What’s The Best Makita Radio in 2021 [Buying Guide]

Makita is a renowned brand for manufacturing tools and accessories. The reason why the brand is well respected and popular all around the world is due to its obsession with innovation.

This results in equipment that is more energy-efficient, durable, and compact than the competitor. And same is the case with the Makita radio.

Therefore, today we are going to review the best Makita radio that you can purchase. Moreover, you will also find a buying guide in the end which outlays all the necessary information required to make an informed decision.

The buying guide will especially be helpful to those who are purchasing the radio for the first time and are clueless about the different aspects of the product.

So without any further delay, let’s dive in straight away

Comparing 6 Best Makita Jobsite Radio

Makita Radio	Radio & Speaker	Bluetooth
Makita XRM08B Cordless Speaker	Only speaker	Yes	Check Price
Makita XRM09B Jobsite Radio	Both	Yes	Check Price
Makita XRM06B Cordless Job Site	Both	Yes	Check Price
Makita BMR100W Cordless Radio	Both	No	Check Price
Makita XRM05W 18V LXT Job Site	Both	No	Check Price
Makita XRM02W 18V Cordless	Both	Yes	Check Price

1. Makita XRM08B Cordless Bluetooth Speaker

 

You all would agree with me that music isn’t fun if played on a low volume. Therefore, the Makita XRM08B speaker comes with tweeters for high volume sound. Now you can fully enjoy music on your next long drive or off-road adventure. However, if you are not a high sound loving person, then don’t worry. The radio still has you covered.

There is a woofer for playing music at low sounds. Now you can easily switch between high and low sound depending on your mood. And yes, the speaker is portable with a mere weight of 7.5 pounds so you can carry it easily.

The foldable handle further increases the portability of the unit. You can conveniently pack it in a tight space and take it anywhere you wish.

When we talk about taking the radio on a long drive or anywhere outside, the first probable question that arises is does it have enough battery? Fortunately, the answer is yes.

The Makita XRM08B is compatible with both 12V Max CXT and 18V LXT batteries. Both are Lithium-Ion Batteries.

These batteries allow the radio to function for 31 hours when the Bluetooth is enabled and for around 32 hours in auxiliary mode. The auxiliary and USB port can also be used for charging your mobile phones or other devices that have the option of USB connection.

The charge option for other devices is evidence that the batteries have a lot of energy which is not only enough to power itself but also other devices.

2. Makita XRM09B Jobsite Bluetooth Radio

 

Have you ever wished to play your favorite music while walking down the street on a rainy day? If yes, then your wish has finally come true as we present you with a rainproof radio.

The Makita XRM09B is dust and waterproof radio. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick by the brand, as the radio comes with an IP65 rating. Therefore, you can be sure that the claim by Makita is 100% true.

Additionally, the aluminum guards and elastomer bumpers make the radio highly durable. We especially love the bumpers which shield the radio from external shocks in case it accidentally falls. So, if you are out on a rainy day and the radio slips out of hand, there are even chances it isn’t out of shape. But that shouldn’t be an excuse to handle it carelessly.

This XRM09B is one of the most aesthetically appealing radios by Makita. A clear LCD screen with a black background gives a modern look. Adding to the beauty are the light blueish letters and numbers on the body.

The feature we personally love is the four connection types I.e. Bluetooth, FM, AM, and 3.5 mm auxiliary port. The port means the radio is compatible with MP3. You can also use Bluetooth to connect the radio to your mobile phone.

Additionally, there is also a USB charging port which can be used to charge your phones. In short, the Makita XRM09B comes with all major connections.

Unlike Makita XRM08B, this radio isn’t very loud but comes with superb sound quality. The radio comes with a 4″ subwoofer and two 3.5″ speakers which work together to provide a top-notch experience.

3. Makita XRM06B Cordless Bluetooth Job Site Radio

 

Multiple pieces of research demonstrate that listening to music at work enhances productivity. If you are working in a formal office setting then you can easily plug-in your earphones. But what if you work on construction sites or other noisy places? The on-site noise would considerably dim the music.

This is where the Makita XRM06B comes into play. It has two 3.5 inches speakers to deliver high-quality sound. The speakers are side-firing which makes the sound very loud. That is why it is ideal to use in a noisy environment.

It has a Bluetooth, auxiliary port for MP3, and a USB port as well to connect your mobile phones in case you want to charge them or don’t prefer to use Bluetooth. Just like the previous radio we reviewed, the Makita XRM06B also has an LCD screen with a shiny black background.

What we love the most about this radio are the illuminated control buttons. This gives the radio a different look. Most importantly, it improves visibility. Therefore, if you have someone old at your home who has weak eyesight, the Makita XRM06B might be the best radio you can give them.

The radio works with both an 18V Lithium-Ion battery and an 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery. The former gives a 15 hours runtime and the latter a whopping 35 hours.

This is quite an impressive feat by Makita, isn’t it? Now you can conveniently enjoy your favorite music or go on a long drive with the radio without worrying about battery life.

Since the radio is specially made for using on the job site, it is dust and water-resistant. Even better, it comes with protective bumpers. These features provide extended life.

4. Makita BMR100W Lithium-Ion Cordless Radio

 

It is hard to find a radio that is both aesthetically pleasing and highly durable. However, the Makita BMR100W surprises with both features packed in a single unit. The black and white combination of the body looks stunning. The bluish buttons further add to the beauty. It seems as if nothing can get better than this.

Radio is meant to be carried from one place to another. That is why the Makita BMR100W weighs only 12.6 lbs. You won’t feel the strain on your muscles even after carrying it for hours. Adding to the comfort is the rubber handle.

The rubber also acts as a protective layer preventing the handle from breaking down if the radio falls. Furthermore, the radio is weatherproof which enhances durability. The radio has a foldable handle and measures 9.1 in x 6.5 in x 10.2. This means it is compact sized and you can pack it in your luggage or carry it with you in your car or bike.

When we talk about carrying the radio in your car, a question might arise that is the battery enough to survive the entire journey? Fortunately, the answer is yes.

Makita products are known for their exceptional battery life and the BMR100W doesn’t disappoint us on this font.

It includes an AC adaptor and can run on both 18V Lithium-Ion Battery and 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Battery. The former runs for 8 hours and the latter for around 16 hours. What surprised us the most was the array of features that come with the BMR100W.

For example, the LCD has a timer, alarm clock, and volume dial as well. Now if your mobile phone is dead you need not panic. Instead, you can set your morning alarm on the radio. Seems an interesting feature, isn’t it!

5. Makita XRM05W 18V LXT Job Site Radio

 

The Makita XRM05W has two strong 3″ side-firing speakers that deliver a superior sound that can even be heard in noisy and harsh work environments. The protective bumpers protect the rigid work environment and other external shocks.

The radio works on an 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 5.0Ah battery which a life of 34 hours. That is long enough to use the radio for many days without charging. Apart from that, the radio is compatible with 12V max CXT, 12V max, 7.2V, and 14.4V Lithium-Ion batteries. The best part of the XRM05W is that it is compatible with MP3 players.

Just like the BMR100W, this radio also has a clock, timer, and alarm option. This is in addition to the obvious FM mono/stereo control. You may also use Bluetooth to play your favorite music. The Makita XRM05W is extremely lightweight at 8.8 pounds. Apart from that, it is compact sized which makes it highly durable.

Considering all of the above features, it won’t be wrong to call the XRM05W one of the best Makita job site radios. What else do you need to enjoy the music!

6. Makita XRM02W 18V Compact Cordless Radio

 

Buying a radio shouldn’t always be an expensive endeavor. That is why if you make a Makita radio comparison, the XRM02W comes with one of the lowest prices that you can get your hands on.

This helps those who are on a tight budget.

The low price doesn’t compromise on the quality and durability of the radio. The XRM02W has a protective bumper to protect against damage. Additionally, two powerful speakers ensure that you get top-quality sound, no matter whatever environment you are in.

What use would be radio if the battery dies after some time and you have to charge it now and then? To ensure that you spend most of the time enjoying the music and not charging the device, the radio is compatible with 12V max and 7.2 Lithium-Ion Batteries. These provide up to 19 hours of run time.

Now you can go out and have unlimited fun.

Makita Job Site Radio Buyer’s Guide:

Why choose a Jobsite radio? By this time, you must have noticed that each of the best Makita radio we reviewed was a job site one. In other words, it has features to withstand a harsh work environment.

At this point, you might wonder that I don’t need a radio with such specifications if I work from home or in a peaceful office setting.

Not exactly! A job site radio comes with many benefits which can be beneficial for everyone, no matter what environment you work in.

Curious to find out what are those benefits? So let’s get down to it

Water and Dust resistant

Makita Jobsite radios are water and dust resistant and backed by IP65 ratings. This helps when you use the radio outdoors in your garage or lawn.

Variety of options

The perfect Makita radio comes with an array of options and not just the FM/AM channels.

For example, most of the Makita Jobsite radio has a Bluetooth option, allowing you to play any of your favorite music.

There is also a USB charging port, meaning you can conveniently charge your mobile phones when you are on the go and don’t have access to the charger. This also means that no need to invest in a power bank.

That is a considerable cost saving, isn’t it? The USB port allows you to connect multiple devices such as MP3 players or other smart devices that you can plug in and play your music. This is of course in addition to the Bluetooth connection we discussed earlier.

Oh, and we forgot to mention the alarm and timer option that comes with the Makita radios.

Get in touch with your team

This is probably the least thought of the usage of the Makita radio.

Since most Makita radios have Bluetooth connectivity, you can use it to connect with your walkie talkie as well.

That will allow you to convey any message to your team via the speakers of the Makita radio.

What to look for in a Jobsite radio?

We have already discussed in detail the top 6 Makita Jobsite radios and speakers. However, an important question that remains unanswered is how to select from these different types of radios?

In this section, we will explain the different metrics that you can use to make up your mind.

Waterproof

Many Makita radios are backed by IP65 rating which means they are both water and dustproof.

However, as we mentioned earlier in the article as well, being waterproof doesn’t mean you can take it with you in the swimming pool, bathtub, or a heavy thunderstorm.

Instead, the water-resistant capability is for drizzle or if a glass of water accidentally falls on the radio. In other words, for a small quantity of water.

A water-resistant radio will give you peace of mind as you can conveniently use it in open space and workstations, without the fear of it getting damaged due to dust or drizzle.

Sound Quality

You all are familiar with the noise levels on a job site. There is the sound of loud machines and workers shouting at each other because of the noise levels. Not to forget the noise in the background of cars and other vehicles.

As such, you need a radio which delivers a loud and crisp sound and one with side-firing speakers is best for such types of situations.

The reason is that such types of speakers emit sound in different directions instead of only from the front side. This considerably raises the sound level and cuts through the noise.

Portability

This goes without saying that the radio should be portable but here we mean how easy it is to carry the radio from one place to another.

This mainly depends on the weight of the radio. In our list above, we have radios weighing from 5 pounds and all the way up to 12 pounds.

You may select any of them depending on your availability.

Apart from the weight, many Makita radios have a foldable handle and a removable radio antenna. That means you can easily store them in a tight space and move around.

Price

Price is probably the most important factor that is taken into consideration while purchasing a radio.

The Makita radios in our list start from around $85 and go all the way to around $180. Therefore, you have a lot of price ranges to choose from.

However, our recommendation is not just to depend on the price as that is not always the reflection of quality.

Instead, look at other features such as the battery life, the design of the radio, portability, and quality of sound among other factors.

In this way, you will be able to make a much better decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This is a difficult question as all the units in our list of best Makita Jobsite radio are better than in one aspect or another.

Some are good in terms of battery life: others are aesthetically pleasing. However, if we are to choose any one of them, we would opt for the Makita XRM02W.

The reason being, it is one of the least expensive Makita radios, if not the least expensive, yet comes with almost all functionalities of an expensive unit.

The Makita XRM02W has around 19 hours of battery life, provides a superior sound experience due to two powerful 3″ side-firing speakers, and has a modern and stylish look.

Isn’t that enough to fulfill your requirements? This isn’t to say that you must not invest in an expensive unit, but you shouldn’t feel guilty if you are tight on budget.