13 Best Emergency Radios of 2023 (NOAA Weather Radio)

I hope that you never have to use an emergency radio. I know that emergencies can hit us at any moment. So, staying prepared for emergency situations like hurricanes, floods, weather storms or earthquakes, or any other disaster is always a wise choice.

Time and again, natural disasters have proven that we can never be too prepared. One of the most important survival tools that you can lay your hands on is an emergency weather radio.

Best Emergency Radios

Having tested dozens of emergency weather radios over months, I can say C. Crane CCRadio is the best emergency radio. CCRadio comes with features like NOAA Weather Alerts (during Hurricanes or other disasters), Solar-Powered, Hand Crank, Digital AM FM, Built-in LED Flashlight and a cell phone charger. All these qualities and the reliability of the radio and audio quality make the C. Crane CCRadio is our top pick for the best emergency weather alert radio category. Here’s the list of the other top-rated NOAA Weather Alert Emergency radios worth buying.

1. C. Crane CCRadio Solar Emergency Radio – Top Pick

2. Eton SIDEKICK Emergency Radio with Bluetooth – Runner Up

3. Midland ER310 – Best Hand Crank Emergency Radio

4. Kaito KA500 – Best Budget Emergency Weather Radio

5. Sangean MMR 88 – Best Portable Weather Radio

6. Eton FRX3+ American Red Cross Weather Radio

7. FosPower – Best Solar Powered Emergency Radio

8. RunningSnail MD 088s – Budget NOAA Weather Alert Radio

9. HOLABABY All Hazards NOAA Weather Alert Radio

10. Esky ES-CR02 Weather Alert Radio

11. RunningSnail MD-090 – Solar Emergency Radio

12. Jomst Emergency Radio with NOAA Alerts

13. Zurio Emergency Radio

You would not need a shortwave radio frequency in emergencies, but having shortwave frequency support in any radio is a great addition as it allows you to listen to channels from across the continents. There is a reason why Shortwave radio prices are higher.

For whatever reason, if you want to buy an Emergency Weather Radio with a Shortwave frequency feature, here are two of the best Emergency radios with a Shortwave frequency that works well.

• C. Crane CC Skywave SSB
• Kaito Emergency Radio Voyager Max KA900

Let’s dive into the in-depth reviews of all these top rated Emergency NOAA Weather alert radios.

1. C. Crane CCRadio Solar Emergency Radio – Top Pick

C.Crane CCRadio Solar Emergency Radio Review

C. Crane CCRadio is my favourite and the top rated emergency weather radio. This is the radio that I would recommend my family and friends to have in the disaster situations. It is safe to say this is the kind of emergency radio you should have instead of those cheap ones out there in the market.

John – Radios Expert.

CCRadio is better than famous emergency radios like Sangean MMR-88, Midland ER310, Midland ER300 and other Midland and Sangean Models.

If you still want to learn more, read our in-depth CCRadio Solar Emergency Weather Alert Radio review.

CCRadio Solar Unboxing & Overview

The box comes with One CCRadio Solar, Carry Strap, Aux Cable, A USB Cable for Phone Charging and a User Manual. You can also download the manual on their website.

On the front side is a 2-inch speaker, A digital LCD showing time or frequency, a battery life indicator, tuning up and down buttons and 5 Preset Buttons with 25 AM & 25 FM preset stations. When the CCradio is turned off, these preset buttons also work as function buttons.

While the Radio is off, these buttons can be used as

1. Sets the Clock
2. Alarms
3. Turns of the Confirmation Beep
4. Turns the Clock Mode on/off while listening to the Radio on the Digital Display. You can press and hold it to show the frequency on the digital screen.
5. Switch b/w 9 kHz to 10 kHz (Medium Wave), on FM Band 76-108mhz.

On the right, you will also find a water-resistant jacket that contains the Aux in Port, A Micro USB and a USB port for a phone charger and a 3.5MM FM Stereo headphone jack.

Analog Volume Control on the right works smoothly and is integrated well into the design. On the left side of the radio is an LED flashlight, A hook to attach any strap you like.

On the top is a band button to Select FM, NOAA Alert Power button, Light Switch, 25 Inches Antenna. & Solar Panel. On the Backside, we have a Dynamo Hand Crank that can help you charge batteries in emergencies & battery compartments.

NOAA Weather Alerts in C. Crane CCRadio

C. Crane CCRadio gives automatic NOAA weather alerts when concerned departments activate the Weather Alert. You can get the emergency alerts like hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods or any other disaster on time because the automatic NOAA weather alert feature works pretty well in CCRadio. The Solar Hand Crank AM FM CC Radio comes with the WX Band with NOAA Weather Alert.

How to turn on NOAA Weather Alert Mode on CCRadio Solar?

To turn on the NOAA Weather Alert mode, Press the Alert button on top of the radio(button with alert symbol), and the Digital display will show you Weather Alert “ON” Press it once for 4 hours; if you press it again 8 hr and press once again to turn on 16 hr alerts. You can keep it ON mode to keep the alert mode on forever.

Battery Life of C. Crane CCRadio

C. Crane CCRadio comes with 3 AA Batteries and a 18650 Protected Button Top Battery with 3,400mAh of power. You can use any one of these two methods to power the radio.

Both AA and Button top batteries have 50 hours of run time(on low power mode) & 35 Hour playback time on high power mode.

CCRadio can also run on an AC adapter, so you can plug in the adapter and use the radio continuously without worrying about the charge times.

You can also use the Solar Panel on the top and Dynamo Hand Crank on the back side to charge the battery and use the radio in disaster times.

Sound Quality & Signal Strength of C. Crane CCRadio

When we tested the radio found over 80+ radio stations. In general, Analog radios find 35-45 radio stations only. That shows the quality of the CCRadio Solar reception strength.

I found 6 out of 7 NOAA weather alert stations with clear reception. In Case you do not know, this is well above average.

This radio has excellent FM Sensitivity. You will love the FM on this CCRadio. You can do a quick FM scan by pressing and holding the Right Side, Top Corner buttons.

The CCRadio Solar model uses two Antennas. External Antenna for FM Reception & NOAA Alerts and an internal Antenna for AM reception.

Coming to the Speaker, this radio has a 2-inch speaker on the front with many holes on top. The speaker packs a punch, especially in high-power mode. The audio clarity and crispness are also wonderful. You can also use the 3.5 MM headphone jack to listen to the FM. This takes the listening experience to the next level. The audio clarity is top-notch.

2. Eton SIDEKICK Emergency Radio with Bluetooth – Runner Up

Eton SIDEKICK Emergency Radio Review

The Eton Sidekick Ultimate emergency radio maintains the same design as the American Red Cross Weather Radio. It comes with Bluetooth technology that will allow you to stream your favorite music from your phone or your Bluetooth-enabled MP3 player.

If I have to sum up everything about this radio, that would be; Eton Sidekick is inarguably the best emergency radio for outdoor camping and survival situations as it can help you charge the radio battery efficiently with Solar or Hand Crank.

It sports a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that can be charged using a hand crank or a solar panel. You can also charge the battery using a USB cable. You can tuck in AAA batteries to power this thing up. This is also one of the contenders for the best emergency weather radios.

What’s interesting is that the solar panel is small and not very efficient compared to the hand crank. If you want to use the solar charging panel to recharge the internal battery fully, it will take several hours to do so, and there has to be direct sunlight.

The hand crank, though made of plastic, is efficient. It can provide a working charge within a few minutes of hand cranking.

The radio comes with a bright LED flashlight, a massive ambient light, or a table lamp that you can dim as per your whims.

The Eton Sidekick Weather radio comes with a digital tuner, a red beacon light for an emergency, and support for NOAA, AM, FM, and S.A.M.E. bands. The radio can recharge any smartphone or tablet using a USB cable.

3. Midland ER310 – Best Hand Crank Emergency Radio

Product Name	Midland
Model	ER310
Weight	1 pound
Speaker	Single Mono
Antenna	Telescopic

Midland ER310 Emergency Weather Radio Review

The Midland ER310 has a rugged look, which tells you that it is designed for survival scenarios. The radio is designed to be water-resistant but is not waterproof. So, don’t think of taking it out in driving rain or don’t submerge it in water. By doing so, you will destroy the radio.

I liked the Midland ER310 emergency radio’s ability to automatically scan through NOAA channels and lock on to the strongest signal. It will give you NOAA Weather alerts from no more than one or two NOAA channels. That should suffice because it will usually lock on to the NOAA channel closest to you. That is what matters, right?

The sound this radio produces is in the range of 90 decibels, which is surprisingly loud for its small size. Yes, you won’t get the quality of Bose, but there’s enough clarity.

Complete with a solar panel and a hand crank, this radio comes with a rechargeable 2600 mAh that can last for 32 hours. You can even power up the radio using 6 AA batteries. It can even charge your phone or other mobile devices to allow for continuous communication.

It offers a 130 lumens LED flashlight, one of the brightest you can get in any emergency radio.

What I liked about the radio was its SOS flashlight beacon that sends out emergency signals in Morse code so rescue teams can find you. It can also emit ultrasonic dog whistles that can aid rescue teams and individuals in finding you.

It also comes with a big backlit screen that is easy to read and gives a quick indication about the battery level.

4. Kaito KA500 – Best Budget Emergency Weather Radio

Kaito KA500 Voyager Emergency Weather Radio Review

The Kaito KA500 is one of the finest, which explains why thousands of people not only trust it but also depend on it to emerge unscathed from emergencies. The true strength of the radio lies in multiple powering methods.

There are five methods that you can use for powering this radio, which are:

• Hand-cranking
• Solar panel
• AA batteries
• Wall charging (5V AC/DC)
• NiMH rechargeable batteries (that can also be replaced)

Kiato KA500 is a complete all-rounder. This is something I would wanna have in my emergency kit. This emergency radio price is also within budget. This is one of my personal favorites. I totally recommend it.

John (Radios expert Author)

The hand crank and the solar panel are particularly interesting in emergencies because they are independent of the power grid. Hand Crank and Solar features in KA500 can charge your mobile devices using a 5V USB input option so that you stay connected with those who matter the most in disaster times.

That’s not the only good thing; Kaito KA500 comes pre-configured with 7 NOAA channels that offer talk shows, sports, entertainment, breaking news, and real-time weather forecast.

The radio also works with AM and FM bands and comes with the Public Emergency Alert System.

What else?

The Kaito KA500 Voyager comes with an emergency red LED SOS light, a LED flashlight, a reading light, and a telescopic antenna for better radio signal reception.

The antenna can extend up to 14.5 inches and has an advanced semiconductor circuit design that increases its sensitivity. The 14.5 works well and receives adequate reception.

Its body is made of water-resistant and impact-resistant ABS material, making it a perfect choice for outdoor use, especially in harsh conditions.

5. Sangean MMR 88 – Best Portable Weather Radio

Technical Specifications of Sangean MMR-88 Weather+Alert:

Product Name	Sangean
Model	MMR-88
Weight	0.86 pounds
Speaker	Single Mono
Antenna	Telescopic

Sangean MMR-88 Portable NOAA Weather Radio Review

The Sangean MMR-88 portable emergency radio, is a piece of art. With a robust build quality, a large digital display, a neatly placed hand crank, a solar panel, a telescopic antenna, and big but neatly arranged buttons, make the MMR-88 more than just a pretty looking radio. On top of all these features, it weighs only 0.86 Pounds, that makes it Sangean MMR 88 the best portable emergency weather alert radio to buy.

Sangean MMR-88 Weather+Alert is designed to work optimally in rugged outdoor conditions and during emergencies. The hand crank can give you the necessary power, which makes up for the absence of the possibility of powering it up with alkaline batteries.

Sangean MMR-88 is a digital radio, which means it ditches the tuning knob you find in traditional radios. The backlit screen is big enough to read comfortably while giving clear information about the battery level.

There is an emergency flashlight that you can adjust to give out light in high, low, or SOS mode. In the SOS mode, the radio flashes light in morse code, making it easily understandable for rescue teams.

The radio comes equipped with an emergency buzzer that can let out a sound to alert you of emergencies. It has 7 preset NOAA channels for providing you with real-time weather alerts. There are 19 preset AM and FM channels as well.

The MMR-88 comes with heavy-duty rubberized caps on either side to protect it from accidental falls. Other features include the ability to charge your mobile devices using the radio and to hook up a pair of earphones through the 3.5mm headphone jack so that you can get the weather alerts even in very noisy environments.

6. Eton FRX3+ American Red Cross Weather Radio

Eton FRX3+ American Red Cross Weather Radio Review

Manufactured by Eton, the American Red Cross Weather Radio does live up to the name of the American Red Cross. One glance at the radio will tell you that it is built for survival. It does not only have a practical design, but it also packs in a lot of versatility.

To begin with, it comes with NOAA weather band alongside AM and FM bands. So, you should rest assured that while it will allow you to stay connected to your favorite channels and talk-shows, it will also provide you with weather alters to ensure safety.

Some of the general features of the radio include a flashlight, a red beacon light, a solar panel, a hand-crank, a built-in rechargeable battery, and an alarm clock.

It will also allow you to recharge your phone and other mobile devices using the integrated USB port. Additionally, it has a 3.5 mm headphone jack if you need to shut off the external world for some time. Did I tell you that it is a digital radio with a large backlit display?

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that you will not lose your radio in the dark, thanks to its glow-in-the-dark locator.

The neat design of the radio tucks in a telescopic antenna on the back and the hand crank on the front, reducing clutter. There is an easy carry handle that houses the solar panel nicely to easily absorb sunlight. The hand crank is large enough with an ergonomic design for easy usage.

7. FosPower – Best Solar Powered Emergency Radio

FosPower Emergency Radio Review

The FosPower Emergency Radio is yet another amazing option to check out. It doubles up as a 2000 mAh power bank when you need to recharge your phone and other mobile devices.

You can use a micro USB to recharge the internal battery. If you are confused about micro USB, just use your smartphone charger to charge the internal battery!

Complete with a hand crank and a solar panel, the radio can stay on during emergency situations when the power supply is off. In case the alternative power sources are not working, you can put in AAA batteries to power this radio.

As far as the features are concerned, it will give you access to NOAA weather channels that will allow you to get real-time weather alerts. It also works with AM and FM bands so that you can stay informed about the latest news and developments during emergencies.

It comes with an SOS alarm (and a red light), a flashlight (1 watt), and a reading lamp. The tuning and volume knobs are well-placed, and there is a flip switch to jump between AM and FM reception.

The radio also packs in a telescopic antenna that can extend out to give better reception. The unit is very lightweight and comes with IPX-3 waterproofing so that you can take it out in the rain.

8. RunningSnail MD 088s – Budget NOAA Weather Alert Radio

RunningSnail MD-088s Emergency NOAA Weather Radio Review

The blissfully light RunningSnail MD-008s emergency radio looks like a Handycam. Don’t be fooled, though! It is a radio with some superpowers engineered right into it. For starters, you can recharge it using its hand crank, a solar panel, or a USB cable. If you have a few spare AAA batteries, you can use them to power up this radio.

With full support for NOAA weather alerts and AM/FM reception, the radio will keep you abreast of recent developments during emergencies.

It has one of the brightest LED flashlights I have encountered so far. On a full charge, the flashlight can run for 10 to 12 hours. This is particularly helpful during power outages or power grid failures.

It is IPX-3 water-resistant, which means that you can spray up to 10 liters of water on it per minute, and it will stay functional. Don’t submerge it in water, though! It is not designed for that.

The good thing is that it can charge your phones or tablets and other smaller devices that have a USB charging facility.

Topics Covered:

• 13 Top Rated Emergency Weather Radios
• Emergency Radio Buying Guide – Tips to Pick the Right Radio For you
• What is a survival radio or an emergency weather radio?
• What is a hand-crank radio?

9. HOLABABY All Hazards NOAA Weather Alert Radio

Technical Specifications of HOLABABY All Hazards NOAA Weather Alert Radio:

Product Name	HOLABABY (by Bestway innovations LLC)
Model	HO-Radio9-Green
Weight	14.9 ounces
Speaker	Single Mono
Antenna	Telescopic

HOLABABY All Hazards NOAA Weather Alert Radio Review

Assuming that you have made peace with this name, allow me to introduce the HOLABABY All Hazards NOAA Weather Alert Radio. Well, you can call it HO-Radio9-Green because it is green in color.

Despite its weird name, this emergency radio is one of the finest that you can get. At just 14.9 ounces, this radio comes pre-programmed with 7 NOAA channels that will give you real-time alerts and updates. It supports both AM and FM bands as well so that you can enjoy your favorite radio channels and talk shows.

There are 5 ways you can power up this radio. It can use a wall socket (but you will need an AC adapter for that, which is not included in the package), AAA batteries (not included), rechargeable Li-ion battery, hand crank, and a solar panel. It can also double up as a power bank to charge your phone or other smaller devices with a USB charging option.

It comes with a bright LED flashlight that can guide your way during power outages. In case you need a reading lamp, the radio has your back covered. Hidden underneath the top solar panel, the reading lamp is a great addition for camping and emergency use.

The radio comes equipped with a red beacon light and a very loud emergency alarm to let rescue parties find your location with ease.

The manufacturer includes a nice hand strap for easy carrying. There is a hang buckle as well, so that you can hook it up to your backpack easily. The small compass is also added with the radio so that you never get lost in the wrong direction.

The telescopic antenna can extend out to improve radio reception in areas where reception is not that great.

10. Esky ES-CR02 Weather Alert Radio

Esky ES-CR02 Weather Alert Radio Review

Another compact emergency radio, the Esky ES-CR02, packs a lot of features in a small size. With a built-in 1000 mAh rechargeable battery that can be recharged using a hand crank, a solar cell on the top of the radio, or using a USB cable.

The 1000 mAh internal rechargeable battery will allow you to recharge your phone or tablet so that you can stay connected to those who matter the most. It comes with an integrated flashlight that can guide you through the darkness in case of a power failure.

11. RunningSnail MD-090 – Solar Emergency Radio

RunningSnail MD-090 Solar Emergency Radio Review

Pretty much the same as RunningSnail MD-088s, the MD-090 comes packed with a 2000 mAh internal battery that you can recharge using a USB cable, a hand crank, or the solar panel attached to the device.

You can even top up the rechargeable battery using a USB cable. You can also power up the radio using 3 dry batteries (AAA).

Though this radio looks more like a throwback transistor from the early 1900’s it is actually a hybrid tech that fits well into the 21^st century. The 1 watt LED flashlight produces a bright light that can easily defeat any conventional flashlight of the same wattage.

The radio also comes with a reading lamp and a telescopic antenna, which, when fully extended, provides better reception for NOAA weather bands and AM/FM bands. Did I mention that it comes with an emergency alarm and a red SOS beacon light?

In case you are worried about its fragile looks, you shouldn’t be. This thing comes with an IPX3 waterproofing rating, making it a perfect companion during rain and snow.

12. Jomst Emergency Radio with NOAA Alerts

I will wrap up the list with this exceptional radio from Jomst. It is an upgraded version from the previous model and comes with all the usual stuff you find in any emergency radio.

The main features of the Jomst emergency NOAA Weather radio include a hand crank, an adjustable solar panel, a reading lamp, a flashlight, and an SOS alarm. Additionally, the radio is capable of picking up transmissions from all NOAA channels, thereby giving you real-time alerts on the fast-changing conditions.

Apart from NOAA channels, the radio also supports both AM and FM bands so that you keep getting all the important news that you need for survival.

It includes a 2000 mAh internal battery that can not only power up the radio for 4 to 6 hours of continuous use or provide 12 hours of light, but also double up as a power bank for charging your mobile phone for a quick call or a text message.

You can recharge the internal battery of the unit by hand-cranking it or placing the radio under direct sunlight so that the solar panel can do its magic. You can also use a USB cord for charging the radio. If you have spare AAA batteries, you can use them for powering the radio as well.

13. Zurio Emergency Radio

Technical Specifications of Zurio Emergency Radio:

Product Name	Zurio
Model	ZUR-MN-EMR01
Weight	1.45 pounds
Speaker	Single Mono
Antenna	Telescopic

Zurio Emergency Radio Review

With a rugged build quality, the Zurio emergency radio is something you will want on your side when Mother Nature unleashes her fury. It is a must-have survival gear that comes complete with a flashlight, a loud emergency siren, and the ability to charge your phone’s battery, thanks to its 4000 mAh internal battery.

The radio can operate with three AAA batteries or use the hand crank or solar panel to charge the internal battery. You can also charge the radio using a USB cable for the wall or using your car cigarette lighter power adapter.

It has one of the most efficient hand cranks I have ever seen. About 2 minutes of hand-cranking can make the radio last for about 20 minutes. The solar panel is not very efficient and will require several hours of charging before the radio gets enough charge to last for about 20 minutes. Zurio has added an AUX port so that you can play music using your phone or MP3 player. The sound of the speaker is loud and clear. The backlit LCD screen is big enough for easy readability in any lighting condition.

Apart from all these, you can find some more Emergency Radio Reviews on Amazon. Here is another list of top rated NOAA Weather Alert Radios.

1. Midland – WR120B/WR120EZ – NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio – S.A.M.E. Localized Programming, Trilingual Display, 60+ Emergency Alerts, & Alarm Clock (WR120B – Box Packaging)
2. Midland – ER310, Emergency Crank Weather AM/FM Radio – Multiple Power Sources, SOS Emergency Flashlight, Ultrasonic Dog Whistle, & NOAA Weather Scan + Alert
3. Emergency Crank Weather Radio, 4000mAh Solar Hand Crank Portable AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with 1W 3 Mode Flashlight & Motion Sensor Reading Lamp, Cell Phone Charger, SOS for Home and Emergency
4. Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM/Weather+Alert Emergency Radio. Solar/Hand Crank/USB/Flashlight, Siren, Smartphone Charger yellow
5. Eton – SIDEKICK, Ultimate Camping AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with S.A.M.E Technology, Solar Powered, Battery Powered, Bluetooth, Rechargeable, LED Flashlight, Phone Charger.
6. Kaito KA500 5-way Powered Solar Power, Dynamo Crank, Wind Up Emergency AM/FM/SW/NOAA Weather Alert Radio with Flashlight, Reading Lamp and Cellphone Charger
7. Eton – American Red Cross FRX2 Hand Turbine AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with USB Smartphone Charger and LED Flashlight, Headphone Jack, Hand Crank, Commitment to Preparedness
8. FosPower 2000mAh NOAA Emergency Weather Radio (Model A1) Portable Power Bank with Solar Charging, Hand Crank & Battery Operated, SOS Alarm, AM/FM & LED Flashlight for Outdoor Emergency

Dodocool Emergency Radio

Well-built, the Dodocool emergency radio is yet another essential survival gear that you should have. It is one of the very few radios that look rugged because of its interesting design. It doesn’t just look rugged, it is rugged!

Made of waterproof ABS plastic, the radio is impact-resistant as well. It comes with all the usual stuff that you can find in the radios listed above.

For instance, you can power it up with 3 AAA batteries or hook it to a wall socket using a USB cable. You can hand-crank the radio to charge the internal 2000 mAh battery or use the solar panel on the top to charge its internal battery.

Yes, it has NOAA weather channels along with AM and FM band support. There’s a flashlight, reading lamp, and a built-in SOS alarm. You can also use this radio to charge your mobile phone or tablet.

Not only meant for emergencies, but this radio is also a great choice for hiking, hunting, camping, etc. It also throws in a retractable telescopic antenna, which, when extended out, can improve radio reception. The sound quality is also great, considering its small size.

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How to buy the best Emergency Radio Buying?

Buying an emergency radio or NOAA Weather may look easy, but it is not. There are many factors that you should consider before you buy the best Emergency radio. Wasting money on the weather radio, something that will eventually not perform as expected during a real emergency is the last thing you want.

So, before you buy an emergency radio, make sure that you are considering the following factors:

Power options

How is the emergency radio powered? Batteries? Electrical wall outlet? Solar panel? Hand crank? You need to understand that during an emergency, power grids may be knocked off! Electrical wall outlets will not work.

So, if you need to hook up your NOAA Weather radio or emergency radio to a wall outlet to power it on or to recharge its batteries, it is not the ideal survival or emergency radio. There have to be other alternative power sources.

Ideally, the best emergency radio should have a hand crank power option. A solar panel is always a great addition, but it is not a necessity.

The best option is the one which comes with rechargeable batteries, power cord, hand crank, and even a solar panel.

Hand crank and solar panel emergency radios are particularly helpful during events of a power grid failure or when you do not have access to a power source. (for instance, when you are out in the wild).

NOAA Weather Alert

It is a must that the emergency radio that you are purchasing has NOAA weather alter. An emergency radio should be able to tell you about the weather conditions so that you can prep up for any oncoming emergency.

Most of the emergency radios come with NOAA bands pre-programmed. If you find one that doesn’t have pre-programmed NOAA channels but allows you to program them, it is fine.

However, if an emergency radio never gives you NOAA channel access, you should avoid purchasing it.

Flashlight

A bright flashlight in an emergency radio will help you to find your way out of awful situations in the event of a power grid failure. Yes, most of the emergency weather radios you find in the market come with this option. So, this shouldn’t be a big problem.

Weight

During emergencies, you will never want extra weight on yourself. Extra weight will only slow you down. The ability to move fast can is vital during life or death situations. So, the weather radio or emergency radio you are purchasing should be lightweight.

Even a bulky Jobsite radio can give you weather alerts or provide a flashlight. Those features don’t make a job site radio an ideal option for emergencies.

Serves as a Charger

An emergency radio will not allow you to talk to someone else. For that, you have ham radios or CB radios. However, an emergency radio should preferably be capable of charging your phone or GPS devices.

During emergencies and power failures, staying connected to loved ones is important. Not only will it help in the rescue, but they also ensure that family members stay connected and provide moral support.

Easy Operation

You definitely do not want a radio that is difficult to operate. Time is vital during emergencies. So, getting a radio that allows quick tuning and easy operation is imperative. Make sure that the radio that you are selecting is not overly complicated.

Clear Display

The radio you purchase should have a decently big screen that is easy to read. It is even better to get a radio with a backlit screen that you can read in any lighting condition, especially during the daytime.

SOS Alarm

If you get stranded during an emergency, you need a way to let the rescue teams know your whereabouts. Sending SOS signals is the most practical way of doing so. Those signals can be in the form of a beacon light or a loud alarm or siren. The emergency radio that you purchase should have at least one of these two attributes. If the unit has both, it is better.

Reading Lamp

Power outages are not uncommon during emergencies. Staying in the dark is never an option. So, the survival gear that you have with you should include a reading lamp that can allow quality and comforting time with your family members, especially children.

A reading lamp is different from a flashlight. A flashlight will send out directional rays of light while a reading lamp will illuminate the surrounding areas. It is useful in many ways. Whether you want to read out stories to your children or enjoy a good dinner, the ambient light is what you need.

Typically, a good emergency radio should include a reading lamp apart from a flashlight. If a radio ditches that, it is not really a complete emergency radio. Try to avoid such units.

Build Quality

The build quality of an emergency radio is important. You will most likely use the radio outdoors, especially during emergencies, where the weather conditions are not great. So, the radio you get should have a rugged build quality that can handle bad weather conditions. You should never settle for an emergency radio that fragile. It won’t last!

Price & Budget

Finally, your budget will play a big role. I always suggest keeping a decent budget to get a quality radio with essential features. There are many cheap options that you can settle for, but they will not last for long. You don’t want a radio that breaks down during an emergency.

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FAQ About Emergency Radios

Why Can’t We Use A Phone Instead Of An Emergency Radio?

You need to understand that when an emergency hits, the natural ways in which modern society work are all disrupted. There can be a food shortage, and it may be difficult to find clean water. The worst part is that most of the emergencies knock off the power grid. With electricity gone, it will become impossible to charge your phones after a few hours or days. Sooner or later, your phone’s battery will die. Unless you charge the battery, you cannot use it. An emergency radio that can work with electricity generated by harnessing solar power or by using a hand crank can help you to stay informed. Also, such radios can help you to recharge your mobile phones so that you can resume communications. That’s the reason why you will need an emergency radio.

Where can you buy an emergency radio?

Big box stores, home improvement centers, electronic stores, hardware stores – all of them are great places to find an emergency radio. You can also buy them online. There are some benefits and disadvantages of shopping from a brick and mortar store. The same applies to online purchases from e-commerce stores like Amazon, eBay, etc.

If you want to purchase from a physical store, you can physically inspect the radio. You can check its weight, its build quality, the intensity of the light, etc. On the downside, you will be restricted to the knowledge of the seller and his marketing pitch. There won’t be people standing behind you in a queue to tell you about their experience with the model you are selecting.

If you want to purchase from an online e-commerce store, you cannot inspect the product physically, but you will most likely get to read real user reviews. They matter a lot! Also, you can get discounted prices for the products, and you don’t have to go to a physical store (this is particularly beneficial if you are a lazy dough like me).

Is Bluetooth Must for an Emergency Radio?

No, it is not. You are talking of emergencies. When will you have the luxury of streaming music over the Bluetooth? You can always get a Bluetooth-enabled emergency radio if you want to spend more money. Of course, during non-emergency situations, you can use a Bluetooth-enabled radio for streaming multimedia content from your phone. This will be particularly helpful during camping, hiking, pool parties, etc.

Check out the best portable shortwave radios.

Emergency Weather Radio Resources:

• https://kaito.us/
• https://fospower.com/
• https://etoncorp.com/
• https://midlandusa.com/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_radio
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_radio
• https://www.usa.gov/disasters-and-emergencies – United States Emergency and Disaster Management information
• https://www.noaa.gov/weather – NOAA Free Weather Website of USA