These days, we use our smartphones, computers, and TVs to keep us aware of what’s going on around us. But if a storm knocks out the power grid, our everyday tech isn’t enough.
From the cellar to the storm shelter to the mountains, we carefully tested and researched an array of products, narrowing down the best emergency radios of 2023 for a wide range of needs.
One of the most critical features of a trustworthy emergency radio is the ability to keep it running no matter what. Whether dealing with a blizzard, tornado, or any unforeseen event, you may need to be able to keep it charged for days on end.
We rounded up a variety of radios that run on batteries, solar energy, and hand cranks to help you find the best emergency radio for every situation.
To learn more about emergency radios and what makes them tick, consult our comprehensive buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ sections. Or, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, and jump to the category you’re looking for:
The Best Emergency Radios of 2023
Best Home Station Radio
-
Weight
1 lb. -
Power source
AC power adapter, and 3 AA batteries for emergency backup -
Radio receiver
Digital -
Size
6.1 in. x 5.3 in. x 2 in.
-
Wall power and battery back up -
S.A.M.E. localized reception -
Trilingual display
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No hand crank or solar charging ability -
No AM/FM radio reception
Emergency Radio Comparison Chart
| Emergency Radio | Weight | Power Source | Radio Receiver | Power Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland ER210 E+READY |
15 oz. | Rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Digital | 7.5 in. x 5.25 in. x 2 in. |
| RunningSnail Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio |
11 oz. | AAA batteries, rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Analog | 6.2 in. x 2.1 in. x 2.9 in. |
| C.Crane CC Solar Observer |
6.5 oz. | AA batteries, rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Analog | 7.25 in. x 5.5 in. x 2 in. |
| Kaito KA500 Voyager Emergency Radio |
1.4 lbs. | AA batteries, rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Analog | 8.82 in. x 5.79 in. x 2.83 in. |
| Midland ER310 E+READY |
1 lb. | AA batteries, rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Digital | 8 in. x 2.4 in. x 3.4 in. |
| FosPower Emergency Solar Hand Crank Radio |
11 oz. | AAA batteries, rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Analog | 6.2 in. x 2.9 in. x 2.1 in. |
| Midland WR120 NOAA Weather Alert Radio |
1 lb. | AC power adapter, and 3 AA batteries for emergency backup | Digital | 6.1 in. x 5.3 in. x 2 in. |
| C.Crane Skywave Pocket Radio |
5.5 oz. | Battery | Digital | 4.75 in. x 1.1 in. x 3 in. |
| Eton American Red Cross FRX3+ |
15 oz. | AAA batteries, rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Digital | 6.9 in. x 5.8 in. x 2.6 in. |
| Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM | 11 oz. | Rechargeable battery pack, solar, hand crank | Digital | 5.98 in. x 2.71 in. x 3.3 in. |
Why You Should Trust Us
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 a 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 paid mind to a number of different factors, including reception, run-time, charging capability, durability, and more.
Capturing the mix of data from real-world testing allowed us to crown winners and the best of the rest, all designed to help you pick out the best emergency for your needs.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Emergency Radio
Reception & Ability to Receive NOAA Alerts
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.
Charging Methods
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 C.Crane CC Solar Observer 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.
Battery Life
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.
Extra Features
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 your phone 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.
Durability & Waterproofness
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).
Weather Band Radio vs. Weather Alert Radio
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.
How Do NOAA Weather Alerts Work?
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.
S.A.M.E. Localized Reception
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
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. Radios 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 to 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 radio with the capability to receive shortwave radio was the C.Crane Skywave Pocket Radio.
What Is the EAS System?
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.
Emergency Preparedness Tips
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.
FAQ
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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