Rank: | Photo: | Model: | Rating: | More Info: |
#1 |  | BEST OVERALL Givoust Flashlight Radio | ||
#2 |  | Midland ER310 Emergency Radio | ||
#3 |  | Midland WR120B Emergency Radio | ||
#4 |  | American Red Cross Emergency Radio | ||
#5 |  | Mesqool Emergency Weather Radio |
If you have ever lost cell phone reception when hiking or power during a storm, then you’ve probably experienced the frustration you get when you can’t access information or news when you need it.
An emergency radio is designed to help you avoid scenarios like these. By alerting you to human-made disasters or severe weather and picking up emergency broadcasts.
These devices ensure that you always have access to critical knowledge and information.
Unlike the standard radio, an emergency radio can receive notifications and warnings from VHF (very high frequency) public service ban stations.
People who use emergency radios can alert them whenever a disaster or weather warning is issued or can access dedicated weather channels. Standard AM/FM band stations can be listened to on the emergency radio.
So whether you’re creating a ‘just in case’ survival kit for your house or planning to go camping, consider storing an emergency radio as well.
This article will show some top-quality emergency radio options and what you need to consider before buying one.
Best Emergency Radios – Reviews & Buying guide for 2021
BEST OVERALL: Givoust Flashlight Radio
Life is filled with uncertainties, emergencies usually happen unexpectedly, and natural catastrophes can sometimes strike without warning.
The least you can do is prepare yourself for anything by having essential emergency equipment and supplies readily available, being informed and making an emergency plan for your loved ones as well as yourself.
The OD-090P emergency radio is Givoust’s latest design, and it’s based on the help that one will need most after certain weather conditions or disasters have come to pass.
Features
- This emergency radio is one of Givoust’s 090 roster’s most influential models. The main improvements on this particular product are the 4000mAh huge battery upgrade, two reading lamps, three flashlight lighting modes, and a visualized battery surplus’ percentage. This is a potent ten-in-one device that’s arguably one of the most cost-effective and practical emergency radios out there.
- The three flashlight modes are; Dipped beam mode, Far beam mode, and Dipped beam + Far beam mode. Being able to choose the kind of brightness you want will help give you that complete sense of security when you’re in the dark. There are also two different reading light modes; reading light manually and automatic sensing mode.
- Its newly-designed automatic sensing mode will automatically light up when it senses human activity that’s within three meters or so. It also turns off within thirty seconds when there’s no one around, which can help save energy.
- The huge 4000mAh battery inside can charge a phone up to 60% when fully charged. When there’s a power failure, solar charging and hand crank charging are good ways to emergency charge. However, the best way to charge this device is via USB charging.
- It’s the fastest and most convenient way to get power into the radio. In addition to all this, you can replace the two replaceable Li-ion batteries when there’s an emergency.
Pros
- Three flashlight modes
- Light turns on automatically when the radio detects motion (“AUTO” mode)
- Four different charging methods
- Two reading lamp modes
- radio is easy to tune and clear
Cons
- A little bulky
Runner-up: Midland ER310 Emergency Radio
Early warnings are the best protection, and Midland has provided the world with radio communication technology for more than half a century.
A must-have when it comes to emergency preparedness, the Midland ER310 emergency radio will keep you informed of civil emergencies or severe weather conditions, providing information from national weather service departments.
This versatile device offers its users numerous power options, the ability to charge the device using a USB cord, a high-frequency dog whistle, and an LED flashlight feature with an SOS setting for navigating areas that have no or low-light.
Features
- It has multiple power sources. The Midland ER310 emergency radio has three sustainable power sources you can use to recharge the radio. These include a rechargeable 2600mAh battery, Hand Crank, and Solar panel. All you need to do for the Solar Panel is use direct sunlight to recharge the device’s lithium-ion battery.
- The replaceable and rechargeable long-life batteries provide up to thirty-two-hours of radio operation. You can also use six AA batteries to power the ER310 emergency radio.
- The SOS Emergency flashlight beacon can flash Morse code and can be used to convey messages during emergency scenarios. Its bright 130 Lumens CREE LED can help you signal for help. If you want to conserve battery life, use it when it’s on the Low-brightness setting.
- If you want maximum illumination, use it when it’s on the High-brightness setting. Its NOAA Weather Scan feature will automatically scan through seven available weather band channels and then lock on to the strongest one to alert you of any severe weather conditions. The NOAA Weather Alert function will sound an alarm when there’s a risk of bad weather hitting your area. It also has AM/FM radio.
- You can also use it to charge external devices as well. Use it to quickly charge all your mobile devices, like tablets, cellphones, etc., using a USB charging cable. The last interesting feature it has the ultrasonic dog whistle. You can use this feature to help you find lost people during an emergency.
Pros
- Three sustainable power sources for charging
- Emergency flashlight beacon
- NOAA weather scan and NOAA light
- Has an ultrasonic dog whistle
Cons
- The solar charging panel is too weak
- The Hand Crank is not efficient enough
Alternative: Midland WR120B Emergency Radio
Early warnings are the best protection. The Midland Company has provided high-quality radio communication for more than half a century.
As far as severe weather is concerned, getting early warning updates is the best way to protect yourself. These early warning updates are exact what Midland meant for the WR120 NOAA to do.
This desktop emergency radio will alert you to more than sixty weather hazards, alert you over the audible siren, and have SAME localized programming.
When a severe weather warning or watch is issued, this Midland device will automatically alert you, in turn, giving you the ability to seek shelter or take proper action.
Features
- It has excellent custom programming capability. The WR120 emergency radio locks on to the most robust NOAA weather radio band station and doesn’t require the user to do a lot of programming. It also uses SAME Programming technology. You can program up to twenty-five different counties.
- Afterward, you can then choose which alerts you’d like to receive and use the in-built alarm clock. Also, there are a total of over sixty alerts. Even though you don’t live in a place that can be hit with sudden severe weather conditions, this Midland device is programmed with more than sixty alerts such as flash flooding and hurricanes.
- It has a public-alert certified monitor that can receive seven NOAA channels with thunderstorms, tornados, floods, and other weather warnings. The SAME alerts function sounds alerts only when certain counties have been threatened. It has a 25-county memory system (like we mentioned earlier), a 90dB siren, flashing LED warning systems, and a voice alert.
Pros
- It has multiple warning systems (You can choose the tone, display, or voice alerts to get warnings
- SAME programming functionality
- Has a loud 90dB siren
Cons
- You can’t listen to regular AM/FM radio stations
Alternative: American Red Cross Emergency Radio
The American Red Cross would like every person to be prepared for sudden disasters and emergencies.
Simple preparedness actions will help you ensure you get the necessities that’ll help make a considerable difference when emergencies occur.
The FRX3+ emergency radio can help you be Red Cross Ready. This multi-function, multi-powered emergency radio will allow you to access information and news in an emergency.
Features
- The FRX3+ is a multi-function emergency radio. This NOAA/AM/FM emergency digital radio, which has an alarm and display clock, can also charge your cellphone via its USB charging port. It also has a handy red flashing beacon and LED flashlight.
- When the device’s ‘Alert’ feature is on, the FRX3+ will automatically broadcast emergency alerts and updates for your area, like severe storms and hurricanes. Also, the fact that you can charge your mobile devices means it can help ensure you always stay connected even when in emergencies. It can charge smartphones that have a 2600mAh capacity.
- The Alert and NOAA bands features ensure weather updates come directly to you via the device. This information and updates can help keep both you and your family safe. This rechargeable, all-purpose emergency radio that also features a hand turbine power generator and the solar panel will help keep you well-connected, alerted, and in the know at all times.
Pros
- AM/FM functionality
- Has a hand turbine power generator and solar panel for alternative charging
- Features a red flashing beacon and LED flashlight
- Backup battery packs
Cons
- It’s kind of fragile and poorly-manufactured
Alternative: Mesqool Emergency Weather Radio
Mesqool has come up with an emergency radio that’ll help keep you up-to-date when it comes to severe weather updates and warnings, such as snowstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
You can also hand crank the device to charge your smartphone in the hope of light and cell service returning during a power failure.
This Mesqool Emergency weather radio has helped many people survive through snowstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
No way to get help, no light, and no power, don’t worry. This radio has all you’ll need when in such an emergency scenario.
Features
- This emergency radio has a wide range of seven NOAA weather band stations that broadcast storm warnings, storm watches, weather forecasts, and weather reports, including human and natural disasters like wildfires, volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes. Once dangerous or severe conditions occur, the radio will release loud alarm sounds to keep you posted.
- You can also enjoy digital AM/FM radio stations by picking from a wide variety of morning talk shows, free music, traffic, weather forecasts, and so much more. Shortwave Radio will allow you to listen to news from other locations and countries.
- On the right side, there’s an in-built USB output, and it comes with a USB charger cord as well. This is what you’ll use to charge your other mobile devices during a blackout. This emergency weather radio also comes with a wrist-trap that helps make it easy to carry around and one carabiner that you can use when you want to attach it to a lawn chair or backpack during outdoor activities.
- There’s a compass on the strap that you can use to help guide you when you get lost. The 3.5mm headphone jack feature will allow you to listen to the radio with ease.
- It offers an extra loud SOS alarm sound and a red beacon flash when NOAA weather alerts are activated during emergencies. This will help you get away from danger in time.
Pros
- Has nylon wrist-strap that has a Carabiner with a compass
- 3.5mm headphone jack feature
- AM/FM radio functionality
- 5 power options
Cons
- A bit on the bulky side
How To Pick A Good Emergency Radio
There are many things you need to consider when buying an emergency radio.
A few of the most important things include the charging options available, the kind of alerts it can convey, and whether it has other useful functions besides the radio itself.
#1 Reception and the Ability to Get NOAA Alerts
An emergency radio’s most basic function keeps its user up-to-date and informed. The radio must have the ability to pick up NOAA weather band stations and AM/FM radio stations.
Most high-quality emergency weather radios can do this.
However, ensure you find a device that offers solid reception. Consider the radios that have telescoping antennas so that you can pick up radio stations better.
#2 Charging Options
There is no guarantee that you’ll have light throughout emergencies because it’s bound to go at some point. So, ensure the radio you want to buy has multiple charging methods.
The fastest and easiest way to recharge the device completely is to have the batteries replaced.
Emergency radios that use disposable are normally a very good option as well. You can stock up easily and have power for several days without putting in a lot of financial investment.
Yes, it’s useful if the device has solar charging capabilities; however, it can be really slow sometimes and will only work when the sun’s out.
That’s why it’s important to have another charging method, such as a hand crank.
That being said, you’ll need to keep in mind that all hand cranks are different in one way or another. Look for radios with good cranking to listening ratios, such as 20-minutes of listening for each 2-minutes of cranking.
#3 Battery Life
If the battery has a long lifespan, then you won’t have to keep cranking up the radio all the time. Batteries that are used on the higher-end emergency weather radios often tend to be about 2000-2600mAh.
Such battery capacities will allow you to use the radio a whole day before you need to think of recharging. Lighter and smaller radios will have around 800-1000mAh batteries.
These will provide enough power for camping trips and shorter emergencies when you use them sparingly.
#4 Durability and Waterproofness
Emergency scenarios are often really messy. There’s a high chance you’ll end up getting the radio wet or dropping it. Consider getting a device manufactured using sturdy materials such as impact-resistant rubber bumpers or skin.
Also, find out the IPX rating of the radio you’re considering. Most emergency weather radios out there have either an IPX3 rating (can handle light rains) an IPX4 rating (can handle splashes from any direction).
#5 Extra Features
Emergency radio features range widely from USB charging, LED flashlights, and table lamps to SOS signaling and emergency buzzers.
Many radios of this kind have USB outputs that you can use to charge other small mobile devices. Larger batteries (for instance, 2000mAh) will give users at least half charge.
If your cellphone is a priority, you might want to consider going for something with a large battery.
The most important features with these radios are the emergency ones, meaning lookout for the radios, which can give you access to the NOAA severe weather alerts that are issued during a disaster or emergency.
Most standard emergency radios come with a good flashlight. Also, consider getting something that has a feature that’ll help others find you in the event you get lost in the woods or trapped in the house.
An LED flashlight, blinking red beacon, and SOS signals are fantastic options.
#6 Labels
The very first thing most shoppers discover when looking at which emergency radio to get is how many labels with acronyms there are. The can feel overwhelming and even sometimes downright confusing. But, knowing the meaning of each acronym will make it easy for you to pick a radio that’ll best suit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best type of radio to have in an emergency?
Most governments will recommend using hand-crank or battery-powered radios with NOAA weather alerts. Radios designed for emergencies and disasters are typically specifically tuned to be able to lock on to NOAA weather band stations and AM and FM radio.
So simply put, the best radio for emergencies is one that can be hand-cranked or one that’s battery-powered. These models are the ones that are most reliable during an emergency.
What does an emergency radio do?
Emergency radios are radio receivers that are designed to stay functional when you’re isolated from civilization or in case there’s a power outage. Such radios are usually designed to operate on renewable or minimal power sources, like solar.
Emergency radios allow you to get emergency weather updates and alerts. Some of them also have flashlights so you can light up the dark during power outages.
What are the emergency radio channels?
The global, universally-accepted distress frequency for emergency radio broadcast happens to be VHF Channel 16, which is 156.800MHz.
If you have no idea which emergency frequencies you need to try, and if you don’t get any transmissions when you can, then locking on to this particular frequency will be your best bet.
However, this isn’t the only frequency you can rely on during an emergency. You can use ATC assigned frequencies. Some of these frequencies include 243.0MHz and 121.5Mhz.
Is it illegal to listen in on police radios?
In the United States, it’s legal to both own and operate police scanners. While it’s okay for you to use police scanners to listen to their radio bands, there are two kinds of restrictions.
That being said, they’re not federal laws; however, each state has its unique limitations when it comes to this. All in all, though, it’s not illegal to listen in on police radios in America.
Conclusion
Buying an emergency weather radio is a way to protect the people you love and when an emergency occurs. While we all hope that this is something you’ll never have to use, it’s not a bad idea to be prepared and plan ahead.
Store the radio in a waterproof, airtight carrying case, and if it needs batteries, make sure you have some in the case as well.
This is one way to ensure the radio is always ready to go whenever you need it. An emergency radio is like smoke alarms. It’s always good to have one even though you don’t want to need one.
Hopefully, now you know the best emergency radios you can get your hands on. So, what are you waiting for? Get yours today!
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