Bosch 12V Compact Jobsite Radio PB120

Bosch 12V PB120 Compact Jobsite Radio Review

If you’ve spent much time at all on a jobsite over the last few years, you're probably quite familiar with the Bosch Powerbox 360.  Its top-notch sound quality, resistance to dust and moisture, and impressive roll cage make it the perfect radio for contractors to throw in the back of their trucks and take to the jobsite.  That’s still the case, but Bosch now offers a smaller option, because as any contractor knows, if you can pack a lot of quality features into a compact, lighter weight tool, you have a winner on your hands.

Bosch 12V Lithium Ion Batteries

The Bosch PB120 runs off of Bosch 12V batteries, which you probably already have in your tool bag.   And according to Bosch it will play for 8 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough to get you through the day a the jobsite.  In my tests, it actually ran longer than that.

AC Power Adapter offers power flexibility

Besides running off a 12V battery, the radio can also be powered by the supplied AC adapter.  Bosch was smart to integrate a storage compartment to hold the AC power cord and the cord for that auxiliary port.  With other radios, once the AC power cord is separated from the radio itself, it may go to a deep, dark place in a tool bag and never been seen again.

Sound Quality

I find the sound quality of the radio to be exceptionally good especially for a compact radio.  The PB120 is equipped with two 5-Watt Neodymium speakers. According to Bosch, “advanced digital signal processing and tuning ensures quality signals from both AM and FM stations”.  I listen to AM a lot, and some radios struggle to get and keep a clear signal.  This one had no problem.  The equalizer makes it simple to set the sound quality to your personal preference.  It’s easy to set and use the preset buttons, and the mute button is convenient for taking phone calls or when you just need a moment of quiet.

Lightweight and portable

The radio weighs in at just over 3 pounds without the battery and a bit over 3 ½ pounds with the battery in. The shock-absorbing roll cage serves two purposes.  The first is to protect the radio when it falls of the back of the truck, which it’s bound to do at least once or twice.  The other is to double as a handle, which makes it easy to carry.

It can also be carried or stored in the Bosch L-Boxx 1.  But, notice it only goes in one way.

Space saver

There are screw mount slots on the back of the radio, which is a great idea for a shop setting where you might want to hang the radio on the wall.  And it does hang fairly flush against the wall.  However, if you plan to do this, remember to plug in the AC adapter and the auxiliary cable before you hang it.

This brings up one of the things I would like for Bosch (and really all of these companies that have jobsite radios) to do differently. It would be helpful if they would provide a longer auxiliary cable, so you might consider picking up a longer one beforehand.  You'll want the extra slack.

The only other thing I’d change is that there is no storage compartment for your MP3 player or whatever device you are using with the Auxiliary port.  I’d prefer it be tucked away somewhere, but that’s certainly not a deal breaker.  For right around $100 (without the battery), Bosch has made it easy to pump up the volume!

To purchase on Amazon.com: CLICK HERE

For more info from Bosch: CLICK HERE