Pure is one of the big names in DAB radios, with a long history of attractive radios in diverse styles. The Evoke range is designed to offer a full range of listening options, including internet radio, streaming and Bluetooth. The result is that the Pure Evoke Spot is a versatile radio.
I've been using the Pure Evoke Spot in my kitchen for the last month and I've taken advantage of all of the music options that it offers. It's one of our top picks for DAB radios - so should this be on your shortlist? Read on for my verdict.
Pure Evoke Spot: At a glance
Pros
- Flip up display
- Robust sound quality
- Great design
Cons
- It's too expensive
- No USB ports for charging other devices
Key specifications
| Connectivity | DAB+, Bluetooth, FM, wifi |
|---|---|
| Power source | Mains |
| Dimensions | 11 x 12 x 18.8cm |
| Weight | 1.3kg |
Pure Evoke Spot: Design and setup
The Pure Evoke Spot has a nice compact design, looking like a bookshelf speaker, with a flip-up display and controls on the top. With the display down it just looks like a speaker for your home, with the grille to the front and a solid-feeling plastic body encompassing the rest of the radio.
There are a couple of colours; I reviewed the Wood Edition which has a light Scandinavian aesthetic to it, but it's also nearly £50 more expensive than the black or white version, which might dictate your choice.
With the display down there's a power and volume controller on the top, alongside four programmable “favourites” buttons and track skip buttons. Flip the screen up and you have a four-way controller, source and Bluetooth controls, with the display allowing you to navigate the various functions and settings.
The extending aerial is on the rear, which you'll need for DAB or FM broadcasts. There are no other connections (except for the power plug) and it's a shame that there isn't the option to connect a phone for charging, which would have been useful if you were using this as a bedside alarm.
Setup simply involves connecting it to your home wifi network, or scanning for radio stations if you're not going to use this as a connected device. What strikes me, though, is how sturdy the build feels: the body is solid, with rubber feet to reduce vibration against the surface you've put it on. It's just a well-built little radio.
Pure Evoke Spot: Features and sound quality
Pure has filled this radio with features, including FM and DAB, internet radio, Spotify Connect, Podcasts and Bluetooth. That's a full range of sources to pull from. If you're at home, then it's likely you'll use the internet radio side of things, but you're free to choose. The advantage of having DAB is that you don't need to be connected to the internet. I can see this being useful if you were to take it to a remote holiday home.
Navigation can be a little fiddly, but the four presets will get around that and these work for each source, so you can store four DAB stations, four internet radio stations, or even four playlists from Spotify. The latter option is one of my favourites. Because the Pure Evoke Spot works with Spotify Connect, you can control it with your phone or computer for a more connected experience.
I mentioned that navigation is a little fiddly and an alternative to a more traditional radio like this would be a smart speaker. For example, something like the Amazon Echo Dot is a fraction of the price. If you live in a home with good wifi and are happy to use voice controls, it's worth considering, especially as the Pure Evoke Spot can sometimes be a little slow when searching and connecting to new stations.
But, one area where the Pure Evoke Spot shines is the performance. There's plenty of volume and the sound is robust too, so if you're listening to BBC Radio 1, there's enough bass to sound great, while voice-based programmes on BBC Radio 4 sound rich too. It's just a lovely balance. The 20W of power you get from the 3-inch driver and bass reflex port on the back can comfortably fill a room with background music.
For those looking to use the Pure Evoke Spot as a bedside companion, it also offers two alarm settings, as well as a sleep function.
The Good Housekeeping verdict on the Pure Evoke Spot
The Pure Evoke Spot is a great all-rounder radio: it's well-built, it looks good and the sound is rich and loud enough to put a smile on your face.
Importantly, this radio is loaded with features, so whether you want to listen to DAB or FM broadcasts because you're somewhere remote, or you want it as a connected music system tucked into the corner of your busy kitchen, the Pure Evoke Spot will deliver music from multiple sources and sound great doing it.
There are no physical connections and this isn't a fully portable option as there is no battery for this radio. It's quite expensive too, especially in the Wood Edition pictured here, and when compared to a smart speaker or smart alarm clock, it's still a little pricey.
Chris Hall is a freelance journalist who specialises in consumer technology, pursuing a passion that started over 20 years ago. In 2008 he took on a full-time Reviews Editor position at technology website Pocket-lint.com, before stepping up to Editor-in-Chief in 2012. Chris led coverage over a 15-year tenure, exposing him to every gadget, system and technology you'd ever want to know about.
Chris left the Editor-in-Chief position at Pocket-lint.com in 2023 having published over 4,000 articles on consumer technology. His experience covers everything from smartphones and headphones to cars and computers. Chris doesn't just test for reviews, he lives with a lot of technology, building a smart home and looking for a simpler solution to a connected home. This is much to his family's irritation, because everything is always changing, especially the remote controls.
As a freelance writer, Chris has contributed to The Telegraph, T3.com, TechRadar and Autocar -while launching his own technology website The Disconnekt – writing news about the latest technology, guides to help people make the best choices when shopping for technology, as well as reviewing extensively.
Chris has appeared on BBC News and Sky News, BBC Radio and The Times Radio talking technology, and even once played a part on The Apprentice. Chris has also been an expert judge at the GSMA Global Mobile Awards and the Uswitch Awards.
When not writing about technology or rearranging the technology in his home, Chris can be found on his bike, trying to get lost in the Surrey hills.
