Philips Original Radio Mini review

If you’re after a DAB/FM radio with Bluetooth functionality for a good price, we urge you to look here Tested at £110

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

If you’re after a DAB/FM radio with Bluetooth functionality for a good price, we urge you to look here

Pros

  • +

    Good sound

  • +

    Listenable Bluetooth functionality

  • +

    Firm grasp of stations

Cons

  • -

    Plasticky build

  • -

    Not portable

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Some products appeal as soon as you get them out of the box. The Philips ORT2300 Original Radio Mini is a retro-styled radio alarm clock that had us smiling at its looks from the off.

Its build isn’t quite in that same league – it’s undeniably plasticky – but cost savings have to be made somewhere.

Philips Original radio Mini

Philips Original radio Mini

Design

This is a well-specified radio/alarm for the money, too. As well as the usual DAB and FM tuners to go along with the auxiliary input and alarm functions, this good-looking desktop/worktop unit also has Bluetooth connectivity as an added bonus.

There’s even a really handy app for your smartphone to control everything.

The aerial is almost as old-fashioned as the radio’s looks: rather than the adjustable telescopic metal wand that we’ve become used to in radios such as these, the ORT2300 comes with an old-style long flexible length of plastic-coated wire.

It might not be the most stylish way to receive a signal, it’s true, but it’s a mighty effective one, and we found the Philips’ grasp of a signal to be cast-iron.

Philips Original radio Mini

Philips Original radio Mini

Set up

Tuning in to DAB or FM stations is a simple matter: for DAB stations, the unit will do an autosearch and store stations with sufficient signal strength. Tuning in on FM is similarly straightforward. There are 20 presets for each tuner so all your favourite stations should be easily accessible.

To connect via Bluetooth, just toggle through to the Bluetooth setting using the source button, then search for the Philips using your smart device. We had no difficulties linking a number of products.

The display on the face of the radio provides clear information on station data, time and alarm settings.

Sound quality

The sound the Original radio mini provides is clear, warm and comfortable and is especially good with voices – just what you’d want from a radio/alarm in fact.

Its tonal quality is similar to that of Philips’s new range of headphones – such as the Fidelio X1 – and we love those, too.

While it excels with voices, the Philips doesn’t do disservice to the rest of the frequency range. Bass is reasonably tight and fast, and treble notes are clean without being strident.

Philips Original radio Mini

Philips Original radio Mini

This unit’s pièce de résistance, though, is Bluetooth streaming that sounds good for the money. While music played from your smart device via Bluetooth sounds a little thinner than tunes coming from FM or DAB, it’s perfectly listenable for extended periods.

Unlike with some price rivals, we’d not hesitate to use the Bluetooth capabilities on this unit – which brings a whole world of internet radio in to play as well as all your digital music.

Verdict

This is a great value radio alarm clock. It would be that without its successful Bluetooth capabilities. The fact that it performs its wireless services so competently means it’s very impressive indeed, and excellent value for money.

MORE: Best DAB radios

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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