Roberts Revival Petite 2 Review — Powerful Compact Radio with Retro Charm

Experience the perfect blend of compact design and impressive sound with the Roberts Revival Petite 2 radio.

Every once in a while, a gadget lands on my desk that makes the entire team nod in unanimous approval. The Roberts Revival Petite 2 is one of those rare finds. This little DAB radio with Bluetooth is not just compact and adorable—it’s one of those devices you instantly want to claim as your own.

Even in an era dominated by smart speakers and multifunctional music systems, there’s something timelessly magnetic about a simple radio that’s packed into a petite, retro-styled frame.

Design and Build: Retro Meets Modern Miniature

Roberts has a long-standing reputation in crafting radios that marry vintage aesthetics with modern tech, and their Revival line is no exception. The Petite 2 follows the footsteps of its five-star predecessor, the original Petite, boasting a size so tiny it comfortably fits in your palm.

This radio can cozy up anywhere—from cramped windowsills and tight bookshelves to cluttered desks. It’s smaller than a standard soda can, with a base smaller than a paperback, and just a bit wider than the AirPods Pro 2 charging case. Wherever you stash your smartphone, the Petite 2 fits just as seamlessly.

The build radiates quality and luxury—smooth, rounded corners, a soft yet durable leather-like finish, and a speaker grille that matches the body color. Available in seven delightful hues (sunny yellow, duck egg turquoise, pastel cream, bright orange, dusty pink, midnight blue, and sleek black), it’s hard not to find one that suits your vibe. Bronze accents, metal buttons, and the Roberts logo add a classy final touch. Compared to the first generation, the Petite 2 is slightly shorter, a bit deeper, and lighter by six grams.

Its tiny OLED display is crisp and bright enough to read under any lighting condition. With 10 levels of brightness, I always crank it up on sunny days. Impressively, despite its size, the screen packs a ton of info: station name, track and artist, current source, signal strength, battery icon, and time, all neatly arranged without feeling cluttered. Pressing the control dial reveals extra station details like bitrate, genre, and date, plus pause and track skip functions when streaming via Bluetooth.

Four large buttons handle power, source selection, and volume control, all responsive without delay. The multifunctional dial in the center lets you tune stations, select presets, scroll through menus, and more. I often find myself instinctively reaching for the dial to boost volume when a '90s hit blares, but the button setup quickly grows on you.

Key Specs at a Glance

• Radio Tuner: FM, DAB/DAB+
• Network Features: None
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Ports: 3.5mm headphone jack
• Dimensions: 7.3 x 12.4 x 8.5 cm
• Weight: 430 grams
• Color Options: 7 (yellow, blue, cream, orange, pink, blue, black)

Features That Surprise for Its Size

You might raise an eyebrow at the price tag—around $126 for such a tiny radio? But Petite 2 justifies every penny with a rich feature set. It houses analog FM and digital DAB/DAB+ tuners plus Bluetooth streaming from any device. No fuss over high-res codecs here, but pairing is quick and the connection rock-solid.

It supports up to 20 presets—10 for DAB and 10 for FM—making station hopping a breeze without constant rescanning. Holding down the main dial unlocks a host of menu options, including brightness control, timers, and new alarm settings.

Even better, the Petite 2 boasts a solid 20-hour battery life with a full recharge via USB-C (a welcome upgrade from the old micro USB). Another neat addition is the 3.5mm headphone jack replacing the old AUX input—perfect for late-night listening without disturbing anyone. Plus, the included telescopic antenna steps up signal reception, making sure your tunes don’t drop out.

Sound: A Mighty Punch from a Tiny Package

Now, here’s the real kicker—Roberts Revival Petite 2 sounds incredible for its size. Inside the compact case sits a 40mm driver paired with a passive radiator, delivering surprisingly full and robust audio.

Of course, sound quality depends on your location, station signal strength, and broadcast quality, but once you lock onto a strong signal, the radio spits out a steady, impressive sound both on-air and via Bluetooth.

The audio has a lively rhythm and weight you wouldn’t expect from a device this small. Vocals shine with clarity, density, and detail. They’re front and center, intentionally prioritized for talk radio but equally engaging for music. Voices carry warmth and nuance, perfectly capturing presenters’ personalities and intonations.

This sonic quality translates beautifully into music playback as well. Tunes like Waxahatchee’s Right Back To It flow smoothly and dynamically, pulling you into the melody so much that stereo separation or ultimate high fidelity fade into the background.

Don’t expect booming bass or an expansive soundstage from this petite player, but the balance is spot on. Whether you’re into classical or pop, the tonal mix hits just right—confident and vibrant, with enough mids and upper bass to keep things rich without muddying the sound. Even heavy metal tracks like Disturbed’s Down With The Sickness come through with energy, pulse, and drive, making you tap your foot along with the beat. The warm, engaging presentation and featured vocals truly turn listening into a pleasure.

The Petite 2 can crank up to an impressive volume, but beyond 15 out of 20, it starts to lose control. At lower volumes, it remains a joy to listen to. Plug in a good pair of wired headphones like the Grado SR80x or Rode NTH-100, and you’ll enjoy the same lively, dense, and captivating sound signature in private.

Final Thoughts: A Compact Gem Worth Having

At around $126, you get a ton of value packed into this mini portable radio. It’s a joy to hold, look at, and most importantly, to use. Listening is as much fun as the delightful retro design and compact charm.

Whether gifting a tech-savvy teen, a friend, sibling, or even grandparents, the Roberts Revival Petite 2 offers a stylish, versatile, and sound-rich radio experience. It’s perfect for anyone who still cherishes the humble wireless radio but wants modern conveniences. Now, the hardest choice is picking your favorite color!

Ratings

• Sound: 5/5
• Features: 5/5
• Build Quality: 5/5

“Petite 2’s vocal clarity and warmth turn radio listening into a truly personal experience.”

FAQ

• What types of radio can the Roberts Revival Petite 2 receive? It supports FM, as well as digital DAB and DAB+ radio broadcasts.
• Does the Petite 2 support streaming music from smartphones? Yes, it features Bluetooth connectivity for streaming from any compatible device.
• How long does the battery last on a full charge? The radio offers around 20 hours of playback on a single full charge.
• Are there options for wired listening? Absolutely, it includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening.
• What color options are available? You can choose from seven shades including yellow, pastel cream, bright orange, dusty pink, and classic black.

If you love the vintage-modern vibe of the Roberts Revival Petite 2, why not bring that charm into your living space? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store Architeg Prints and complement your music experience with stylish decor.