Best Garage Radios to Listen to Your Tunes While Working [2022 Review]

When you’re working hard in your garage, a little entertainment can go a long way in improving your mood and boosting your productivity. Many people believe that listening to the radio while working might be distracting, but it’s actually the opposite. Focus increases when your mood is elevated; however, if you happen to be extremely bored, the chances of getting distracted increase drastically—so yeah, just watch out for that. Still, as a general rule, listening to good tunes when hard at work simply makes everything better (and you must agree since you are here, right?).

That being said, you can’t just get any radio and place it in your garage. Remember that this is a place where you do heavy-duty work. It would be best to buy a garage radio that can survive in that environment — an almost indestructible unit. Dust, water, and shockproof casings are a must here.

So without further ado, here are six of the best garage radios available in the market to help you find the right radio to install in your garage

Best Garage Radio Reviews

1. DEWALT DCR010 Bluetooth Jobsite Speaker

The DEWALT DCR010 is meant for environments like garages, workshops, and construction sites.

This radio features a rigid ABS plastic enclosure, large buttons, and hardened rubber bumpers. The design is truly perfect for a harsh work environment.

Moreover, the excellent sound quality doesn’t waver at high volumes, so durability is not the only strong quality. It features two front-facing speakers and has a very clear and powerful sound. It also has a bass reflex port for that extra oomph.

Meanwhile, Bluetooth connectivity has a range of more than a hundred feet. You also have the option of connecting devices through an auxiliary jack and a USB port.

This unit’s only flaw is that it is strictly a Bluetooth speaker and doesn’t have a radio tuner. Still, it’s durable, versatile, and let’s be honest; it’s 2020, after all. Who still listens to the radio anyway?

Highlighted features

• Dimensions: 4” X 5.8” X 8.5”
• 3 lbs. tool weight
• Capable of corded and cordless operation
• Kit includes the radio and a 120V AC detachable power cord
• Up to 100’ of Bluetooth range
• Compatible with DEWALT 12V MAX, 20V MAX, or FLEXVOLT batteries 

Pros

• Fantastic sound quality
• Easy to use labeled buttons
• Has Bluetooth, auxiliary, and USB connectivity
• Comes with an integrated phone holder in the handle
• Dustproof, water and shock-resistant

Cons

• Does not have a radio tuner

2. Porter-Cable PCC771B Bluetooth Radio

The Porter-Cable Bluetooth Radio is an excellent choice for a garage radio. However, what gives it an edge is that it also fits right in your living room. It doesn’t have the nightmarish look that most other garage radios have while having the necessary toughness.

You can also use it with the Porter-Cable 20V Max battery pack inside or with an AC adapter. The unit works with 1Ah to 4Ah cells for an entire day of use.

Meanwhile, the two front-facing speakers produce fantastic sound quality that doesn’t distort at high volumes. You can also use the equalizer function to adjust the tone to your liking. It also has large, labeled buttons, making it easy to use, even when wearing thick gloves.

The Porter-Cable radio comes with 12 channel presets so you can save your favorite AM and FM radio stations for quick access. Besides, if the radio programming is not your thing, the auxiliary jack allows you to use an external MP3 player.

The unit lacks a USB port, though. If you don’t mind this minor flaw, then the Porter-Cable model is perfect for you.

Highlighted features

• Dimensions: 12.38” X 6” X 5.63”
• 3.25 lbs. tool weight
• Capable of corded and cordless operation
• Kit includes the radio and a detachable power cord
• Required four C batteries

Pros

• Compact design that is suitable for the workplace and the home
• Can use Porter Cable’s battery packs
• Comes with powerful speakers and an equalizer function
• Has Bluetooth and auxiliary inputs
• Easy to use

Cons

• No USB port

3. Sangean LB-100 Compact and Ultra-Rugged AM/FM Radio

The Sangean LB-100 Radio is simple and easy-to-use radio, making it the perfect companion for your garage.

It comes with a sturdy roll cage and a rigid plastic casing wrapped in hard rubber. Hence, this radio truly belongs to a work site.

As far as music goes, you can choose from 10 presets — 5 for FM and AM stations each. You can save your favorite channels quickly and conveniently by pressing the number preset.

However, you can’t connect it with your MP3 player or smartphone. No auxiliary jack, USB, or Bluetooth here. Bummer for Spotify and Apple Music subscribers.

Still, if you want a radio with modern features, this one may not be the one for you. On the other hand, if you want a good old reliable unit that gets the job done, get the Sangean LB-100.

Highlighted features

• Dimensions: 11.8” X 9” X 7.3”
• 6.8 lbs. tool weight
• Capable of corded and cordless operation
• Kit includes the radio and a detachable power cord
• Compatible with DEWALT 12V MAX, 20V MAX, or FLEXVOLT batteries 

Pros

• Simple and easy to use
• Features memory presets
• Large backlit LCD
• Has a tough plastic casing and a roll cage.

Cons

• No Bluetooth connectivity or AUX inputs

4. Milwaukee 2951-20 M12 Cordless Jobsite Radio/Bluetooth Speaker

The Milwaukee 295120 cordless Jobsite radio offers the perfect balance between premium feel and unmatched usability. It comes with all the bells and whistles, including Bluetooth 4.2, AM/FM radio, electronic device charging capability using the 2.1A USB port, and a digital screen.

Milwaukee’s garage radio uses a single woofer and tweeter setup, but the downsizing has no significant adverse effects on sound quality, except that it’s a tad quieter. However, what it lacks in the sound department, it more than makes up for in customizability by offering ten radio presets along with treble and bass adjustment.

The Milwaukee 295120 is the best garage radio for small to medium garages due to its entry-level speaker setup and compact dimensions. However, the best part is that it can run on the same M12 batteries you also use for your 12V Milwaukee power tools.

What? Your Milwaukee impact wrench runs on 18V instead? No problem; take a look at Milwaukee’s M18 jobsite Radio instead!

Highlighted features

• Dimensions: 9.21” X 5.39” X 5.67”
• 3.68 lbs. tool weight
• Cordless operation only
• Kit includes M12 Jobsite radio and charger
• Comes with Bluetooth 4.2
• Compatible with all Milwaukee M12 batteries 

Pros

• IP54 rating for water and debris resistance
• Several customization features like ten radio presets, bass, and treble adjustment
• Compact dimensions and lightweight body
• Flexible mounting and hanging options
• Electronic device charging capability
• One-year limited warranty

Cons

• Batteries sold separately
• Not ideal for larger garages
• No protective housing

5. DEWALT DCR028B 12V/20V MAX Portable Radio

The DCR028B is Dewalt’s latest and greatest garage radio, featuring a rugged construction able to withstand drops and hard impacts; a perfect design for heavy-duty work environments.

If you think that’s impressive, wait till you hear the sound quality coming out of the quad-speaker setup. You get two 3.5” subwoofers and a pair of 1” tweeters for a sublime stereo sound experience. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity with up to 100 ft. of range and a radio antenna protected by the roll-cage. You can also opt to play music using the built-in auxiliary port while simultaneously charging your phone using the USB port — pretty neat indeed.

The DeWalt DCR028B is perfect for extremely busy and relatively unsafe work environments. The integrated roll-cage goes a long way from protecting this radio and making sure it keeps you company on the job for years to come!

Highlighted features

• Dimensions: 15” X 10” X 8”
• 8 lbs. tool weight
• Capable of corded and cordless operation
• Kit includes the radio and a 120V detachable power cord
• Up to 100’ of Bluetooth range
• Compatible with DEWALT 12V MAX, 20V MAX, or FLEXVOLT batteries 

Pros

• Premium quad-speaker setup provides a superior experience
• Reasonably priced
• Radio antenna is protected by heavy-duty roll-cage
• Strong roll-cage for optimum protection against drops and other impacts
• Offers six customizable radio presets
• Three years limited warranty

Cons

• Batteries are sold separately

6. Bosch Bluetooth Jobsite AM/FM Radio

The Bosch garage radio will make you fall in love instantly with its power tool-inspired look.

This isn’t just a rugged garage radio, though; it also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Thus, you can connect your smartphone or any other device that works with Bluetooth. And thanks to the 150 feet range, you can move freely around your garage without losing connectivity.

The sound quality is also excellent. It features four-way speakers and a built-in subwoofer. Hence, the Bosch Bluetooth Jobsite can provide 360 degrees of high-quality sound no matter where it’s placed in the garage.

Moreover, the unit is encased in rigid ABS plastic, and all the ports and outlets have rubber plugs to stop water from damaging them.

Furthermore, there is a hard metal roll cage with tough rubber bumpers to absorb shock more efficiently. However, this radio is quite large and expensive, making it overkill for smaller garages. Still, if your budget allows it, we wholeheartedly recommend it.

Highlighted features

• Dimensions: 13.5” X 13.5” X 13.5”
• 24 lbs. tool weight
• Capable of corded and cordless operation
• Kit includes the radio and a 120V detachable power cord
• Compatible with Bosch 18V batteries 

Pros

• It is very tough and can survive falls and sudden hits very easily
• Bluetooth connectivity of up to 150 feet
• Has a great battery that can charge smartphones and even power tools
• Is compatible with Bosch battery packs
• Has an excellent sound quality

Cons

• Quite large and expensive

What to Look for When Buying a Garage Radio

Sound quality and volume 

Even though your workstation will likely be loud and you’ll be busy, buying a garage radio with poor sound quality will only be annoying and ultimately distracting. So look for something with good sound quality.

Rugged build

Since you’ll use your radio in a harsh and dangerous environment, you’ll want it to be rugged. A unit that isn’t built for a harsh workplace will quickly be damaged, so opt for something tough and durable.

Easy to operate controls 

Some radios do too much when it comes to controls. When there are so many unlabeled buttons, learning and using them can be a chore. The point of owning a garage radio is to make work easier.

Battery size 

Most garage radios run using the same battery packs as power tools. This means they can run for a very long time, especially with larger batteries. It also means you can quickly swap them to continue listening to your tunes.

Shockproof and waterproof/water-resistant and Dustproof

Since it is a worksite, there will be a lot of dust flying around; there will also be a high chance of your radio falling or coming into contact with water. Shockproof casings should always be high on your list, along with dust and waterproofing.

Lightweight and portable

Since you are constantly working with heavy tools on your job site, it would be great if your radio was not too heavy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to care for and maintain garage radios?

Garage radios are rugged and tough, but they still need regular care and maintenance.

You should keep it clean. Don’t let dust pile up on the surface and try to prevent it from falling or getting into contact with water.

Although garage radios are mostly weatherproof and shockproof, you should do your best not to test those claims.

What is the warranty?

The typical type of warranty length for garage radios ranges from one to three years. Go for products with warranties that promise to replace or completely refund your purchase if you aren’t satisfied.

Can I charge my smartphone using the job site/garage radio?

Yes, most job site/garage radios come with multiple USB ports that you can use to play MP3 files from external storage, like a hard drive or a memory stick. They can even charge your smartphone or other devices.

Are garage radios waterproof?

There are some waterproof garage radios, but most are just water-resistant. Still, this should only be an issue if you bring your garage radio to a pool party.

Last Words

The Milwaukee M12 radio is the best garage radio on this list, as it ticks all the boxes required for a perfect workstation radio. Notably, it has great sound quality, it’s light and easy to carry with easy-to-use controls, and packs a very powerful battery. To cap it all, this radio has a very rugged build and is extremely durable. This is the clear winner for us.

However, if you want something more high-end (and slightly more expensive), the Bosch Bluetooth Jobsite AM/FM Radio is the best option. The sound quality is excellent, and it’s loud enough to fill a larger garage. Besides, the integrated roll cage keeps the radio unit safe, even if you drop it from a few feet high.

Did we miss a good garage radio? Are you using a different one and think it should be on this list? Make sure to leave a comment below and we’ll make sure to review it too!