Hughes comparison
Best Radios with CD
for UK homes in 2026.
Hughes radios with CD playback, compared by formats, connections and everyday design.
Written by Alex Mercer. Alex compares audio products by the specifications that affect sound, setup and the way a room works day to day.
Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. That does not change the order of our picks or the buyer advice.
Our winner
Roberts Ortus 5 DAB+ Radio with Bluetooth - Black
Dual alarms with slide switches ensure you wake up on time or set reminders easily.
£5.00 at Hughes01 Best overall pick
Roberts Ortus 5 DAB+ Radio with Bluetooth - Black
Check price at HughesThe most rounded radio here for buyers who want useful features without choosing on badge alone.
At £5.00, this is the lowest-priced option in this group. For the best radios with cd brief, this is the radio to consider when the listed features fit your routine. The sound-quality angle is dab tuner, fm tuner, so the choice is mainly about clarity, placement and listening habits.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- Wireless.
- Priced below 3 of the other 3.
What to check
- The lowest price comes with a simpler position in the range.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Am Tuner | No |
|---|
| Carrying Strap/Handle | No |
|---|
| Clock | Yes |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dab Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| FM Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| Guarantee | 1 Year |
|---|
| Head Phone Socket | Yes |
|---|
| Internet Radio | No |
|---|
| LCD Display | Yes |
|---|
| Mains Lead Supplied | Yes |
|---|
| No of Preset Stations | 40 |
|---|
| Telescopic Aerial | No |
|---|
| Tuning Type | Digital |
|---|
| Price check | £5.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
02 Best value alternative
Roberts PLAYFM FM/MW/LW Radio - Black
Check price at HughesA more focused radio choice when its particular specification suits the room.
The £9.00 price places it above one cheaper pick and below 2 dearer picks. Within this best radios with cd comparison, its strongest case is the way the published specification matches everyday listening. For listening, the useful detail is fm tuner, so the choice is mainly about clarity, placement and listening habits.
What we like
- USB listed by Hughes.
- Three-band tuning lets you enjoy a wide selection of FM, MW, and LW radio stations..
- Priced below 2 of the other 3.
What to check
- Costs more than 1 other pick.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 8/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Am Tuner | No |
|---|
| Carrying Strap/Handle | No |
|---|
| Clock | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dab Tuner | No |
|---|
| FM Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| Head Phone Socket | Yes |
|---|
| Internet Radio | No |
|---|
| LCD Display | Yes |
|---|
| Mains Lead Supplied | No |
|---|
| No of Preset Stations | None |
|---|
| Telescopic Aerial | No |
|---|
| Tuning Type | Manual |
|---|
| Price check | £9.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
03 Best for a clear feature set
Roberts Ortus 4 FM/DAB/DAB+ Digital Clock Radio with Bluetooth - Black
Check price at HughesA sensible alternative for buyers who value the listed features over a long marketing pitch.
This is a middle-of-the-range choice at £69.99, with 2 cheaper picks and one dearer pick in the same group. Its place in the best radios with cd guide comes from offering a different balance of price and features from the other 3 picks. On the audio side, Hughes lists the core radio formats, so the choice is mainly about clarity, placement and listening habits.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- USB.
- Priced below 1 of the other 3.
What to check
- Costs more than 2 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 8/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Battery back up | No |
|---|
| Clock Display | 24hr |
|---|
| Clock Radio Colour | Black |
|---|
| DAB Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| Date Display | No |
|---|
| Display Type | LED |
|---|
| Dual Alarm | Yes |
|---|
| Guarantee | 1 Year |
|---|
| Headphones Jack | Yes |
|---|
| Sleep Timer | Yes |
|---|
| Snooze Button | Yes |
|---|
| Wavebands | DAB & FM |
|---|
| Price check | £69.99 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
04 Best for a different room setup
Roberts SOUND49 FM/DAB/DAB+ Digital Clock Radio with Bluetooth & CD Player - Black
Check price at HughesThe pick to consider when the practical setup matters more than chasing the highest specification.
The price reaches £99.99, making the specification especially important to check. Against the other 3 radio picks, it takes a more specific position for buyers with a clear setup in mind. The clearest sound clue is the core radio formats, so the choice is mainly about clarity, placement and listening habits.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- USB.
- Priced below 0 of the other 3.
What to check
- Costs more than 3 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 8/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Battery back up | No |
|---|
| Clock Display | 24hr |
|---|
| Clock Radio Colour | Black |
|---|
| DAB Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| Date Display | No |
|---|
| Display Type | LCD |
|---|
| Dual Alarm | Yes |
|---|
| Guarantee | 1 Year |
|---|
| Headphones Jack | Yes |
|---|
| Sleep Timer | Yes |
|---|
| Snooze Button | Yes |
|---|
| Wavebands | DAB & FM |
|---|
| Price check | £99.99 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
Buying advice
Choose for the room, not the product badge.
Start with the listening space and intended source. Then compare the published audio features, dimensions and connections. Prices can move, so use the Hughes product page to make the final check.
