Traditional shower radios are still being sold. However fans of portable music are also looking for MP3 players and other features to be built into the standard offering.
Prices range from $10 to over $70. Popular brands include Jensen, Sharper Image, Zadro (iSing), jWIN, Memorex, Emerson (CK5859), Curtis, Sony (ICF-S79V), Craig, Salton (Wet Tunes), GPX, Panasonic, M&M, Inspired Solutions, Perfect Solutions, Sangean, Protocol, Coby, Presidian and Aviva.
Shower radios can also be used as portable radios on the beach, beside the pool, on a boat, in the kitchen, in the garden and when camping.
Most use standard batteries: AAA, AA, C or D. Radios that use C or D cells can go for months or a year on one set of alkalines. Even AA batteries can last for weeks. Some radios can be powered from the AC electrical mains. For safety reasons, AC power should not be used in the bathroom.
Water-resistant, Splash-proof and Waterproof Shower Radios
There are two main categories of shower radios: splash-proof (water-resistant) and waterproof.
Waterproof radios are rare and expensive. A real waterproof radio should be certified to one of the JIS, IPX or other industrial, government or military waterproofing standards. Anything else should be considered splash-proof, no matter what the manufacturer says.
Shower Radio Mounting Options
If the radio can be left on the same station and at the same volume, it can be placed safely away from the shower, hung or placed on the:
- Towel rack.
- Door knob.
- Counter top (with a fold-out stand).
- Cabinet.
However frequent settings changes mean that the radio needs to be:
- Hung from the shower head (the classic position for a shower radio), or placed in a shower caddy.
- Hung from the shower curtain rail.
- Mounted on the wall inside the shower stall. Suction cups, or a wall mount bracket that uses double-sided sticky tape or screws can be used. Screws are the most secure.
A few, like the Aviva, are built into the soap dispenser.
MP3, CD, TV, Weather Band and Wireless Shower Radios
AM and FM band radios are standard. Some shower radios can also receive weather band and TV (audio only) broadcasts.
iPod docking stations are popular, though support for controls (skip track etc) can be primitive. A waterproof compartment in the radio protects the player. A generic audio earphone jack input means that any MP3 that can fit into the waterproof compartment can be used, though without any support for the player's controls.
Buit-in CD players are now less common but still available. Some load the CD from the rear, probably to protect the CD mechanism from splashes. However this makes it harder to load and unload CDs. All CD players eat batteries because of the electrical motor needed to spin the CD.
The most flexible solution is to use a FM radio wireless transmitter, such as the Griffin iTrip (designed to connect MP3 players to car stereos). This turns any electronic audio device (TV, PC Internet radio, vinyl turntable) into a mini FM station that can be received on any shower radio. Range can be insufficient, so more expensive waterproof outdoor wireless speakers are a better choice.
Shower Radio Sound Quality and Reception Sensitivity
Many shower radios are mono only, though some are stereo.
Better quality radios can pull in distant radio stations, but this is less necessary in urban areas. Sound quality from premium brands is also generally better, but often masked out by the sound of the shower anyway. The acoustics inside a typical tiled bathroom aren't particularly good either.
Analog Versus Digital Shower Radio: Controls and Features
Analog shower radios are usually cuter and look more friendly with their round dials and buttons. The controls should be large and not too stiff: for easy gripping with wet fingers.
Digital radios look more sleek and can have more features:
- Drift-free digital tuning.
- Multiple preset stations (useful if the radio is used by more than one person).
- Automatic timer power off.
- Countdown timer alarm (to keep on schedule).
- Built-in clock.
- Battery level indicator.
- Radio Data System (RDS) to display the name of the song being played.
However the push-button design of some digital radios can be difficult to use by touch alone, especially those that use membrane keys. The LCD display should be large enough to read clearly without glasses, and preferably backlit (automatically switched on for a few seconds if any button is pressed).
Other features, such as a fog-free shaving mirror, can be useful but shouldn't be the main criteria for choosing a radio.
The Best Shower Radio
High-end shower radios can be waterproof, have high reception sensitivity and reasonably good sound quality. Most are digital.
Cheaper splash-proof analog shower radios can give good service if they are kept away from the shower, and are used only to receive broadcasts from nearby radio stations.
Amazon has a long list of shower radios.
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
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