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We've tested over 20 radios and we are convinced that Kaito KA500 is still the best emergency radio you will definitely use in severe weather conditions.<br>
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Hand-picked Best Emergency Radios in 2021 We have a lot of gadgets that keep us constantly connected to the world around us. These gadgets, however, cannot help us if they run out of power. For such cases, you will benefit the best emergency radio 2021 that provide you with regular updates during emergencies and disasters. Selecting the best emergency radio may seem like a difficult task, given the sheer number of functions that these radios have today. We hope this guide will make things a bit easier for you. Weather Alert Radio These are the most basic type of radios. These radios work like smoke detectors – they alert you when you are about to face a weather or non-weather related emergency by producing a loud sound or flashing lights. These radios, however, require a stable power source to function properly, so they are not suitable for places where you are going to experience
frequent power outages. You should consider buying a weather alert radio with a hand crank for uninterrupted usage. Weather Radio Weather radios are upgraded versions of weather alert radios. They include pre-programmed radio stations that can access emergency alerts. Using a weather radio, you will be able to keep yourself updated with the latest information on weather-related disasters, evacuations, floods, and other public emergencies. You will get frequent reports on changes in the weather and can keep yourself equipped and prepared accordingly. AM/FM Emergency Radios Using these radios, you will be able to access the local FM and AM radio channels. Some radios are also capable of receiving short sideband or SSB radio channels. These radios will also have weather and NOAA access. You get multiple charging options with this radio such as solar, hand crank, AA batteries, and USB charging. Things To Consider While Buying the Best Emergency Radio The primary function of emergency radios is to keep you informed about the world and your locality. Therefore, you should go for emergency radios that have a strong reception capability. Your radio should be able to catch AM, FM, and NOAA weather stations. Almost every emergency radio has this feature, but you should go for ones that have more range and reception capacity. Some emergency radios include a telescoping antenna which helps them pick up radio waves more efficiently. Charging and Power Source In most cases, you will not have access to an external power source when there is an emergency or during power outages. Your radio’s power sources will help to prevent the radio from dying when the battery runs out of power. The best way to get a full charge is to replace the battery. Many emergency radios allow you to do that, while others have non-removable batteries. You can stock up on multiple batteries and easily get several days of power by replacing them when they expire. Solar panels are quite useful, but won’t work if you do not have access to direct sunlight. It is also quite slow. You won’t be able to use this feature if you are stuck with cloudy or rainy weather. A hand crank comes in handy for such cases.
Hand cranks require some manual effort to produce energy, but you won’t have to be dependent on external sources to generate power. All hand cranks are not made to be equally effective, so look at the specifications to find out the rate at which the hand crank can generate power to run a emergency radio. Battery Capacity The battery life of emergency radios is important since without power these devices are practically useless. Granted, most emergency radios come with a power source such as a solar panel or a hand crank. Yet they also have their shortcomings. Higher-end emergency radios have batteries with a capacity of 2000 to 2600 mAh. With these, you can get a full day’s worth of usage without requiring a recharge. Emergency radios with smaller capacity batteries such as 850 to 1000 mAh are good for short trips and rare emergencies. Additional Features Emergency features in the radios can come as a blessing when you need them. You should look for emergency radios that let you set an alert when NOAA issues reports related to unfavorable weather conditions. The flashlight in your emergency radios can also come in handy if you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a power outrage. You should also look for emergency radios with functions that will make it easier for other people to find you in case you get lost in the woods or trapped somewhere. Many emergency radios come with flashlights and LED lights with a blinking SOS signal mode. Additionally, you can also go for emergency radios that have a buzzer, alarm, or an ultrasonic dog whistle. Emergency radios may come with certain additional features such as emergency buzzers, LED flashlights, SOS signaling, USB charging, table lamps, and much more. Most emergency radios come with a USB output for charging your portable devices. You should look for emergency radios with a large battery if you want to use them regularly as a power bank. Waterproof and Durability Emergencies can get you and your radio in a lot of mess. You may end up dropping your radio or getting it wet in case of rain. You should therefore look for emergency radios that have been designed using durable materials and include bumpers or rubber layers for better impact-resistance.
You should also consider the IPX rating of the emergency radios. The IPX rating determines the waterproofing capability of emergency radios. The rating may vary between breaking down after being exposed to water (IPX0) to withstanding the force of powerful water jets (IPX9K). Emergency radios mostly have ratings of IPX3 or IPX4, which means they are capable of surviving water splashes or light rain. Best Emergency Radios in 2021 1. Kaito KA500 6-way Powered NOAA Weather Alert Radio The Kaito KA500 Voyager is a portable NOAA weather radio designed for everyday use and emergencies. It comes with multiple power options like an AC/DC adapter, built-in rechargeable batteries, USB power source, hand-cranking, and a 180-degree flip-up solar panel. You will never have to worry about running out of power using this radio. The versatile setup of this radio makes it a perfect companion for camping, traveling, and other such activities. Design The emergency radio is made of high-quality ABS material that is water-resistant and impact-resistant. It is ideal for indoor usage at your office and home, and also for outdoor activities such as boating or fishing. The Kaito KA500 provides you 6 ways to power your device. It includes a hand crank generator, a solar panel, compartments for attaching 3 AA batteries, a 5V USB input, a 5V AC/DC input, and an in-built NiMH battery pack that is rechargeable and replaceable. Functions Using this radio, you will be able to get comprehensive coverage in FM, AM, two-band shortwave, and seven pre-programmed NOAA weather channels. The channels will give you access to categories such as sports, entertainment, talk-shows, current news from across the world, as well as a real-time weather forecast that runs 24/7. A channel for the Public Emergency Alert System has also been implemented. The weather channels are numbered from 1 to 7 and can easily be tuned into by twisting the radio knob. You can set the radio to “alert” mode so that it is automatically activated upon receiving alert signals from the NOAA weather stations. A 3.5mm headset jack socket has been included for using headphones and earphones with your radio. The weather radio can be used as an emergency mobile battery charger. You can use the in-built DC 5V USB output port for recharging your cell-phone and other portable devices
such as your music player, digital camera, GPS unit, or tablet. The emergency weather radio also includes useful functions like a LED flashlight, a 5-LED reading lamp, and a red LED S.O.S beacon light. The telescopic antenna of this emergency weather radio can be expanded up to 14.5” for improved reception sensitivity. It utilizes an advanced semiconductor circuit design that helps bring a wide range of broadcast channels to your radio. An LED signal strength indicator has been provided for accurate tuning. The in-built speakers on the radio offer clear and loud sound. Pros: Made of high-quality impact-resistant and water-resistant ABS material. 6 different power options. You can access FM, AM, shortwave, and NOAA weather channels. Cons: Crank power is not strong enough to last long. Issues with customer service have been reported. Check Price on Amazon 2. Eton American Red Cross Emergency Weather Radio with USB Smartphone Charger The Eton Red Cross Emergency NOAA weather radio keeps you prepared for disasters and emergencies with its host of handy features. This emergency radio will become an indispensable part of your emergency kit. Design The radio comes with three power options – built-in rechargeable batteries, a hand crank, and a solar panel. You can charge your portable devices such as a phone or tablet using the USB port on this emergency radio. For this purpose, a 2600mAh battery has been included in the radio. An LED flashlight has been provided that will come in handy in the dark. You can use the red flashing beacon to make it easier for others to find you in case of emergencies. The radio is capable of receiving multiple radio broadcasts. You can access AM/FM radio bands including NOAA weather updates. The radio comes with a display that shows the time or the frequency you are on. You can also set an alarm clock on the radio. Functions
The ‘Alert’ feature is the most noteworthy function of this radio. It can automatically broadcast all the emergency weather alerts to your radio for your area. You will be notified immediately if there is an impending storm or hurricane in your area. This emergency radio will be your perfect companion for your a long camping or backpacking trip. Even if you are far away from the mainland, you can remain connected through the constant weather and news updates. You can also use the radio at your home or while having a barbecue in your yard. Pros Has an ‘Alert’ feature that automatically broadcasts the emergency updates to your radio. Access to AM/FM and NOAA frequencies.Includes a 2600mAh battery which can be used as a power bank for your devices. Cons Poor quality battery cover. The hand crank is not very efficient. Check Price on Amazon 3. Midland – ER310 Emergency Crank Weather AM/FM Radio The Midland ER310 keeps you on your feet during emergencies by providing direct updates from the National Weather Service. It also utilizes a host of emergency features such as the ultrasonic dog whistle, the SOS beacon, and rechargeable power services. Design The E310 emergency radio makes use of three power sources for recharging itself – it includes a hand crank, a solar panel, and a rechargeable 2600mAh battery. The solar panel can be used to charge the lithium-ion battery installed inside by exposing it to direct sunlight. If you do not have access to sunlight, you can use the hand crank to keep your radio from dying. The rechargeable battery in this radio provides long-lasting battery life of up to 32 hours. The radio also has a facility to attach 6 AA batteries as backup power. The in-built rechargeable battery can be used to quickly recharge your portable devices such as cell phones and tablets. These devices support USB cables to charge. This will come in handy if your devices run out of battery and you are not near a power source. Functions An emergency flashlight has been included in this radio. You can use the SOS flashlight beacon to alert others or send a message through morse code in case of emergencies. It also
includes a bright CREE LED that has 130 lumens of brightness. You can switch between a high and low brightness setting if you want to conserve power. The radio has an NOAA weather scan feature that will automatically scan all the seven weather channels and play the channel with the strongest signal. You will be able to keep yourself updated on the changes in the weather by the minute. In the case of severe weather conditions, the NOAA weather will sound an alarm to immediately notify you to take appropriate measures. You can also access regular FM/AM channels using this radio. A special feature in this radio is the ultrasonic dog whistle. You can use the whistle to assist rescue teams while locating individuals in case of emergencies. Pros Includes an SOS flashlight beacon for emergencies. Can access NOAA weather channels and FM/AM channels. An ultrasonic dog whistle has been included in this radio. Cons Solar charging is weak. The old design requires an update. Check Price on Amazon 4. RunningSnail Emergency NOAA Weather Crank Solar Powered Portable Radio The emergency radio has a large LCD display that displays details related to time, radio frequency, and battery. It is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, camping, and so on. The emergency weather alerts will keep you prepared for tornadoes, storms, and hurricanes in your area. You can use the SOS alarm to contact others for help in case of an emergency. You will get up to 10 hours of use on a full charge. Design The emergency radio can be used with four power sources – solar power, micro-USB, hand crank, and AAA batteries. To use solar power, you need to expose the radio to direct sunlight or natural light for up to 25 hours for a complete charge. The USB charging option will give you the fastest charge in 5 hours when connected to a power source. You can rotate the hand crank at 130 to 150 RMP for a minute to get 15-20 minutes of radio and 30 minutes of light use. It will take 8 hours to reach full charge using the hand crank. The emergency radio is capable of receiving AM, FM, and NOAA frequencies throughout the day 24/7. It will keep you informed about the current news updates, the local weather, and any emergency or hazard related details.
Functions You can set the emergency radio to “Alert” mode by turning the tuning band to “AL”. In this mode, the radio will display an alert message on the screen on receiving information related to bad weather or an approaching danger or disaster. An alarm will be sounded so that you can promptly prepare yourself. The emergency radio packs a 4000mAh rechargeable battery which can also be used as a power bank. You can recharge your USB supported cell phones and tablets using a Micro-USB cable in case of an emergency. You can connect your phone to the radio and play any music of your choice using the aux cable port. The emergency radio has a powerful 1W LED flashlight that will help you navigate the dark roads and provide support in case of a power failure. Pros Alert mode helps you receive instant updates related to bad weather and disasters. The 4000mAh rechargeable battery can be used as an emergency power bank. You get up to 10 hours of usage on a full charge. Cons Problems with solar power. Check Price on Amazon 5. Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM/Weather Alert Emergency Radio The Sangear MMR-88 has a strong, reinforced, and shock-resistant design. If you run out of power sources, you can use the hand crank and solar panel to get it back up and running. The triple LED light and SOS settings come in handy if you find yourself in the dark. You can revive your portable devices by using the rechargeable battery in the radio as a power bank. Design The design of this emergency radio is durable and sturdy. The four corners of the radio have been reinforced using rubber to offer resistance against bumps and drops. It also has a waterproof rating of IPX3. The emergency radio will easily withstand a lot of rough use. You will be able to access all seven NOAA weather radio frequencies using this emergency radio. AM/FM radio frequencies are also available on this radio. The emergency radio comes installed with 19 stations preset so that you can quickly tune into the radio station of your choice.
The emergency radio includes an in-built speaker and a headphone jack. The 38mm speaker unit can produce a loud and balanced sound with the correct proportions of treble and bass. You will be able to enjoy all genres of music on this radio. You can attach a pair of headphones using the 3.5mm headphone port to this radio. Functions If you combine the hand crank and solar panel power sources, you will be able to make the emergency radio last as long as you want. By rotating the hand crank for a minute, you will be able to produce enough power for five minutes of radio playtime. The emergency radio can be recharged using a 5V micro-USB port. The emergency radio comes with triple LED lights that have four lighting patterns – low, high, blinking, and SOS. Depending on your preferences and situation, you can use one of these lighting patterns. You can use the low setting if you want to conserve battery power. You can use the emergency radio as a last-resort power backup. It is capable of delivering a power of 5V/0.3A through the USB-A port. You can use it to add extra bars to the battery of your mobile devices and make some critical phone calls. The loudspeaker unit and the emergency buzzer keeps you well prepared for emergencies. Pros Comes with three power sources – USB, hand-crank, and solar panel. Includes a built-in 38mm speaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Comes preinstalled with 19 stations presets. Cons Difficult to find battery replacement. Flashlight power can be better.