Best Under Cabinet Radio Reviews

Updated February 24, 2021

We all spend a lot of time in our kitchens, so why not make our time there as enjoyable as possible. Listening to music while you cook or putting on a podcast while you clean up can make time go more quickly.

A music player in the kitchen makes that easy and convenient, especially if it tucks away from your cooking space.

The best under cabinet radio is an ideal choice, since they are usually sleek, easy to install, and always there for you to use when you need it.

There are differences, however, such as the ability to play FM or AM radio, or both, Bluetooth capacity or even a CD player.

Let’s take a look at some of the options, and then considerations to make sure you choose the best under cabinet radio for your use and enjoyment.

See Our Best Under Cabinet Stereos

#PREVIEWProduct
1
Best For Higher Budgets
1Sony ICFCDK50 Under Cabinet Radio
Sony ICFCDK50 Under Cabinet Kitchen CD Clock Radio
Best For Higher Budgets
Sony ICFCDK50 Under Cabinet Radio
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2 Sylvania SKCR2713 Under Counter CD Player with Radio and Bluetooth Sylvania SKCR2713 Under Counter Radio
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3 iLive iKB333S Under Cabinet Radio iLive iKB333S Under Cabinet Radio
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4 Jensen SMPS-628 Under Cabinet Universal Radio
Best Overall
Jensen SMPS-628 Under Cabinet Universal Radio
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5 Tyler Under The Cabinet Kitchen Clock Radio, Tyler Under The Cabinet Kitchen Clock Radio
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6 RCA SPS3688B Under Cabinet Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth and FM Radio
Best For Low Budgets
RCA Under Cabinet Wireless FM Radio
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1. Sony ICFCDK50 Under Cabinet Radio

Highlights
  • AM/FM radio that also plays CDs
  • Unit is silver 
  • Serves as a clock radio and has a one-touch kitchen timer for cooking 
  • Green LCD backlight
Best For Higher Budgets
Sony ICFCDK50 Under Cabinet Kitchen CD Clock Radio

This sleek design doesn’t take much space under a cabinet, allowing for maximum counter space below while still giving you rich sound quality.

Listen to AM or FM radio, play a CD, including burned CDs, or use the built-in audio cable to connect a digital music player.

There are 15 preset radio stations (10 for FM and five AM) and a remote control that changes stations, CD tracks, adjusts the volume and then attaches to the fridge with its magnetic back.

A battery backup will keep the time accurate in a power outage, and there’s an easy one-touch timer to use when cooking.

Get a deep bass sound with the Mega Bass button.

Specifications

Range:
FM: 87.5-108MHz; AM: 530-1710kHz
Channels:
15 preset channels
Battery Type:
2 AA (included)
Battery Life:
Battery is only for backup power
Warranty:
1 year parts and labor

Pros

  • Weighs 6.4 pounds and is just 3.4 inches high, a nice size for under the counter
  • Magnetic remote stores easily by attaching to fridge
  • Built-in audio cable connects a digital music player

Cons

  • Make sure your CDs are factory or CD-R and CD-RW discs
  • Only connection to an external player is with the aux cord

2. Sylvania SKCR2713 Under Counter Radio

Highlights
  • Blue LED display and silver unit overall
  • The entire bottom of the unit is the speaker
  • FM Radio and CD player
  • Just four inches wide for convenient under-cabinet mounting

This slim design will maximize your countertop storage under it, while providing full sound through the bottom of the unit, which is the speaker.

Play FM radio or CDs, and as a bonus, connect to external music players with the Bluetooth capacity. It’s powered by an AC adapter and also has a battery backup so you can listen to tunes in a power outage.

The blue LED display will show the time or your radio station. Comes with a full function remote control that includes volume control. Includes a mounting kit.

Specifications

Channels:
No preset stations
Battery Type:
2 AA batteries
Battery Life:
Battery is for backup power only
Warranty:
90 days parts and labor

Pros

  • Bluetooth allows you to connect to external music players like your phone
  • Comes with a remote control
  • Battery backup

Cons

  • FM frequency only, no AM
  • Internal antenna means you may need to reposition the unit to get the best reception possible

3. iLive iKB333S Under Cabinet Radio

Highlights
  • Plays FM Radio
  • Negative backlight that’s blue with white lettering
  • Built-in stereo speakers

At 2.5 inches wide, this is a good option for fitting nicely under your cabinet. The sleek, discrete look is enhanced by its mainly black color with silver accents.

Play FM radio, or connect to an external music player like your phone using the Bluetooth capacity of the unit. There’s also a digital clock with a backlit display and an alarm.

Comes with mounting hardware. The power adapter is included and it even has a handy kitchen light.

Specifications

Channels:
20 preset channels
Battery Type:
2 AAA batteries
Battery Life:
Battery is for backup power
Warranty:
90 days

Pros

  • FM Radio has 20 preset stations
  • Connect to an external music player with Bluetooth
  • Battery backup for power outages

Cons

  • No AM radio capacity
  • Does not play CDs

4. Jensen SMPS-628 Under Cabinet Universal Radio

Highlights
  • Plays FM radio on its built-in speakers
  • Has a timer and a clock
  • Battery backup
  • Silver unit with black buttons and speakers
Best Overall
Jensen SMPS-628 Under Cabinet Universal Radio

At just 3.4 inches deep, this sleek music player fits nicely under a cabinet, saving room underneath for counter storage and cooking space.

Two built-in speakers under the unit provide quality sound.

Play the FM radio and save up to 20 preset stations.

Or pair with external music players two different ways: via the auxiliary input jack where you can connect an iPod, MP3 player and more; or connect with the Bluetooth capacity.

Answer your Bluetooth enabled phone with the hands-free speakerphone with a built-in microphone.

A built-in LED light helps light up your kitchen workspace and also features a clock. Comes with mounting hardware. Display is white numbers on a black background.

Specifications

Channels:
20 preset channels
Battery Type:
2 AAA batteries
Battery Life:
Battery is for backup power
Warranty:
90 days

Pros

  • Connects to external music players with an auxiliary jack or via Bluetooth
  • Built in LED work area light
  • Answer your Bluetooth phone with the built-in microphone

Cons

  • No AM radio capacity
  • Does not play CDs

5. Tyler Under The Cabinet Kitchen Clock Radio

Highlights
  • White colored unit with blue light display
  • FM radio has 20 preset stations
  • Two built-in speakers are on the bottom of the unit

This sleek, white under-cabinet radio is just 2.5 inches high, allowing for plenty of counter space below it.

It even has LED lighting on the bottom of the unit that adds some brightness to the workspace below.

Use it to listen to FM radio, and set up to 20 favorite stations, or connect to an external music player with the Bluetooth capacity.

Built-in microphone allows you to answer your Bluetooth phone on the radio. The wireless function has a range of 30 feet.

A clock displays the time, and there’s also a dual alarm, a sleep timer and a snooze function. Powered by the included AC adapter. Comes with a mounting kit.

Specifications

Channels:
20 preset channels
Warranty:
1 year

Pros

  • Bluetooth function lets you connect to your phone or other external music player
  • LED light on the bottom of the unit
  • Connect to a Bluetooth phone and answer calls on the unit

Cons

  • No AM radio capacity
  • Does not play CDs

6. RCA Under Cabinet Wireless FM Radio

Highlights
  • White unit with grey/black facing
  • Red lighting on the display
  • Built-in speakers
Best For Low Budgets
RCA SPS3688B Under Cabinet Wireless Speaker with Bluetooth and FM Radio

At just 1.9 inches high, this is among the sleekest under cabinet radio you’ll find.

The built-in speakers play FM radio, and you can program up 20 preset favorite stations.

Or, stream music from an external music player, phone or tablet using the Bluetooth functionality. There’s an external FM antenna that can help signal reception.

The clock also has a 90-minute timer and an alarm. Comes with the power adapter and mounting hardware is also included.

Specifications

Channels:
20 preset channels

Pros

  • Connect to external music players and phones with the Bluetooth capacity
  • Clock has a timer and alarm
  • Includes external FM antenna

Cons

  • Does not play CDs
  • No AM radio capability

Under Cabinet Radio Buying Guide

Under cabinet radios are not new. These devices, which typically mount under a kitchen cabinet, can also be used in workshops and garages. 

The concept is that you’ll have a built-in music player that doesn’t take up space on your countertop or work bench. 

While an under cabinet stereo isn’t a new concept, they have gone through some changes. 

At one time, they simply consisted of an under cabinet am FM radio. 

But since technology is constantly changing, they also had CD players at one time – some still do – and now many have Bluetooth capacity, allowing you to connect with external media players.

Let’s take a look at some of the considerations when choosing the best under counter radio.

Placement

An under the counter radio is usually sleek enough to ensure your countertop has space for appliances and food preparation.

There are differences in their size, however, that can make a difference in your selection. 

Our choices are different heights and widths, with the sleekest being less than two inches high.  

It helps if you choose placement of the radio before making your purchase, so you know whether it will fit without sticking out or being in the way.

Design

Other than their technical features, the design of undercabinet stereos is quite similar. 

Most are slim enough to be unobtrusive, which means your choice may come down to color. 

We reviewed ones that are silver, as well as a white one, and some with black as the main color or as part of the overall design. 

If your kitchen is all white, do you really want a black radio? 

Or is white better? In your workshop, you may want black so that the white doesn’t get grimy from use. 

And, if it’s important to you, the displays are also different colors, ranging from reverse lighting, to white, green, blue and red numbers.

Features

Now let’s dig into the features of the radios, so you can decide if you want an under cabinet radio cd player or something that does even more. 

AM/FM Capacity

If listening to the radio is still important to you, then choose carefully when looking for an under the counter radio.

Many of them no longer include capacity for AM radio. 

If you like to listen to your local talk show or oldies station on AM radio, stay away from those. You can choose from either FM only, or AM and FM capability. 

CD Player

Just as some of us still listen to local radio, some of us still like to listen to CDs. 

Or maybe you’re looking for a gift for your mom, who still likes the radio and her favorite CDs. 

If that’s the case, you need to be looking at under the counter radio cd players. And you may even want one that plays burned CDs as well as store-bought CDs. 

Remote Control

Some of our picks come with a remote control, which can be really handy if your kitchen is large, or you want to change the channel from the dining room. 

If that’s important to you, watch for our choices that have remotes. 

One of our top picks even has a remote with a magnet, so you can attach it to the fridge and always know where it is. 

Otherwise, a remote may just be something else to lose in the kitchen junk drawer.

Hands Free

With changes in technology, we do so much with our smartphones, so it’s a bonus to have a radio with hands-free functionality. 

With these radios, you can connect to your phone via Bluetooth, and then answer calls with a microphone built into the unit. 

Once again, you need to decide if this feature is important enough that you need it in an under cabinet radio.

LCD Display

Our choices all have LCD displays, although the colors are different. You may prefer one color over another. 

Different under counter radios also have different features on the display. 

For instance, a clock may be standard, but some also have a timer, handy in the kitchen, or an alarm, or all three.

Battery Backup

Another handy feature in many under counter radios is a battery backup. 

When the power goes out, you can still listen to your tunes, and save your settings like preset radio stations.

Connecting to External Players

Many of us now prefer to use streaming music services, or have music on our phones. Some of us also like to listen to podcasts. 

To do that on an under cabinet stereo, you have to figure out how to connect an external device. 

Some of our choices have auxiliary jacks that allow you to connect an MP3 player, phone or iPod. Some even include the cable. 

And then there are several that have Bluetooth capacity, making it really easy to enjoy music, podcasts and even audiobooks in your kitchen or workshop. 

With Bluetooth connectivity, it’s easy to pair compatible devices to your under cabinet stereo and to stream media directly to it. 

Some even include the ability to pair with your phone, and then answer phone calls “hands free” using one-button operation and a built-in microphone.

These may be “nice-to-have” options for you, or they may be essential features in your under the counter radio.

Ease of Use

While some of us may find technology easy, it’s still important to have a user-friendly radio. 

There are several ways that can make your under cabinet radio easy for you to use. 

If you like to listen to multiple radio stations, then it would be great to have a preset feature. 

That means you can save and easily find your favorite radio stations without tuning the radio every time you use it.

Some people will consider having a remote control a make-or-break option for ease of use. 

Others will say something like a single push button to answer a smartphone is their top user-friendly feature. 

Mounting Hardware

You can consider setting your radio on a shelf in the kitchen or workshop, but aren’t you buying an under cabinet radio so you can mount it under the cabinet

This space-saving feature is one of the biggest selling points in an under counter stereo, so it’s important to pick one that includes mounting hardware. 

That will make it an easy addition to your kitchen or garage.

Sound Quality

Under Counter radio cd players are not going to reproduce the sound of a bigger, high-priced stereo system, but our choices all have decent sound quality. 

In particular, those with speakers on the bottom of the unit, and particularly those with speakers that run across the entire bottom, will have the best sound that carries across the kitchen or garage.

Pricing Range

Most under cabinet radios are close to the same price range, but we did include the top-of-the-line Sony. If you want this one, you’ll pay for the Sony name and its well-known quality among stereos. 

Otherwise, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good, under cabinet radio that serves your needs.

Our Verdict

Under cabinet stereos are a great way to listen to music, podcasts, and even audiobooks in your kitchen, workshop or other area of your home.

Make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable by putting on your favorite AM radio talk show, FM classic rock station, CD, or this week’s feature podcast.

When choosing your best cabinet radio, our guide will help you figure out what features are important to you.

Do you really need AM radio? Or is FM capacity sufficient?

How much will you actually listen to CDs?

Or is it important that you can utilize your extensive CD collection?

Do you need to connect to your phone, either with an auxiliary cable or via Bluetooth? Will you stream music and podcasts, or do you also need to answer your phone using the stereo?

These are all questions for you to consider, and with our guide to the Best Under Cabinet Radio, you’ll be listening to whatever you want in your kitchen in no time.