Best Jobsite Radio for 2024 – 7 Models Tested

While I love tools, my background in recording engineering and experience as a sound editor on several feature films particularly qualify me for this review. Over the years, I’ve developed both an ear and a passion for great-quality audio. It goes without saying that I volunteered to identify and compare the best jobsite radios currently on the market. I wanted to know which of these radios had the best sound, which had truly useful features, and which I’d want to take a hard pass on.

I sifted through dozens of jobsite radios before assembling a list of 7 final contenders to bring in and test. Having already reviewed several dozen radios throughout the years, I’ve gotten pretty adept at picking what models represent each manufacturer’s best offering. I know that everyone has different needs and preferences, so the final recommendations cater to several types of users. I did, however, give you my overall favorite pick from the top radios tested.

One Final Note: You can buy ANY “dime a dozen” $50 to $99 Bluetooth speaker. This article specifically compares the audio quality and features of current flagship jobsite radios (and, yes, they must have an AM/FM radio!). But don’t worry, I’ll recommend a few less expensive options as well.

Best Jobsite Radio – Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Bosch GPB18V-5CN
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• Most Features: Milwaukee Packout 2950
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• Most Volume: Ryobi Verse Link PCL601B
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• Best Value: DeWalt DCR025
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Best Jobsite Radio Overall

Some product manager really had their head on straight when they designed the Bosch GPB18V-5CN. Having reviewed the similar Bosch Power Box PB360C, this upgrade has nearly everything you could want in a jobsite radio. Bosch went with a 4-directional speaker projection instead of sticking with traditional front-facing speakers. The GPB18V-5CN does this by using four drivers that fire up and outward in all directions. They also alternate the stereo image so that you get stereo sound regardless of which side you’re on. This also gives it the widest coverage of all jobsite radios tested.

A dedicated 4-1/2″ flush-mounted “subwoofer” fires from the bottom of the radio, giving you rich bass. While not the loudest radio we tested, it (similar to the Milwaukee Packout radio) covered more area overall due to its multidirectional design. I preferred the “Rock” EQ setting, which delivered clear vocals and smooth bass without audible distortion.

The Bosch Power Box radio plays loud and clean with more real bass than most competitors. It also has just about every feature you can imagine—except for a battery charger. This is odd since the PB360C did charge batteries—so they took this feature away. You do get Bluetooth 5.0, a 2.1A USB charging port, and four 120V outlets.

Testing Results

	Score (Rank)
Volume (max output)	5/5 (1st place)
Soundstage	5/5 (1st place tie)
Bass Performance	5/5 (1st place)
Protection	5/5 (1st place)
Features	19/27 (2nd place tie)
Price/Value	$199 (1st place)
350 ft Bluetooth Test	Passed

Most Features

We picked the Milwaukee M18 Packout Radio as the jobsite radio with the most features as it combines usability, functionality, and audio quality into a unified solution. For $299, you get a true jobsite radio that even lets you charge your M18 batteries while you listen to your favorite station or stream your #1 playlist.

As a Packout product, the radio also locks onto your Milwaukee Packout system. That makes it easily transportable for those already running with that rig. It also has plenty of sound output, bested only by the Bosch for total area coverage. I also love how easily it connects to Bluetooth and—more importantly—automatically re-connects each time I turn it on. This is my go-to radio in the shop, and it outperforms all of Milwaukee Tool’s prior models.

Milwaukee Tool has some less expensive radios if you want to skip the charging feature or Packout compatibility. We also saw new models at the most recent Milwaukee Pipeline event that should bring even more options. About the only downsides with this radio are its lack of any 120V outlets and the fact that it weighs 23 pounds—by far the heaviest jobsite radio tested!

Testing Results

	Score (Rank)
Volume (max output)	4.5/5 (2nd place)
Soundstage	5/5 (1st place tie)
Bass Performance	4.5/5 (2nd place)
Protection	2.6/5 (4th place)
Features	20/27 (1st place)
Price/Value	$299 (3rd place tie)
350 ft Bluetooth Test	Passed

Most Volume

The Ryobi Verse Link jobsite radio surprised me with just how much relatively undistorted volume it puts out. I actually couldn’t bear it at max volume indoors. Equipped with a 50W subwoofer and two 15W midrange drivers, the radio delivered an astounding 79 dBA at 25 feet. Given that it also put out 69 dBA to each side, it covers a good bit of ground for its small size. It features very punchy highs and bass with clear but somewhat boxy mids (you can really hear this in songs featuring male vocals). Ryobi also did the best at producing at least the harmonics of ultra-low bass frequencies and had one of the widest soundstages of all radios tested.

Of course, Ryobi adds some other excellent features—such as the ability to connect to up to 100 or more other Verse-compatible speakers to create your own Phil Spector-esque wall of sound. It also conveniently attaches to any Ryobi Link jobsite storage solutions, so you can pop it right on top of your rolling tool box or, just as easily, affix it to the wall in your garage or shop.

At $199 for the bare tool, it isn’t a cheap radio, but given the performance, it’s not hard to recommend. That goes triple for anyone already on the RYOBI 18V ONE+ battery platform.

Testing Results

	Score (Rank)
Volume (max output)	3.4/5 (3rd place)
Soundstage	4/5 (3rd place)
Bass Performance	4/5 (3rd place tie)
Protection	1.8/5 (5th place tie)
Features	13/27 (4th place)
Price/Value	$199 (2nd place)
350 ft Bluetooth Test	Failed

Best Jobsite Speaker Value

As is their custom, DeWalt continues to integrate a battery charger in its flagship jobsite radios. That means you can operate the radio off either 20V or 60V batteries and even charge those batteries (one at a time) when you plug the radio into an AC outlet. The radio features a full roll cage for protection, and it truly feels like you could toss it off the roof and onto the ground while continuing to listen to your tunes.

In terms of drivers, the DCR025 puts 20 watts into what looks like two tweeters and two 3.5-inch drivers. Dual ports in the center also help tune the bass output. You also get a “Mute” button, which I like to quickly silence the radio when needed.

The sound quality was above average. I queued up “Crazy” by Seal to around 5:16, when the song leads out with some very punchy sub-sonic bass. The DeWalt DCR025 actually played through some of the harmonics, which is unusual for a portable radio. It also didn’t cause the speaker to bottom out, so they’re using a nice roll-off filter to protect the drivers from sounds they can’t actually reproduce. Vocals were clear, and there was some depth to the track with respect to the keyboard solos and pads. Cheaper jobsite radios exist, but for around $250, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Testing Results

	Score (Rank)
Volume (max output)	3/5 (4th place)
Soundstage	3/5 (4th place)
Bass Performance	3.5/5 (5th place)
Protection	3.4/5 (2nd place tie)
Features	20/27 (1st place)
Price/Value	$259 (3rd place tie)
350 ft Bluetooth Test	Failed

Our Process and the Nitty Gritty

• Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
• Other Jobsite Radios We Tested
• How We Tested
• Jobsite Radio Buying Guide

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

I spent over 11 years as the editor-in-chief of a popular online home theater magazine. I’ve learned the difference between good and bad speakers, radios, Bluetooth speakers, and more. There’s a stark difference between a “loud” jobsite speaker or radio and one that actually sounds good. In this head-to-head article, I only recommend jobsite radios that I’d actually want to use. Real-world listening, paired with hands-on testing of features and performance, helps the team and I rank and position these radios so you can understand each of their strengths and weaknesses.

Pro Tool Reviews has been providing in-depth tool reviews since 2008. In addition to writing product reviews, we also report on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. That ensures we know about the very latest products, trends, and technologies.

We use professional reviewers who also work in the trades and have the types of skills and experience it takes to determine whether tools and products will cut it on the jobsite. Our team also puts its hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year. Beyond that, we bring in and review hundreds of individual tools, accessories, and products throughout the year.

When I make a recommendation, it’s the result of years of tool testing knowledge, real-world results, and a history of having my hands on some of the industry’s most powerful and innovative products.

Other Jobsite Radios We Tested

Flex FX5351-Z Jobsite Radio

• IP64 rated
• Hybrid 120V/battery power
• Sealed battery compartment
• Full roll cage protection

Flex had a rough start in our testing. Even the power button requires a 3-second press to boot up this radio. A short press puts it in standby mode when you want to pause playback or let it eventually shut off. The inverted white-on-black LCD display is actually very hard to see unless you look at it just right. Move your head up and down, and it alternately dims and brightens, making it difficult to see outdoors or from a distance.

The Flex FX5351 radio has snappy bass as opposed to punchy, meaning you hear an overall higher tone when playing bass-heavy tracks. Engaging the “Bass” mode brings you more low end at the expense of some top end clarity. I recommend leaving it off. Overall sound output was lower than most of the other radios tested—something that became very apparent outdoors.

Flex filters excessive low frequencies well in their radio, so you don’t get a lot of distortion. In fact, I much preferred the midrange on this radio to, for example, the DeWalt, though it tended to present everything as a flat wall of sound without a large soundstage. Highlights include wall-mounting slots, easy Bluetooth connectivity, and a protective roll cage.

Testing Results

	Score (Rank)
Volume (max output)	1/5 (7th place)
Soundstage	2/5 (5th place tie)
Bass Performance	1.2/5 (7th place)
Protection	3.4/5 (2nd place tie)
Features	7/27 (6th place)
Price/Value	$129 (5th place)
350 ft Bluetooth Test	Failed

Hilti R 6-22 Jobsite Radio

• Bluetooth/NFC/Aux
• AM/FM/DAB+ radio
• Battery only (not hybrid, NOT a battery charger)

While it’s absolutely the loudest radio indoors, the Hilti R 6-22 sounds super-distorted when set to max volume. Setting maximum bass without maxing out the volume results in a nice, rounded sound. I found the most natural sound (indoors, at least) required knocking a bar off the treble and adding some bass in the EQ setting. Otherwise, you get a very “tinny” sound overall.

I also noticed that the Hilti soundstage is very narrow. This is likely due to the lack of physical separation between the left and right speakers. I typically like separate tweeters and woofers, but Hilti clearly optimized this radio to emphasize volume and output over clarity and fidelity.

Lastly, the R 6-22 operates on the new Nuron platform, but Hilti removes both the hybrid battery/120V power of the RC 4/36 and its ability to charge batteries. They do, however, add DAB+ (digital audio broadcasting) support, which can provide some artist/song/album information when listening to the radio.

Testing Results

	Score (Rank)
Volume (max output)	2.9/5 (5th place tie)
Soundstage	1/5 (7th place tie)
Bass Performance	4/5 (3rd place tie)
Protection	1.8/5 (5th place tie)
Features	8/27 (5th place)
Price/Value	$250 (7th place)
350 ft Bluetooth Test	Passed

Ridgid R84089B Hybrid Jobsite Radio

• Bluetooth/AM/FM
• No EQ
• Use 18V battery or 12V adapter

This jobsite radio puts out the tunes using a pair of 3-inch speakers and a 15-watt amplifier. You get a crazy amount of volume from this diminutive box. Even at half volume, the R84089 filled my 2600-square-foot shop space with tunes from Spotify and my favorite local rock station. I also like how you can stick your phone in either of the side handles while charging it with the included 2.1A USB port.

It also did an amazing job converting ultra-low frequencies into punchy bass. It also handled “thick” tracks like Kansas’ Carry on Wayward Son without mushing up the sound. Just as easily, it did well with more delicate keyboard, bass, and guitar sections. Overall, while it has a narrow soundstage (less stereo separation), it still felt very “live,” whereas other radios, like the Flex 24V and the Hilti, felt a bit more one-dimensional. This is all good because Ridgid gives you absolutely zero EQ adjustments on this radio.

The LCD display is a small ding on an otherwise decent radio. The medium and small text is white on black but dims to near-invisibility after 10 seconds. If you want good quality—and, more importantly—loud, directional sound, the Ridgid R84089B should be a good fit. Connect the included 120V adapter for infinite runtime.

Testing Results

	Score (Rank)
Volume (max output)	2.9/5 (5th place tie)
Soundstage	2/5 (5th place tie)
Bass Performance	2/5 (6th place)
Protection	1/5 (7th place)
Features	4/27 (7th place)
Price/Value	$159 (6th place)
350 ft Bluetooth Test	Failed

How We Tested

FM Radio Reception

One of the key things we took into account when picking models for this head-to-head comparison was the presence of at least an FM radio. Why? We’ve run into a ton of tradesmen who like talk radio and don’t necessarily stream content from their phones. Many don’t want to interrupt the audio completely every time they get a text or call.

To test FM radio reception, I looked for a particularly tough scenario. I placed each radio on the floor of the Pro Tool Reviews shop and shut the large 18×14 metal rolling door. The shop also features a galvalume metal roof. It’s a nightmare for reliable FM—I love it.

I then walked around each of the radios and listened for a) any noticeable interference in the transmission and b) any underlying hiss or noise in the channel. Most radios did very well; however, the Flex had particularly poor reception. The station came in clearly when I grabbed onto the antenna and lost the signal almost completely when I let it go.

Volume Output

To gauge overall volume I first tested indoors to get a sense of how high I could push the volume before hearing overt distortion. This occurs when the amplifier drives the audio so hard that it creates square waves instead of nice peaks and valleys that convey a more pleasant sound. Most of the radios did very well here, however Hilti seemed to lack any limiters. It played much louder than it should have, resulting in muddy, distorted sound when you raised it much above half volume. This is harder to determine outdoors which is why I started in the shop.

Outside, I set up each radio in turn atop a table and measured SPL from 25 feet away using A-weighting and a slow response. I then positioned myself on each side of the radio, gathering basic sound data on how much area each radio covers in a jobsite situation. By far, the Ryobi outputs the loudest, cleanest audio, measuring 79 dBA SPL from my 25-foot position. From the side, it put out an impressive 69 dBA.

Lapping those numbers were Bosch and Milwaukee, who cover a full 360 degrees of sound through the use of alternating left and right speakers at each corner. These radios delivered a decidedly wide soundstage, likely due to the corner-firing speakers and dedicated bass drivers. These two radios clearly outperformed the competition—particularly outdoors.

Soundstage (the Perceived Stereo Image and/or Width)

Using, among other tracks, Last Plane Out by Toy Matinee, I played the intro, which has extremely wide-panned instrumentation and effects leading to an open chorus that, on standalone speakers and headphones, creates a nice, wide soundstage with instrumentation and backing vocals panned far left and right. It also moves and even exchanges the left/right channels, creating a very recognizable effect and stereo effect.

I also moved through other tracks, including Dire Straits Money for Nothing and several songs from Steely Dan. While there wasn’t a single leader, Bosch, Milwaukee, and Ryobi all did a very good job opening up the soundstage and presenting a nice spacial effect with most music tracks. Hilti lagged in this area—likely due to how close together they placed the speakers. Flex also didn’t present much of a stereo image, and it was also a much quieter radio overall.

Bass Extension and Fidelity

With jobsite speakers, I keep my expectations in check when it comes to both fidelity and bass response. After all, these speakers are primarily designed for outdoor use. They place a high emphasis on output volume output and filling a larger space. I’m listening for low extension but also to ensure the radio doesn’t distort while attempting to play frequencies its drivers can’t really produce. To do this, I choose songs with particularly punchy and/or low bass lines.

I queued up several tracks, like the intro to the live version of Don Henley’s New York Minute (which he performed live with The Eagles on MTV in 1994). I also listened to the very end of Seal’s Crazy (the 2022 remaster) as well as Chasing Clouds by Bad Computer. With no EQ engaged, Bosch stole the show. Its dedicated bottom-mounted ported sub contributes tangible bass to all tracks and really enhances the sound of the speaker. Milwaukee and Ryobi weren’t far behind.

With EQ enabled, Bosch only got better, and Milwaukee took over as my new favorite—albeit with the bass set to +4, not max. Hilti demonstrated lots of bass clipping, and Ridgid actually lacks an EQ. With Ryobi, I actually preferred the “HiFi” EQ mode as opposed to the “Bass+” mode.

Protection

Protection is important—but rather simple to evaluate. I’d love to say I tossed each radio off the top of my shop’s roof, but we committed a long time ago not to do any destructive testing…it’s just too messy! Instead, I noted any roll cages and paid attention to whether any knobs or other critical parts stuck out beyond any protective plastic or shrouds.

Next, I noted whether the radio included a sealed compartment for either the battery, a smartphone, or both. Milwaukee, Bosch, and Flex have sealed battery compartments, while the others do not. Flex (IP64) and Milwaukee (IP54) are the only two radios that have an official ingress protection rating.

Features

When looking at features, I focused on everything but only graded those features I felt were important to a majority of users. For example, while all of the jobsite radios included AM radio, I would not have dinged a product for only having FM. In particular, I looked at the following items and included a weighted score for each:

• EQ (including the amount of adjustment or lack thereof)
• Hybrid power (battery only, 120V and battery, integrated power cord, external adapter)
• LCD screen (style, visibility, text size, backlight, timeout length)
• Battery charger (yes, no)
• 110V outlets (present or not, quantity)
• Sealed battery compartment
• Interior storage
• Subwoofer (active, passive)
• AM/FM presets
• Mute function
• Other features (digital radio, mounting options/storage integration, NFC, etc)

The weighted scoring gave me a total of 27 points maximum, and each radio scored against that before being ranked.

Bluetooth Connectivity Test

I performed a pass/fail Bluetooth connectivity test by connecting Bluetooth the radio with an iPhone 15 Pro and then moving 350 feet away. From there, I would see if the iPhone could still stream audio from Spotify—jumping from track to track, skipping ahead and back, etc. I would also see if my smartphone would disconnect and reconnect to the radio.

Manufacturers claim various Bluetooth ranges for their products. Unfortunately, they rarely specify which exact version of Bluetooth they are using or the details of the transmitters, sensitivity, or power that might help you understand the true range. In either case, most specs and claims lie—or at least make drastic assumptions. This is why we created this test. If you think your new Bluetooth 5.x device can reach up to 240 meters or more line-of-sight, well, I may have some up-and-coming swamp land to sell you in Central Florida.

In our testing, only a few radios could handle the 350-foot range test. That actually impressed us, as no manufacturers claimed that level of connectivity or range. Keep in mind that the second you take the transmitter (in this case, an iPhone) around the corner of a building, you drastically cut your range—sometimes to less than 30 feet! This makes a great case for why so many tradesmen just use the radio or leave their phone on the radio.

Price and Value

As we’re fond of saying, price and value aren’t the same thing. This is reflected heavily in our results. To determine value, I averaged all of the points for each tested element and divided that into the cost of the radio to determine who delivered the best bang for the buck. If you factor in the cost of a battery charger—and prioritize that—DeWalt just edged out Milwaukee, though Bosch took the win if you don’t care about charging.

Jobsite Radio Buying Guide

After testing all of these jobsite radios, each had its merits and limitations. These recommendations should point out key products you want to try for yourself.

When it comes down to it, you have a ton of options. Reading through this review, I hope we helped you narrow down your choices when selecting the best jobsite radio for your needs. One thing is for certain, however: If you don’t already own one of these tools—get out there and start shopping!

Clean Audio vs Distortion

For jobsite radios to be good they have to accomplish a few things well. First, the radio has to be loud. And by “loud” I mean without a ton of distortion. There’s nothing worse than cranking up a radio to max volume and hearing what sounds like a speaker that’s playing back audio while submerged underwater. In my opinion, a volume knob shouldn’t allow the radio to go beyond its ability to reproduce audio that sounds good.

You may hear the word “distortion” bandied about whenever you look into audio devices or loudspeakers. Distortion occurs when you push a driver (speaker) beyond its limits. This is absolutely an issue with jobsite radios.

When you play audio through their small “full-size” speakers, your music has both loud and soft sections. These vary in both frequency and intensity over time. This can be represented by a waveform. You’ve probably seen waveforms before—in TV and movies, they analyze recording’s waveform in order to track down an audible clue.

When a loudspeaker exceeds its capabilities, that waveform is pushed straight into the “ceiling”. The ceiling is where it can’t go any higher. As with anything that gets pushed too hard into an immovable object, it starts to flatten out. Now, instead of a nice smooth waveform with lots of resolution, you get a nasty, flattened sound.

Some radios don’t let their volumes exceed the point where massive audible distortion occurs. Others drive right off the cliff! We prefer the former—and so should you.

Durability

The best jobsite radios need durability. It won’t do any good to have a radio that can’t take a few splashes, get covered in dust, or handle a fall off a sawhorse onto concrete. Without adequate build quality, a jobsite radio is just a pretty cordless battery-powered radio that won’t last very long.

You really want something that you can toss into the bed of your truck, leave in a large tool bag, or leave out during a drizzle. If you have to baby it, you didn’t buy the right radio!

Size and Portability

Size and portability matter in a jobsite radio. You want to match the radio to your needs. You may want something really small and portable because you’re a tradesman who doesn’t want to spank an entire jobsite with 96 dB of output. The last thing you need is to carry around a full-sized radio with 6 speakers and a built-in subwoofer.

Grab a smaller, portable radio that runs off the same batteries you already use in your cordless power tools. If, however, you work outside with your crew and want to provide tunes for framing, siding, painting, or roofing—go big. By all means, look for something that can produce an ample amount of volume no matter where you place it.

Features

While I’d rate the sound quality as the most important quality of the best jobsite radio, having the right features certainly matters. Select models from Bosch, Milwaukee, and Makita feature an integrated battery charger. This may save you some room in your work truck.

You may also want a hybrid-power jobsite radio that includes some outlets to power additional low amperage tools. Bosch and DeWalt might be the only games in town for that functionality.

Or perhaps you just want something that can hold your smartphone securely so that it doesn’t get wet. These are the kinds of features you want to look out for when shopping for the best jobsite radio. It needs to line up with your expected use. Everyone’s preferences will vary, so make a list—check it twice—and then run through our picks to see what makes for the best fit.