Wi-Fi radio roundup

Matthew Moskovciak, April 1, 2009

For many people, local AM/FM radio is essentially unlistenable, but paying a monthly fee for a satellite radio subscription isn't attractive either. Fortunately, there are thousands of radio stations available on the Internet that aren't lame and don't cost any money. These include Internet-only stations, radio stations from other countries, and even many AM/FM radio stations in the U.S. simulcast online. Wi-Fi radios tap into this resource by giving you access to all the content on the Web via a tabletop radio you can tune into where ever you get a Wi-Fi signal.

While the products below have similar (or even identical) functionality to digital audio streamers such as Sonos, Apple TV, and the Logitech Squeezebox Duet, we differentiate these as "Wi-Fi radios" because they all have built-in speakers. The category is still evolving, but in recent months, we've seen at least three strong contenders that are recommendable for different reasons. The Logitech Squeezebox Boom is the latest and greatest, combining an good sound quality, excellent design, and access to a full range of free and premium digital audio services. While it's not quite as full-featured, the Grace Wireless Internet Radio is a worthwhile runner-up, especially considering its lower sticker price. Meanwhile, the Sony VGF-WA1 has some frustrating limitations in terms of its limited scope of station choices, but its only $200 (down from $350) and has a built-in battery so you can carry it around your pad. We've also included models from Tivoli Audio, Aluratek, and Tangent to round out the field.