The Best Emergency Radios
The digital age allows us to stay in touch with and anyone and everyone and we hardly give it a second thought. Unfortunately, though, sometimes life has other plans. Whether it’s a blizzard, hurricane, or any other severe natural disaster, a power outage can sever that connection to the outside world. During these circumstances, an emergency radio can allow you to tune in to the outside world to hear emergency broadcasts and the like. Selecting the right emergency radio is never something that should never be taken lightly. Fortunately, we’ve done that work for you and made a list of the best emergency radios available today. Continue reading to find which radio is right for you.
RunningSnail 4,000mAh Emergency Radio
Charging Forward
This unit by RunningSnail simply one of the best emergency radios around. First off, it has four separate charging modes to ensure that it’s dependable when you need it most. Another great feature is the rechargeable battery, which reaches full capacity in just a six-hour charge. Plus, it also receives professional NOAA weather alerts from your area. This gives you a heads-up so that you’re adequately prepared for the unpredictable, including blizzards, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Additionally, this radio features a high-powered flashlight that’s equipped with three different illumination settings. The emergency flashlight is incredibly helpful for outdoor activities or if you ever find yourself lost in the woods at night.
Pros:
- Rechargeable battery works well
- Three separate flashlight modes
- Four different charging options
Cons:
- A bit expensive
FosPower 2000mAh Emergency Radio
Charged Up
This option from FosPower will reliably receive emergency weather reports from NOAA and AM/FM stations the moment the broadcast happens. Additionally, this radio has three different power sources including AAA batteries, solar panels, and a hand crank. These sources are highly capable of ensuring you have power during a terrible windstorm or blizzard. Another useful perk is that with its 2000mAh power bank, this radio can provide emergency power to your tablet and smartphone during a blackout. Lastly, it comes with two LED reading lights and one LED flashlight, which will also come in handy during a power failure.
Pros:
- High-capacity power bank can charge your phone
- Three power sources enhance dependability
- Receives emergency broadcasts NOAA and AM/FM stations seconds after they happen
Cons:
- Solar panel charge gets depleted quickly
RunningSnail 1,000 mAh Emergency Radio
Super Charged
As one of the most portable units on the market, this radio from RunningSnail offers first-class quality. No more wasting money on adapters for your smartphone or tablet device. With its 1000mAh power bank, this unit can charge your iPhone directly from a USB cable. The versatility of the design stands out, as there are three separate ways to charge the internal battery. You can either use the hand crank, solar panel, or the USB port, which adds to this radio’s dependability. Not only is it super useful for emergencies, but it’s also incredibly beneficial for outdoor activities. The flashlight feature is especially useful during camping trips and guarantees you’ll never get lost in the dark.
Pros:
- Multi-functional — useful for emergencies or regular outdoor activities
- Three power sources add to the unit’s versatility
- Compact design is easy to travel with
Cons:
- The crank feature could stand to function more efficiently
Midland WR300 Emergency Radio
Clever And Convenient
The choice by Midland is one of the most accessible and convenient emergency radios out there. First off, it has the capacity to receive in-depth weather alerts from 23 different counties in your area. Additionally, the Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) system locks in your county’s NOAA radio signal. This removes technical difficulties having to do with complex programming. All those issues are taken care of as the SAME system conveniently does most of the programming for you. Another convenience is the high level of customization that it comes with. The warning system options on this radio allow you to choose exactly how you’d like to be altered, whether by siren, alarm voice alerts, or LED flash.
Pros:
- SAME system enhances convenience
- Warning option allows you to customize your alert message
- Features 60 different emergency alerts; adds flexibility
Cons:
- Although the alarm clock is useful it can also be irritating
Esky 1000mAh Emergency Radio
Superb Stability
This unit from Esky is the most long-lasting emergency radio you can get your hands on. With its tough and rugged build, this radio is both water-resistant and weatherproof. On top of that, it’s sort of a jack of all trades. It can charge your dead phone during a power outage with its high-end battery, and it also can be used as a flashlight during a night hike. This versatile design makes this one a must-have not only for emergencies, but also for camping and hiking trips. Last but not least, the battery capacity on it is about three times greater than standard radio batteries, cementing its status as the most long-lasting emergency radio around.
Pros:
- High-powered battery lasts about three times longer than the average radio battery
- Durable design is water-resistant and weatherproof
- Flashlight feature means you can use the radio for multiple activities
Cons:
- Solar panel charging isn’t that effective
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a hand-crank emergency radio function?
Opposed to your typical radio, which uses steam or gasoline to convert coils into electrical energy, emergency radios use hand-cranks. The difference is your hands are turning the coils to energy rather than having it run on gasoline. Hand-crack radios can be fully charged if you continuously crank them for around four hours long. The charge can last you up to 25 hours.
How do I tell if my radio’s solar panel charger is working?
All you need to do is write down your voltage measured in volts. Then, reconnect the wires and let your solar panel charge the radio battery during the day. After that, you’re going to want to measure to voltage again. If your solar panel is performing properly, you should see that the voltage of the battery has increased.