The 9 Best Emergency Radios of 2024

Best Overall

Midland Crank Weather Radio

$70 at Amazon $70 at REI $60 at B&H Photo Video

The Midland ER310 is a valuable companion in emergencies and severe weather events. The radio picks up AM/FM stations and gets up to seven NOAA weather band channels, providing both entertainment and safety. When there’s a weather alert, the ER310 emits a blaring alarm and flashing lights that are nearly impossible to miss. The alarm lasts for a full minute unless disengaged by pressing any button on the radio, while the indicator light will continue flashing every five seconds to notify those with hearing impairment or who missed the initial alarm.

Whether in the wilderness or encountering power outages at home, the ER310’s multiple power sources make it a sustainable and resilient choice. It’s equipped with solar panels and a hand crank to replenish its rechargeable battery, as well as a backup system that runs on six AA batteries. The ER310 also features a USB port for charging other devices and a flashlight with multiple brightness settings to ration power or light up your surroundings. The SOS beacon and ultrasonic dog whistle also provide assurance that you can signal for help in emergency situations — not just detect them.

The Details: 8 x 2.4 x 3.4 inches | 1 pound | Rechargeable battery, AA battery backup, solar power, and hand crank 

Best Portable

Midland ER10VP Weather Radio

$25 at Amazon $37 at Walmart View on Cabelas.com

For backpacking or venturing off the grid, the Midland ER10VP offers packable convenience with many of the benefits of the Midland ER310. Like our overall pick, it supports AM/FM radio and scans NOAA Weather Radio to deliver audio and visual alerts in the event of severe weather. A notable difference, however, is that the ER10VP only runs on AA batteries. Despite the radio’s compact dimensions, the display screen and buttons are easy to read and intuitive to operate. The pocket-sized radio delivers excellent battery life — lasting nearly four weeks in standby mode. It’s also equipped with a wrist lanyard and a flashlight with multiple settings and an SOS strobe to signal for help. 

The Details: 5 x 1.2 x 3 inches | 4.8 ounces | Battery-powered (AA batteries)

Best for Hurricanes

OnLyee NOAA Emergency Weather Radio

$44 $36 at Amazon

When a natural disaster like a hurricane strikes, you need to be prepared with a radio that has your back. The OnLyee NOAA Emergency Weather Radio is a great choice for people who live in hurricane-prone areas, offering five ways to power up (micro USB, solar panel, hand crank, rechargeable battery, and AAA batteries) and a waterproof exterior that can stand up to extreme weather (although it can't be submerged in water). You'll get AM/FM and NOAA weather alerts for up-to-date information, a powerful flashlight, and a reading lamp all built in. This radio has an emergency button that activates a loud SOS alarm and flashing light when held down, which could be invaluable during a disaster. The 5000 mAh battery is also one of the longest lasting on this list.

The Details: 6.7 x 2.4 x 3.7 inches | 1.1 pounds | Rechargeable battery | Waterproof

Best for Home Use

Midland Deluxe NOAA Radio

$75 at Amazon $75 at Walmart $80 at Dicks Sporting Goods

If you live in an area prone to extreme weather events like tornadoes or hurricanes, having an emergency radio at home can help keep you prepared and make the difference in staying safe. The Midland WR400 is the company’s most advanced emergency radio and is specifically designed for stationary use at home or work. The radio automatically scans all seven NOAA frequencies to lock in on the strongest signal to keep you informed. Alternatively, users can leverage the radio’s SAME technology to receive location-specific alerts in up to 25 counties with 80 different emergency alerts. It offers three options for customized notifications including a voice alert, siren, or flashing LED lights. The plug-in radio can run on AA batteries if the power goes out and charge other devices via a USB port. 

The Details: 10.6 x 6.8 x 2.5 inches | 1.1 pounds | DC power cord with AA battery backup

Best Short Wave

Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio

$50 at Amazon $50 at Walmart View on Kaito.us

The Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio comes preset with all seven NOAA weather stations, plus the ability to receive shortwave radio and AM/FM signals. Shortwave signals can travel long distances and are less susceptible to interference, making them an ideal option in disaster zones and remote areas. Its 14.5-inch telescopic antenna gives it solid reception for a clear broadcast and neatly tucks away when not in use. 

The KA500 also has a specific dial to toggle between the NOAA stations, another to tune from AM to FM and shortwave, and a third to switch the power source. The emergency radio can operate on AA batteries or its rechargeable battery, which can be powered up by its integrated solar panels, hand crank, or a wall outlet. It’s also equipped with a flashlight and USB port for charging external devices, though the 500 mAh battery doesn’t offer much extra power to spare. 

The Details: 8.3 x 2.3 x 5.3 inches | AA batteries, hand crank, rechargeable battery, and solar power | Water-repellent

Best for Backpacking

Cobra RX680 Waterproof Walkie Talkies

$100 $90 at Amazon $100 at Walmart $90 at Home Depot

A reliable set of walkie-talkies can be a critical safety tool. The Cobra RX680 Two-way Radio helps you stay connected and prepared for emergencies when you’re on the go. With a range of 38 miles and water-resistant design, these walkie-talkie radios are a great choice for backpackers, campers, or anyone venturing off the grid. And, at 1.26 pounds, they won’t make a huge dent in pack weight. The RX680 comes with 60 preset channels, including 22 standard FRS channels and 38 pre-programmed privacy codes. It also provides round-the-clock access to NOAA weather alerts to stay informed of storms and inclement weather. The walkie talkies have LED lights for added safety, though intermittent use is recommended given that the battery life only supports 18 hours of continuous use. Recharging requires a USB cord or charging dock, so you may want to pack a portable charger for extra battery life. 

The Details: 7.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches | 1.26 pounds | Rechargeable battery | Waterproof

Best Battery Life

Raddy SW5 Emergency Radio

$35 at Radioddity.com

The Raddy SW5 Emergency Radio delivers superior battery life for enduring reliability. The rechargeable 5,000 mAh battery has ample power to run the AM/FM/NOAA radio for days on end (if you aren’t also charging phones or other devices). It comes with a USB charger, though the solar panel and hand crank ensure it can be recharged in any emergency. The SW5 is equipped with a powerful SOS alarm that emits a 90 dB blare to signal for help or rescue. The radio also features a compass, reading lamp, flashlight, and mobile device charging that come in handy for camping trips or power outages alike. The SW5’s case boasts an IPX5 waterproof rating for added durability in extreme weather events. 

The Details: 7.8 x 2.6 x 3.5 inches | Rechargeable battery, solar power, and hand crank | Waterproof

Best Pocket-sized

C Crane CC Pocket AM/FM Radio

$60 at REI $65 at Walmart

It's not a bad idea to have an emergency radio on you at all times, especially if you live somewhere frequently affected by hurricanes or other extreme weather. This radio from C Crane is less than five inches tall, making it easy to slip into any bag or pocket on your way out the door. While it doesn't have some of the bells and whistles as other options on this list, it provides enough features to get the job done. You can get broadcasts on AM and FM radio as well as seven NOAA weather channels, so you're up to date on what's going on. Set weather alerts, set your favorite channels, and use a sleep timer to save battery. This radio has a loud speaker, an alarm clock, headphone jack, and a display light. It runs on two AA batteries (not included) for up to 80 hours without earbuds and up to 100 hours with earbuds.

The Details: 4.25 x 2.5 x 1 inches | 3.8 ounces | AA batteries

Best Personal Locator

ACR Electronics RescueME PLB1 Personal Locator Beacon

$360 at REI

While it doesn't offer as many of the radio features as other items on this list, this personal locator beam is an invaluable resource to have during extreme weather, including hurricanes, tornados, and floods. If you find yourself in a situation you need to be evacuated from, this small device transmits your location and ID to the nearest rescue services from virtually anywhere in the world, including bodies of water. Once alerted, the rescue team will receive regular alerts about your location until they reach you. The radio uses a government-funded SAR satellite network and is free to use once the device has been purchased. It can be used with one hand during emergencies and has a bright strobe light that can make it easier to be spotted during a rescue. The battery can last for up to seven years without being used (covered by a seven-year warranty), and at least 24 hours while turned on.

The Details: 3 x 2.1 x 1.3 inches | 4 ounces | Lithium batteries