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From the storm cellar to the mountains, we carefully researched and tested the best emergency radios to find the perfect options for your bug-out bag or severe weather kit. Knowing what’s coming is essential to emergency preparedness, and we’ve tested close to 25 of these receivers to find the top 11 available today.
There’s a wide range of radios available, from top picks like the Midland ER210 to more budget-friendly options like the RunningSnail Weather Radio, and we covered the spread in our testing. From timing battery lives to challenging NOAA weather reception from fire lookouts, we dug into the details to understand these radios.
A good emergency radio can be a great investment, and these and the best we’ve come across. To learn more about what makes them tick, consult our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide, Comparison Chart, and Price & Value sections.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Emergency Radios guide on September 24, 2024, to add additional details to our testing regimen and a new Price & Value section.
For most folks, the Midland ER210 E+READY Radio ($50) is going to be the best emergency radio out there today. It’s a mobile unit from a trusted brand, tucks away a good-sized rechargeable battery, and sports all of the functionality we’re after. If you need a one-and-done (and forget about it) option, this radio has you covered.
Let’s cover the spread here: the ER210 lands just about in the middle of Midland’s emergency radio offerings (between the ER310 and the pocket-sized ER50), and it receives the standard AM/FM signals as well as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) channels. There’s a handy auto-scan that will find the best weather signal for your location, and you can also set it to alert you to severe weather risks in your area.
The large backlit LCD display can show the radio station, time, and weather channels. We especially like the attention to small details, like the SOS emergency flashlight. The 130-lumen LED light has an SOS strobe to call for help in emergency situations. Also, the loop on the end makes it easy to fix onto a backpack and lets the solar panel soak up the sun during a hike.
Stacked up side-by-side with other radios in our reception test (where we hike to a fire lookout tower and scan for signal), the Midland radios consistently had a slightly better pickup than other options out there. And while some radios only incorporate rechargeable batteries to stay going, you get all three styles here (batteries, solar cell, and hand crank).
To be sure, there are more featured radios out there, but the features that you do get added on top (such as the Bluetooth speaker connectivity of the Eton Odyssey or the S.A.M.E. localized weather alerts on the Midland WR210) aren’t essentials in our opinion. The tradeoffs in the ER210 are where it counts, and it’s got a larger battery than the feature-rich Odyssey, and is far more portable than the home-station WR210.
Even if the ER210 doesn’t contain a dog whistle for that extra level of shrill emergency sound, it has enough features to keep you engaged and learning. With several power options and additional features that can help in an emergency, we think the ER210 is the best emergency radio available today.
It would be hard to find an emergency radio that provides more bang for your buck. The RunningSnail Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio ($36) provides pretty much all of the features of name-brand radios but at a lower price. The fit and finish aren’t quite there, but after a few years of use now, we haven’t been able to find a weak spot.
The radio tunes in to all of the NOAA weather stations and AM/FM radio. Plus, it can be set to alert you to severe weather, hurricanes, and tornadoes in your area. The slight downside here is that the radio receiver is an analog one — which is common for lower-end radios but is less refined than digital options and more difficult to tune into exact frequencies.
Even still, we were able to hit our local NOAA stations with no problem, and when the weather does hit, an SOS alarm with a flashing red light lets others know that you need help. The three-mode LED flashlight (spot, flood, and combo) brightens up dark areas, and the USB port lets you charge smartphones and other small devices.
Inside this radio is a 4,000 mAh battery, which has been upgraded since the first iteration we tested and is now one of the biggest available today — which is wild considering the price. This is more than enough to fully charge modern cell phones and keep your radio running for a few days of intermittent listening.
Compared to the solar cells on other emergency radios, we can tell that the version on this radio is of lesser quality, and side-by-side solar charging from dead flat seemed to confirm that. Instead, we recommend recharging this radio by either using the micro-USB input, replacing the rechargeable cells with three AAA batteries, or, as a last resort, turning the hand crank.
The RunningSnail’s low price provides a great entry into the emergency radio world, with a mixed focus on weather and creature comforts.
With a tough ABS plastic case clad in over-molded rubber bumpers, the Kaito KA500 Voyager Emergency Radio ($50) is a rugged little unit that packs in functionality. Even after dropping it down our cellar staircase, the KA500 kept chugging along, making this our top pick for a rugged emergency radio.
The tradeoff for the tough build is the nearly 1.5-pound weight, but if you need something that won’t break the first time it gets absent-mindedly knocked off the table, this is the radio to consider. In addition, this radio sports the most recharging ability of any radio on our list, including the internal battery pack, solar panel, hand crank, AA battery compatibility, and an optional AC wall plug.
The radio sports a range of band reception that includes AM, FM, and NOAA weather stations, with all seven NOAA channels pre-programmed. Another outsized feature is the ability to receive shortwave radio, which is broadcast globally and brings you news from around the world. In testing, we were able to pick up transmissions from Radio Romania in the evening, as well as the BBC World Service, transmitting from the Ascension Isles off Africa.
The 14.5-inch telescoping antenna increases reception. And the LED signal strength indicator lets you dial in your tuning. It also offers an “Alert” mode, which automatically turns the radio on when it receives emergency weather alerts from NOAA weather stations. Don’t expect a powerful battery for charging other devices, though — the 600mAh cell is about the smallest we’ve seen. You may want to rely on a portable power bank for that task.
The KA500 radio literally shines as well, with its included reading lamp, flashlight, and red blinking emergency light. We think that the Midland ER210 is a better all-around option (mostly due to the smaller form factor), but if durability is your top concern, this might be the best emergency radio for you.
The Midland ER310 Emergency Radio ($70) sports a variety of charging options — rechargeable and disposable batteries, solar power, and hand cranks — when wall charging isn’t an option. This variety gives the battery plenty of versatility, even if the whopping 2,600mAh battery will last for up to 32 hours before you need to use secondary charging options.
It’s mainly that ability to use six AA batteries to power this radio that separates it from the ER210, but there are a few other differences as well that help explain the added $20 expense. The rechargeable battery is slightly bigger, as well, which translates to around 5-6 additional hours of run time in our testing.
The ultrasonic dog whistle — a subaudible tone that rescue dogs can hone in on — may also make the difference in a serious survival situation. We’ve obviously not had the opportunity to test this with real-deal rescue hounds, but our own dogs certainly recognize the noise. An SOS strobe beacon will also assist in the search, and the CREE LEDs powering it are super bright.
When the radio goes down, the efficient hand crank sports a 10:1 listening-to-cranking ratio. This means you’ll get an hour of listening after 10 minutes of crank time. The larger profile compared to the ER210 also means that the solar panel is a bit larger, which translates to quicker charging.
The ER310 lets you listen to AM/FM radio and all seven NOAA weather channels, with an automatic scan feature that finds the strongest weather channel to get emergency information for your location. It also has a handy alert feature that sounds an alarm to indicate severe weather risks in your area.
The ER310’s added expense comes with the added versatility it offers in powering, and if that’s essential for you, going with this radio compared to the Midland ER210 can make a lot of sense.
Considering that it’s about the size of a smartphone, the amount of features that the FosPower Emergency Solar Hand Crank Radio ($40) has packed into this radio is impressive. The 2,000mAh battery provides close to a full charge to smartphones, and a four-LED reading light and zoomable flashlight keep the dark at bay.
While not quite pocket-sized, this radio is danged close, and we greatly appreciated that when looking for an option we could toss in our glove boxes. Packed size should be highly considered when deciding on an emergency radio, as bulky kit tends to get left behind, and you want to keep your emergency equipment as compact as you can manage.
This radio is more than its compact size, however: It tunes in to standard AM/FM radio and NOAA stations, and it provides emergency alerts when severe weather is approaching. The ergonomic shape makes it easy to grip when turning the crank or using it as a flashlight. We carried this radio in our truck as a backup for a few months and actually needed to employ the light during a late-night tire change — where it worked great.
We loved the FosPower for its water resistance as well. Its IPX3 rating makes it resistant to rain, making it ideal for storms and flooding emergencies (as long as you don’t submerge it). Surprisingly, most emergency radios aren’t waterproof, so you’ll need to care for them as such, but even the splash resistance puts this radio ahead of most.
The solar panel is of similar quality to those seen on the Kaito KA500 or RunningSnail radios, and while it works, we found it lagged behind other options like the Eton Odyssey when attempting to recharge from dead-flat. Even still, if you’re after a slimmed-down emergency radio that still retains a good amount of functionality, the FosPower radio is a great option.
Made to act as a base station emergency radio, the Midland WR210 NOAA Weather Alert Radio ($40) can be mounted to your wall and powered by an AC adapter, making it the ideal home alert system.
While all the radios in our lineup feature NOAA Weather Alert reception, the WR210 takes it one step further with S.A.M.E. localized reception capabilities, which allows it to filter out alerts from areas that don’t affect you. You’ll need to program in your unique county code, but once you’re set up, this radio will alert you to over 60 different kinds of weather hazards and emergencies in your area.
Made to be powered from a wall outlet, this radio also hosts backup battery power for when the grid is down and has ports for an additional antenna and external alerts such as a strobe. The radio display hosts color-coded alert indicators and can even be toggled through three different languages — English, Spanish, or French.
When an alert comes through, we can confirm that it will get your attention! The 90-decibel tone alert can easily be heard throughout a home. Besides the ability to monitor for specific NOAA weather alerts, the alert volume is one of the biggest reasons that we think a radio like the WR210 is a better scanner than the Baofeng BF-F8HP. You’ll trade sheer ability for user-friendliness, but for most people, this is ideal.
While this radio won’t receive AM/FM frequencies, it does bundle in an alarm clock, and will provide you with a weather alert whenever you’d like with the push of a button. For folks who live in areas that are often frequented by tornados or other severe weather, the WR210 is a wise choice.
With almost everything you could want in an emergency radio, the Eton Odyssey All Band Weather Radio ($80) gives the Midland ER210 a run for its money. While technological advancement isn’t quick with emergency radios, the Odyssey nails a future-forward design with choices like USB-C recharging, multiple power sources, and Bluetooth speaker functionality we’ve yet to see in any other option.
The ‘All-Band’ in the title isn’t joking around on this rig — the Odyssey is like the C.Crane Skywave 2 and Kaito KA500 Voyager in that it tunes into AM/FM, NOAA channels, and shortwave radio, meaning you’ll be pulling in channels from around the globe. The speaker on the radio is also linked up with Bluetooth, so you can bring in your own tunes. We haven’t seen this feature in any other radio to date, so it’s a novel addition.
Powering the Odyssey depends on a multitude of sources, including the rechargeable 2,000 mAh Li-ion cells, hand crank, solar panel, or subbing in your own AAA batteries. It’s this versatility that hedges your bets in an emergency situation, and will keep the radio plugging along for hours on end. We also appreciate the USB output on this unit, which will ‘dump charge’ to your device at a higher than normal rate to top off your phone faster.
All emergency radios look a little utilitarian, and the Odyssey is no different with a rubberized exterior that absorbs bumps and a generous grab handle for clipping off to your pack. At around a pound and a half, the Odyssey is also a bit on the heavier side. For most people, we think that the Midland ER210 has everything you need and is $30 cheaper.
But with the number of features this radio packs in, if you’re after a radio that does it all, the Odyssey should be on your shortlist.
With 70 hours of runtime on two AA batteries, 400 memory presets, and ultralight weight, there are plenty of reasons to love the C.Crane Skywave 2 Pocket Radio ($80). But its ability to tune in to the aviation band makes this radio really stand out.
The aviation band lets you listen to nearby aviation personnel: commercial and general aviation pilots, ground crew, and air traffic controllers as they perform their high-pressure duties. In addition to the aviation band setting, the Skywave 2 tunes in to AM/FM stations, shortwave radio stations, and weather alerts.
A lighted digital LCD display and presets let you dial in your preferred stations quickly and accurately, and the auto-scan feature finds the clearest stations for you. This is the benefit of going with a digital radio receiver compared to the analog receivers in the RunningSnail, Kaito, and FosPower radios, but you do pay more for the hardware upgrade.
Besides access to the weather bands, the Skywave 2 doesn’t offer many emergency features (no flashlight or beacon lights), but it does offer weather alerts and excellent NOAA weather radio reception. With no alternative power sources, you’ll need to have access to batteries. This makes the option land more on the radio side of emergency radios, but with the enhanced reception, we could argue its utility is just different.
Still, if you’re after a through-and-through emergency option, you’ll likely be better served by one of the Midland radios or at least something with backup power generation abilities like the Kaito KA500. Or, to lean even further into radio nerdery, consider the Baofeng BF-F8HP — a real-deal radio that retains some emergency features.
Fair warning: the Baofeng BF-F8HP ($63) isn’t your typical user-friendly emergency radio, nor is it for everyone. This is a fully functional dual-band radio that requires a license from the FCC to broadcast. Still, its broad frequency reception range makes it a popular scanner for those wanting to listen to not only the NOAA weather bands but also local emergency services. Just don’t hit the big button if you’re not licensed.
While this radio certainly won’t be as easy to navigate or operate as turn-key emergency radios like the Midland ER210, the trade-off is pure ability. The 136-174 and 400-520 MHz range is broad enough to receive all of the NOAA stations, AM/FM stations, marine VHF, and local EMS and search and rescue frequencies. You’ll need to search out these channels and plug them into the radio, but a channel memory functionality means you can save your favorites.
Our licensed amateur radio operator uses this radio for backcountry travel and frequently scans the NOAA weather bands during extended stays outdoors. “Not the easiest radio to learn to use, but dang functional,” he said. “I’ve listened to ski patrol organize rescues and caught wind of incoming storms that snuck up on us.”
Besides the impressive reception ability, the BF-F8HP also plugs in a few additional emergency features. A single LED provides enough light to rummage through your garage to find your fusebox should the power go out. There’s also an alarm mode that flashes and emits a tone to hail help. To be sure, this isn’t your standard emergency radio, and those looking for one would be better served by the Midland ER210 or Eton Odyssey.
The radio itself is powered by a 2,000 mAh rechargeable battery pack, and while it doesn’t come equipped to also be powered by AA batteries, an alternate battery pack is available. If you fancy yourself tech-savvy and have the desire to be able to receive more than the average emergency radio, the customizable BF-F8HP has the chops to do so.
Designed in collaboration with the American Red Cross, the Eton FRX3+ Emergency NOAA Weather Radio ($70) uses a slightly different form factor to create an emergency radio built around the hand crank dynamo. Gripping from above provides a better position, and we could really build up some juice after a few minutes.
Besides the dynamo, there’s also a solar cell to keep this radio topped up, and the 2,600mAh battery is above average. The radio receives AM/FM stations with digital tuning as well as all seven NOAA weather bands. And the alert function will let you know if severe weather is heading your way.
An LED flashlight on the side of the radio is useful if your headlamp goes out, and the red flashing LED beacon makes you visible to search-and-rescue teams.
For the money, we’d place this radio in the same vein as the Midland ER310 — a slight upgrade over the standard option, with a bit more versatility. If you place a high value on the ease of hand-powering the radio, the Eton makes a lot of sense. In the end, it’s tough to go wrong either way.
The FRX3+ is larger than most of the radios we’ve seen, but the rugged build and carrying handle make it a worthy trade-off. The glow-in-the-dark indicator is also such a head-slappingly simple feature, but it’s a lifesaver when you’re groping around in the dark looking for your radio.
One look at the Sangean MMR-88 Emergency Radio ($70) and you can see that it’s built to take a beating. The black rubber bumpers on the sides protect from drops and bumps, and the IPX3 rating makes it water-resistant, which is handy during the occasional downpour. This Public Alert-certified radio sports a digital AM/FM tuner, receives all seven NOAA stations, and has 19 preset stations.
While not as powerful as some of the other radios on the list, the 850 mAh lithium-ion battery can be recharged via solar or hand-crank power (one minute of cranking gives you 5 minutes of listening time), and the auto-off feature turns the radio off after 90 minutes of play to help stretch its battery life.
Besides the radio’s durability, we also like the emergency features. The triple LED light has four available patterns — low, high, blinking, and SOS — while the loudspeaker and emergency buzzer reveal your location to search parties.
The only drawback we’ve found other than the small battery life is that it doesn’t take standard disposable batteries. But you can swap out the rechargeable battery for other lithium-ion batteries, so you can still double or triple the radio’s life before you need to start cranking away.
For the money, we’d quicker recommend the Midland ER210 to most folks, which, while not specifically overbuilt, can still take some abuse and continue working. It’s also $20 cheaper. That said, if you want a rugged radio (that isn’t as big as the Kaito KA500), the MMR-88 Emergency Radio can be a great choice.
At GearJunkie, we take every aspect of the gear seriously, from the specs on an emergency radio to just how well it works in real-life situations. Testing roughly two dozen emergency radios required getting outside the range of urban or suburban life to see how well that solar charge really worked (or just how tough it was to use that crank charger).
Dealing with outdoor gear on a constant basis, we know that an emergency radio needs to have essential features, but it also needs to work when called upon. We went to the internet for a deep dive into the research and narrowed down the best for head-to-head testing.
This real-life, hands-on testing involved various testers in differing situations that forced the radios to perform (that glow-in-the-dark function may not be the most necessary item, but it sure was handy in the middle of the night). We considered a number of factors, including run time, charging capability, durability, and more.
Reception was specifically tested in a more rigorous manner. We hiked to local fire lookout towers in the North Cascades and attempted to receive NOAA weather station frequencies with these radios head-to-head. This gave us good insight into relative build quality and a good understanding of the differences between digital and analog radio receivers.
In order to test the ability of these radios to receive NOAA weather alerts, we tuned into the weekly alert test and gauged the reception. Charging, too, was challenged by both solar and hand-cranking methods, with their corresponding run times compared. Relative features such as flashlight brightness as well as the volume and clarity of their speakers were also tested, and notes were compared.
Capturing the mix of data from real-world and bench testing allowed us to crown winners and the best of the rest, all designed to help you pick out the best emergency radio for your needs.
Our emergency radio guide manager, Nick Belcaster, is a licensed ham radio operator and has been putzing around with radios for a good many years here. To test emergency radios, Belcaster incorporates them into his daily routine, running some in his truck emergency kit and some on the cabin site he’s clearing just south of Mt. Rainier. He’s also the leg power behind our reception test and uses his experience as a gear tester to ensure no facet of these radios is overlooked.
The most basic function of an emergency radio is to keep you informed. It’s vital that your radio can pick up AM/FM radio stations and NOAA weather stations. Most emergency radios do this, but make sure to find one that provides solid reception. Look for a radio with a telescoping antenna to better pick up radio waves.
Analog radio has been around since the early 1900s, and operates by transmitting sound waves over the radio frequency band. Those signals can differ in their modulation (which gives us AM and FM radio) but are transmitted and received in the same way. The technology is fairly simple, and because of this, it can be produced cheaply and widely.
Analog radio has, however, reached the technological ceiling in terms of new advances. It is also vulnerable to disruption by interference, the signal quality can be degraded by other electronics, weather, or other operators. Because of this, digital radio receivers are now the standard among emergency weather radios.
Digital radio is the wave of the future, and nearly all new emergency radios today are made with digital receiver chips. Digital radio transmitters take sound and process it into digital information, which is then transmitted more easily over long distances and at a much higher fidelity than traditional analog. Digital receivers take the information and reassemble it instantly, playing it with near to no latency.
The downside to digital is that when the signal gets too degraded, you lose it completely, which can lead to breaks in communication. You’ll also pay a bit more for an emergency radio with a digital receiver in it, but for the quality, we believe the price is well worth it.
In an emergency, there’s no guarantee the power will stay on (it’ll likely go out). So, make sure your radio has multiple charging options. The easiest and fastest way to get a full recharge is to replace the battery.
We like radios that have the option to use disposable batteries. You can easily stock up and get several days of power without much financial investment.
Solar charging is useful, but it can be slow and only works if the sun is out. During severe weather, this can be a problem. That’s why another charging method — like a hand crank — is essential.
All hand cranks aren’t created equal, so take note of how much power you can get per crank. When turning, the crank of the Eton Odyssey All Band Weather Radio was noticeably firmer than the cranks of other radios, indicating a larger generator inside. Look for a radio that will give you a good ratio of cranking to listening time, like 10 minutes of listening per one minute of cranking.
With all of that said, the longer the battery lasts, the less likely it is that you’ll have to crank away to keep it going. Batteries on the bigger end for emergency radios tend to be around 2,000-2,600 mAh, which should give you a full day of use before you need to recharge.
Smaller and lighter radios will have 850-1,000 mAh, which will provide enough for shorter emergencies or camping trips when used sparingly.
Features on emergency radios range widely from emergency buzzers and SOS signaling to table lamps, LED flashlights, and USB charging. Most radios have a USB output to charge your small electronic devices. A larger battery (for example, 2,000 mAh) will give you half to a full charge. If keeping your phone charged is a priority, opt for a larger battery.
Emergency features are paramount with these radios, so keep an eye out for a radio that you can set to alert you when NOAA issues severe weather alerts. If you find yourself in an emergency, a good flashlight comes standard with most radios.
Also, look for features that will help people find you if you’re trapped in your house by a flood or lost in the woods. A blinking red LED light or flashlights with blinking or SOS signal functions are a great option, as is an audible alarm, buzzer, or ultrasonic dog whistle, which can help search teams zero in on your location.
Emergency situations are usually messy, so you’ll likely end up dropping your radio or getting it wet in inclement weather. Look for a radio that’s built with sturdy materials, or has impact-resistant rubber skin or bumpers, such as our chosen Most Durable radio, the Kaito KA500 Voyager Emergency Radio.
Also, get to know the IPX rating system, which rates how waterproof a device is. It ranges from breaking down after any water exposure (IPX0) to being able to withstand powerful water jets (IPX9K).
The majority of radios that we’ve found were in the range of IPX3 (able to withstand light rain) and IPX4 (able to withstand splashes from any direction).
To get the most active, up-to-date weather information, you need to use a weather alert radio. A weather alert radio will automatically receive an emergency message and give you an alert, whether you have the radio on or not. For a weather band radio, you must have the radio on and tuned to the local weather station to receive any alerts.
The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from National Weather Service offices across the country. These broadcasts can include basic forecasts and current weather observations, but also warnings, watches, and hazard information. The broadcasts operate 24 hours per day.
When an alert is needed, NOAA can send a tone at a level of 1050 Hz that sets off an alarm on weather radio receivers designed with a tone alert feature. This enables the listener to find out about the impending hazard immediately.
While many emergency radios integrate a tone alert feature, these are often general alerts that are issued broadly across the 40-mile transmit range of weather radio transmitters. Specific Area Message Encoding, or S.A.M.E., is a technology that transmits a digital code along with the alert that corresponds to a specific county.
In this way, S.A.M.E.-equipped radios can screen out alerts for areas that don’t affect you. This can be greatly beneficial for radios that typically stay in one location, such as the Midland WR120.
Shortwave radio, simply, is a band of frequencies that exist outside of the medium and long wave frequencies that host AM radio, as well as the wideband VHF frequencies that broadcast FM radio. Radio waves within these shortwave frequencies can be reflected across a layer of the atmosphere called the ionosphere, which gives it over-the-horizon transmission abilities.
Because these frequencies can be transmitted across the world, they have become utilized by international broadcasting services to transmit news to the entire world. One notable example is the BBC World Service, which broadcasts 24 hours a day and shares news with eight regional locales across the planet. In an emergency situation, shortwave radio reception can give you the ability to receive news from around the world.
In our own testing, the only radios with the capability to receive shortwave radio were the C.Crane Skywave 2 Pocket Radio, Kaito KA500 Voyager, and Eton Odyssey All Band Weather Radio.
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires radio and TV broadcasters, cable TV, wireless cable systems, and satellite and wireline operators to provide the public with information in the case of an emergency.
EAS messages will interrupt regular programming. FEMA, in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and NOAA, is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and operating the EAS at the federal level.
In addition to having the right supplies, it’s important that they’re stored in an easily accessible location. Make sure you know how to use your radio before it’s ever needed. Also, keep an extra set of batteries on hand.
It’s a good idea to have a tote box or duffel bag ready with all needed emergency supplies. This includes a first aid kit, flashlight, bottled water, a water filter, and shelf-stable food.
Investing in being prepared is always a safe bet, but that doesn’t mean you need to splurge on the latest and greatest for your needs. Paying more for an emergency radio typically means paying for more features, and while some are worth it, there’s certainly a line. Consider how you’ll be using your radio to hone in on the price range you should pay for it.
As with most consumer electronics, there are plenty of budget options that don’t quite live up to the standard. We suggest paying at least $40 for an emergency radio, as this will limit your chance of getting a bunk unit. The RunningSnail Solar Crank Radio ($36) is the exception to the rule, as it was our best budget pick, and hits most of the marks we’re looking for.
At this price range, radios are more likely to have analog radio receivers, which are less precise than digital ones, and don’t have the ability to scan. These options will also typically have smaller batteries around the 600-1,000 mAh range, which means they won’t hold a charge as long in storage.
Paying a bit more can snag you a good number of additional features, like digital radio receivers, higher-quality solar cells, and wider band reception. For around $50-60, you can find radios like the Kaito KA500 Voyager that receive shortwave radio, which transmits around the world. These radios will also generally have better build quality, and bigger batteries of around 2,000 mAh.
The Midland ER210 ($50) is a great value at the price, and the radio has just about everything you’d need on an emergency radio. If you want just a bit more juice, bumping up to the Midland ER310 ($70) gets you a larger 2,600 mAh cell.
Paying more than $70 for an emergency radio means you’re either after the widest band reception possible, or want a multi-function device that can take the place of others like wireless speakers. The C.Crane Skywave 2 ($80) is the former, and you can listen to everything including shortwave and aviation bands.
Modern emergency radios like the Eton Odyssey ($80) incorporate technology like Bluetooth and USB-C that cost more in support, but the functionality trade-off can be big. If you know you’ll be keeping this radio for a long time, investing in modern charging standards means staving off your radio from becoming obsolete.
A crank radio uses an internal generator to create power. The external crank arm charges an internal battery by moving metal coils around a magnet, creating a current. This is especially useful for emergency radios because other charging options depend on sources outside of yourself.
Most radios have replaceable batteries and solar chargers. But a wall outlet is useless when the power goes out. Solar chargers only work when the sun is shining and there’s no cloud cover. And eventually, you’ll run out of batteries. Having a hand crank means that the life of a radio is indefinite as long as you have functional hands.
The federal government recommends including a battery-powered or hand-crank radio with NOAA weather access and alerts in your emergency kit.
Radios designed for emergencies are specifically tuned to find not only AM and FM radio, but they’re also able to access NOAA weather channels. They’re made to be powered independently of wall outlets in case the power grid goes out.
At the very least, go with a radio that will alert you to NOAA weather alerts and doesn’t require a plug to function. Perks, such as integrated flashlights or USB charging ports for your phone, are useful but not necessarily essential for emergency radios.
An emergency radio is most often used in emergency weather situations, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe storms. But they’re useful in any emergency situation, from fires to chemical spills.
If you live in or are visiting an area during a time in which storms are frequent, an emergency radio that can tune in to NOAA weather stations can provide a warning and help you prepare for a storm before it arrives. If you’re bunkered down during a storm, access to NOAA alerts can let you know when it’s safe to go outside or whether you need to evacuate your home.
Because they don’t need an external power source like an outlet, emergency radios still work when a storm knocks out a power grid. This also makes it useful for long-range outdoor activities like backpacking or bike touring.
Additional features like blinking light beacons or emergency buzzers are also useful in any situation in which you may need to indicate your location to search parties.
The best NOAA radios are designed specifically to receive alerts from NOAA as soon as they’re sent out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They’re able to run without the use of an outlet in case a storm knocks out the power grid and often make use of integrated hand cranks and solar chargers to power the battery.
Aside from access to NOAA alerts, the biggest key to a great NOAA radio is its battery life. A smartphone is useful, but its battery won’t last longer than a day. Hand-crank radios will keep you apprised of your situation indefinitely.
Just use the crank to power your radio and keep yourself informed. This way, you can save your phone’s battery (and in many cases, replenish it) for more important uses like calling for help.
When considering an emergency radio, there are a few key things to keep in mind. One is going to be the type of radio receiver it is, and what bands it is tuned to receive. You’ll likely want to retain your familiar AM/FM stations, but more important will likely be the ability to receive NOAA Weather Radio frequencies. These regional frequencies broadcast local weather forecasts, as well as emergency alerts.
Beyond reception, consider how your emergency radio is powered. While wall power might not go out, having the ability to power your radio from a variety of sources will keep you untethered during an emergency. This can include integrated solar panels, as well as hand cranks that generate power as you turn the arm.
And finally, think about the overall build of your radio. A tough design will be able to withstand difficult situations, and integrated lights can illuminate the way.
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Hailing from the hemlocks and hanging mosses of Washington State, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster is an adventure journalist following threads of stories across the West. Cruelly stolen from the alpine swales of rural Wisconsin at a young age, Nick made do ascending the snows and granite of the North Cascades while completing a journalism degree. A long stint on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 codified a life bent on sleeping on minor slopes and picking devil’s club out of his shoes.
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