Best Jobsite Radios [18V Portable Bluetooth Speakers]

Jobsite Radio Features

The Brand

The brand is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a job site radio. With reputable brands such as DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, and Milwaukee, you are pretty much sure of getting a quality product with outstanding durability and great performance.

If you are planning on giving someone a job site radio as a gift, you should also consider getting them the same brand as the tools they already have. This will ensure compatibility with regard to battery charging capabilities and the like.

Bluetooth Only Versus Radio Only

A lot of Jobsite radios nowadays are actually Bluetooth-only devices, although some have both Bluetooth and radio functionality.

If you are accustomed to using your smartphone for music streaming or media playback, a Bluetooth-only device would be suitable for you. Depending on whether or not you go for a free or paid streaming service, you could enjoy an ad-free listening experience.

On the other hand, if you want to listen to live radio while on the job, an actual radio might be better for you. Even so, you might want to consider a model that has both Bluetooth and radio capability so you can simply switch functions as you see fit.

The new Makita speaker has better bass than the older model and is louder compared to the blue-tooth only version.

Durability

Your job site radio will probably be used in pretty rough–and even harsh–environments. Durability is, therefore, one of the most important factors to consider. The best Jobsite radios can withstand some pretty heavy use (abuse) and still keep on cranking out the tunes without a hitch. On the other hand, some lesser models will simply give up the ghost if you so much as look at them wrong!

Corded VS Cordless

Portability and cord-free operation are pretty much essential in a typical construction work site.  Having a radio that isn’t tethered to a power outlet means you can simply place it anywhere or move it out-of-the-way as needed. Even if you have electrical outlets around, you don’t necessarily want to tie one up just for radio when it can be put to better use for power tools and the like.

On the other hand, a corded radio won’t run out of juice and never has to be charged. When choosing between a corded and cordless model, think about whether portability and convenience are more important than continuous use.

Most Job site radios have both a corded or battery option. Not all are sold with battery’s and sometimes need to be purchased separately.

Charging, Power Plugs Etc

USB and battery charging features are a lot more useful than you might think. Models with charging capabilities can be used to charge phones and even battery packs in a pinch. Of course, Jobsite radios that have charging capabilities have their own internal batteries, so they can be a bit heavy.  

Price

With job site radios, you typically get what you pay for. Settling for the lowest-priced model isn’t generally such as a good idea, as there is usually some compromise in durability and performance. Instead of settling for the cheapest model you can find, try to find a radio that has the features and capabilities you want at the price you are willing to pay.

Top Jobsite Radios

The Bosch PB360C is a solidly-built and rugged unit that certainly looks like it could handle extreme workplace conditions. It has a roll cage made of rubber-padded aluminum which protects the more sensitive areas of the exterior from bumps, jostling and rough handling. It is also designed to be weather and dust-resistant so it can pretty much take a beating and still keep ticking.

The unit is Bluetooth capable at up to 150 feet, giving you a good degree of flexibility to move it around and set it down. The sound quality is excellent as well, thanks to the four-way speakers and built-in subwoofer. There are even individual bass and treble controls so you can tailor the sound however you want.

The Makita XRM08B is an affordably-priced Jobsite speaker that provides very good bang-for-the-buck. The sound quality is pretty impressive for a unit of this size. The inclusion of a woofer for low-frequency sounds and a tweeter for high frequency sounds actually give the XRM08B sound reproduction capabilities that go beyond that offered by most Jobsite radios.

The XRM08B will last most of the day on a single charge with a 5 amp 18-volt battery. It has a Bluetooth range of over 100 feet. And the control panel is especially easy to use, providing an easy way to control connected media devices.

The Makita XRM08B has great sound and is excellent value for money. It is also the radio I use, I like the sound, long battery life and how it is light and portable to move around, from building work, to BBQs, and camping.

The DeWalt is a good choice for anyone who is looking for the best Dewalt radio and the loudest radio with Bluetooth speakers.

The TSTAK DWST17510 has a decent sized storage compartment at the front and can play your music at full volume while keeping a crisp high-quality sound. With a built-in subwoofer, this sound system has plenty of base making this radio pretty hard to beat, at full tit you can work at the other end of the building site and still hear the base.

Who Uses A Portable Speaker

Most anyone will have a use for a good job site radio, but tradespeople such as builders, construction personnel, carpenters, and painters will especially benefit from having one around. For many people, having music or talk radio on while working makes tasks much more pleasant and enjoyable. In fact, studies have shown that listening to music can actually improve efficiency, enhance creativity, and generally result in better job satisfaction.

Jobsite radios are also useful for home DIY’ers, particularly those that don’t want to bother with a more complicated music system. With a job site radio, you can simply turn it on and forget about it without having to mess with a bunch of plugs, cables, CDs, and whatnot.

Comparing Top Job-Site Radios

	Dewalt Tstak Dwst17510	DEWALT ToughSystem DWST08810	Milwaukee 2792-20	Bosch PB360C	Makita XRM06B	Makita XRM08B	DeWalt DCR006
Loudness:	45 Watts	40 Watts	40 Watts	26 Watts	?	10 Watts	6 Watts
Weight:	17.16 lbs.	17.1 lbs.	17.1 lbs.	24 lbs.	10.8 lbs.	7.2 lbs.	2.9 lbs.
Size:	20.9" x 15.6" x 6.6"	21.4" x 6.6" x 13.9"	14" x 14" x 17.5"	14.5” x 14” x 13.5”	7" x 11.5" x 12.9"	8.7” x 8.4” x 9.2”	10” x 6” x 11.9”
Can Also Charge Battery's:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Bluetooth:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
USB ports:	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes

Conclusion

That’s our rundown of some of the best job site radios on the market. Before you make your decision, make sure to consider the features and capabilities you actually need. Considering the quality of the models we covered in our Jobsite radio review, you probably won’t go wrong whichever you choose. Just remember to keep the tunes rocking and conducive to good workplace vibes.