XHDATA D-608WB AM FM WX BT MP3 Shortwave Emergency Radio Review

The XHDATA D-608WB AM FM Weather Alert Bluetooth MP3 Player Shortwave Emergency Portable Radio is a Huge Step in the Right direction when it comes to this Category of Receivers. Full Shortwave Band, Three Mode Flashlight & Lamp, Huge Speaker Audio, Replaceable 18650 Battery, 500 Presets, WX Alert, Stereo Audio Sounds Fantastic on Headphones, Type C Charging, Above Average FM/NOAA/Shortwave Reception, and all at a price under $40! Amazing.
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▶ The XHDATA D-608WB at Amazon USA: amzn.to/3TH4cFG
▶ The XHDATA D-109WB WX Alert Shortwave Radio at Amazon: amzn.to/3I0nz78
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▶ The D-608WB Weather Radio at eBay: ebay.to/3x1A4NB
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▶ The D-608WB at XHDATA: bit.ly/XHDATA_D608WB
Features I like about the D-608WB:
Clear, Amber Lit Display.
Three Mode Lights. Handy :)
Built Like a Tank.
Clock & Alarm.
Five Hundred Presets that can be Manually Added, and Deleted.
Browse Feature for Frequency, and Preset Modes.
Weather Alert Mode.
MP3 Player Sounds Great.
Bluetooth, though not Required.
FM Stereo.
Replaceable 18650 3,000mAh Unprotected Button Top Battery.
Multiple FM Band Plans.
Excellent Speaker Audio with a Ton of Low End.
Full Shortwave Coverage.
Affordable.
Type C Charging.
Compact Size.
Features that could be Added or Improved on:
Selectable Fast, Slow, or Stop on the Tuning Knob.
Improve MW band. A few too many birdies during the daytime.
Improve Dust Cover, it is flimsy.
Micro SD Card should sit flush so that the Dust Cover fits over it better.
Overall, with the all the Features the D-608WB provides, it is hard to pass this one up. Most Households should consider a Radio such as this, and another that takes Standard batteries as a backup.
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#xhdata #d608wb #shortwave

[@todderbert]

(paid link below) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you. ▶ The D-608WB Weather Radio at Amazon USA: amzn.to/3TH4cFG (paid link below) As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. There are no additional costs to you. ▶ The D-608WB Weather Radio at eBay: ebay.to/3x1A4NB

[@Jaxon1776]

If I had this radio when I was a kid my parents would have taken it away from me at bedtime. Otherwise I'd be up half the night listening to the radio and reading comic books under the covers with the light. Very cool radio with lots of features. Plus it's bright yellow!

[@MrSparks54]

Dandy lil radio. For that price and with the decent specs and performance, I'm going to have to get one. Thanks Todd!

[@F4LDT-Alain]

Thanks for the nice review. I've had this radio for a few weeks and its emergency radio features are quite nice. It's well built, looks quite sturdy. Much effort has obviously been put in the speaker's low frequency response, which gives this small radio an amazing sound volume when listening to FM or playing music on SD or over BT. However, it doesn't work that nicely for shortwave listening. The sound is too muffled and the lack of a bandwidth setting doesn't help because its fixed setting is fairly low. SW sensitivity is on par with my more expensive receivers like the D-808 or the PL-330 and that's quite nice. It tends to overload easily and catch FM breakthrough, though. There are other things I don't like that much: the volume roller replaced by buttons, no external antenna plug, and being forced to having max level light on the torch and the LED bar when the radio is turned on... for some mysterious reason. I won't mention SSB because it can't be expected at that price IMO.

[@baneverything5580]

I may get one of these next month. But I love my Kaito Voyager KA500-L with 18650 battery. It has a larger solar panel than the original model that can use AA batteries. With the battery removed the panel itself powers the AM and shortwave bands. Absolutely amazing discovery! Mine has excellent reception too and the way the shortwave bands are set up with the analog tuning (DSP tho) I can quickly scan the bands for activity. I use this radio so much here in Louisiana because of our constant storms. If I have to run to take cover in a huge culvert or ravine I have light and everything I need in that receiver. I also love my pocket emergency NOAA with flashligh EZBNB Rd207. Both of these double as backup off-grid 18650 chargers when paired with a 30w folding solar panel with charging ports.

[@NTPTM]

Hej Toderbert thanks for the review i think XHDATA D-608WB seams very nice i like that it has full coverage on shortwave and the speaker sounds very good yep i have been looking at this radio and i will buy it. I also really like that it is a compact radio, perfect when i going out to the woods so no problem stuffing this radio into my backpack take care Todderbert and have a nice weekend.

[@RJDA.Dakota]

This is a very interesting radio. You’re making me want one of these so bad!

[@todderbert]

Solid Radio.

[@Kw1161]

I just received 2 of them on Valentine’s Day for that $26.88 price and it money well spent. Great sound, if only my Raddy 760 had the sensitivity and audio quality…😢! 73! Have a great day!

[@dannycalley7777]

KW ................was it an Amazon purchase ????

[@Kw1161]

@@dannycalley7777 No sir, it was from the Xhdata website. Ordered them on February 2nd and received them on February 14,2024. Have a great day!

[@NTPTM]

Hej Todderbert a radio update i have order this radio a moment ago i have seen your review and I have read a little more about the XHDATA D-608WB so, couldn't resist buying this XHDATA emergency radio and a have one good or several emergency radios is never wrong to have. i like what i see in this XHDATA 608-WB emergency radio especially like that it has full coverage on the shortwave bands so, it will be very interesting to test it when it arrives and, yes love my other XHDATA radios i own take care Todderbert.

[@johnbeckham1483]

Todderbert, the audio sound quality is great on the XHDATA D-608WB as your FM broadcasted music through it is the best I have ever heard indeed! Features galore & a great price! I am seriously considering purchasing one of these radios! AM, FM, & SW reception are all above average! Thanks for the video tutorial regarding the XHDATA D-608WB!

[@fixman88]

I had just recently heard about this radio and decided to go ahead and get it. I'm surprised that it's actually smaller than the Sangean MMR-88!

[@usbconnections]

Impressive lil thing

[@tvradio1972]

This looks like a good emergency radio to have. Perhaps this can be this year's yellow radio if the birdie tone issue gets fixed.

[@todderbert]

XHDATA was made aware of the tones on MW. Sent them a video showcasing the issue, most notable during the day.

[@richardsfault1]

The MW "birdies" are most likely images, i.e. frequencies that are 2X IF frequency above where you are tuned.

[@schiaucugabriel6202]

Hello and thank you for the video. I am searching for such a radio in order to use it as a dreambox. Fill it with audiobooks to listen while going to sleep or wake up on it. Can you point me something that can play mp3, have some kind of option to browse files, with sleep and wake up feature?

[@racinchef]

Once again XHDATA comes out with a radio that could very well be radio of the year (ROTY). Last year it was the D219. SWL was right, XHDATA keeps upping its game.

[@todderbert]

They are building radios that people want.

[@ronbotex]

Might be a great radio. Followed the instructions to set it up for the U.S bands. Long press band button and then short press to switch to 87.5-108 Mhz selection. Temp remained in degrees centigrade and AM band started at 522. In the process of returning TWO of these. Will work just fine if you happen to live outside the U.S. First issue I've had with Xhdata radios.

[@todderbert]

Odd mine are working fine. Long press Band, then short press till 87.5 is displayed, and then let it time out.

[@ronbotex]

@@todderbert Thanks. Exactly what I did. Strange thing is I got TWO that fail. Bought from Amazon within a day or two, so maybe a bad batch. Did a reset on one and tried again to no avail. Not going to spend time with xhdata who wanted a video. I got several of their radios and this is the first time I've had trouble. Glad it's working for most.

[@kf4usr]

I just got mine and almost returned it to. I had the same problem but I found that if you long press volume down while the radio is off it will change it for the USA. Xhdata must have made a recent change to it. Hope this helps you and anyone else who has the same problem. They need to revise this change in the manual.

[@user-zo5nk7jv1v]

@@kf4usr Thanks for this information as I also was fixing to return mine for the same reason when I saw your post. I had to do the same thing with the volume down and it went 10 khz instead of 9 khz and in doing so the temperature went to fahrenheit.

[@gmorgan1118]

Same case with my recent purchase...V- key selects MW frequency spacing. Did XHDATA update the firmware and forget to amend the manual?

[@bruce5358]

This radio is awesome. Have had it for two weeks. I’m not sure which one I like best, the D-608WB or D-109WB

[@eldontyrellcorp]

Both radios are very good. D-108 has some additional features like several BW's. But I like the way it's possible to quickly browse through the mp3's via the tuning button of the d-608. I wish they did the same on the d-109. If the d-608 had a recording feature, several bandwidths (and ssb ?), then I think it Would be my ultimate radio :)

[@ONNHA-qm1bl]

I have the Sangean MMR88. would you suggest this over the Sangean? As always another great video Sir

[@todderbert]

If you feel your radio should have shortwave and a larger capacity, I would pick this one. Otherwise the MMR-88 is still king on the AM band.

[@viarnay]

it's a freaking cannon of sound 😊

[@todderbert]

It slams :)

[@thevalleykid]

In SD card mode, is there a way to set it to loop continuously?

[@darkdeepred6577]

I really wanted to like this radio, but I didn't get on with it at all. I bought it to take on a 6 state motorcycle road trip with me. I have a Midland ER 310 which is very easy to use and a great radio, but I got this xhdata because it's smaller and has USB C, so it could share charging cables with my other devices. My problem with it is that it's not intuitive at all, beyond the tuning wheel and the volume control. The primary and secondary functions of the buttons are sometimes reversed, and it's just an unnecessarily complicated menu system. In Bluetooth it doesn't sound a great deal better than my ancient Pixel 3. The tuning knob was squeaky and kept binding. You get what you pay for of course but the function could be improved massively. I returned it.

[@ericguner]

What's your opinion on this model vs. the C Crane Solar? I had my heart set on the C. Crane but, love the features on the XH Data and the price of 40 dollars is attractive for this one.

[@todderbert]

The C.Crane is the better radio, the biggest feature being the ability for it to run on 18650s, plus AA batteries. AM Reception is tops as well. If you want full coverage of the Shortwave Band, then the 608WB is the main choice.

[@richardmerriam7044]

Is the temp off by several degrees? My 608 is off currently by 10 F.! Reading low. A keeper, though. I love it.

[@todderbert]

Not super accurate but within a few degrees. Mine loves to sample fast, so I just change it to show Alarm Time.

[@richardmerriam7044]

My Tecsun PL 380 and PL 398MP are almost spot on. Thanks for the response.@@todderbert

[@HH-os7zh]

Possible problem with this radio : Received the 3rd 608WB. I can't make this stuff up, but I returned it again. 3 radios, 3 returns. This last one had a problem with the V+ and V-. If you had the radio at low volume below 7 or 8, and then you turned it up, the volume would not turn up until you reached 24 or 25. Then the volume would all of a sudden blast very loud. This may be a firmware bug, but it didn't happen every time, only most of the time. If you read this, you should try out your radios. It didn't matter what mode either. I did a reset, but that didn't help. I'm done with XHDATA. I just ordered and received the CC Solar. Great radio, should have ordered that first.

[@todderbert]

I noticed this volume control issue when using a long wire attached to the whip, gain increased volume, and the radio does a hard mute until you cycle the volume back down. Didn't notice this behavior during normal use though.

[@spudhandle]

Becoming the 2000s version of Tecsun. Wonder if they will take a stab at the higher end market like Tecsun took over?

[@todderbert]

I'll wager a bet that they will.

[@radellaf]

$12 shipping on a $34 radio… I guess I’ll wait to see what it goes for when they get it on Amazon.

[@ONNHA-qm1bl]

Me too...Except Amazon will charge more for it

[@radellaf]

@@ONNHA-qm1bl More than $46? Doubt it. $40 is my guess but we’ll see. $35, shipped, I’d pay.

[@radellaf]

@@ONNHA-qm1blAnd it’s on Amazon now, normally $40, but a $5 coupon today.

[@spcyakima1077]

Cool how it can listen to CB radio.

[@todderbert]

You have to manually tune up to those frequencies with the tuning knob. When there save them as presets to make it easier to tune to them the next time.

[@Moondog9322]

Nice little radio, especially for the price. Are you able to listen to the radio while on weather alert?

[@todderbert]

No, it just goes into Alert mode. It scans the seven channels automatically searching them all for an alert tone.

[@Moondog9322]

@@todderbert But the C Crane does have that ability, yes? Others?

[@todderbert]

@@Moondog9322 Sangean radios tend to let you listen while in Alert mode.

[@Moondog9322]

@@todderbert I have the MMR 88 and it doesn't have that ability. Can you recommend one that does?

[@todderbert]

@@Moondog9322 I may have been thinking of my C.Crane radios. I thought the Sangean DT-400W let you listen while on Alert.

[@Moondog9322]

Able to listen to listen to other bands when in weather alert mode? Seems like a steal for the price.

[@todderbert]

No, it turns the radio off. It then scans all seven channels for an alert tone.

[@ko8957]

What, SW but no SSB?

[@huntercarver1851]

It's an emergency radio 📻 you won't find one with SSB

[@wvcaver774]

hahahah who needs the SOS .....deal killer for me !

[@todderbert]

I'm sure that feature wasn't an expensive add on.

[@huntercarver1851]

Not like you HAVE to use it

[@HH-os7zh]

No Matter what FM bandplan I choose, the MW is set to 9 kHz, and Celsius. I've tried 3 times, I even did a reset. Doesn't work. I don't like the 9 kHz MW step. It's going back. Even if I choose the 87.5 to 108, the FM band starts at 88 Mhz. Back for another refund.

[@todderbert]

Quoted from another post here "I just got mine and almost returned it to. I had the same problem but I found that if you long press volume down while the radio is off it will change it for the USA. Xhdata must have made a recent change to it. Hope this helps you and anyone else who has the same problem. They need to revise this change in the manual."

[@HH-os7zh]

@@todderbert First, thank you very much for commenting. Unfortunately, the radio was returned before I read these comments. That's my fault. The solution, was to order another radio, which arrived today, I immediately long pressed the volume down key, and the display said 10K. I figured I was home free ! As I inspected the radio, I lifted the solar panel, and there was NO reading light. Never installed. I could not believe it. So, being a radio nut, I ordered a 3rd one ! I really like this radio, and it's sensitivity. We also, need a good updated emergency radio, as we live in Florida. So I have ordered 3 radios, I hope tomorrow's delivery is a good one. Why doesn't XHDATA add a simple addendum to the manual ? Does not make sense to me. Anyway, hope 3rd time is a charm ! The first 2 radios have been refunded. EDIT: Received the 3rd 608WB. I can't make this stuff up, but I returned it again. 3 radios, 3 returns. This last one had a problem with the V+ and V-. If you had the radio at low volume below 7 or 8, and then you turned it up, the volume would not turn up until you reached 24 or 25. Then the volume would all of a sudden blast very loud. This may be a firmware bug, but it didn't happen every time, only most of the time. If you read this, you should try out your radios. It didn't matter what mode either. I did a reset, but that didn't help. I'm done with XHDATA. I just ordered and received the CC Solar. Great radio, should have ordered that first.

[@Billymons]

Thanks that helped me change from c to f! It was driving me crazy!!