pair up with a special app by Bosch and stream internet radio channels, music from your phone or use to ring an alarm at specified time intervals.

PROS

  • ​Dust and weather resistant design
  • ​Separate protected compartments for battery, external media bay, and plug-ins
  • ​Can be run on rechargeable batteries or by connecting it to an AC power supply
  • ​The AC cable can be wound back onto the radio to minimize the mess
  • ​Protective cage is made up of rubber and aluminum giving it a sturdy and durable construction
  • Auxiliary input, USB port, and Bluetooth functions make it a versatile entertainment device to stream music from the internet, from your phone and other devices
  • Four-way speakers and a subwoofer at the bottom ensures that the sound is covered in 360 degrees, and the equalizer controls give you flexibility in controlling different aspects of the output sound
  • Easy to access buttons, control knobs and backlit screen make it a user-friendly design

CONS

  • ​It is heavy

4. ​DEWALT DCR015 12V/20V MAX Worksite Charger Radio

DEWALT DCR015 12V/20V MAX Worksite Charger Radio You might be wondering why this job site radio is also called a charger, but just as its name states, it has a dual function of both being a radio and a charger. The job site is full of electronic machines and tools that require charging from time to time. When this radio is plugged into an AC power supply, you can charge 12V MAX and 20V MAX lithium-ion batteries by connecting them to this radio. When this radio is not connected to a power supply, you can run this radio on the same battery packs that you charged before. Other than the battery packs, you can also charge your other electronic device by connecting it to the radio through USB ports. ​Not only is this product efficient as a charger, it is also a great radio to have in your workplace, home gym or garage and listen to since its roll cage design makes it highly durableand tough against rough external conditions. Apart from the roll cage, it has an enclosed protective compartment where you can store your delicate electronic equipment and devices to keep them safe from any kind of damages at your work area. The features related to radio listening on this machine has been upgraded from its previous model by the installation of woofers, amplifiers, and tweeters that give a wider ranged, higher quality and a louder sound output strengthened by a weather-resistant speaker.

PROS

  • ​Has dual-functions of a job site radio and a charger
  • ​It can be used to charge high voltage battery packs and also electronic devices
  • ​It has a protective roll cage design that makes it able to withstand rough worksite conditions
  • ​The radio features woofers, weather resistant speakers, amplifier and tweeters that give a high-quality sound output that reaches a wide range of area
  • ​It has an enclosed protective compartment for storing your electronic devices
  • It has auxiliary input through which you can connect your music devices such as iPod or phone and stream music from those devices

CONS

  • ​It is not rain resistant
  • The batteries are not internal or built-in batteries

5. ​Milwaukee Electric Tool 2792-20 M18 Job Radio/Charger

Milwaukee Electric Tool 2792-20 M18 Job Radio/Charger ​If you are looking for a durable job site radio without the bulky roll cage design, then this is a reliable radio and a charger that could become your favorite work companion. Although the external roll cage design is great for giving protection, it can become quite space consuming, especially if you want a radio for a small working area. This is where this excellent radio from Milwaukee shines brighter than the other, many cumbersome ones. Apart from its external surface that is made of durable material, it has a weather sealed compartment where you can store away your small devices to protect them from harsh weather or work conditions. The radio can also work as a charger as you can connect it to an AC supply and conveniently charge your lithium M18 batteries, without having to carry an extra battery charger. ​You can use it to stream music from the radio, store up to ten preset radio stations for quick access, streammusic from your phone using its bluetooth function from even 100 feet away. The great news regarding the sound output quality is that it uses high-grade speakers with a powerful 40 Watts amplifier, which means the loudness of the volume would not compromise the sound quality or make it sound screechy. This product also gives you a handy, in-built bottle opener to open up the refreshing bottle of after-work drinks.

PROS

  • ​Neat design without the bulky roll cage
  • ​Built-in charger for recharging lithium M18 batteries at the job site
  • ​The radio can be connected to other devices using the auxiliary input or through the Bluetooth function with a range of 100 feet
  • ​The radio can store up to ten radio stations for quick access
  • ​The handles are positioned at convenient positions so that you can easily lift and carry the radio
  • ​40 Watt powerful amplifier and a high-quality speaker ensures that the loudness of the volume does not compromise the audio quality
  • A built-in protective compartment allows you to store your small electronic devices safely inside the compartment

CONS

  • ​It is not rain and fall resistant

6. ​ION Audio Job Rocker Plus

ION Audio Job Rocker Plus This radio stays true to its name by rocking your work site with its Bluetooth functions, efficient radio features, its durable constructions and a bright colored design that is sure to bring in the liveliness to your job site. This radio has been designed with a wooden cabinet, a chrome-plated handle and protective corner bumpers to make it suitable for rugged outdoor or worksite settings. Since you will have to move around with your phone while working, this radio enables you to stream music from your phone through Bluetooth from even a 100 feet away. ​The speaker that is of 50 Watts power ensures a clear and loud sound output so that you can listen to your favorite radio channels or get updates on a game that you have been following even working at the far ends of your work site. The rubber antenna ensures good signal reception while the option to save up to six preset radio stations allows you to quickly access any channel you want to listen to. At your work site, you might need to charge different electronic tools for example, your drilling machine and you can easily do so through the two AC outlets of this radio, without having to carry an extra charger. Apart from your electric tools, you can charge your electronic devices such as your phone through the radio’s USB port. ​One unique feature of this radio that we think is great is that along with the option to charge it using an AC supply, it also lets you charge it using a DC supply from your car.​

PROS

  • ​Wooden cabinet, chrome plated handle and protective corner bumpers make it a durable job site radio
  • ​50 Watt speakers offer a loud and clear audio output
  • ​Rubber antenna for better reception of radio signals
  • ​Two AC power outlets on the radio and the USB port allows you to easily charge your electric devices and tools
  • ​You can save six preset radio stations for quick access
  • Can be charged using both AC supply or DC supply from your car

CONS

  • ​It is not water resistant
  • The display screen is small compared to the body

7. ​Milwaukee 2890-20 18V Dual Chemistry M18 Jobsite Radio

Milwaukee 2890-20 18V Dual Chemistry M18 ​What we particularly like about this radio is the rectangular shapethat makes it sit stably on any surface and makes it a source of entertainment and information in versatile settings. You would be able to relate to how helpful a design like this can be if you have ever tried stacking up heavy objects and toolboxes in your vehicle to get to your work site. To prevent the radio from damages resulting from worksite conditions, the radio comes shielded with rubberized coverings at its edges. The radio also has a protective compartment to safely house your phone or other small electronic devices while they can be either connected to the radio to stream music from them or be charged using the USB port of the radio. You can either charge the radio from an AC supply or by using M18 batteries.

PROS

  • ​Rectangular and horizontal design to give your radio higher stability to sit at the back of your car or any surface in your job site
  • ​A special enclosed compartment for safely housing your electronic devices
  • ​You can stream music from your phone through the radio’s auxiliary input or charge your phone by the USB port
  • ​You can save up to ten channels on the radio for quick access
  • The edges are covered in protective rubberized caps to make the radio highly durable

CONS

  • ​Not rain resistant
  • Does not have Bluetooth function

8. ​Milwaukee M12 Cordless Job-Site Radio

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Job-Site Radio ​If you are looking for a durable job site radio that is smaller and less heavy than the other ones, so that you could carry it around to different places, this radio from Milwaukee that weighs only 5.15 pounds might be your ultimate choice to go for. Although it is a lot lighter than the other job site radios, it has a solid build, weatherproof speakers made of aluminum and an enclosed compartment to store your smaller electronic devices, which make is a radio that will withstand the harshness of your work site. The radio also features a digital tuner that ensures reception of AM and FM radio signals with high accuracy. You can also connect your phone or iPod to this radio and stream music from your devices.

PROS

  • ​Compact, portable and durable
  • ​Weatherproof speakers are made of aluminum for high durability
  • ​Enclosed compartment for safely storing your electronic devices
  • ​Digital tuning system for highly accurate reception of radio signals
  • ​Can be connected to your music devices to stream your own music
  • ​Can be run on AC power supply or batteries

CONS

  • ​Does not have Bluetooth

9. ​Makita XRM04B 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Bluetooth Job Site Radio

Makita XRM04B 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Bluetooth Job Site Radio ​This is a well-rounded and compact job site radio with an impressive run time of up to 20 hours. The controls on this radio also allow you to set alarm with snooze functions, which is a handy feature to have at your work site. The edges of this radio are covered in protective bumpers and guardrails and it is also dust and water resistant so that it can withstand the harsh conditions a work sites. To give you increased mobility, the radio offers Bluetooth function so you can play any music from your phone even when the phone is not connected to the radio through its auxiliary input. When the controls are at work, the buttons and the screen lights up in an attractive blue color which adds to the aesthetics of its design.

PROS

  • ​20 hours continuous run time
  • ​Durable and compact design
  • ​Water and dust resistant
  • ​Has Bluetooth function
  • ​Auxiliary input for connecting phone or mp3 and a jock for placing your phone or iPod on the radio
  • ​Controls for setting alarm with snooze
  • The speakers are located on the two sides for efficient spreading of sound

CONS

  • ​No sealed compartment for housing smaller electronic devices
​In the next section, we will discuss a few factors that are crucial in determining which job site radio is the most suitable for your particular job site so that you can make a well-informed decision and not have to be confused which one to go for out of all these excellent products.

T​hings To C​onsider B​efore B​uying the Best Jobsite Radio

Durability

Compared to the home or office environments that are suitable for more delicate electronic devices, a job site radio has to face harsher and adverse working environments, for example, a construction site. There are risks of heavy objects falling onto the radio, as well as an unexpected thunderstorm with heavy rain that the radio might be completely exposed to. Hence a good job site radio should have some kind of resistance against rain, accidental falls, and weight. This is why many job site radios come with a protective outer caging and sealed buttons that prevent water seeping into the interior of the radio. Important things to check are that if the caging makes it difficult to reach the controls of the radio and if the radio can withstand the durability that your particular job site requires.

Design

The design is an important factor for choosing a job site radio because it can also determine how durable your radio is. There are two major designs when it comes to these radios, one is with a roll cage around the radio's main body and the other one is without the roll cage but with protective bumpers or capping around the radio's edges to protect it from being damaged. The roll cage designs are good if you want increased durability against falls or heavy weights dropping on the radio but it also makes the radio bulkier and space consuming. Other things about the design to note is the positioning of the speakers, color of the radio, how convenient the buttons are to access, the size of the display screen etc. The shape of the radio also determines its ability to sit on a surface stably so if you carry around the radio in your car frequently, you can go for a rectangular shape which gives more bottom surface area and stability.

Audio Quality

​Since the primary purpose of a job site radio is to provide audio entertainment to the people listening to it, the radio should be able to deliver a clear sound output. One factor regarding the sound of a job site radio is its loudness since worksites usually have a larger area to be filled with the sound compared to a homeroom or an office room. Job sites, for example, a construction building site has a higher background noise than a quiet interior of your home. The radio should have an efficient speaker and preferably a powerful amplifier that can give a sound output that will maintain the quality even when it is loud.

Conclusion

​Now that you are familiar with the best job site radios that are on the market and also the criteria to determine which would be the most suitable for your work site, you are ready to tune into your favorite radio channels, turn the volume on and let the radio boost your work motivation and morale.