There’s nothing worse than a full day of work without some tunes to get you through. Jobsite radios need to be built tough to handle the ride to work, exposure to dust, water, or your new apprentice. Ideally, they’ll run on either AC power or the same battery packs used for cordless power tools, so you can belt out your favourites, no matter where you are.
Selecting the right tradie radio is about finding a reliable tool that provides excellent connectivity, sound quality, and durability. To help you make the right choice, we've ranked the top brand names in the industry and compiled a list of our favourite radios.
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1. Milwaukee
One of the loudest on the list, these Milwaukee radios are designed for life on-site. With a more than decent Bluetooth range, you’ll minimise the annoyance of dropping out of range just before your favourite guitar solo. Both sizes come with a 5-year warranty and exceptional sound.
Milwaukee M18 Packout Radio
- 40W amplifier for a powerful sound
- Sturdy housing built for rough environments
- Bluetooth connectivity with a range of up to 100 feet
- 5-year limited warranty
- Clearest sound on or off the job site
- Premium six-speaker design for exceptional audio
- Bluetooth technology
- 5-year limited warranty
Recommended Song: Milwaukee - The Both
2. Makita
Ready to host your own worksite rave? Makita offers wireless connection between up to 10 speakers, controlled from a single source. With a sound system this epic, remember to keep the party vibes contained and choose the right time to rock out without disturbing the neighbours!
Makita 18V LXT® / 12V max CXT® Lithium‑Ion Cordless Bluetooth® JobSite Speaker
- Connects with up to 10 speakers
- Compact design
- Boasts an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance.
- 3-year limited warranty.
- Lightweight
- Runs up to 27.5 hours with a 40Vmax XGT Li-ion battery
- Equipped with Bluetooth
- 3-year limited warranty
Recommended Song: Makita - Troglauer
3. DeWalt
Chances are, you’re carrying a lot throughout your day. DeWalt has made your radio one less bulky thing to worry about with a radio equipped with a handle plus a handy carrier port for your phone. Both size options offer long-range connectivity and long battery life.
DeWalt 12V/20V MAX* Jobsite Bluetooth® Speaker
- Bluetooth and auxiliary port
- Bluetooth connectivity - 100ft range
- Features a handle and phone carrier port
- 3-year limited warranty
DeWalt ToughSystem® Radio + Charger
- 40W sound power
- 4 full-range tweeters + 1 subwoofer +1 assisted bass resonator
- IP54 rated for water and dust resistance
- 3-year limited warranty
Recommended song: Black and Yellow - Wiz Khalifa
4. Ryobi
Compact, but mighty, these portable options don’t compromise when it comes to quality. Moreover, the built-in charging ports provide peace of mind for your phone's battery life, making this portable speaker ideal for the jobsite.
Ryobi PAD01 18V Bluetooth Speaker
- Compact and efficient for smaller work areas
- Clear sound quality despite its size
- Bluetooth connectivity for convenient device pairing
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
- Four times greater sound clarity with Bluetooth & FM radio
- Over 32 hours of runtime
- Over 175 ft. of Bluetooth connection range
- 3-year limited warranty
Recommended Song: Black and Gold - DJ Party Remix
5. Sangean
A crowd favourite, these radios are popular due to their unique and timeless design and reliable quality. Keep it old school with AM/FM radio, or opt for the larger, Bluetooth-integrated model.
Sangean LB-100 AM / FM Ultra-Rugged Radio
- AM/FM connectivity for news and tunes.
- Reliable and clear sound quality.
- Rugged construction and water resistance ensure durability.
- Dustproof and waterproof with IP64 certification
- 1-year limited warranty.
- Rain, dust, and shock-resistant.
- Integrated Bluetooth.
- Built-in smart battery charger and phone charger.
- 1-year limited warranty.
Recommended Song: Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
Each major tradie radio brand brings its unique strengths to the table. When choosing the right tradie radio for your work, consider your priorities – whether it's sound quality, power, compactness, or reliability – and select the brand and model that sings out!
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