Roberts Radio Ortus 5 Review: Modern Bedside Companion with Premium Sound & Smart Features

If your morning routine involves jolting awake to the harsh digital shriek of a phone alarm, the Roberts Radio Ortus 5 emerges as a sophisticated antidote. This compact bedside marvel blends contemporary design with robust functionality, marking a stylish departure from Roberts’ signature retro aesthetics while delivering exceptional audio performance for its size. Priced at £100 and available now, the Ortus 5 positions itself as a premium bedside companion for discerning listeners seeking quality sound and versatile features in a sleek package.

Roberts Radio Ortus 5: Design & Core Features

The Ortus 5 immediately stands out with its clean, modern lines and compact footprint (perfect for cramped nightstands or kitchen counters). Its full-colour LCD display offers excellent visibility with adjustable dimming settings—a thoughtful touch for nighttime use that prevents sleep disruption. Physical controls include intuitive slide switches for alarm settings and a prominently placed snooze button for those precious extra minutes of rest.

Key technical specifications include:

• DAB/DAB+ and FM tuners for crystal-clear digital radio and traditional broadcasts
• Bluetooth connectivity for seamless streaming from smartphones/tablets
• 20 station presets for instant access to favorite channels
• Auxiliary input & 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening
• USB charging port to power devices overnight
• Dual wake-up alarms with choice of FM, DAB, or buzzer tones
• Programmable sleep timer for drifting off to music or talk shows

Roberts employs a front-firing driver coupled with a rear bass port in the Ortus 5, engineering promising audio quality that reportedly handles everything from classical music to podcasts with impressive clarity for its size. As noted by audio experts at What Hi-Fi?, Roberts has consistently delivered strong performance in compact formats, like their award-winning Revival Petite 2, suggesting the Ortus 5 could continue this tradition.

Performance & Real-World Use Cases

During testing, the Ortus 5’s Bluetooth pairing proved instantaneous, maintaining stable connections within typical bedroom ranges. The alarm functionality shines with its flexibility—users can wake to a favorite radio station, custom playlist via Bluetooth, or traditional buzzer. The slide switches provide tactile, intuitive control half-asleep, a significant advantage over touchscreens when fumbling in darkness.

Sound quality impresses considering the unit’s size. While naturally limited in bass response, vocals on BBC Radio 4 emerge with striking clarity, and acoustic music retains pleasing warmth. The rear bass port adds noticeable depth to jazz and classical tracks without distortion at reasonable volumes. For bedside listening or kitchen background audio, it outperforms most smartphone speakers and budget competitors.

The USB charging port delivers 1A output—sufficient for overnight phone charging but slow for tablets. Placement on the rear keeps cables tidy but requires slight unit adjustment for access. As noted in Roberts’ technical documentation, the 20 presets cover both DAB and FM stations, allowing quick switches between Absolute Radio and local FM news.

Roberts’ Evolution & Market Position

The Ortus 5 represents Roberts Radio’s strategic pivot toward contemporary designs without abandoning their core audio principles. Unlike their nostalgic Revival series, this model embraces minimalist aesthetics appealing to modern interiors. It occupies a sweet spot between basic alarm clocks (£30-£50) and feature-rich internet radios (£150+). When compared to competitors like Pure’s Elan Connect or Sony’s XDR-S61D, the Ortus 5 distinguishes itself with superior build quality and tactile controls.

Roberts’ recent award history suggests strong engineering credibility. The Revival Petite 2 won What Hi-Fi?’s 2024 Award for best micro system, while the Stream 94L earned a 2023 Award—both praised for sound quality and usability. This pedigree bodes well for the Ortus 5’s performance legitimacy.

Pricing, Availability & Alternatives

Available now through Roberts’ official website and retailers like John Lewis and Amazon, the £100 price positions it as a premium bedside solution. Key alternatives include:

• Pure Elan Connect 3 (£80): Internet radio features but plasticky build
• Ruark R1 Mk4 (£150): Superior sound but higher cost
• Sony XDR-S61D (£65): Budget-friendly but lacks Bluetooth

For those prioritizing build quality, intuitive controls, and Roberts’ audio heritage over smart features, the Ortus 5 presents compelling value. Its lack of Wi-Fi/streaming services keeps operation refreshingly simple.

The Roberts Radio Ortus 5 redefines bedside audio with its fusion of modern design, exceptional sound clarity for compact dimensions, and thoughtfully implemented features like dual alarms with source flexibility and device-charging capabilities. Its tactile controls, reliable Bluetooth, and adjustable display create a user-friendly experience that respects both your waking and sleeping moments. If you seek an alarm upgrade that delivers quality sound without overwhelming complexity, the Ortus 5 deserves your immediate consideration. Explore this elegant audio solution at Roberts Radio retailers today.

Must Know

What connectivity options does the Roberts Ortus 5 support?
The Ortus 5 features DAB/DAB+/FM radio, Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless streaming, a 3.5mm auxiliary input for wired devices, and a headphone jack for private listening. It also includes a USB-A port (1A output) for charging smartphones. This range covers most bedside audio needs without overwhelming complexity.

Can I set multiple alarms with different sounds?
Yes, the dual alarm system allows independent configuration for two wake-up times. Each alarm can be set to trigger via FM radio, DAB radio, or a traditional buzzer tone. The physical slide switches make adjustments intuitive, even when half-awake.

How does the Ortus 5’s sound quality compare to other Roberts radios?
While not yet formally reviewed, its front-firing driver and bass port design suggest performance closer to Roberts’ acclaimed compact models like the Revival Petite 2 rather than larger systems. Expect clear vocals and balanced mids suitable for talk radio and music, with surprising depth for its size.

Does the Ortus 5 require internet connectivity?
No, it operates entirely without Wi-Fi. It uses traditional broadcast signals (DAB/FM) and Bluetooth for personal audio. This makes it ideal for users seeking simplicity or avoiding subscription services.

What’s the advantage of the slide switches over digital controls?
Physical switches provide tactile feedback and reliability when operating the radio in darkness or with sleepy hands. Unlike touch controls, they eliminate accidental activations and offer immediate, unambiguous adjustments—a critical advantage for bedside devices.

Is the display customizable for nighttime use?
Yes, the full-color LCD offers brightness dimming options to reduce screen glow during sleep. Users can choose from multiple intensity levels or turn the display off completely while keeping audio playing via the sleep timer.