PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio

PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio — image 1
PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio — image 2
PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio — image 3
73%
27%
92%
Space-Saving Design
76%
Value for Money
57%
Sound Quality
51%
FM Reception
48%
Radio Feature Set
87%
Ease of Use
84%
Remote Control
83%
Bluetooth Performance
78%
CD Playback
79%
Clock & Display
74%
Design & Aesthetics
73%
Ease of Installation
64%
Build Quality
More

Overview

The PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio is one of those rare budget units that actually solves a real problem: it tucks neatly beneath a kitchen or workshop cabinet, keeping your counter completely clear while still delivering music throughout the day. Running on an AC adapter with its own built-in stereo speakers, there is nothing extra to buy just to get it working. The silver housing measures 14 by 4 by 12.5 inches — slim enough to disappear under most standard cabinets without looking out of place. Curtis has kept this unit in production since 2014, which at least signals that it fills a consistent need in the market.

Features & Benefits

Right away, there is one thing to flag: this kitchen clock radio covers FM only — there is no AM band. If you rely on AM talk radio or news stations, that alone may rule it out. That said, the FM tuner pairs with an LED display that doubles as a clock, so it earns its keep even when you are not actively listening to music. Bluetooth connects quickly to a phone or tablet, and the CD player means your old disc collection has a home again. Everything needed for installation ships in the box, including mounting hardware and a full-function remote — which matters most when the unit sits overhead.

Best For

This under-cabinet CD radio is a natural fit for the kitchen or utility room — anywhere you want background audio without a device taking up counter space. It makes particular sense for anyone who still has a stack of CDs and is not ready to abandon physical media entirely. Garages and workshops are another solid use case; being able to stream from a phone hands-free while doing other work is genuinely practical. Budget-conscious shoppers will appreciate the combination of functions at this price point. It also suits older adults or anyone who prefers a dedicated device with physical buttons and a remote rather than fumbling through a streaming app every time they want to change a station.

User Feedback

Among owners of this cabinet-mount Bluetooth player, the most consistent praise goes to how little space it demands and how straightforward the installation is. On the downside, FM reception is the most frequently reported frustration — the internal antenna can struggle in certain homes, and some users end up repositioning the whole unit to get a clean signal. Bluetooth pairing gets good marks overall. The absent AM band comes up regularly in negative reviews, and it catches buyers off guard if they missed that spec detail. Sound quality is honest, not impressive — fine for cooking or background noise but nowhere near what you would expect from a dedicated speaker. The remote control consistently earns appreciation from people who mount it high up.

#Portable CD Players
#Portable Audio & Video
#Electronics

Pros

  • Mounts under a cabinet to completely free up counter space — the core reason to choose it.
  • Combines CD playback, FM radio, Bluetooth streaming, and a clock in a single device.
  • Full mounting hardware ships in the box, so installation requires no separate trip to the hardware store.
  • Bluetooth pairing is consistently described as quick and hassle-free by real owners.
  • The included remote is a genuine convenience when the unit is mounted overhead and out of easy reach.
  • AC-powered with built-in stereo speakers — nothing extra needed to start using it right away.
  • CD collectors get a practical home for physical discs that most modern speakers simply ignore.
  • The LED display doubles as a clock, adding quiet everyday usefulness beyond just audio.
  • Slim silver profile blends into most kitchen environments without drawing attention to itself.
  • Has been in production since 2014 — not a fly-by-night product with no parts support.

Cons

  • No AM band at all — a hard dealbreaker for anyone who relies on AM news or talk radio.
  • FM reception is unreliable in some homes; the internal antenna may require repositioning the entire unit.
  • Sound output is thin at higher volumes — not suitable for a large open kitchen or any real listening session.
  • The under-counter mounting means renters or non-DIY buyers face a genuinely awkward installation situation.
  • No battery backup means the clock resets after a power outage, and the unit cannot be used anywhere without an AC outlet.
  • Audio quality will feel noticeably flat compared to any similarly priced dedicated Bluetooth speaker.
  • CD playback adds mechanical complexity that could become a reliability concern over several years of daily use.
  • No digital radio or internet radio support — FM and whatever local stations you can pull in are your only options.
  • Cable management around the AC adapter can look cluttered and untidy once the unit is permanently mounted.

Ratings

Our AI-driven rating system analyzed thousands of verified owner reviews for the PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio — filtering out incentivized submissions and bot activity — to produce the scores below. This under-cabinet CD radio earns genuine praise for its space-saving design and all-in-one convenience, but real buyer frustrations around FM reception and the absent AM band are reflected transparently in the numbers. Each score represents the full spectrum of buyer experience, from first-time installation to months of daily kitchen use.

Space-Saving Design
92%
This is where the unit genuinely shines. Owners who switched from a tabletop clock radio to an under-counter model consistently mention how liberating it feels to permanently clear that appliance off the counter. The slim 14-inch profile sits cleanly against most cabinet bottoms without drawing attention or feeling out of place in a working kitchen.
A small number of buyers found the unit too wide for narrower cabinet sections or ran into clearance issues with low-hanging trim. The mounting process requires drilling, which means renters or those in shared living situations face an installation barrier that effectively removes the product's primary appeal altogether.
Value for Money
76%
24%
For a kitchen audio unit that covers Bluetooth streaming, FM radio, a CD player, and a clock without taking up any counter space, buyers consistently feel the asking price is fair. The all-inclusive mounting kit further reduces the out-of-pocket cost — no separate hardware trip needed — and most owners consider it a solid return for a budget-tier investment.
The score drops because the audio output, while functional, does not quite match similarly priced tabletop competition if sound quality is your priority over space-saving convenience. The missing AM band also stings for buyers who expected a full-featured tuner at this price point, and long-term build quality concerns add a modest additional drag on perceived value.
Sound Quality
57%
43%
For kitchen background music, the built-in stereo speakers do a reasonable job — volume is sufficient for a standard-sized kitchen, and the sound is clear enough to enjoy while cooking, washing dishes, or doing light work in a garage. Buyers who set realistic expectations for a budget kitchen utility unit generally come away satisfied.
The score reflects a consistent pattern: buyers who expected room-filling volume or any kind of audio richness were consistently disappointed. At higher volume settings, the sound becomes noticeably thin and harsh, and the bass response is minimal — this is not a unit for anyone who takes their music seriously or wants it to carry beyond the immediate area.
FM Reception
51%
49%
Buyers in strong signal areas — typically urban locations near broadcast towers — report perfectly acceptable FM reception with no day-to-day issues. For these users, switching between stations while making morning coffee or cooking dinner works reliably without needing to adjust anything after the initial setup.
The internal antenna is the unit's biggest technical weakness. Buyers in suburban or rural areas, or homes with thick walls, frequently report having to physically reposition the entire unit to find acceptable reception — which undermines the appeal of a permanently mounted device. There is no external antenna port available to work around this limitation.
Radio Feature Set
48%
52%
The FM tuner does what it promises in good signal environments — stations come in clearly, the LED display shows the frequency accurately, and day-to-day operation for FM-only listeners is problem-free. For buyers who primarily want a handful of local FM stations playing while they cook, the tuner fully meets that narrowly defined need.
The absence of AM radio is the single most-cited dealbreaker in negative reviews, and it drags this score down significantly. Many buyers assumed a clock radio would include both bands as standard — the omission catches a meaningful portion of purchasers off guard and has led to returns from buyers who did not read the specifications carefully before purchasing.
Ease of Use
87%
The interface is genuinely simple — a small number of clearly labeled buttons and the remote cover everything you need without hunting through menus or configuration screens. Older adults and buyers who dislike fussing with apps or complex setups consistently praise how intuitive this under-cabinet CD radio is right out of the box.
The simplicity cuts both ways — the lack of advanced features like station presets or a sleep timer means buyers accustomed to more fully featured clock radios may find it limiting. Button labels on the unit itself can also be small and hard to read when the device is mounted overhead and you need to make a quick adjustment without the remote.
Remote Control
84%
Owners who mount the unit at the top of their kitchen cabinets — often well above eye level — consistently rate the remote as unexpectedly useful. The full-function coverage means you rarely need to physically reach up to the unit itself, which matters more than you might think when the device is overhead and your hands are occupied.
The remote control itself is functional but basic — no backlight — which can be a minor irritant in a dimly lit kitchen when you are trying to locate the right button quickly. Line-of-sight limitations also apply, so if the unit is installed in an awkward position relative to where you typically stand, the remote may not always reach reliably.
Bluetooth Performance
83%
Pairing is quick and clean — most owners connect a phone or tablet within seconds and rarely need to re-pair. For a budget-tier device, this cabinet-mount Bluetooth player has earned repeated positive comments for streaming reliability, particularly from buyers who use it daily to play music playlists or podcasts during cooking sessions.
A few owners have reported occasional dropout issues when their phone is more than a room away, which is standard Bluetooth range behavior but worth noting for larger spaces. The connection does not support advanced audio codecs, so anyone streaming high-resolution files will notice the ceiling immediately — though that is clearly not the intended use case here.
CD Playback
78%
22%
For buyers with existing disc collections, the CD player works reliably for standard audio CDs and offers a welcome alternative to rebuilding a digital library from scratch. Owners who inherited CD collections or hold onto specific albums in physical form consistently cite this feature as a primary purchase driver, especially when paired with the overhead mounting convenience.
Compatibility with home-burned CD-R and CD-RW discs is not officially confirmed, which has frustrated a portion of buyers who discovered this limitation after purchase. A small number of users have also reported the disc tray mechanism feeling less robust than expected over extended use — a reasonable concern for any moving-part component inside a budget-tier device.
Clock & Display
79%
21%
The LED clock is one of those features that earns quiet appreciation over time — it turns this kitchen clock radio into a genuinely useful household item even when the music is off. The display is legible from across a standard kitchen counter, and switching between clock and station readout is simple enough that it quickly becomes second nature.
The LED-only display offers no dimming option, which several owners noted feels uncomfortably bright in darker rooms or evening kitchen settings. A few buyers also mentioned the display angle could be better for overhead installations, where reading it from directly below rather than straight on is not always comfortable or immediate.
Design & Aesthetics
74%
26%
The silver housing is intentionally understated, which works in its favor — it blends into most kitchen or utility room environments without standing out as an eyesore. Several owners noted that once installed, guests rarely even notice the unit is there unless it is actively playing, which is exactly what a good under-counter device should achieve.
The finish quality is visibly budget-level — the plastic silver surface shows fingerprints and minor scuffs over time, particularly if the unit is installed at a height where it gets touched regularly. A portion of buyers also felt the overall aesthetic looked dated compared to more modern under-counter audio options currently available on the market.
Ease of Installation
73%
27%
The included mounting kit means most buyers can complete the installation without buying anything extra. Owners with basic DIY experience report having the unit up and running within around 30 minutes, and the bracket system is described as accessible enough to manage without professional help.
Drilling is non-negotiable — the unit is substantial enough that adhesive solutions are not realistic — which leaves renters and those with plaster or tiled cabinet surfaces in a difficult position. Some buyers also noted that routing the AC adapter cable cleanly after mounting takes more effort than the included instructions suggest.
Build Quality
64%
36%
For the price bracket, the overall construction is acceptable and has held up adequately for many owners through years of daily kitchen use. The housing feels sufficiently solid once mounted, and the bracket hardware is consistently described as sturdy in owner reports, even if the unit body itself is clearly consumer-grade plastic throughout.
The CD tray mechanism and button actions have drawn criticism for feeling noticeably cheap relative to comparable products from higher-end brands. A portion of negative reviews point to quality issues emerging after 12 to 18 months of regular use — not unusual for a budget-tier audio device, but a genuine factor if you are expecting a long service life.

Suitable for:

The PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio was built for a specific kind of buyer: someone who wants background music in a functional space — a kitchen, garage, or workshop — without sacrificing a single inch of counter or shelf area. If you still own a collection of CDs and have no interest in ripping them digitally, this unit gives those discs a permanent, out-of-the-way home. It also appeals to budget-conscious households that want Bluetooth streaming, FM radio, a clock, and a CD player in one device rather than buying separate gadgets for each function. Older adults or anyone who finds smartphone-based music apps unnecessarily complicated will appreciate the straightforward interface and the included remote, which is genuinely useful when the unit is mounted overhead. Workshops and garages are another natural fit — the wall-mount installation keeps the device clear of your workspace while still letting you stream audio hands-free during a project.

Not suitable for:

Buyers who rely on AM radio for news, sports, or talk programming should stop right here — the PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio has no AM band, and there is no workaround for that omission. Anyone who prioritizes audio quality should also look elsewhere; the built-in speakers handle kitchen background noise acceptably, but they will not satisfy anyone who listens critically or needs room-filling volume. Renters or anyone who cannot drill mounting hardware into cabinets may find the installation inconvenient, since under-counter mounting is really the whole point of the design. If your music library lives entirely in streaming services and you have no physical CDs left, a dedicated Bluetooth smart speaker would likely serve you better at a comparable price. Finally, buyers in homes with challenging RF environments should be aware that the internal antenna can be stubborn — reliable FM reception is not guaranteed without some physical repositioning of the unit.

Specifications

  • Brand: Marketed under the PROSCAN label and manufactured by Curtis International.
  • Model Number: The official model designation is PKCR2713, also referenced as PKCR2713_AMZ in the product listing.
  • Dimensions: The unit measures 14 × 4 × 12.5 inches (length × width × height).
  • Power Source: Powered exclusively by an AC adapter; there is no battery-powered or portable operation mode.
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth connectivity is built in, allowing wireless audio streaming from compatible phones and tablets.
  • Radio Tuner: Equipped with an FM tuner only; there is no AM band on this unit.
  • CD Player: Includes a built-in CD player for playback of standard audio compact discs.
  • Clock Display: An LED display shows the current time or active FM station frequency, switchable between the two modes.
  • Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers are integrated directly into the housing; no external audio equipment is required.
  • Remote Control: A full-function remote control is included in the box, covering playback, tuning, and volume functions.
  • Mounting Kit: An under-cabinet mounting kit ships with the unit, providing all hardware needed for installation beneath kitchen or workshop cabinets.
  • FM Antenna: FM reception is handled by a fixed internal antenna; no external antenna connection port is provided.
  • Finish: The housing is finished in silver to complement standard kitchen and utility room cabinetry.
  • Audio Sources: Playback is available through three sources: Bluetooth wireless streaming, FM radio, and the built-in CD player.

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FAQ

No, it does not — and this is worth knowing upfront. The PROSCAN PKCR2713 Under-Counter CD Clock Radio receives FM only. If you depend on AM for news, sports, or talk stations, this unit is simply not the right fit.

Most people find it manageable with basic tools. The mounting kit ships in the box, so you do not need to source extra hardware. You will need to drill a few mounting holes to secure it beneath your cabinets, which typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes if you are comfortable with a drill. Renters or anyone who cannot put holes in their cabinetry may want to reconsider before purchasing.

It works like most Bluetooth audio devices. Put the unit into pairing mode using the controls or remote, then find it in your phone's Bluetooth settings and tap to connect. Most owners describe the pairing process as quick and straightforward. Once paired, your phone will typically reconnect automatically the next time you are in range.

At 14 × 4 × 12.5 inches, this under-cabinet CD radio is sized for most standard upper kitchen cabinets, which typically hang around 18 inches above the countertop. That said, you should measure your own clearance before purchasing, especially if your cabinets sit lower than standard or if light fixtures, trim, or other obstacles are in the way.

Technically you could place it on a surface, but the design is really built around an overhead, mounted orientation. The controls, display angle, and overall shape assume the unit will be positioned above you. If you are mainly looking for a countertop CD clock radio, a unit specifically designed for that purpose would serve you better.

This is a genuine limitation worth being honest about. The internal antenna is fixed with no port for an external one, so reception depends heavily on your location and home construction. Some owners get a clean signal right away; others have to experiment with repositioning the unit to find a sweet spot. If strong, consistent FM reception is a priority, factor this in carefully before buying.

For a typical-sized kitchen where you want background music while cooking, this kitchen clock radio holds its own well enough. For a large open-plan space or anyone who wants real volume, the built-in speakers will likely fall short. Think of the audio output as adequate for the immediate area rather than room-filling.

The unit ships with the AC adapter, a full-function remote control, and the under-cabinet mounting kit — everything needed for a standard installation without an extra hardware run. Check the included manual for any supplementary items such as remote batteries that you may need to supply yourself.

Very practical, and it turns out to be one of the more appreciated features of this cabinet-mount Bluetooth player. When the unit is mounted above eye level, reaching up to adjust volume or change tracks manually gets tedious quickly. Most owners who mount it high consistently mention the remote as something they ended up valuing far more than they expected.

The official specs reference standard audio CD playback without explicitly confirming CD-R or CD-RW compatibility. Many budget CD players in this category handle CD-R discs burned at moderate speeds reasonably well, but CD-RW reliability tends to be less consistent. If playing home-burned discs is important to you, checking recent owner reviews for direct experience on this point is a smart move before committing.