Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio
When you need a simple portable radio, the Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio is a solid choice. This analog radio can be powered using 4 'AA' batteries or the built-in AC power cord, and it's easily transportable thanks to the built-in carry handle. With good sound output and high power it's ideal for use during severe weather or power outages.
The ICF-38 also features a tone control switch for getting just the right balance and a 3 5/8" speaker for a wide range of sound at all frequencies. In addition, the radio has an earphone jack for private listening and an LED tuning indicator for low-light tuning.
- AM/FM Tuner
- Listen to analog radio with this simple, straightforward AM/FM radio
- Earphone Jack
- Connect a pair of earphones for personal listening
- LED Tuning Indicator
- Tune precisely, even in the dark with the LED tuning indicator
- 3 5/8" Speaker
- The 3 5/8" speaker reproduces a wide range of sound from high to low frequencies
- Portable
- The built-in carry handle makes the ICF-38 great for use anywhere you need a radio
- Tone Control
- The tone control switch lets you adjust high/low balance to get just the right sound
- Battery or AC Operation
- The radio can be powered by 4 'AA' batteries or using AC power with the built-in power cord
- Power & Sound Output
- The ICF-38 has good sound output and high power which makes it ideal for use during severe weather or power outages
| Antenna | |
|---|---|
| Antenna Type | Telescopic |
| Reception Pattern | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Frequency Range |
FM: 87.5-108MHz AM: 530-1710kHz |
| Amplifier Gain | Not specified by manufacturer |
| AM/FM Gain | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Impedance | Not specified by manufacturer |
| VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Noise Figure | Not specified by manufacturer |
| Connectors | Headphone output |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Power Requirements | 120VAC, 60Hz or 6VDC |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 9.2 x 5.2 x 2.7" (234 x 133 x 68.5mm) |
| Weight | 1 lb 14 oz (848g) with batteries |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 67 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good sound quality (52)
- Great reception (51)
- Lightweight (42)
- Durable (38)
- Long battery life (24)
Cons
- Heavy / bulky (6)
Best Uses
- Home use (47)
- Daily use (39)
- Travel (10)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Practical (43), Traveler (7), Gearhead (5), Older / senior (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (49), Yes (10)
Most Liked Positive Review
Solid little radio
I bought this little radio for emergencies. I chose this one over a digital tuning/display model since my experience has been that lower end digital display radios are less robust than old fashioned analog...Read complete review
I bought this little radio for emergencies. I chose this one over a digital tuning/display model since my experience has been that lower end digital display radios are less robust than old fashioned analog radios, and often have better sensitivity as well as better selectivity (ability to separate stronger stations close to each other in frequency). I also projected that in a true emergency, there might not be many stations left on the air, which would requiring tuning and searching for ones that were on the air - and I thought it might be easier to tune an analog radio in this way, since the scan feature of a digital tuner radio tends to skip over weak stations (and perhaps the only stations left on the air might be weak or distant). This little radio plays fine, and has a reasonable sound quality with reasonable volume level for what it is. I also wanted a radio with external FM antenna intead of internal only. I've compared its FM sensitivity to a name brand higher-end recent boom box (with CD player and Ipod dock), and this little radio has better sensitivity (picks up weaker stations better). Having a 120 Volt option included in addition to battery option isn't often found in these lower end radios, so a nice feature to have. I don't listen to AM, but it did satisfactorily receive a number of AM stations. I don't know how the battery life will be, but if alkalines are used, it should be reasonable. If your intention is an emergency radio, or a radio that will usually stay on the same station, this one will do the job well. [...]
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not very good
It's nice and compact. The reception, however, is not very good at all. Actually, it's worse than the radio we hoped to replace, one which is over 60 years old.
It's nice and compact. The reception, however, is not very good at all. Actually, it's worse than the radio we hoped to replace, one which is over 60 years old.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 67 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
Got it for my 86 yr old mother in law. needed something easy and it sure is. the sound is very clear and you can make it very loud. my mother in law was thrilled when we gave it to her, and she is having no problem useing it. i would highly recommend this radio, expecially for people who don't like all the new complicated gagets.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
good soound and reception
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
This product is simple to use which is what I needed it to be for an older person. I sounds great for a mono radio. Delivery was quick.
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
Cons
- Short Battery Life
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
For the last 20 years I have used the Sony ICF-38C00 in my bathroom while getting ready for work. When it died and I couldn't find that same exact model I opted for this one. I'ts a bit larger but I like having the on/off swtich readily at hand on top. If it lasts half as long as it's predecessor it will be a great radio at a great price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
Looking forward to using it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
Convenient to carry w/you around the house or to the garage.
A simple radio was all I wanted and couldn't have made a better choice for the money.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
i needed a radio to take to the beach while soaking up some sun and this radio is perfect for that. it runs forever on batteries.it has great reception and sounds good.if you are looking for a basic, no frills am/fm radio(not a boombox) then this one would be an excellent choice.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Long Battery Life
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
Perfect solution for power outages and getting emergency information. A little big to carry around, but a good middle ground between a table radio and a "portable transistor" circa 1965.
Sound is surprisingly good for a small unit.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Use
- Loss of Power
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
All the excellent reviews read before purchasing were correct. It is an excellent product and perfect for our uses.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
Have two of the radios in my home. Sony radios are reliable and this radio performs well. Batteries last a long time.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Reception
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Daily Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
This radio, like its predecessor, is an excellent value. I like the red (LED?) tuning strength light. The size was a surprise, larger than its predecessor, and therefore had a different tone, with more base with a slightly hollow sound. It does have an audible hum at very low volume, but this is not an issue when a program is playing. The long extension antenna brings in more distant stations.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
I needed a portable radio to carry from room to room. The ICF-38 is great. Has good sound. Sits solidly on flat surface and doesn't tip. Fits my needs perfectly. A friend who has seen and heard it wants one. So I'll definitely be buying another.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
I like to listen to conservative talk radio with it. This is the biggest bang for your buck.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- In the backyard
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
When all you need is a simple AM,FM, radio with batteries & built-in AC power cord this is your radio. Good for emergencies or the beach.Great for listening in bed because it also comes with an ear plug.When you see the price you might even buy two just in case !
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Sound Quality
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
This is your basic am/fm radio. The kind your grandfather would have had. Nothing special to it except that, well, it works and it works just fine. No audio problems, decent volume, and the quality seems perfectly fine.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
- Long Battery Life
- Simple blind user OK
Cons
- Keep extra batteries
Best Uses
- Emergency preparation
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
It is most important to have an excellent battery operated portable radio to rely on in emergencies. Earthquakes, massive electrical power outages, other natural disasters such as storm damage, tornadoes, floods, and even acts of terror demand the presence of a highly dependable portable radio in order to receive disaster status bulletins and directions from FEMA and local government agencies. The Sony Portable radio is an excellent emergency preparedness product because it has both AM and FM bands. It is simple to operate and the brand name Sony inspires confidence in its use.
There are no drawbacks to this product. Every home should have one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
We live in a rural area that does not have great radio recption to begin with. We use this radio out fishing even further in the midddle of no where and get great reception. We have had many (4 at least other expensive ([$]) radios that did not get this kind of recption. Left the radio on overnight and it has still be working on the same batteries. It aslo hot covered with dew and is showing no sighn of damage. As you can tell we are hard on stuff and it has lasted so far. Only had it a few weeks but it has been better than others and put through some rough stuff.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
bought to be used in the event of a power failure. It has an AC adapter as well as the 4 AA batteries.
pretty good reception too.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Good Sound Quality
- Great Reception
- Lightweight
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
I PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT IN ADVANCE OF HURRICANE IRENE TO PUT IN MY EMERGENCY KIT. I WANTED SOMETHING WITH GOOD RECEPTION, SOMETHING LIGHT WEIGT, AND SOMTHING SIMPLE TO USE.IT TAKES 4 "AA" BATTERIES THAT SEEM TO LAST FOREVER. THE QUALITY OF THE SOUND IS OUTSTANDING!!I LIKE THIS RADIO SO MUCH I USE IT IN MY KITCHEN. I WILL BE PURCHACING ANOTHER ONE TO PUT IN MY EMERGENCY KIT.[...]
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Great Reception
- Long Battery Life
Cons
Best Uses
- Daily Use
- Home Use
Comments about Sony ICF-38 Portable AM/FM Radio:
Exactly the radio we were looking for. We wanted an inexpensive portable battery / corded radio for around the house and this fits the bill. It's a simple to use AM / FM radio with good battery life and a cord that is stored internally.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Batteries & Power
- Price: $3.99
Headphones
- Price: $34.00
What's in the Box
- 90-Days Labor & 1-Year Parts Limited Warranty
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