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Best Emergency Radios

Updated February 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Midland ER210 Emergency Compact Crank Weather AM/FM Radio
Midland
ER210 Emergency Compact Crank Weather AM/FM Radio
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Mid-Range Option
Bottom Line

This is a feature-packed emergency radio that's simple to recharge, use, and transport.

Pros

Features a long-lasting rechargeable battery that can be charged by hand crank or solar. Gets up to 25 hours of runtime with each full charge. Built-in LED flashlight provides bright illumination. USB port makes it possible to charge devices. The handle is durable and easy to grip. Has a compact design that is simple to transport and store when not in use.

Cons

The speaker has a tinny sound. Some reports of defective radios that didn't charge as expected.

Best Bang for the Buck
RunningSnail Emergency Radio
RunningSnail
Emergency Radio
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Solid Deal
Bottom Line

This emergency radio offers excellent performance at a budget-friendly price.

Pros

Can serve as an emergency radio, table lamp, and flashlight. Features a rechargeable battery that delivers up to 12 hours of light or 6 hours of radio time. Comes with an S.O.S. alarm with a flashing light to help you notify or warn others about an emergency. Equipped with an indicator light to show when the radio is charging or fully charged.

Cons

Radio sometimes won't hold a charge. Knob tends to snap off the radio easily.

iRonsnow Emergency Radio
iRonsnow
Emergency Radio
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Best for Outdoor Use
Bottom Line

This top-notch emergency radio is a great choice for camping trips and other outdoor excursions.

Pros

Includes a handle and reading lamp for added convenience. Offers instant access to AM and FM stations, as well as weather channels. Features a loud siren. Enables you to set up an alarm so that you can be automatically notified about natural disasters and other emergencies. Can serve as a power bank for a variety of mobile devices.

Cons

Reception may be fuzzy at times. Tuning knob may come off the radio on its own.

Eton Emergency Radio
Eton
Emergency Radio
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This radio delivers crisp, clear sound to help you track weather alerts and other emergency updates.

Pros

Includes a battery that ensures the radio provides nearly nine times the playback time of comparable products. Integrated LED flashlight is easy to use. Boasts a USB port that enables you to recharge your smartphone at your convenience. Comes with a built-in solar panel that provides supplemental power. Ergonomic hand crank requires minimal effort to generate power.

Cons

May be difficult to hold the radio and use the hand crank at the same time.

Esky Emergency Radio
Esky
Emergency Radio
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Affordable Quality
Bottom Line

This rugged emergency radio is proven to perform in inclement weather conditions.

Pros

Versatile radio can be charged using a USB cable, solar panel, or hand crank. Radio is weather-resistant. Includes a convenient built-in flashlight. Portable radio fits perfectly inside a bag or suitcase. Can be used to recharge a smartphone, tablet, or other devices that have a USB port. Sits at an affordable price point for the tech involved.

Cons

Antenna sometimes breaks off the radio. May provide only a limited number of AM and FM stations.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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40
Models
Considered
65
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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An emergency radio is one of those items where you hope you won’t need to use it, but it’s important to have one just in case of natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes. These are also handy to have on a non-emergency camping trip. The biggest feature to keep in mind here: how it is powered. Some options include batteries, a hand crank, USB cable, or a solar panel; the majority have multiple options. The radio option can have bands such as AM, FM, weather channels, and pre-set channel options, plus the sound quality should be decent. Other popular options include a built-in flashlight or lamp, a smartphone recharger, and a built-in siren or signaler. Also consider one with a strap or handle for easier carrying.

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