The 5 Best Under Cabinet Radios
Updated by · How we research
None of the current under-cabinet radios we found tune AM. Of five kitchen models compared on CD, USB, Bluetooth, light and depth, the iLive IKB318S leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Measure before you buy: a deep under-cabinet radio can run into a tiled backsplash or a cabinet's front lip. These radios screw to the underside of a wall cabinet, so cooks and anyone else who works at a counter can get music and news without giving up any counter space, and some light the work surface too.
Editor's Notes
October 16, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
Good news first: iLive still makes the models earlier editors liked, and the iLive IKB318S rises to the top for its slim body, counter light and long Bluetooth range. Much of the 2020 list had gone stale. We couldn't find the iLive Platinum, RCA SPS or Tyler TKS-1 for sale new anymore, so they're gone. The Sylvania SKCR now sells under the Proscan name, and its owner feedback is more mixed than we'd like for a CD player, so it's out too.
The iLive IKBC384S is the one to get if you still play CDs. The iLive IKB323SMP3U is new here, with a USB port and far newer Bluetooth. The Jensen SMPS-628 stays as the low-cost option, and the iLive IKBC384SMP3U stays for anyone who wants CDs and music files in one box.
One thing surprised us: none of the current under-cabinet radios we found tune AM. If AM matters to you, a countertop radio is the better buy. The list stops at five because that's how many good, current models we could confirm.
December 04, 2020:
The iLive brand continues to be the premium brand for under cabinet radios without charging a premium price. This holds especially true for the iLive IKBC, the brand's recently upgraded model that includes a CD player. It's priced right on par with competitors.
Our newest addition, the iLive Platinum does have a higher price tag, but it's also the only under cabinet radio that can pair with Bluetooth devices and hook up to your home Wi-Fi, bringing even more music possibilities into the kitchen. It also works as an Alexa and can carry out voice commands, making this the best choice for users looking for all the latest technology.
We still include some simpler, but reliable choices for anyone who wants to listen to music while cooking but doesn't want to fuss with extra functions they won't use. All of our choices offer Bluetooth and radio, and some of them, like the Tyler TKS-1, offer handy features like LED lighting on the bottom.
May 10, 2019:
Unfortunately, when it comes to under cabinet radios, it is slim pickings in the market. For whatever reason, most major audio equipment manufacturers just don't offer one. Despite that, we have done a good job of identifying the best of the admittedly small bunch. If you want the utmost versatility, your best bet is the iLive iKBC384SMP3U, which offers more connection options that any other model we could find. If you don't need a CD player, AUX jack, or USB port, then you can save a little money and go with the iLive IKB318S, which is essentially the same item, just with less connectivity options. The Venturer KLV3915 is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to be able to watch TV while cooking, in addition to listening to music of course. It does come with a hefty price tag, however. The Jensen SMPS-628 and Sony ICFCDK50 probably have the best sound quality of the bunch, but the technology on the Sony ICFCDK50 is outdated. It doesn't offer Bleutooth, though it does have an auxiliary jack for connecting a smartphone or MP3 player. Those who don't want their under cabinet radio to stick out too much may want to opt for the thin RCA SPS3688B.
Measure The Space Under Your Cabinet
Current under-cabinet radios hang about 2.9 to 3.5 inches below the cabinet and reach 8 to 12 inches back toward the wall.
Fit is the first thing to check. Current under-cabinet radios hang about 2.9 to 3.5 inches below the cabinet and reach 8 to 12 inches back toward the wall. The slim FM models are the shallowest: iLive lists the IKB318S at 8.31 inches deep, while its IKBC384S CD model is 11.54 inches deep. A tiled backsplash, a cabinet's front lip or under-cabinet lighting can all get in the way of a deep unit, so measure the flat area under the cabinet before you buy.
Most units mount on short spacers with screws, and iLive includes a paper template. Use only the supplied screws, or ones just as short, so they don't poke through the cabinet floor into whatever sits inside. Pick a spot near an outlet so the power cord doesn't dangle across the counter, and keep the radio away from the stove, kettle steam and the sink, since these units aren't water resistant. iLive also suggests plugging the radio in and checking the FM reception before you drill, because the signal can change from one end of a kitchen to the other.
FM, CD, USB Or Bluetooth
Start with what you want to hear. Every current model we found tunes FM and streams from a phone over Bluetooth, but none of them tune AM. iLive says plainly that its CD model doesn't receive AM stations, and the other models list FM only. If you listen to AM news or sports, a countertop radio is the better fit; Wirecutter's tabletop radio guide covers that category.
CD players make a unit deeper and heavier. The iLive IKBC384S weighs 3.8 pounds, more than twice as much as the slim IKB318S. iLive lists CD-R and CD-RW support, but its listing also warns that copied discs may not play, so a stack of burned mixes may be hit or miss. Owners on Reddit's BudgetAudiophile forum note how few under-cabinet CD players are left.
Bluetooth versions vary widely. The IKBC384S uses Bluetooth 2.0, rated by iLive for 33 feet, while the IKB323SMP3U uses version 5.3. Older Bluetooth still works for music and podcasts. A USB port is worth having if your music lives in MP3 files.
Reception, Power And Safety
These radios pick up FM through a wire antenna, usually built into or alongside the power cord, rather than a telescoping rod. That's tidy, but reception depends on where you mount the unit. iLive's IKB318S support page notes that fluorescent lights and other electronics can cause interference, and one owner in a metal-sided mobile home reported picking up only a couple of stations.
All of them run on a wall adapter. The AA or AAA batteries some models take only keep the clock and presets during a power outage; they won't play music. iLive's FAQ adds that a CD model left switched off for a week or more may need to be unplugged and plugged back in. The remotes that come with the CD models run on a CR2025 coin cell, which can cause serious internal burns if a child swallows one, so keep spares locked away and see the National Capital Poison Center's battery guidance. We found no recalls for any of these brands' radios in the Consumer Product Safety Commission's database. iLive lists a 90-day warranty, which is short, so test every source as soon as the unit arrives.
How we researched this
We looked at about 20 current kitchen radios and CD players, screened nine under-cabinet models in detail and pulled full product data for five. We read iLive's product and support pages, used listing specs where no maker page exists, analyzed patterns in owner feedback, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab tests of under-cabinet radios.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an under-cabinet radio with AM and FM?
Not among the models sold new today. Every current under-cabinet radio we found tunes FM only. The Sony ICF-CDK50 had AM, but it's discontinued and sells only at resale prices. For AM, get a countertop radio.
Which under-cabinet radio has a CD player?
The iLive IKBC384S plays CDs and adds FM, Bluetooth, an aux input and a remote. The iLive IKBC384SMP3U also reads MP3 discs and has a USB port.
How much space do I need under the cabinet?
About 3 to 3.5 inches of height and 8.5 to 12 inches of flat depth, depending on the model. CD models need the most depth, and a front lip or tiled backsplash can block them.
Can an under-cabinet radio run on batteries?
No. They plug into a wall outlet through an adapter. Any batteries they take only keep the clock and presets during a power outage.
Do under-cabinet CD players play burned CDs?
Sometimes. iLive lists CD-R and CD-RW support, but its listing warns that copied discs may not play, so results vary from disc to disc.
Which under-cabinet radio has a light?
The iLive IKB318S, iLive IKB323SMP3U and Jensen SMPS-628 all have LED lights underneath. Some owners find the Jensen's light too dim for food prep.
