Roberts Revival Uno BT review
Roberts Revival Uno BT DAB/DAB+/FM Bluetooth Radio (4 x AA or mains)
By Tom Calder
Roberts' guide gives up to 25 hours from four alkaline AA cells, which is a useful run time, and the mains adaptor is in the box for the rest of the time. But it's a worktop radio first: the same guide recommends the adaptor 'whenever possible' with cells for occasional use, the display light only stays on for about 12 seconds on batteries. DAB, DAB+, FM with RDS, Bluetooth and an aux input are all there, but there's no crank, solar panel, torch or phone port, and it doesn't charge cells, so a power cut means spare AAs.
- Best for
- A good-looking DAB+ and Bluetooth radio for the kitchen that Roberts rates for up to 25 hours on four alkaline AA cells; an everyday radio first and an emergency set second.
- Skip it if
- You're buying for a power cut rather than the kitchen
as of 2 Nov 2026, 12:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.We earn a commission if you buy through the retailer links on this page. It doesn't change our verdict. How we make money →
Researched, not used. We haven't used this product. This review is built from the maker's specifications, owner reports and our own sizing.
What we like
- Up to 25 hours from four alkaline AA cells (Roberts' guide), with a mains adaptor in the box
- DAB, DAB+ and FM with RDS, Bluetooth, an aux input, line out and a headphone socket, designed in the UK
- Two alarms, a sleep timer and a free 2-year warranty from Roberts
Worth knowing
- Roberts itself recommends mains power with cells for occasional use, and the display light lasts about 12 seconds on batteries
- No crank, solar panel, torch or phone port, and no published IP rating
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Our review
The Revival Uno BT is Roberts' retro-styled DAB+, FM and Bluetooth set for the kitchen, with a mains adaptor in the box and room for four AA cells. Its guide quotes up to 25 hours on alkaline cells. In a power cut it is a capable radio, but the guide itself treats batteries as the occasional option.
What it is
Roberts' guide (Issue 1a, 2021) lists DAB, DAB+ and FM with RDS, Bluetooth streaming with AAC support, 3.5mm sockets for headphones, auxiliary input and line out, two alarms that can wake you to DAB, FM or a buzzer, and a sleep timer. Rather than a fixed bank of presets, it lets you mark as many or as few stations as you like as favourites in each band. A Micro USB socket is for service use only. The box holds the radio, a mains adaptor, a quick start guide and a safety and warranty leaflet. A UK retailer lists it at 1kg and 210 by 138 by 88mm, and Roberts advertises a two-year warranty.
On batteries
It takes four AA (LR6) cells, not included, and the guide gives up to 25 hours on alkaline cells, depending on volume, display brightness and operating mode. That is a good run for a cut lasting a day or two. The same page recommends, for economy, using the adaptor whenever possible and batteries for occasional or standby use only. On batteries the display lights for about 12 seconds after each button press to save power. Alarms are kept in memory if the power fails.
The guide mentions no charging circuit and no switch for rechargeable cells, so charge NiMH cells elsewhere if you use them. Take the cells out if the radio will sit on mains for months, so a leak cannot damage the contacts, and keep them in the same drawer.
Limits
There is no crank, solar panel, torch or USB output, and Roberts publishes no water rating, so it is an indoor radio. At about 1kg it is heavier than most battery sets. Those are fair trade-offs for a radio you will use every day, but they mean it is not a grab-bag item. DAB coverage also varies by area, so check that your main stations come in well where you will keep it.
How it compares
On our emergency radio comparison the Roberts Play 20 quotes the same 25 hours on alkaline cells, weighs 390g and can charge NiMH cells inside the radio. The Majority Little Shelford is a cheaper DAB+ and Bluetooth set on four AA cells, quoting up to 15 hours. For a radio that refills itself, the Philips TAR1609 has a crank and solar panel, on FM and AM.
Our verdict
Buy it if you want a good-looking kitchen radio that will also see you through a power cut on a set of AA cells. Skip it if the radio is for the emergency kit first: a lighter battery set or a wind-up is the better buy. Keep spare cells and a torch beside it, and note your local FM frequencies as the government's Be Ready checklist suggests.
A researched review, built from the maker's specs, manual and UK listings; facts checked 2 Nov 2026. Sources: Roberts: Revival Uno BT user guide, Issue 1a (PDF); Roberts: Revival Uno BT product page; Richer Sounds: Roberts Revival Uno BT specifications; UK Government Be Ready: emergency kit checklist.
Who shouldn't buy this
Don't buy it if you're buying for a power cut rather than the kitchen. The Roberts Play 20 also quotes up to 25 hours and charges NiMH cells inside the radio, and the Philips TAR1609 adds a hand crank, a solar panel and a torch.
Key specs
| Power sources | 4 x AA (not included) or the mains adaptor in the box |
| Bands | DAB/DAB+/FM RDS, Bluetooth, aux in, line out |
| Phone charging | No |
| Built-in torch | No |
This is a Researched review: we haven't used this product. We check every specification against at least two independent sources, re-check the UK price on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and say plainly who it isn't for. Commissions never change a rating.
If this isn’t the one
Best for A rugged home or shed radio: IP55, a user-replaceable battery Philips rates for up to 60 hours, a phone-charging port and four AAA cells as a fallback.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 12:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for The plain 'battery radio' answer to the GOV.UK kit list: a pocket FM/AM set from a UK radio brand that runs for days on two AA cells and has little to go wrong.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 12:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best for A tough household radio that can top up a phone from its own cell and keep going from the crank or the sun, if FM and AM are enough.
as of 2 Nov 2026, 12:07 GMT · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.Questions
How long does the Roberts Revival Uno BT run on batteries?
A set of four alkaline AA cells lasts up to 25 hours, according to the Roberts guide, depending on volume, display brightness and operating mode. Keep a spare set for longer cuts.
Does the Revival Uno BT come with a mains adaptor?
Yes. The box holds the radio, a mains adaptor, a quick start guide and a safety and warranty leaflet. Batteries are not included.
Can the Revival Uno BT charge rechargeable batteries?
Roberts' guide describes no charging circuit or rechargeable-cell switch for this model, so charge NiMH cells in a separate charger.
Why does the Revival Uno BT display go dark on batteries?
To save power. On batteries the display lights for about 12 seconds when a button is pressed, then switches off, according to Roberts' guide.
Does the Roberts Revival Uno BT have a headphone socket?
Yes. It has 3.5mm sockets for headphones, an auxiliary input and a line out, so you can listen quietly at night or connect it to other equipment.
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