Best Emergency Radios of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

In this digital age, where we rely on our phones for so much information, it’s easy to overlook the good old radio. But an emergency radio will keep you informed with news and weather when the power is out or you’re off grid. They also have helpful features like chargers and flashlights built into them. While there is a list of viable products on the market, I helped you narrow down that list by testing five of the best emergency radios available.

How We Picked The Best Emergency Radios 

Each emergency radio has different capabilities and standards, so there were some variances with each device. To get a feel for a radio’s most basic feature, I tested the radios in town as well as in the mountains to see how strong of a signal I could receive. Impressively, I didn’t find a whole lot of difference between the areas where I easily had cell phone service and the areas with rolling hills where a radio would be necessary. 

Here’s a breakdown of the other items I tested.

• Solar panels – The Etons, Midland Emergency Radio and the RunningSnail radio all come with a solar panel. They’re all more or less the same size, but each radio has different features and size batteries so I imagine this isn’t an exact science. I simply left them outside to see how quick they could charge and evaluated who’s battery charge went up the most.
• Hand Cranks – A hand crank is fairly standard on most emergency radios, and similar to the solar panels, I simply compared how well the hand crank-powered each device.
• Bluetooth – This is probably a newer feature for a lot of these classic radio companies. Only one device has this, so I simply connected it. 

Best Emergency Radios: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Midland ER210 Weather Alert Crank Radio

When it comes to emergency radios, Midland is a household name, and this radio is one of their most popular. Plus, it’s certified by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, better known as NOAA. 

The Midland ER 210 is what probably comes to mind when you think of emergency radios. The simple device does exactly what it’s meant to do, keep you informed and safe during severe weather like flooding, wildfires, and hurricanes. Right out of the box, it is very easy to navigate the different channels and find a radio source no matter where I used it. There’s a solar panel on the radio, and during testing I found that it charged impressively fast for such a small solar panel. Especially considering I only had it outside a short amount of time.

While it’s not a true con, as the product does exactly what it is, the simplicity may have some shoppers looking at other options that include additional accessories. I will say the most surprising feature of the ER 210 was the USB in and out. The modern amenity means you can charge the radio with a USB while also using the radio to charge other items like a smartphone.

Best CB: Cobra 50 WX ST

In a grid-down scenario an emergency radio can keep you informed on what’s happening in the outside world. But they are simply listening devices. If you find yourself in severe weather or in a broken down vehicle, knowing the weather is helpful yet not your immediate concern — you need to call for help. That’s where a CB radio can make the difference. You’ll be able to scan the channels for activity and reach out to those live channels for assistance. If you’re traveling in caravan, you can also use a CB radio to talk to the other cars in your group.

The Cobra 50 WX ST is the best way for the average person to have the advantages of a CB radio without modifying their vehicle. It’s a handheld and highly portable option that can go with you while overlanding, RVing, and camping. I tested it’s signal clarity inside my house, outside, and around signal blockers, in all those settings I could always clearly hear the NOAA weather forecast. The downside to the Cobra 50 WX ST is that it is lacks the extra features of a lot of other emergency radios like a flashlight, solar/crank charging, and AM/FM channels. – Scott Einsmann, gear editor

Best Value: FosPower

An emergency radio has one basic job: provide you with emergency broadcasts in any circumstance. The FosPower does that with it’s wide-band radio, which is how emergency services transmit messages. If the AAA batteries you put in it are dead, don’t worry. It has an internal lithium battery that can be charged with the hand crank or solar panel. I took my FosPower from dead to enough power to charge my phone, turn on the flashlight, and listen to the radio in just a few minutes of cranking. I don’t recommend being so cavalier with your battery in an emergency scenario, but it’s nice to know that if you had to use all those functions at once, you can do it.

Once I got the battery charged up, I flipped the radio to the WB setting and used the tuner knob to find my area’s broadcast. I heard a clear, crisp weather report. I fiddled with the FM setting and listened to music and news as well. The flashlights on the FosPower aren’t very powerful, but they are bright enough to find your way indoors or even signal for help. Speaking of signaling, there is an SOS alarm which creates a loud siren noise. That could be useful to alert someone of your location in an emergency.

This isn’t a device that will allow you to listen to broadcasts for hours, or use as a primary flashlight in an emergency. To me, it’s an emergency radio you can use to get the latest report and then shut it off to save the battery. Some of the larger radios in this buying guide can be used to listen to the radio for hours or even days.

Best for Preppers: Eton Sidekick

The Eton Sidekick is an emergency radio, but in a lot of ways, it’s more than that. With the added Bluetooth and phone charging capabilities, this is a great device to also take camping, or in some cases, one of the best emergency radios for preppers. Having the laundry list of capabilities makes this a great device in any situation.

The added Bluetooth was my favorite advantage of the product, as you can stream music or other audio from your phone. That was followed by a close second of the ambient light that makes up the entire backside of the radio. This is a great light to have at night in a tent or sitting around a campfire without being too bright. All the radio capabilities and Bluetooth also worked at home and in the mountains, meaning you can take it anywhere. Plus, the battery lasts a very long time. It also has one of the easier cranks to use as the product’s face is flat, and it’s easy to turn.

However, the small solar panel grid at the top of the product was lacking compared to the best solar panels for camping. It didn’t do much to add a charge but would work for someone using this solely for emergency reports in a dire situation.

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Best for Camping: Raddy SL 10

If you need an outdoor speaker that’s not obnoxiously large or loud, but want it to double as an emergency tool, the Raddy SL 10 is the emergency radio for you. It had the best sound quality of all the radios I’ve tested and, with its Bluetooth connection, it makes for a great campsite or bonfire speaker. For emergencies, it has a lantern and flashlight as well as seven NOAA weather stations. After you’ve secured the basics of survival to ride out a disaster, keeping a positive mindset is the next most important thing. So listening to music on the AM/FM channels or even on the Bluetooth connection can help keep your family in a relaxed mental state during a stressful period. — Scott Einsmann, gear editor

Best Rated: Eton FRX3+

The FRX3+ is similar to the Sidekick in many ways but without the added durable feel. As far as capabilities go, it’s on par with the Midland ER 210. Out of the box, it feels noticeably less durable than other products. This is Eton’s design for a product that is solely for emergencies. That said, the product did everything it said it would. With the same-looking solar panel as the Sidekick, the FRX3+ also didn’t generate a charge very quickly, but unlike the Sidekick, the charge was enough for the intended job of this being just a radio to alert you during severe weather. The price tag is fairly high on this one, but the American Red Cross stamp shows the extra cash may be worth it.

Best Budget: Midland Emergency Alert Radio ER10VP

With a NOAA certification but at half the price and even simpler than the other Midland radio, the Midland ER10VP is an item that should be found in every home. Out of the package, the radio is the size of two decks of cards stacked and is very easy to use. It can easily fit in a kitchen drawer or somewhere else for easy access if bad weather were to move in. This could also be carried by weight-conscious backpackers and other campers who simply want to get a weather report and have a flashlight, in addition to their primary best flashlight.

Unlike some of the other radios, this one still uses standard batteries, which I see as being a plus or minus depending on who you ask. There’s also no other way to charge it if the batteries die, and I would recommend keeping three extra AAA batteries in the event of an emergency.

Best Portable: RunningSnail Emergency Crank Radio

The RunningSnail Emergency Crank Radio out of the box looks a little bit more like a toy compared to other products but works just as well. I left it outside before charging it otherwise, and it was quickly charged with the help of the sun. This radio has one of the most impressive solar panel charging abilities as it charged quickly and lasted a very long time. Many of the radios also have an SOS system that flashes the flashlight, but on the RunningSnail, it flashes red and sounds an alarm. The sound was enough to scare my dog and seems like a great addition to any device that could be used to save your life. These added benefits and low price makes this a great portable radio to bring with you on trail or overlanding.

Best Two Way: Rocky Talkie 5 Watt

I’ve been using the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt primarily for kayak fishing where it’s ideal for staying in communication with my friends as we drift apart. It’s been in heavy downpours and splashed a lot throughout use, and I’ve never had a glitch. If you’re not a techy person you’ll find it very easy to use, which is excellent for when you hand one to a friend without much instruction. On the water, I’ve checked in with my fishing partner when we were over a mile away. In my long-range testing in a hilly, obstruction-filled location, the max range was around 0.6 miles — the best I tested. It’s long range is due to the fact that it uses GMRS and its 5 watt power.

The catch is that you’ll need to get a license from the FCC. The process is very simple and only costs $35. In my opinion it’s worth doing if you need a walkie that’s capable of reaching long distances or operate in the presence of obstructions. Rocky Talkie has a helpful guide on the license process, here.

Another great feature for kayak anglers, or anyone who recreates during unpredictable weather, is the 5 Watt gets NOAA weather and emergency alert channels. Though the battery will drain faster if your walkie is scanning for weather alerts in the background.

Its true waterproofness makes it unique among walkie talkies, which typically only have a water resistant rating. If you drop the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt in shallow water, it will shrug off its bath and keep on working. 

There’s a lot to like about the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt. But it’s also quite heavy compared to other options, and the audio quality wasn’t as clear as some of the other walkies tested. 

If you like the Rocky Talkie, but want something lighter, check out their Mountain Radio, which is 2.5 ounces lighter and $70 cheaper. Just keep in mind that it will just be splashproof and it won’t have as long of a range as the 5 Watt. — Scott Einsmann, gear editor

Best Ham Radio: Baofeng UV-5R

If you don’t want to get an amateur radio license to legally operate a ham radio, but want one around for emergencies, the UV-5R is a great, affordable option. A ham radio will allow you to listen to emergency broadcasts and local chatter to stay informed on the emergency. There are no rules against someone owning a ham radio and using it to monitor, you just can’t broadcast without a license. There are special provisions for broadcasting during a declared state of emergency and during times when other communications systems are down.

Coolest Looking: Raddy RE40

This looks like the radio your grandad listened to on his Jon boat while watching a bobber. But, it has a few more tricks up its sleeve than those old timey radios. It can connect to your phone via bluetooth for a Spotify jam session, receive NOAA emergency weather alerts, and recharge its battery with the sun. I really like the compact size of this radio and it won’t take up much room in a drawer or go bag. The sound quality is surprisingly excellent and it received crystal clear NOAA alerts inside my house without extending the antenna. The main downside is that the function isn’t totally intuitive and you have to hunt for the right buttons. For example the volume knob is the ring that surrounds the compass without a clear indicator. — Scott Einsmann, gear editor

C.Crane CCRadio Solar

When the grid is down, it’s nice to have options to power up your emergency radio. The C. Crane CC Radio Solar can be cranked by hand, charged with solar power, or with a portable power station via the Micro USB charging cable. You can also use three AA batteries or the internal lithium battery to get it going. The radio is by default in a power saving mode, but can be switched to high power for a better signal and more volume. In my testing the C. Crane was the only emergency radio that needed its antenna fully extended to get a clear signal and even then there was static. — Scott Einsmann, gear editor

Why Buy an Emergency Radio?

Natural disasters can cause power outages and signal interruption leaving you isolated in the event of an emergency. While the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA can distribute alerts on a normal radio, you might not have the power to run it. Emergency radios are battery operated, and some have crank and solar charging capabilities. If there’s no power for multiple days or your cell service is compromised, an emergency radio can keep you abreast of important weather updates and evacuation plans. 

Emergency Alert System

Errrr. Errrr. Errrr. Those three screechy beeps indicate a message from our national public alert system. It is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), allowing state and local authorities to spread weather and news alerts using radio and television broadcasts. They are issued on AM and FM radio channels indicating severe weather, an AMBER alert, or national emergency.

NOAA Weather

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week the NWS broadcasts continuous automated weather coverage from your local station. Different locations have different stations, but an emergency radio allows you to tune in for current conditions and information on public safety hazards.

Weather Alert vs. Weather Band Radios

Just because a radio can access weather band radio, doesn’t mean it’ll alert you to an emergency. If you want to be alerted with those three abrasive beeps without having the weather channel on constantly, make sure you choose a weather alert radio. The Midland, Eton, and RunningSnail radios have this capability. The Rocky Talkie 5 Watt also includes this feature, but it runs the battery down faster.

How to Choose the Best Emergency Radio

Weather radios provide communication from the outside world and multiple other options like flashlights, phone chargers, and more to keep users prepared for almost any situation. The top emergency radios are a growing spectrum of prices and accessories, so here’s how to find the best weather radio for you.

Price

The majority of emergency radios are affordable to most users. Still, it’s fair to say there are some poor-quality models on the market, so reading reviews and trusting a brand with certification from an organization like NOAA or the American Red Cross adds additional reassurance to the product.

Ease of Use

Most of the radios are easy to set up for the average user. Still, people with questions can find a long list of local meteorologists and others who have created YouTube videos to answer any additional questions you may have.

Features

From a basic outlook, most emergency radios come with FM, AM, and weather band radio, allowing users to get updates from the media and emergency broadcasts in certain situations. Additional features to help people prepare for power outages include hand cranks, solar panels, flashlights, and SOS signaling that could be vital in disastrous situations. While the chargers on emergency radios are fantastic, they aren’t a replacement for one of the best power banks for camping. For anyone looking to get additional accessories or to use their radio for outings like a camping trip, multiple radios have features like Bluetooth and charging capabilities to make it a great device for the backcountry as well. Some of these capabilities may be worth spending a few more dollars to have a more well-rounded product.

Best Emergency Radios FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Emergency Radios

You might never need to use one of the best emergency radios. But, if you do need it one day, you’ll be glad you have it. While prices and capabilities vary, plenty of today’s radios have added features like Bluetooth and lighting that can make them useful while camping or at home. Plus, these radios bring the benefit of peace of mind that you’re prepared for an emergency — and that’s priceless.