Best Radio For Long Distance AM Reception in 2023: Ultimate Guide By An Expert

The world has become so advanced in technology that we find it hard to take a deep breath and just relax for a minute. Everyone is so occupied with their smartphones and laptops. With so many emerging new models of these, we get busier and busier, but mostly never peaceful. The evolution of smartphones and smart TVs have made most of us forget about the olden classic radio.  

Listening to the radio has always been a feel-good factor. Apart from the old classic style and vintage feel, the radio is an amazing way to listen to music or weather or FM channels while you are bored with the usual TV and smartphones. The radio comes in handy for outdoor trips, vacations, trekking, or mountain-climbing. Even if you are stuck in a remote place with poor network signals, a Radio will work fine and prove its efficiency to you. 

A radio’s use is not just limited to music or songs. It can do much more than that. You can tune into multiple FM stations to get all the latest info along with songs. You can listen to up-to-date news, weather forecasts, and FM & AM stations in a Radio. It offers all this with just a few buttons for you to navigate to your choice. 

The efficiency of radio will be realized during emergencies such as power cuts due to heavy rains or storms, or when you are out in a network unreachable area. However, with different types of radios available, take your time to decide which will suit your need the best. The article has shortlisted some of the best radios in the market for long-distance AM reception.  

Best Radio For Long Distance AM Reception in 2023

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Sony SRF-M37W Walkman Digital Tuning Weather/FM/AM Stereo Radio	Model number: SRFM37W Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.31 x 3.37 inches Color: Black Weight: 4.8 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	Sangean PR-D18BK AM/FM/Portable Digital Radio	Model number: PR-D18BK Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.4 x 4.2 inches Color: Black/Grey/Blue/Red Weight: 12.8 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	C Crane CC Skywave AM, FM, Shortwave Portable Travel Radio	Model number: SKWV Product Dimensions: 4.75 x 1.1 x 3 inches Color: Black Weight: 5.5 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	Retekess V115 Portable AM FM Radio with Shortwave Radio MP3 Player	Model number: 4331019190 Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches Color: Black Weight: 7.1 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	BTECH MPR-AF1 AM FM Personal Radio	Model number: MPR-AF1 Product Dimensions: 3.25 x 0.4 x 1.75 inches Color: Silver Weight: 1.7 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	Retekess V112 AM FM Radio Portable Mini Radio	Model number: V-112 Product Dimensions: 3.3 x 0.5 x 1.8 inches Color: Gold Weight: 3.52 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	Vondior AM FM Battery Operated Portable Pocket Radio	Model number: VX-Radio Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.75 x 1.1 inches Color: Silver Weight: 3.2 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	Panasonic Portable AM/FM Radio with Great Reception	Model number: 4330351491 Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 5.8 x 4.8 inches Color: Black Weight: 1.8 pounds	Check Price on Amazon
	Byron Statics Radio FM AM Portable Vintage Radio	Model number: Not applicable Product Dimensions: 9.29 x 7.56 x 3.11 inches Color: Classic cream / Black Weight: 1.6 pounds	Check Price on Amazon
	PowerBear Portable AM/FM Long-range Radio	Model number: PB-PR-01 Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.7 x 1.1 inches Color: Red / Black / Silver Weight: 3.4 ounces	Check Price on Amazon
	Panasonic Portable AM / FM Radio	Model number: RF-2400 Product dimensions: 3.23 x 9.21 x 4.8 inches Color: Black Weight: 1 pound	Check Price on Amazon

1. Sony SRF-M37W Walkman Digital Tuning Weather/FM/AM Stereo Radio

• Model number: SRFM37W
• Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.31 x 3.37 inches
• Color: Black
• Weight: 4.8 ounces

Sony SRF-M37W Walkman is a small, portable, and compact radio to carry it anywhere you go. The Walkman supports the weather band tuning function. With preset memory to store up to 20 channels, the radio allows you to have up to 5 weather bands, 10 FM and 5 AM channels. The FM uses just 1 AAA battery to deliver you an amazing listening experience. 

You can tune into any 5 channels, even if they are of different frequencies with just one click. The radio comes with headphones for you to listen to your favorite channels without external disturbance. It also has a belt clip along with the package. 

The exclusive weather band allows you to listen to up-to-date weather updates from weather forecasters. The radio comes at an affordable rate and offers you several hours of performance. The built-in DX switch in the Walkman will provide you uninterrupted reception for all the stored stations.

The radio’s LCD has indications of the digital clock and battery to let you know if the battery runs down. The preset stations won’t be unsaved even while changing the battery to a new one. It also comes with a 1-year limited warranty for the radio parts.

2. Sangean PR-D18BK AM/FM/Portable Digital Radio

• Model number: PR-D18BK
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.4 x 4.2 inches
• Color: Black/Grey/Blue/Red
• Weight: 12.8 ounces

Sangean Digital Radio is one of the best long-range radios on the market. It will allow you to preset stations up to 10. Preset of 5 FM and 5 AM stations are capable. You can adjust and tune the desired stations, according to your need. The radio works on power up to 4 AA batteries.

The Radio comes with a sleep timer function. If you think you are going to doze off anytime soon, you can set up a timer to save the battery from going to waste. It offers a snooze button to give you some extra minutes of sleep. The alarm timer can be used to remind you about important personal stuff or professional events. The LCD has backlight features, which is easy for you to view info like battery or power status on screen. 

The radio model is so apt for your vacation or camping trips with family or friends. You can just place it inside your bag and carry it anywhere you go. The protective bumper and alarm clock feature is an added advantage of this model. 

The radio is versatile and it comes in different colors such as Blue, Red, Grey, and Black to suit your likes. You can use headphones to listen to music in private.

3. C Crane CC Skywave AM, FM, Shortwave Portable Travel Radio

• Model number: SKWV
• Product Dimensions: 4.75 x 1.1 x 3 inches
• Color: Black
• Weight: 5.5 ounces

This radio model is small and compact like its peers. It is also lightweight and portable to carry around for outdoor purposes. You can tune into AM and FM stations on this radio. The radio is exclusively designed for travel uses. It will provide you uninterrupted listening experience.

The radio has incorporated alarm features in it. You can set an alarm to remind yourself about significant events. The LCD with the backlit feature is easy to view info on the display. You can also set the sleep timer to avoid wastage of battery while you doze off. 

 

The radio comes with stereo headphones to help you listen to music in private without outside noise. Other features such as auto-scan tuning and signal meter are this model’s special add-ons. It has 400 memory presets and the battery is very strong. You can tune into your favorites for up to 60-70 hours without breaks. 

It comes with a folding back stand and a carry case. The radio brand also provides you with a product warranty for 1 year.

4. Retekess V115 Portable AM FM Radio with Shortwave Radio MP3 Player

• Model number: 4331019190
• Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches
• Color: Black
• Weight: 7.1 ounces

Retekess AM FM Radio is a portable radio that comes in a small compact size. This shortwave radio will just perfectly inside your pocket. You can carry it anywhere you go, with the utmost ease. The radio is incorporated with bass sound technology. It offers MIC recording. You can record your favorite audio in simple steps. It offers audio quality in 64kbps, 96 kbps, and 128 kbps. 

The radio has an MP3 player feature with loudspeaker facilities. It comes with a headphone jack and a USB cable to connect to external devices. The radio does not provide a charging adaptor. It can be charged using a computer or phone adaptor. 

The radio has a sleep timer feature which will shut the radio off automatically to save wastage of battery. You can manually store your favorite FM channels or frequencies using the number keys. Each number can be assigned to a specific station. 

The radio is capable of storing up to 80 FM stations, 60 AM stations, and 300 SW stations. The LCD backlight in the display of the radio can be adjusted according to your need. 

5. BTECH MPR-AF1 AM FM Personal Radio

• Model number: MPR-AF1
• Product Dimensions: 3.25 x 0.4 x 1.75 inches
• Color: Silver
• Weight: 1.7 ounces

BTECH MPR-AF1 Radio is a user-friendly portable radio. You can listen to anything like music, NPR, and local news on this radio. The radio comes with headphones along with the package. The radio’s battery is rechargeable and known for providing a long life run. You do not have to replace the batteries now and then.  

The internal ferrite antenna on this radio is designed well to better your listening experience. You can plug in headphones or listen to music on speakers. Along with AM and FM stations, the radio has an in-built clock to it. You can store as many channels or stations and preset them. The Radio is capable of storing up to 58 channels. The keypad lock feature will prevent accidental touch of buttons and channels change. 

You can view the info about the AM and FM channels via the radio’s LCD screen. The radio offers two kinds of headphones depending on your need. The large-sized buttons are comfortable and very user-friendly. It is the best choice for your travel needs. You can place it right inside your pocket and travel anywhere.

The radio also comes with a sleep timer feature to prevent battery wastage. The radio will offer you a great long-range reception, even if you are travelling in remote areas.

6. Retekess V112 AM FM Radio Portable Mini Radio

• Model number: V-112
• Product Dimensions: 3.3 x 0.5 x 1.8 inches
• Color: Gold
• Weight: 3.52 ounces

Retekess V112 portable radio is a lightweight, easily portable radio. It supports AM and FM stations. It has earbuds which can also be used as an FM antenna. The radio comes with a lock switch feature, which will help you to prevent accidental touch or operation during, outdoor or sports activities.

The radio comes with a built-in 500mAh lithium battery with amazing battery life. The battery is rechargeable. The radio’s sensitive reception will enable finding many numbers of radio stations with long-range reception. The LCD will show you the battery and station info on the screen. You can also view volume adjustments and sleep timer timings.

The display is so clear to help you operate the radio effortlessly. The radio is user-friendly and suitable for people of all age groups. The lock switch feature will prevent accidental touches during hard activities. The radio comes with a USB charging cable to charge it.

7. Vondior AM FM Battery Operated Portable Pocket Radio

• Model number: VX-Radio
• Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.75 x 1.1 inches
• Color: Silver
• Weight: 3.2 ounces

Vondior AM and FM Radio is a lightweight portable radio that will fit perfectly inside your pocket. You can carry it while you work out, mountain-climb, or outdoor activities. You can even gift this compact-sized radio to your beloved ones on special occasions. 

The radio runs with AA batteries, which can be found easily in every household. These batteries tend to work for a longer lifetime, making it easier for you to replace the batteries once in a while. The AA batteries usually work for several weeks before wearing out. Once you feel the performance of the radio is decreasing, you can replace the batteries with newer ones.

You can always rely on the radio, even if there is a frequent power outage. The audio quality is fair and good for the price it offers. It supports multiple AM and FM stations. You can tune in to your favorite frequencies with just a click. It is best suited for outdoor and traveling activities.  

8. Panasonic Portable AM/FM Radio with Great Reception

• Model number: 4330351491
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 5.8 x 4.8 inches
• Color: Black
• Weight: 1.8 pounds

Panasonic portable AM and FM radio come with 4 AA Batteries, AC Power Cable, and HeroFiber Ultra Gentle Cleaning Cloth included in the package. The radio is known for its brand value. You can use it anywhere, as it is best suited for activities like exercising, trekking, travelling, and playing. 

The display screen of this radio is large to make you see stations and other info clearly with no effort. This is an advantage as even elderly people can use the radio with the utmost ease.   

The tuner dial is also large and enables easy tuning of FM and AM stations. The large tuning knob will make the detection of stations easier and faster. The loudspeaker and ferrite bar antenna is designed in such a way to produce amazing audio quality. 

It comes with an earphone jack and works on AA Batteries. This type of battery can be found very easily in every household. These battery types will work for a much longer lifetime than other batteries. It will make it easier for you to replace the batteries once in a while. The AA batteries usually work for several weeks.

9. Byron Statics Radio FM AM Portable Vintage Radio

• Model number: Not applicable
• Product Dimensions: 9.29 x 7.56 x 3.11 inches
• Color: Classic cream / Black
• Weight: 1.6 pounds

Byron statics AM and FM radio is a portable vintage style radio that will impress you the moment you see it. Vintage and 80s lovers will love this piece of art. The radio looks classic. The radio will serve as the best showcase piece on your house shelf or you can use it along with your family and friends. It is also the best gift idea for your dear ones.

The radio is pretty simple to handle. The AM, FM, and ON/OFF knobs are placed in a perfect way to avoid skids. The large tuning dial makes it easier for you to tune into different stations or channels. The radio is portable and lightweight. You can carry it around anywhere and everywhere you go. 

It supports 4 AA batteries which are not included in the box. The radio provides sensitive reception for you to find and tune to your favorite channels. You can lock to a specific station while you listen to prevent accidental touch. The telescopic swivel antenna in this radio will help you fine-tune multiple stations.

This vintage radio is compact and comes in two colors: Black and Cream. The loudspeakers work well and produce clear audio quality even in low volumes. The radio’s external antenna is lengthy and tends to tune into even weaker FM stations.

10. PowerBear Portable AM/FM Long-range Radio 

• Model number: PB-PR-01
• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.7 x 1.1 inches
• Color: Red / Black / Silver
• Weight: 3.4 ounces

PowerBear is a portable AM and FM radio that will offer multiple frequencies and FM stations. The lightweight, small, and compact size of the radio will enable it to carry it around easily. The radio requires 2AA Batteries to function. This will provide good battery life for up to 800 hours. You can listen to your favorite music non-stop for weeks before the battery runs out. You can replace the battery once it stops working. 

The loudspeakers work great on this radio. It delivers clear and loud audio quality. The radio’s sensitive long-range reception will make travelling easier for you. You can go to any remote places on earth and tune in to your favorite radio channels without worrying about poor network signals. 

The switches are user-friendly and can be used with just one hand. It comes with a built-in headphone jack. You can either listen to music in a loudspeaker or connect it to an earphone to listen in private without external disturbances. 

The long-range antenna in this radio will allow you to tune as many stations when you are outdoor or travel. In this radio, the range for FM is 80 – 108 MHz and the range for AM is 530 – 1600KHz.

11. Panasonic Portable AM / FM Radio

• Model number: RF-2400
• Product dimensions: 3.23 x 9.21 x 4.8 inches
• Color: Black
• Weight: 1 pound 

If you are particularly in the mood to invest your money in a portable AM reception radio, the Panasonic Portable AM / FM Radio is hands down the best you can get. It is a bestselling product on Amazon and for all the right reasons.

Besides the small and compact design with the powerful reception, the portable radio also features an extendable antenna that helps make the most out of the situation. The entire radio, despite being an old concept, is fairly easy to operate, which again is pretty amazing.

The digital tuner controls make the process a lot easier to handle, even if you are a novice with radios and similar devices. The entire device comes with an easy-to-use interface that can seamlessly pick up both AM and FM signals from around.

The digital tuner in this radio also supports the auto frequency control that allows you to stabilize the tuning and enables you to listen to your favorite songs without unnecessary distortions in the middle. Also, the quality and build of this radio are ideal for indoor and outdoor use.

Ultimate Buying Guide to choose the right Radio For Long Distance AM Reception 

As there is n number of long-range AM reception radios in the market, it can get quite tough for you to choose one. You have to keep in mind what are your necessities before you place your order. Below are some of the important factors to consider while you buy an AM reception radio.

1. Budget and Size

The budget is the first point to think about before you buy any electronic item. As for the AM reception radio, the budget factor is a pretty simple one to decide, as most of the radios come at an affordable rate. The next point is the size. Size is one of the important factors, as it decides where to carry your radio. The size of the radio will determine how you are going to use the radio in the future. If you are planning to take your radio out for outdoor activities such as trekking, mountain-climbing, work-outs, or playing games, buy a radio that is small and compact. Only then you can fit your radio right inside your pant or shirt pockets. A radio of a bigger size will be of difficult use for the above scenarios. However, if you plan to keep your radio in a standstill at your home, you can opt for a medium to larger radio that is showy and majestic.  

2. Portability

Portability doesn’t depend on how you are going to use the radio. The radio will often be carried somewhere or moved. Make sure the radio can be carried easily to different places. You can also check if there is any handlebar on the radio to help you carry. If the radio is smaller and compact, you need not worry about the handlebar, as it will just fit in your hand and you can easily carry it. If the radio is bigger, make sure it has a handlebar to lift it or carry it around to places. Many do not notice this, and later bite their teeth when the handlebar is seen missing. 

3. Display

Display size is another important factor to check before you buy a radio or Walkman. Many radios come with an LCD screen. The screen is used to view information such as what channel is streaming, what frequency is set, or if the battery has gone down. These details are vital while you listen to your favorite FM station. You need to see what is going on. A radio with a backlight LCD screen is always recommended, as you will be able to see details even during the dark. Go for a radio with a bit larger LCD screen, as a tiny screen will strain your eyes and make it difficult to see things. A larger LCD screen will suit the best for people of all age groups. From children to the elderly can access the radio with utmost ease if the LCD screen is bright and of good clarity.

4. Extra features

Wondering what are extra features? As technology gets advanced, the features of the radio are also upgrading. Radios these days provide features apart from just tuning in of AM and FM stations. Some of the extra features include a sleep timer, alarm clock, auto switch lock, and snooze button. These features will come in handy for your day-to-day use. You might even forget the efficiency of your smartphone soon when your radio provides you these advantages. 

5. Long-range reception

Make sure your radio serves its main purpose of a strong long-range reception. When buying a long-range AM radio, you should check if the radio’s reception is sensitive and strong. Some radios have antennas for this purpose. Your radio must work great from even remote locations. You never know where you will take your radio to. You should not get disappointed when you take your radio on your camping trip or vacation. So, test the reception of the radio well before purchasing it. Along with strong reception, the radio should have good loudspeakers and a built-in headphone jack to provide the option for you to listen to music in private.

Recommended:

• Best Radio for AM DXing
• Best Dual-Band Mobile Ham Radio
• Best Long-Range Two-Way Radios
• Best Radio For Long Distance AM Reception

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) About Radio For Long Distance AM Reception 

1. How does the radio efficiency vary concerning rechargeable batteries and replaceable batteries?

Radios with replaceable batteries use AA or AAA batteries. These batteries are very easily found in common households. We can buy them for a cheap price from nearby shops. But, the radios with rechargeable batteries use current/power to charge. They use the USB cable for charging purposes. One can connect the USB cable to a computer to charge or use a phone adapter to charge depending on radio design.  

2. How is an AM radio different from FM radio?

In AM radios, the sound signals are recorded by amplitude change. It is also determined by height and radio waves. The AM radio also uses a much longer wavelength when compared to FM radio. They detect signals that are much farther than FM radio. 

3. When does AM radio produce disturbance or unwanted noises?

An AM radio tends to produce a disturbing noise or go static when sources such as lightning, sun, or power lines produce radio waves. The AM radio is capable of picking up these radio waves as signals and produces noise or even goes static. 

4. Is there any solution to avoid unnecessary noise or static issues in an AM radio?

When used with a metal surface, an AM radio may produce noise or go static. So avoid doing that. You can also keep your smartphone and two-way radios at distance from AM radio.

5. Why is a lock switch feature necessary in a radio?

Lock switch or button lock features in radios will prevent accidental touches on buttons or switches. We may accidentally touch buttons when we travel or play while listening to a channel. The lock switch function will help you listen to the channel without interruption.

6. Why do AM radio stations have better reception than FM?

In AM radio, the signal’s strength and amplitude are varied to contain the sound information. On the other hand, in FM, the carrier signal’s frequency is varied. As per strength, FM signals have a significant advantage over AM signals.

7. How to improve AM radio reception?

You can improve the Am reception with the help of an external antenna, like a loop antenna. You can also look up other factors affecting your radio’s reception, like placing it near an open area or moving away from the electronic items that can block your radio’s reception.

8. Does AM radio need an antenna?

AM radio’s single wavelength is 984 F for a 1MHz signal. AM radio stations require a wide range area for mounting two or more antennas to produce an expected directional pattern.

After you tick all the important factors in the buyer’s guide, you can order your favorite long-range AM reception radio from the shortlisted ones. Start enjoying the ultimate joy of using radio and the evergreen classic way of music-listening.