10 Best Emergency Radios (Review) In 2021

How Do We Choose Our Selection Of Emergency Radios?

Brand – Our section of emergency radios includes brands that have a trusted background in producing radios. These manufacturers understand the importance of having a reliable emergency radio with you at all times and also know which features need to go into the best emergency radios.

Durability – Considering the purpose of these radios is to get you safely through emergency situation, you have to be prepared for everything. That could mean a lot of rough treatment. In an emergency situation you need to stay connected so you need a strong, durable emergency radio that will keep you update on weather changes and allow you to communicate with family or emergency crews.

Reviews – Customers these days generally know what they want and aren’t afraid to voice their opinions about the quality and performance of a product. We look at the reviews for every product in our section and in particular, we take a closer look at some of the negative reviews. That doesn’t necessarily mean the emergency radio isn’t a good one, it just draws attention to a design feature or flaw that we may need to take into consideration.

Price – Our section of emergency radios come in a range of different prices, started from relatively inexpensive to some at the top of the range. Everyone should have an emergency radio in their homes and cars and some people may consider buying several radios and keeping them everywhere they are needed. There is a suitable price for every budget in our section and most of the main features are present in all models, regardless of their price.

Features To Look For In Emergency Radio

Power Sources – A good emergency weather radio will have a number of power options. Some can be recharged via an AC Adapter, but the main power sources should include batteries, solar panels and hand cranking. Hand cranking, in particular, is a crucial feature as it will ensure your emergency radio is still powered, even when the sun is no longer shining and the batteries drained several hours ago.

Battery Life- Regardless of how the battery in an emergency radio is powered, battery life is an essential feature. Look for a battery that gives you up to 12 hours of performance when fully charged. That should give you ample time to do what needs to be done before a storm, or ensure you can communicate with rescue teams for many hours if you need to be found.

Range and Tuning – The range and tuning of your emergency radio can make all the difference when you are caught in a storm or lost in the woods. The range should be sufficient enough so that you can communicate and call for help even though you may be several miles away from assistance. Tuning should be simple and the main channels should be preset so you don’t waste precious time searching for them.

Ease of Use – The whole purpose of an emergency radio is to get help or information fast. That means the radio should be simple to use. Look for a radio that can switch functions easily and with simple instructions to operate all the necessary features.

Dimensions – An emergency crank radio should be light and compact enough to take with you anywhere. You’ll especially appreciate a small radio when you are hiking up a mountain. It should be small enough to fit in your backpack, yet not to small so that you can’t see which features you are activating. Look for a light one too, so that you aren’t tempted to get rid of it.

SAME Alerts – Specific Area Message Encoding is all about having the right channels available to the public at all times. As an example, if an area is prone to earthquakes, such as in Mexico, then the SAME Alerts would be connected to the Mexican Seismic Alert System. For adverse weather in the US, the NOAA emergency radio frequency is the one to look for. These alerts should be preset into emergency radios so that they are readily available at all times.

NOAA – This stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and they are the agency that monitors the weather over the oceans, other waterways and changes in the atmosphere. They are the best link between people and the environment and are generally able to give out adverse weather warning s giving citizens ample time to seek shelter. NOAA have their own radio frequencies and channels so when you are looking at purchasing an emergency crank radio, make sure it has the NOAA channels (or those within your local area) preset into your radio.

Emergency Radio FAQ

Q: What is an emergency radio?

A: An emergency radio is a device that allows you to communicate and stay up to date during emergency situations such as severe storms or periods of civil unrest. Such radios often feature flashlights, two-way radios and can be charged by solar panels, battery power or hand cranking.

Q: Do I need a two-way radio?

A: One of the worst things to endure during an emergency situation is not being able to contact family or emergency services. An emergency crank radio should also double as a two-way radio so that you can be contacted in an emergency, and you can also reach out to let people know where you are and seek assistance if necessary.

Q: My reception isn’t good, what can I do?

A: If you’re not getting adequate reception from your emergency radio, there are a few things you can do. If you are in a building, try different areas or rooms until the reception is better. Windows are a good place to try and higher floors are also a good option. If you are in the woods, walk around until the reception improves. You may need to get to higher ground to get a significant improvement in reception.

Q: What is All Hazard? Do I have to have it?

A: The National Weather Radio, or NWR, is part of an All Hazards radio network that offers continuous weather alerts via radio frequency. Every country has their version of this service and if you have already decided to add an emergency radio to your home emergency kit, it would certainly be a necessity to have such a channel preset into your emergency radio.