Buying guide for best shower radios

Who doesn’t like to sing in the shower? There’s something about those bathroom acoustics that make us all think we’re contestants on The Voice. So, why not get yourself a shower radio and have the best backup possible?

While shower radios may seems like simple gadgets, there are actually many things to consider when choosing one.

A shower radio can be quite a handy device. It can travel with you, play your favorite radio station, or even content from your smartphone, be it music, a podcast, or the biggest news stories of the day.

Now that you know you need a shower radio, you need to decide what type will fit best in the space you have. You may want to tie in your other electronics, or you may just want something basic. The point is, when you purchase a shower radio, you want it to work for your unique situation and needs.

Stay connected

Get exclusive content, advice, and tips from BestReviews delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe

Like us on Facebook!

Stay updated

Even an electronic device outside of the shower stall is susceptible to damage from moisture. A shower radio is a much better choice anywhere in the bathroom.

To help you make your purchasing decision, we provided links to those we consider the five best shower radios. If you’d like a little more background knowledge in shower radios and why you may need one before making your decision, read the remainder of our guide.

The best bathroom companion

Standard radios aren’t good choices for bathrooms. They’re not made to be water resistant, so they certainly can’t be in the shower itself. Even when placed safely on the counter, steam from the shower can easily get into the radio components, ruining delicate electronics.

It’s also not a good idea to bring your smartphone into the bathroom. While you’d have a great selection of music, once again, you’d be subjecting it to the possibility of it getting wet.

Shower radios are built with the bathroom in mind:

• Shower radios are water-resistant or waterproof.

• You can simply keep one in the shower stall when not charging.

• Connect it to your smartphone or other device via Bluetooth.

• They’re designed to control the playback remotely, changing the station and the volume from your shower.

Features of shower radios

Shower radios may seem basic, but they offer many different features to improve your listening experience while you’re in the tub or shower.

Water-resistant or waterproof

While you might expect all shower radios to be waterproof, they aren’t. Some are just water-resistant, which allows brief immersion without ruining the radio. However, if they are waterproof, it means water cannot penetrate the device at all.

If you’re worried about your radio falling into the bathtub, you’ll want one that is completely waterproof, not just water-resistant.

Interface and display

The shower radio’s interface is very important, something unnecessarily complicated. Likewise, you probably don’t want controls or a display that are hard to read, as you most likely don’t have your glasses on in the shower.

The biggest choice here is whether you want analog or digital. If you have an analog display, you’ll tune the stations by hand, and if you have a digital display, you can scan for stations. A digital display is often easier to read than a dial display.

Station presets are a helpful part of the interface as well, allowing you to switch between favorite stations easily. They make it much easier to access your most frequent stations without having to fumble around on the dial, and give you the opportunity to flip quickly when commercials come on.

Speaker and volume control

Quality of the speaker is crucial. It’s hard to hear music over the sound of flowing water, so the better the speaker, the more enjoyable your experience. A radio that adds extra bass is an excellent choice; that bit of boost helps cut through the water noise. Even if the radio isn’t designed to push extra bass, though, look for a radio with reviews that mention favorably the overall volume and sound quality.

Battery

Most shower radios run off battery power, as it’s easier to work with than AC power, though there are some units that comes with AC power as an option for those who prefer it. What matters most here is how long the batteries will last, as you don’t want to have to replace the batteries frequently, and don’t want your music to run out while you’re mid-song and mid-shower.

Antenna and reception

Of course, you want good reception on your shower radio, making the type of antenna included very important. If you plan on actually listening to a radio band, rather than streaming music from your smartphone, you’ll want that good antenna.

While radio antennas used to be external, telescoping rods, now they are often internal, especially in shower radios.

A built-in antenna helps keep the device waterproof or water-resistant, as it means there’s one less area for the water to seep through.

Shower radio mounts

Often the radios “hang” onto the shower wall via suction cups, but sometimes they hang from the shower head as well, by a hook. This makes them portable, so that you can take them with you. Some are large enough that they don’t hang; instead, they sit on the edge of the bathtub.

Suction cup radios, while excellent for staying “out of the way,” aren’t easy to move — each time a suction cup mount is moved, the cups get a bit dirtier and may not stick as well without cleaning.

The space that you have in your bathtub or shower could determine which type of mount you need. If there is nowhere for a shower radio to sit and it has to hang, you know you don’t want a large one. If you don’t really have a good spot for sticking the suction cup, then you’ll have to opt for a shower radio that hangs from the shower head.

Included technology

One of the most useful extra features you can find in a shower radio is the ability to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth. It opens you up to a whole world of possibilities, beyond just the AM and FM bands of standard radio.

If you have Bluetooth compatibility, you can connect to any device that uses Bluetooth. You can connect to your smartphone as well as your computer, a tablet, or an iPod. You’ll no longer be confined to just the radio stations, but can also play podcasts, your own music library, audiobooks, and streaming services, such as Spotify or Pandora.

Some shower radios have microphone capabilities as well. With this you can access a virtual assistant, to request certain songs, artists, or playlists. You can even use it as a speakerphone to shout out a message to someone outside the bathroom.

Shower radio prices

Shower radios are relatively inexpensive, even those with Bluetooth capability. There’s no reason to make do with a lesser solution because they are just that reasonably priced.

• For a non-Bluetooth shower radio, you can expect to pay somewhere between $10 and $20.

• For a Bluetooth-enabled shower radio, expect to pay between $15 and $35. For $10 to $20 more, you can opt for all the extras, such as weather alerts or a flashlight.

Shower radios make bath time for children much more fun. When they’re more willing to hop in the tub, you’ll be a more satisfied parent.

FAQ

Q. Do I have to worry about possibly being shocked by a shower radio?

A. If you get a shower radio, you can count on it being built to withstand being near water if it’s water-resistant or waterproof. While electricity passes through water, the surface of the shower radio is made of non-conductive materials. Also, the power source, in this case the batteries, are in a water-tight, isolated holder.

Q. How can I connect a shower radio through Bluetooth with my smartphone?

A. Exact directions should come with your shower radio, but in general, you need to be sure both devices have Bluetooth turned on. Once you confirm, check to see if your smartphone recognizes the radio. You may have to put the radio into pairing mode. After this, it’s just a matter of selecting the radio and pairing them together.

Q. Can a shower radio be connected to two different smartphones at once?

A. Sometimes two smartphones can be paired up to the same shower radio but not always. You’ll need to check with the specifications of the shower radio if this is a concern for you.