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The Sangean TB-10 is water resistant which makes it a great option for using outdoors.
But is it waterproof? Keep reading to find out as our team tested out the features of this radio in detail.
In this article, we also review some of the alternatives you can check out. Read this in-depth guide to choose the best option for yourself.
Sangean TB-100
Available in 3 different colors, the Sangean TB-100 is a sturdy and high-quality radio. We tested this radio out in the rain and it proved to be water-resistant. We also found the rechargeable battery option to be quite helpful. If you forget to charge your devices, you might want to check out this radio.
Alternate #1
Sangean HDR-16 HD Radio/FM-Stereo/AM Portable Radio
This radio not only comes with 2 speakers but also an LCD screen that displays everything you need to know. Our team tested out the alarm feature and found it to work pretty well along with the sleep mode. You can also find 10 memory presets already on the radio.
Alternate #2
Sangean PR-D19 FM Stereo/AM Digital Tuning Portable Radio
This is one of the cheaper options you can consider for a portable radio. We found it pretty easy to carry around and the controls are easy to get used to. Moreover, if you are not looking for a high-duty radio, you can consider this radio an option.
Quick Summary
The product weighs 6.9 pounds and is made of metal, making it durable. During testing, the radio worked well for a long period of time.
Our team tested the radio in an outdoor environment and it worked just as it would inside. So if you are someone who spends a lot of time outside your house, this might be a good option for you.
5 AM and 5 FM station presets are on the radio when you buy it so if you are new to radios, you have something to listen to already. You can also connect an aux for more personal options.
How can I charge this radio?
The radio can be charged using a 2.7-meter-long rubber AC cable. The battery is rechargeable so after charging it once, you can enjoy listening to the radio without any breaks.
Additionally, there is a charging LED indicator that lets you know when the radio is fully charged.
Is this radio waterproof?
In simple words, no. The radio is water-resistant. This means the radio does get affected by water but not immediately. It can be in contact with water for up to 30 minutes without any damage. However, after that, you might start facing some issues with it.
Moreover, the radio is dust and shock resistant as well.
Our experts have reviewed the latest Sangean Radios and provided their feedback. Don’t forget to check them out.
Features and Benefits
Convenience
The radio is convenient to carry around due to the handle attached at the top. We found this feature especially helpful when walking long distances as it would be uncomfortable otherwise.
There is a 3.5mm headphone jack as well, that lets you listen to music privately if you’re walking in a crowded area.
However, if you want to carry the radio in your bag, it might be a hassle. Our team felt it weighing down their bags due to the heavy weight of 7 pounds.
User-Friendly
Because a bigger part of the radio is the speaker, the control menu is relatively easy to navigate. A large LCD screen displays what station is playing at all times which lets you choose the desired one easily.
Moreover, there is a power button along with which you get 5 preset buttons. These let you easily choose between stations and play your favorite one.
High-Quality Speaker
The most important thing in radio is, of course, the quality of sound it delivers. We tested the speaker of this radio in noisy surroundings, and it did not disappoint.
The 5-inch speaker along with being waterproof provides enough audio output for it to be used in large gatherings.
Dust, Shock, and Water Resistance
The radio works well in all conditions. It is built with a durable plastic material that is impact-resistant. This feature, along with the water-resistance feature, made it easier for our team to use it in many different job environments.
Additionally, because the radio is dust resistant, it is relatively easier to clean.
Factors to Consider Before You Decide to Buy
Battery
The battery is rechargeable and lasts you a pretty decent amount of time. Additionally, 4C batteries can also be used to listen to the radio.
Once fully charged, the battery lasts about 8 to 10 hours. We prefer charging it at night and then using it the next day.
Weight
The radio is heavy compared to other radios you could find online. However, it delivers the quality you would expect it to. The 5 inch-speaker and the sound make up for the price you pay for this radio.
If you need the radio for your shop or job environment, it’s a great option to consider.
Portability
The power source of this radio is corded electric. This means that you won’t be able to use it without charging it in between. The batteries are rechargeable so if you charge it beforehand, you will be good to go.
The radio is heavy, but a handle is attached at the top of the radio which makes it relatively easy to carry. However, our team did find it hard to carry for longer journeys.
Price
The Sangean TB-100 is a good option if you want a sturdy radio for less price. The batteries are not included with the radio so you will have to buy them separately. However, they are cheap and many people already have them in their houses.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sangean TB-100
Pros
- Bluetooth speaker
- Sleep timer
- Comes with a handle attached
- Rechargeable battery
- 5-inch speaker
- Dust, shock, and water resistant
- LED charging indicator
Cons
- Heavy to carry in a backpack
Social Proof
We scoured the internet to look for reviews of the Sangean TB-100 that you might find helpful. According to them, the radio is a good option for job sites and outdoors.
Additionally, the Bluetooth option was a positive feature as well, that was appreciated by the customers.
Similar to Sangean HDR-16 Portable Radio
#1: Best Digital FM Radio- Sangean HDR-16 Portable Radio
The Sangean HDR-16 portable radio, unlike other products in this review, has a digital alarm clock setting. The LCD displays the date and time. Moreover, you can set 2 alarms and snooze them. If you find these features useful, you might want to consider purchasing this radio.
There are bass and treble controls included that our team found useful to customize the listening experience. The LCD is a 2 line backlit display that shows the channel, call sign, radio text, and clock.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Sangean HDR-16 Portable Radio
Battery
The Sangean HDR-16 portable radio is a good option to consider due to its 2 charging options. You can use the AC connection to listen to stations inside your home or workplace. If power isn’t available, however, you can use batteries to use the radio.
Weight
Compared to Sangean TB-100, this is a much lighter option for a portable radio. It weighs 1.1 pounds and can easily be carried due to the handle attached at the top. You can put it in your backpack as well for hassle-free listening.
Portability
The radio is portable due to its small size and weight. Additionally, it has a handle at the top which lets you carry it around. It can be battery-operated as well which lets our team use it outside the house without a power connection.
Price
This alternative is the most expensive option. There are a lot of features included, however, you could get better quality for this price.
Pros
- Portable radio
- Includes a handle
- Clock setting
- 2 charging options
- Can be used without power
- Large LCD
- Lightweight
Cons
- Does not come with batteries
Best Digital FM Radio
The best Digital FM Radio is Sangean HDR-16 FM Radio because it comes in a portable size that can be used without power and provides a large LCD display that makes it convenient to use.
#2: Best Portable FM Radio- Sangean PR-D19 FM Stereo/AM Digital Tuning Portable Radio
The Sangean PR-D19 radio is a good option if you are a clumsy person. That is because the radio comes with a sturdy protective bumper. Our team tested out this feature with a few drop-tests and the radio seemed to work fine even after those.
This feature also makes it suitable to carry around outside your home. Despite its small size, we found the radio to deliver a great sound which seemed good for music and talks. However, one customer online mentioned that the bass was more than they would like.
Factors to Consider Before you Decide to Buy Sangean HDR-16 Portable Radio
Battery
This radio is small but has a longer battery life than most. It can be charged using an AC adapter at your house and used. However, for places you won’t have access to the charger, you can use 4 AA batteries.
These can be found in almost every household. Our team found the radio to last up to 23 hours on the batteries which is decent battery life.
Weight
The radio weighs 1 pound and our team found no issues carrying it around. It’s lightweight and can easily fit into your pocket.
Portability
There is no strap attached which makes it harder to carry it around your wrist. However, we found it extremely easy to move around in our pockets due to its lightweight.
Additionally, it has a protective bumper which makes it suitable for taking on the go. We found the bumper to be effective when the radio fell.
Price
This is the cheapest option out of the 3 radios mentioned in this review. You can get it for a decent price and you get good enough features for the price you pay. Our team found the radio to be worth the price we pay for it.
Pros
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Long battery life
- Easy to use
- Includes a safety bumper
Cons
- Does not have a strap for easy carrying
Best Portable FM Radio
The best portable FM Radio is Sangean PR-D19 FM Radio because it comes with a lightweight build structure that makes it highly portable and the long battery life will allow you to use it without any break.
Buyers Guide
Battery
We suggest you get a radio with long battery life. This is helpful when taking the radio on the go as you may not be able to find a charging outlet.
We found AC-powered radios useful if you use your home radio at home as you can just plug it in anywhere. So you might want to consider that an option. However, for outdoors, battery-operated radios are much more convenient.
Weight
It is hard to carry around a heavy radio so if you are usually on the go, we suggest getting a light one or a pocket-sized one.
If your radio usually sits on your side table or kitchen counter, you can consider getting one with a more prominent speaker. The weight isn’t an issue here as you don’t have to carry it around.
Portability
In our opinion, portability is an essential feature you should consider when buying a radio. If you’re out often, having a radio that is easy to grab and go to can be useful.
Features you should look for in a portable radio are rechargeable batteries and lightweight. Similarly, getting a radio with a long battery life is also an option you can consider.
Also, look for a good-quality build as you will be taking it around. One of the radios we mentioned above included a safety bumper which is a helpful feature.
Price
You will be able to find a lot of options for radios at different prices with different features. However, it is a good idea to have a budget beforehand.
Comparatively, pocket-sized portable radios are cheaper. Bigger radios have better sound quality but come with a bigger price tag. We suggest you get a smaller radio if you travel, and a high-quality one if it is for your porch.
We have an in-depth review of the most popular brands of radios like Sony, PRUNUS, Jensen, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Sangean TB-100 waterproof?
We tested out the radio and found it to be water-resistant rather than waterproof. The radio can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without any damage. This means the radio can survive in a little bit of rain but we won’t recommend leaving it near water.
How can I charge my Sangean TB-100?
You will need 4 rechargeable C batteries in order to power this radio. These can be recharged using an AC power supply through the 2.7-meter-long cord.
Additionally, the cable can be stored at the back of the radio for easy storage.
How long do the batteries last before they need to be charged?
Generally, the Sangean TB-100 lasts about 8 to 10 hours after one charge. You can plug it in overnight for it to be charged for using the next day.
Does the Sangean TB-100 connect to Bluetooth?
No, the radio does not come with Bluetooth technology so you won’t be able to connect your devices to it. However, it plays both AM and FM stations that you can listen to.
Why would I want a Bluetooth radio?
Bluetooth radio is a good device to have since you don’t have to worry about wires getting in your way. You can wirelessly connect to any of the devices of your choice easily and enjoy your music.
Which is better, AM vs FM?
In our opinion, FM is better due to the better sound quality you receive. However, you won’t be able to listen to stations far away. AM radios, however, can play stations from long distances.
What are AM and FM on the radio?
AM is amplitude modulation while FM is frequency modulation.
Is FM or AM for music?
FM radios generally broadcast music while AM radios usually play talk shows and news. So if you are looking for some music, turn to FM radio.
Why is AM radio still used?
AM radios are cheaper and can deliver stations from far away stations. Additionally, they are simpler to operate and easy to navigate.
What are water and dust-resistant?
These are product descriptions that tell you about the features. Water resistance means the product can resist water up to a certain level. While, dust resistance means the product is protected from dust and you won’t have a hard time cleaning it.
Can the radio be used inside the car?
The radio is suitable for use in the car if it can pick up signals. Moreover, it is great for FM and AM stations. However, you won’t be able to play CDs on it.
Conclusion
This wraps up our review of the Sangean TB-100 and its alternatives. We thoroughly tested out the radios to deliver the best options.
The Sangean TB-100 is rain-resistant and a good option for the outdoors. If you need a pocket radio, however, you can check out the Sangean PR-D19 FM radio.
We hope you found this information helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to mention them in the comments down below and our team will make sure to answer them.
If you are interested in finding all the insights about radios, our experts have discussed all the aspects of radios on our website. Do check them out.
