Quick verdict
The RCR-30 is a well equipped bedside radio that adds Bluetooth, a USB charging port and a built-in sound soother to a solid AM/FM tuner. It suits anyone who wants one box on the nightstand to fall asleep and wake up with.
The Sangean RCR-30 is a digital tuning clock radio made for the bedroom. It combines AM and FM with RBDS, Bluetooth streaming and a set of ambient sounds for sleep.
What you get
You get FM with RBDS and AM, digital tuning with auto seek and an adjustable tuning step. The radio stores 10 presets on its own (5 FM, 5 AM), or 18 (9 FM, 9 AM) when you use the included infrared remote. Bluetooth 4.1 includes NFC tap to pair. Retail listings describe 27 ambient sounds for the sound soother. There are two alarms, each set to radio or buzzer, with Sangean’s Humane Wake System raising the volume gradually, plus snooze and an adjustable sleep timer. The high contrast LCD has an adjustable backlight. Bass, treble and loudness controls and a bass reflex tube shape the sound. On the back you will find DC in, aux in, a headphone jack and a USB-A port rated 5V/1A for charging a phone.
What I like
The sound soother is the reason to pick this over a basic clock radio. I also like the USB port, since it frees up an outlet next to the bed. The dimmable backlight keeps the display from lighting up the room, and having real bass and treble controls on a clock radio is a welcome touch.
Things to know
This is a plug-in radio. The built-in battery only backs up your presets and settings, so it will not play during a power outage. The extra eight presets are stored through the remote, so keep it somewhere you can find it. Bluetooth 4.1 is an older version, which is fine for streaming music but not the newest standard.
Bottom line
Buy the RCR-30 if you want a feature packed nightstand radio with sleep sounds and phone charging built in. If you would rather have a clock that sets itself, look at the Sangean RCR-22 with its atomic clock. For more options, browse my table top and clock radio reviews.
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