The complete guide
Choosing a Wind-up Radio for Camping and Everyday Listening
A radio for time away from the usual routine
Taking a radio camping sounds simple until you start thinking about power, reception and the weather. You may want a familiar station over breakfast, some music while you sort your kit, or a way to hear broadcasts without using your phone for everything. The right choice starts with those everyday needs, not the longest feature list.
The August MB290B DAB+/FM Wind-up Radio, Black brings several functions into one unit. It has DAB+ and FM reception, Bluetooth, auxiliary audio and a torch. Charging options include a hand crank, solar panel and USB-C.
Those options give you more ways to use and charge the radio, but they need sensible expectations. Keep it dry. It also should not be treated as a source of unlimited power.
Start with what you want to hear
A portable DAB radio makes most sense when the stations you enjoy are available where you plan to listen. DAB+ and FM are both supported here, so you have two broadcast formats to consider. That is useful when comparing this model with a radio that offers just one.
Reception is still a separate question. A supported format does not guarantee that a particular station will come through at your campsite or holiday address. Check local coverage before a trip, especially if listening to a specific programme matters to you.
Think about your usual habits, too. If you mainly want live radio, broadcast reception will sit at the centre of your choice. If you often prefer your own audio, Bluetooth and auxiliary audio may be just as important. The MB290B gives you those alternatives without requiring you to choose a broadcast-only model.
Understand the charging options
The main appeal of a hand crank radio is the option to charge it manually. That can be useful when a socket is not close by. It does not, however, tell you how long you need to wind or how long the resulting charge will last.
No verified crank-to-listening ratio is specified for this model. Avoid assuming that a brief turn of the handle will provide an evening of radio. Follow the operating instructions and build your plans around confirmed information.
The same care applies to solar charging. A solar panel radio offers another charging route, but no solar charging time or output is stated here. Do not assume it will restore a full charge during a short stop outdoors.
USB-C is the third charging option. Before travelling, check the product instructions for its charging requirements and confirm which accessories you need. A charging socket does not mean that every cable or charger is suitable, or that one is included.
Plan power before you leave
A useful camping routine begins at home. Read the instructions, check how the controls work and test your preferred listening method before packing. It is easier to sort out a connection or charging question at home than after you arrive.
Battery capacity and runtime are not specified for the MB290B. That means you cannot make a reliable hours-per-charge comparison from this information alone. If a fixed listening duration is essential, confirm it before buying rather than filling the gap with a guess.
It also helps to think about how often you expect to listen. A short news programme at breakfast is a different use from keeping music on throughout the day. The same radio may fit those plans differently, even though its listed features do not change.
For important updates, keep other ways to get information available. Several charging methods do not remove the need for reception or stored power.
Bluetooth and auxiliary audio give you a choice
Broadcasts are only part of the picture. A Bluetooth camping radio can also suit someone who wants to choose audio from a compatible source. The MB290B supports Bluetooth, giving you another option when a station is not what you feel like hearing.
Auxiliary audio is supported as well. That may matter if you prefer a cable connection, but check the connection details before selecting accessories. The socket size and any included audio cable are not specified here.
Do not read extra functions into these connections. Phone charging, for example, is not a stated feature. USB-C charging for the radio does not establish that the radio can supply power to another device. Choose it for the functions that are confirmed, rather than ones that similar-looking products might offer.
Decide whether the torch suits your needs
A radio with torch functionality can be convenient when you want sound and a light in the same place. It gives this model another practical use around a camping setup or at home.
There are limits to what you can compare, though. Torch brightness, beam distance and runtime are not specified. If you need lighting for a task with clear performance demands, do not assume that this torch meets them.
Consider where you plan to put the radio while using the light. You may want the radio in one position for listening and the torch in another for seeing what you are doing. Trying both functions before a trip will help you decide whether to pack separate lighting as well.
The torch does not change the care requirement. The radio must stay dry whenever either function is in use.
Check the fit, not just the features
Dimensions and weight often decide whether a radio earns a place in a travel bag. Neither is specified for the MB290B, so avoid judging its size from the word portable or from the model name.
If you are packing for a walking trip, confirm the weight before committing. If it needs to fit a narrow shelf, storage box or luggage pocket, get the measurements first. These details can matter more than an extra connection option.
Materials are also not specified. The product is described as black, but there is no stated casing composition or protective rating to use in a comparison.
The best radio for your plans is one whose known features meet your needs and whose unknown details are not deal-breakers. It is worth pausing to confirm a key measurement rather than discovering the problem while packing.
Keep it dry, including while solar charging
Camping equipment often gets used close to wet grass, drinks and damp clothing. This radio has a clear care requirement to keep it dry. Do not treat it as weatherproof simply because it has a solar panel or is being considered for outdoor use.
Choose a dry place for listening and charging. If conditions change, bring it somewhere protected before it gets wet. Solar charging does not override that requirement, and no water-resistance rating is provided.
Keep it away from washing-up areas and open water containers. For cleaning, a gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth is a sensible approach. Do not rinse the casing or immerse the unit.
This is also worth making clear when sharing equipment with others.
Make care part of your packing routine
Before each trip, check that the radio operates as expected. Try reception, test the audio connection you expect to use and check the torch. Give yourself time to read the instructions if a control or charging step is unfamiliar.
After use, store the radio somewhere dry. Follow the product instructions for any battery-care requirements rather than applying advice meant for a different device.
It helps to keep a short note of what you actually use. Perhaps FM is your regular choice, or perhaps Bluetooth matters more than expected. Knowing your habits makes future packing easier and gives you a better basis for deciding which accessories to take.
For a gift, these checks are useful too. Make sure the recipient wants the listed functions, rather than assuming every camper needs the same kind of radio.
Allow enough time for delivery
Extended delivery is estimated at 2–3 weeks from ordering. Factor that into your plans if the radio is intended for a holiday, birthday or other fixed date. An estimate should not be treated as a guaranteed arrival day.
Delivery costs £19, with free delivery on goods totals of £75 or more after discounts. Check the goods total after any discount has been applied when working out the delivery charge.
A 14-day cancellation right applies subject to the policy. Read the terms before ordering so you understand the conditions and process if you change your mind. No warranty terms are specified here, so do not assume a particular warranty period.
The short version
The August MB290B is worth considering if you want DAB+ and FM, alternative audio through Bluetooth or auxiliary connection, and several charging options. Its torch adds a light to those listening functions.
Choose with the limits in view. Runtime, charging times, weight and dimensions are not specified.
If the confirmed features match your plans, check reception and allow for the estimated 2–3 week delivery period. A little preparation will give you a clearer idea of what to expect when it is time to pack.