Best Shortwave Radio Reviews 2023

It’s most likely that the price of a product is the greatest influence on your decision to buy or not. It’s common knowledge, though, that quality products are costlier than others, and this can also be said of shortwave radios. The greater the complexity, size, and features of a shortwave radio, the more the price is affected. Instead of focusing on the price, you may want to dwell more on the shortwave radio with the features you need.

A shortwave radio can be purchased within the wide range of $60 (for a decent basic model) to $350 or more a multifunctional one with lots of features, with the average price range of about $150 for a good quality model. In our research, we did come across cheap shortwave radios, but we didn’t consider them because it’s our philosophy to give you information on products that’ll give you satisfaction and value for your money, and not break as soon as you start using them.

Shortwave radios come with various features, prices, and sizes. The idea is to choose one that’ll serve the purpose you purchased it for. We’ve listed some general features of shortwave radios. You can study and compare them with what you have in mind in order to make the best choice.

Here are some of the features you may want to pay attention to:

• Frequency coverage
• Digital or analog frequency display
• Modes
• Selectivity options
• Antenna connections
• Tuning methods
• Construction
• Synchronous detector

Below are insights into these features so you can know how they affect the efficacy of the product. Hence, help you decide which is best for your needs.

Looking at the construction and design of a shortwave radio is vital in determining if it’s the right one for you. We suggest that you look at its construction materials and whether it allows for antenna connections, so we’ve gone into more detail on each factor below.

Construction and Materials

The build of your radio is important, especially if you’re buying a radio for emergency use. You may want a radio that’s compact and lightweight so it won’t be difficult for you to carry around during emergencies. Shortwave radios that are made of durable metals are strong enough to withstand wear and tear. Further, when making a purchase, pay attention to weight and dimensions. Tabletop shortwave radios aren’t ideal for emergencies because they’re made with materials that are heavy and, just like the name suggests, are designed to sit on a table.

Antenna Connections

Even with the built-in antenna, some shortwave radios allow for external antennas. An external antenna provides stronger receptions and a wider range than the built-in antennas. Note that most portable shortwave radios don’t have any provision for external antennas. It’s advisable that you choose a shortwave radio with a jack for the installation of an external antenna.

To ensure that you get a shortwave radio that you love, we’ve gone ahead and outlined some of the performance and ease of use factors you should keep an eye on. Keep reading to find out more about each.

Frequency Coverage

The frequency coverage of a particular radio is an important feature because it determines the number of frequencies the radio can pick up. Shortwave radios are generally designed to receive frequencies between 1.7MHz to 30MHz but some models don’t pick up this entire range. Also, there are models that pick up frequencies less than 1.7MHz, even down to 0.54MHz.

Digital or Analog Frequency Display

The frequency display feature allows you to read the frequencies you’re on. There are basically two types of frequency displays: the digital display and the analog display. The digital display happens to be the way to go because you can accurately read your frequencies. It gives you detailed information and allows you to fine-tune your radio to the exact station you want. An analog display, on the other hand, involves a lot of guesswork to get the right frequency.

Modes

A shortwave radio with several modes allows you to tune into more broadcasts. Usually, most models can tune into AM mode stations, but there are models that can tune into SSB and other additional modes. A shortwave radio with SSB, AM, and other modes increases your listening alternatives.

Selectivity Options

Using the narrow selectivity bandwidth reduces the amount of interference you get from other stations. Different radios have different numbers of selectivity bandwidths. The selectivity options that are available on a portable shortwave radio are just “wide” and “narrow,” while the desktop radio has more options, often up to five.

Tuning Methods

The available tuning methods for shortwave radios are the knob or the button. The knobs are generally easier to use when tuning because they turn easily, but that’s not to say that some folks won’t prefer the button. It’s up to you to determine what you want.

Synchronous Detector

The synchronous detector allows the shortwave radio to more effectively lock onto signals. This feature helps get rid of fading and noise while providing clear broadcasts. Note that this feature will most likely add to the price of the radio that has it, but it’ll be worth every dime.