We own it, we use it
Jobsite radios: the boombox shootout
DeWalt, Makita, Ryobi, Milwaukee and Bosch. Buy the radio that runs on the batteries you already own; a radio that also charges packs pays for itself.
How to choose
- Battery first: a radio from another brand means another charger and another set of packs.
- Charges packs: radios with a built-in charger save you a charger on site.
- Bluetooth range: through walls and concrete, real range is 30 to 60 feet.
The comparison
| Model | Battery | Why pick it | Price* | Buy or compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch GPB18V-5CN | 18V | PTR best overall | $199 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Milwaukee M18 PACKOUT 2950-20 radio + charger ★ We own it | M18 | Charges batteries, locks into Packout | $299 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Milwaukee M18 2952-20 Bluetooth radio ★ We own it | M18 | Our everyday radio | See today We paid $132.78 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Milwaukee M18 2792-20 radio + charger | M18 | Charges batteries | $229 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| DeWalt DCR025 | 20V / FlexVolt | Big sound, charger | $250 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| DeWalt ToughSystem radio | 20V | Stacks in ToughSystem | $209 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| DeWalt DCR015 | 20V | Compact | $179 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| DeWalt DC012 | 20V | Classic cage | $169 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Makita XRM04B | 18V LXT | Light and simple | $150 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Ryobi ONE+ PCL601B | 18V ONE+ | Speaker | $199 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Ryobi ONE+ P746 | 18V ONE+ | Budget | $99 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Ridgid R84087 | 18V | Budget with Bluetooth | $129 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Hilti R 6-22 | 22V | Pro, very loud | $285 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
| Flex FX5351 | 24V | Value | $129 | AmazonHome DepotLowe'sAcmeWalmart |
* Street prices we saw at stores and in reviews between February and October 2026. They change daily, so the buttons show today's price. Scores: PTR = Pro Tool Reviews, TGL = TechGearLab, TBB = ToolBoxBuzz; each runs its own test, so scores only compare within one source.