8 Best Emergency Radios of 2022

Having one of the best emergency radios during a disaster can save lives. These equipment items are self-contained survival tools that include everything from LED torches to solar-powered USB ports to keep other gadgets charged in an emergency. They go beyond simply being battery-operated radios.

Although you ideally won’t ever need one of our top emergency radios, you should still get a device with a sizable battery and a simple means to recharge it. Ideally, both a hand crank and a solar cell would be used.

While smartphones on their own are still a fantastic way to keep in touch in an emergency, they still run on their batteries and lose a lot of their usefulness in remote locations or if local cellphone towers are down.

Emergency radios can send and receive signals regardless of the state of your cellular network and require a tiny fraction of the power needed to keep your smartphone functioning. An emergency radio is a must-have if you want to stay informed in any situation.

1. Sangean MMR-88 Emergency Radio

The Sangean MMR-88 radio is a fantastic amalgamation of all the essentials because it includes an integrated phone charger and LED flashlight. The MMR-88 has dimensions of 2.71 x 5.98 x 3.3 inches and weighs only. Eighty-six pounds may be powered by a hand crank, a solar panel, or a USB connector.

It features a tough and resilient design, an AM/FM public alert certification for severe weather warnings, and 19 pre-programmed channels for quickly finding the most crucial stations. The adjustable LED flashlight features high, low, and blinking settings in addition to SOS Morse code functionality when things get terrible.

A built-in speaker, built-in clock, stereo headphone output, and a 90-minute power down feature to preserve battery life complete the feature set.

2. Midland ER210 Emergency Radio

The Midland ER210 is already one of the most remarkable emergency radios available, but the addition of hand crank charging makes it a must-have item for any situation. It can also be powered by the sun (and can operate for 25 hours on a single charge).

In addition to supporting AM/FM and NOAA band radio, it also contains a 130-lumen LED illumination for use at night. Users of the ER210 can recharge portable gadgets through USB output thanks to the 2000mAh rechargeable lithium battery that is integrated.

The ER210 is equipped with an SOS flashlight beacon that flashes Morse code in an emergency, allowing first responders to locate you quickly. Additionally, just 60 seconds of hand cranking can power a radio for more than 45 minutes and a torch for 30 minutes.

3. Eton FRX3+

The FRX3+ is a standout among other emergency radios in terms of design from Eton. It has a square shape and is easy to see thanks to the bright red plastic covering. Its seven NOAA/Environment, Canada Weather bands, and AM/FM radio make it ideal as a portable emergency radio. Additionally, it can be configured to automatically transmit weather notifications.

It operates to give battery backup in addition to radio, weather, and emergency alerts. It has a rechargeable power bank to power your phone or other gadgets, a solar panel, and a hand-crank power turbine generator (with Red Cross branding). It’s a fantastic addition to any emergency pack due to its functionality and backup power options.

4. Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio

The robust, water-resistant Kaito KA500 can be powered by batteries, a conventional wall outlet, a solar panel, a micro USB connection, or by hand cranking. The KA500 also contains a two-band shortwave radio providing access to the public emergency alert system, an AM/FM radio with an LED signal indicator, and all seven NOAA channels.

The telescoping antenna has a height of 14.5 inches for greater radio broadcast sensitivity. Thankfully, there are still more features available for the KA500. It includes a 5V DC USB output port for charging smartphones, cameras, and GPS systems, a red, LED SOS beacon light and a reading lamp with five LEDs.

5. Emergency radio, Eton Scorpion II

The best durable option is the Eton Scorpion II handheld emergency weather radio. The Eton offers more than 12 hours of radio time when the battery is ultimately charged, and it includes a solar panel, hand crank, DC socket, and micro USB for convenient recharge options. On the Eton, a mobile device can be fully charged in 15 minutes with hand crank charging, but the 800mAh battery gives a second alternative for charging portable gadgets.

All standard radio channel options—including AM/FM and NOAA weather bands—are available for informational purposes. To withstand heavy rain, water splashes, and unintentional drops, the Eton includes an IPX4 water-resistant grade. A bottle opener replaces more emergency-related functions like a Morse code beacon or siren. At the same time, the integrated LED illumination provides 20 feet of visibility (because sometimes, you need to crack a cold one).

6. RunningSnail Emergency Radio

You can receive all seven NOAA weather channels with the RunningSnail emergency radio, which helps you keep informed at all times. In the event of a power outage, the accompanying LED “table lamp” instantly illuminates a small space. The MD-090 can withstand snow and rain thanks to its IPX3 waterproofing without missing a beat.

Three AAA batteries, a micro USB cable, a hand crank, or solar power can all be used to recharge the RunningSnail. The 2000mAh rechargeable battery may also power a gadget for up to 12 hours of light or four to six hours of radio (it can also charge up portable devices such as smartphones and tablets).

7. FosPower Emergency Radio

The FosPower Emergency Radio is the ideal hiking companion if you intend to hit the trail but still want to be close to society. This portable radio not only packs a tonne of emergency capabilities to fall back on in an emergency but is also amazingly lightweight at just under 15 ounces.

Along with the standard AM/FM bands, the FosPower Emergency Radio includes access to NOAA emergency weather broadcasts. If one of these methods is unsuccessful, the 2000 MaH battery can also be charged using a hand crank, an inbuilt solar cell, or even three AAA batteries.

The variety of charging options guarantees you’re never without power for too long, even though the capacity may be far less than what you’d find in your regular off-the-shelf power bank. The FosPower Emergency Radio is more than just a battery; it also features an SOS distress signal, an LED lamp, and a USB connector to keep other gadgets charged, making it the ideal companion for an emergency both inside and outside.

8. C. Crane CC Pocket AM, FM, NOAA Weather Radio and Alert with Clock and Sleep Timer

The C. Crane pocket radio is a superb small emergency option with dimensions of 2.5 x 1 x 4.2 inches and a weight of under four ounces. The Crane features five one-touch memory presents for swiftly rotating back to emergency stations in addition to supporting AM/FM and NOAA weather bands.

The included earbuds allow for a more individualized listening experience, while the built-in speaker is excellent for the entire family to listen in. The Crane has a playtime capacity of about 75 hours with two AA batteries (not included). The Crane is a standout purchase thanks to features including a backlight, sleep timer, clock, and alarm clock, as well as the option to turn off the display for improved battery life.

Last Words

The Sangean MMR-88 is a reliable emergency radio with many features that don’t skimp on necessities.
Our top pick for emergency radios has a compact design, multiple LED flashlight settings, a long battery life, and multiple charging options. It also weighs less than one pound. If that specific model is unavailable for any reason, the Midland ER210 is a good fallback.