Tecsun PL-660 Review: Is It Still Worth Buying in 2026?

The Tecsun PL-660 has been a favorite among shortwave listeners for years, but does this classic portable radio still deserve a place on your desk or in your travel bag? In this Tecsun PL-660 review, I look at its shortwave sensitivity, selectivity, SSB reception, synchronous detection, AM performance, air-band coverage, controls, portability and real-world limitations to determine whether it is still worth buying today. The PL-660 is an older design, but its combination of serious shortwave performance and enthusiast-friendly features makes it much more capable than the average portable radio.

Our Quick Assessment

Verdict: The Tecsun PL-660 remains an excellent enthusiast-grade portable shortwave receiver, particularly for SWL and SSB listening. Its receiver performance, synchronous detection, air-band coverage, and physical controls make it considerably more serious than many inexpensive portable radios. But newer models raise the bar.

The main caveat is that this is an older design. There is no modern DSP-style interface, no dedicated line-out, and the receiver’s AGC and soft-muting behavior are not perfect.

You might want something a little bit better-

For someone who wants a portable radio primarily for shortwave DXing, international broadcasting, amateur-radio SSB listening, and general radio monitoring, the PL-660 is still a compelling choice.

Feature	Tecsun PL-660
FM	76–108 MHz
LW	100–519 kHz
MW/AM	520–1710 kHz
Shortwave	1.711–29.999 MHz
Air band	118–137 MHz
SSB	USB / LSB
Synchronous detection	Yes
Tuning	PLL synthesized
Receiver architecture	Dual conversion on MW/LW/SW
Memories	Up to 2,000
Batteries	4 × AA
External antenna	Yes
Speaker	77 mm, 1 W
Dimensions	187 × 114 × 33 mm
Weight	Approximately 470 g without batteries

The published specifications confirm the broad coverage, dual-conversion architecture, synchronous detector, SSB capability, memory capacity and four-AA power system.

What Makes the PL-660 Special?

The PL-660 was never simply designed to be another inexpensive world-band radio.

Its attraction is the combination of several features that are unusually useful to serious shortwave listeners.

You get:

• Shortwave reception from 1.711 to 29.999 MHz
• USB and LSB reception
• Synchronous detection
• LW and MW/AM
• FM stereo
• 118–137 MHz air-band coverage
• Dual conversion on MW/LW/SW
• Multiple tuning methods
• 2,000 memory locations
• External FM/SW antenna connection
• DX/Normal/Local antenna gain settings
• A physical tuning control
• Signal-strength and battery information

That combination makes the PL-660 a genuine general-coverage portable receiver, rather than merely a consumer AM/FM radio with shortwave added as an afterthought.

Shortwave Performance

Shortwave performance is where the PL-660 earns its reputation.

The receiver has traditionally been regarded as particularly strong in sensitivity and selectivity. A major comparison by SWLing Post placed the PL-660 against the Tecsun PL-880, Sony ICF-SW7600GR and Sangean ATS-909X, and the PL-660 performed particularly well when receiving weak signals. In one blind comparison, the PL-660 was identified as the most sensitive receiver of the group.

That distinction is important.

Sensitivity is not the same thing as overall listening quality. A receiver can pull a weak signal out of the noise while still producing less pleasant audio or less stable reception.

The PL-660’s strength is that it can often hear signals that less sensitive portables struggle to recover.

For the shortwave DXer, that is a major advantage.

Selectivity

The PL-660 is also strong when stations are crowded together.

Tecsun specifies more than 40 dB of selectivity for its MW/LW and SW specifications, with the SW specification based on a 5 kHz bandwidth.

In practical terms, good selectivity matters when a wanted shortwave station is sitting close to another strong signal.

This is one of the areas where a more serious receiver can make a noticeable difference compared with inexpensive shortwave portables.

Synchronous Detection

The synchronous detector is arguably the PL-660’s signature feature.

Synchronous detection can be extremely useful on shortwave because fading and adjacent-channel interference can make an otherwise usable signal difficult to listen to.

The PL-660 allows synchronous detection with selectable USB or LSB operation.

Historical testing by SWLing Post found its synchronous detector to be one of the stronger implementations among portable receivers of its generation and broadly comparable with the Sony ICF-SW7600GR.

However, it is important not to oversell it.

Later testing comparing the PL-660 with the PL-680 found that the newer PL-680 had a stronger and more stable synchronous lock. The same testing also identified improvements in sensitivity and AGC behavior on the PL-680.

So the PL-660 has a good synchronous detector, but it is no longer reasonable to describe it as unquestionably the best portable implementation available.

SSB Performance

For amateur-radio listeners, SSB is one of the reasons to consider the PL-660 instead of a basic shortwave radio.

The receiver supports both:

• USB
• LSB

That allows you to listen to amateur-radio conversations and other SSB transmissions throughout the HF spectrum.

The PL-660’s SSB performance has historically been considered one of its strengths. In the SWLing Post comparison, the Tecsun receivers performed particularly well in weak-signal SSB listening, with the PL-660 producing good sensitivity and pleasant audio.

For a listener who wants to monitor amateur bands without buying a dedicated HF transceiver, this capability significantly increases the usefulness of the PL-660.

It is also a good example of why the PL-660 should not be categorized simply as a “travel radio.”

It is a legitimate HF listening receiver.

Air Band Reception

Another useful feature is the dedicated VHF air band.

The PL-660 covers approximately 118–137 MHz, allowing reception of civil aviation communications within the supported range.

This makes the radio particularly versatile for people interested in radio monitoring.

You can use one receiver for:

• Shortwave broadcasting
• Amateur-radio SSB
• AM broadcast stations
• Longwave
• FM broadcast
• Aircraft communications

That breadth remains one of the strongest reasons to consider the PL-660.

Medium-Wave Performance

The PL-660 is also a capable AM broadcast receiver.

This is an area where historical comparisons were particularly favorable to the PL-660. In the SWLing Post PL-680 comparison, the older PL-660 was actually preferred over the newer PL-680 for medium-wave reception, particularly with weaker signals.

That is an interesting characteristic because newer does not necessarily mean better across every band.

For an enthusiast interested in AM broadcast DXing, the PL-660 therefore remains interesting even though the receiver is an older design.

Ergonomics and Controls

One of the PL-660’s biggest strengths is something that specifications cannot adequately describe: the controls are good.

The radio has a conventional physical tuning knob, dedicated buttons, a numeric keypad, and clearly defined controls for many of its major functions.

This makes it much more pleasant to operate than some modern inexpensive radios that bury important functions inside menus.

The physical tuning knob is especially useful when scanning shortwave bands manually.

For casual listening, you can enter a frequency directly.

For DXing, you can tune around the band.

For stored stations, you can use the memory system.

That flexibility makes the PL-660 feel like a radio designed for people who actually enjoy operating a receiver.

Memory System

The memory system is extensive.

Tecsun specifies up to 2,000 memories, distributed across multiple bands and memory pages.

That is considerably more than most casual listeners will ever need.

You can use the memories to organize:

• Favorite shortwave broadcasters
• Amateur frequencies
• Utility stations
• Air-band frequencies
• AM broadcast stations
• FM stations

For someone who regularly monitors particular frequencies, this can be extremely useful.

Power and Portability

The PL-660 uses four AA batteries.

That is an advantage for emergency use, travel and portable listening because AA batteries are widely available and easy to replace.

Tecsun also specifies a 6V external DC supply and built-in charging capability.

At approximately 470 grams without batteries, the PL-660 is not an ultra-light pocket radio, but it is still quite portable.

Its dimensions are approximately 187 × 114 × 33 mm.

This is a radio you can comfortably take camping, traveling, or on a DXpedition without treating it like a piece of desktop equipment.

Speaker and Audio

The built-in speaker is perfectly usable for normal listening.

It is not, however, the primary reason to buy the PL-660.

The emphasis of this receiver is performance and functionality rather than audiophile-quality broadcast audio.

Historical comparisons found the PL-660’s speaker audio acceptable but not as impressive as some competing or higher-end models, including Tecsun’s PL-880.

For speech-heavy shortwave broadcasts and amateur-radio conversations, the speaker does its job well.

For music broadcasts, headphones are a better choice.

The Missing Line-Out

One of the clearest weaknesses is the absence of a dedicated line-out connection.

This matters if you want to record shortwave broadcasts.

The PL-660 does have a 3.5 mm stereo earphone output, but that is not the same thing as having a proper fixed-level line output.

This limitation was specifically noted in detailed historical testing of the radio.

For ordinary listening, it is irrelevant.

For someone building a serious shortwave recording setup, it is an important limitation.

AGC and Soft Muting

The PL-660 is not perfect.

One of its known weaknesses is its automatic gain control behavior, particularly under fading conditions.

Historical comparisons noted that the radio can exhibit soft muting and an occasionally overactive AGC, which can make weak-signal listening less comfortable.

This is particularly noticeable to experienced DXers who spend long periods listening to marginal signals.

The interesting part is that Tecsun addressed some of these issues in the later PL-680.

Comparative testing found the PL-680 had improved weak-signal stability, a more stable AGC and a stronger synchronous lock.

That does not make the PL-660 a poor receiver.

It simply means that the PL-660’s legendary reputation needs to be put into historical context.

Is the PL-660 Still Good for Beginners?

Yes, with one qualification.

It is easy enough for a beginner to operate in basic AM/FM/shortwave use, but it has enough advanced functionality that a newcomer may need time to learn everything.

That is actually a positive.

A beginner can start with:

1. Turning the radio on
2. Selecting shortwave
3. Entering a frequency
4. Adjusting the tuning
5. Using the telescopic antenna

As their skills develop, they can move into:

• SSB
• synchronous detection
• memory management
• DX/Normal/Local gain settings
• external antennas
• amateur-radio monitoring

That gives the radio considerable room to grow with the listener.

Is the PL-660 Good for Experienced Shortwave Listeners?

This is where the PL-660 makes the most sense.

An experienced SWL can take advantage of its:

• sensitivity
• selectivity
• SSB
• synchronous detection
• memory system
• physical tuning control
• external antenna capability
• wide frequency coverage

It is particularly attractive to someone who wants a portable receiver that behaves like a serious radio rather than a consumer gadget.

External Antenna Capability

The PL-660 includes an external antenna connection for FM/SW reception.

That opens up considerably more possibilities for the serious listener.

The built-in telescopic antenna is adequate for many situations, but connecting an appropriate external antenna can substantially improve the listening experience.

That is particularly useful when operating from a fixed location.

The tradeoff is that an external antenna can also introduce overload and interference, so more antenna is not automatically better.

Who Should Buy the Tecsun PL-660?

The PL-660 makes the most sense for several types of listeners.

Listener	Recommendation
Beginner shortwave listener	Excellent
Shortwave DXer	Excellent
Amateur-radio listener	Excellent
SSB listener	Excellent
AM broadcast DXer	Very good
Aircraft monitoring	Very good
Travel radio user	Very good
Casual FM/AM listener	Overkill
Serious recording enthusiast	Limited by lack of line-out
Listener wanting modern DSP features	Look elsewhere

Who Should Skip It?

There are better choices if your priorities are modern convenience and newer receiver technology.

You should think twice about the PL-660 if you specifically want:

• Bluetooth
• USB connectivity
• modern digital interfaces
• a dedicated line output
• a very compact pocket receiver
• newer-generation DSP features
• the best possible AGC performance

The PL-660 is an older-school radio.

That is simultaneously one of its greatest strengths and weaknesses.

Tecsun PL-660 vs. Tecsun PL-680

The PL-680 is the obvious comparison.

The two radios are extremely similar in concept and physical operation.

Historical testing found the PL-680 improved on the PL-660 in several areas, particularly weak-signal stability, AGC behavior and synchronous-detector lock. However, the PL-660 had an advantage in medium-wave reception.

So if both are available at similar prices, the PL-680 deserves serious consideration.

If you find a PL-660 at a significantly lower price, however, its core receiver performance remains impressive.

Tecsun PL-660 vs. Tecsun PL-880

The PL-880 is a more ambitious receiver with stronger audio capabilities and a more premium overall presentation.

The PL-660’s advantage is that it remains extremely focused on the functions that matter to an SWL.

You do not necessarily need to spend more to get a very capable shortwave receiver.

The PL-660 is the more pragmatic choice.

The PL-880 is the more luxurious one.

Long-Term Durability

The PL-660 has another unusual advantage: it has been around long enough to establish a real-world ownership history.

A 2026 long-term review by an owner who had purchased a PL-660 approximately 14 years earlier found that the radio was still in regular use. The owner reported replacing physical components such as the telescopic antenna and kickstand over time, but the receiver itself remained operational.

That does not prove every PL-660 will last 14 years.

It does, however, demonstrate that the design has a substantial track record rather than being a disposable shortwave radio.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent shortwave sensitivity
• Strong selectivity
• USB and LSB reception
• Effective synchronous detection
• Wide shortwave coverage
• Air-band reception
• Excellent physical controls
• Large memory capacity
• External antenna connection
• Four-AA battery operation
• Good portability
• Proven long-term design
• Particularly strong for serious SWL and DXing

Cons

• Older interface
• No dedicated line-out
• AGC can be less stable than newer designs
• Soft muting can affect weak-signal listening
• Speaker audio is merely adequate
• Not as compact as some modern portables
• Newer receivers have surpassed it in some areas

My Rating

Category	Rating
Shortwave sensitivity	9.0/10
Selectivity	9.0/10
SSB performance	8.5/10
Synchronous detection	8.5/10
AM/MW reception	9.0/10
Air-band capability	8.5/10
Controls/ergonomics	9.0/10
Audio	7.5/10
Portability	8.5/10
Features	9.0/10
Modern connectivity	5.5/10
Overall	8.7/10

Final Verdict

The Tecsun PL-660 is one of those radios that has earned its reputation the old-fashioned way: by being a very good receiver.

It does not have the modern connectivity or contemporary user interface of newer radios, but that is not really what the PL-660 is about.

Its strengths are the things that matter when you are actually listening:

sensitivity, selectivity, SSB, synchronous detection, useful controls and broad frequency coverage.

The receiver is especially compelling for shortwave DXers and amateur-radio listeners who want a portable radio capable of pulling weak signals out of the noise.

The main reasons I would hesitate today are its age, the lack of a proper line-out, and the fact that newer Tecsun models have improved some of the PL-660’s weaknesses, particularly AGC and synchronous-detector performance.

But if you find a PL-660 at a good price, I would not dismiss it simply because the design is old.

For serious shortwave listening, the PL-660 remains a very capable portable receiver—and considerably more radio than its age might suggest.

Bottom line

Buy it if: you want excellent shortwave performance, SSB, synchronous detection and traditional physical controls in a portable package.

Skip it if: you want modern connectivity, digital convenience features or the latest generation of receiver technology.

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