Hughes comparison
Best Radios with USB Playback
for UK homes in 2026.
Hughes radios with published USB support, compared for flexible local playback.
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 PLAYFM FM/MW/LW Radio - Black
Three-band tuning lets you enjoy a wide selection of FM, MW, and LW radio stations.
£9.00 at Hughes01 Best overall pick
Roberts PLAYFM FM/MW/LW Radio - Black
Check price at HughesThe most rounded radio here for buyers who want useful features without choosing on badge alone.
At £9.00, this is the lowest-priced option in this group. For the best radios with usb playback brief, this is the radio to consider when the listed features fit your routine. The sound-quality angle 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 4 of the other 4.
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 | 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 |
|---|
02 Best value alternative
Roberts Ortus DAB Clock Radio - White
Check price at HughesA more focused radio choice when its particular specification suits the room.
The £10.00 price places it above one cheaper pick and below 3 dearer picks. Within this best radios with usb playback comparison, its strongest case is the way the published specification matches everyday listening. For listening, the useful detail is the core radio formats, so the choice is mainly about clarity, placement and listening habits.
What we like
- USB listed by Hughes.
- Large LED display with auto-dimming makes time checks easy and gentle on the eyes..
- Priced below 3 of the other 4.
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 |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 8/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Battery back up | No |
|---|
| Clock Display | 24hr |
|---|
| Clock Radio Colour | White |
|---|
| DAB Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| Date Display | No |
|---|
| Display Type | LED |
|---|
| Dual Alarm | Yes |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| Headphones Jack | No |
|---|
| Sleep Timer | Yes |
|---|
| Snooze Button | Yes |
|---|
| Wavebands | DAB & FM |
|---|
| Price check | £10.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
03 Best for a clear feature set
Roberts Rambler Midi DAB+/FM Radio - Duck Egg
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 £30.00, with 2 cheaper picks and 2 dearer picks in the same group. Its place in the best radios with usb playback guide comes from offering a different balance of price and features from the other 4 picks. On the audio side, Hughes lists dab tuner, fm tuner, so the choice is mainly about clarity, placement and listening habits.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- USB.
- Priced below 2 of the other 4.
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 |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Am Tuner | No |
|---|
| Carrying Strap/Handle | Yes |
|---|
| Clock | Yes |
|---|
| Colour | Duck Egg |
|---|
| Dab Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| FM Tuner | Yes |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| Head Phone Socket | Yes |
|---|
| Internet Radio | No |
|---|
| LCD Display | No |
|---|
| Mains Lead Supplied | Yes |
|---|
| Telescopic Aerial | No |
|---|
| Tuning Type | Digital |
|---|
| Price check | £30.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
04 Best for a different room setup
Roberts Ortus 4 FM/DAB/DAB+ Digital Clock Radio with Bluetooth - Black
Check price at HughesThe pick to consider when the practical setup matters more than chasing the highest specification.
Its £69.99 price leaves 3 cheaper picks below it and one dearer pick above it. Against the other 4 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 1 of the other 4.
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 |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
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 |
|---|
05 Best specialist choice
Roberts Ortus DAB - Black
Check price at HughesA specialist option with a clear reason to choose it over the other picks.
At £77.99, it asks the biggest budget from this shortlist. The most useful distinction on this best radios with usb playback page is how its specification suits the intended room or listening habit. What matters for sound here is the core radio formats, so the choice is mainly about clarity, placement and listening habits.
What we like
- USB listed by Hughes.
- The vibrant LED display with auto-dimming creates perfect bedside ambience anytime..
- Priced below 0 of the other 4.
What to check
- Costs more than 4 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 |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 10/10 |
|---|
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 | 2 Years |
|---|
| Headphones Jack | No |
|---|
| Sleep Timer | Yes |
|---|
| Snooze Button | Yes |
|---|
| Wavebands | DAB & FM |
|---|
| Price check | £77.99 |
|---|
| 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.
