(Part 2) Best weather radios according to redditors

Because the site appears to have been hugged to death...

FRX3 is a Solar and crank powered emergency radio/torch/cell phone charger.

The version linked has been discontinued on Amazon UK and US. But here is a (non-affiliate/referral) link to the updated model on Amazon US.

Get a battery powered radio that gets emergency services channels. You ought to have one in your earthquake kit already, but if you don't you should get one as soon as you can.

https://smile.amazon.com/American-Emergency-Smartphone-ARCFRX3-WXR/dp/B00HSHH5DI/

Okay. If you want a slightly larger portable one with lots of utility for camping and long battery life, get this one.

Kaito KA390 Portable AM/FM Shortwave NOAA Weather Radio with LED Flashlight, Color Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DXSZ7Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tbtXAbDJB9GTQ

If you want a small one that doubles as an alarm clock, get this one.

TIVDIO V-111 Portable Shortwave Travel Radio AM/FM Stereo with Clock and Alarm (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0186SDYZU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MgtXAb217SMTR

If you're worried about buying from a company of which you have never heard, you shouldn't be. You want a radio with DSP, allowing good reception of bad stations, and most of these radios are made with similar chips.

If you are worried about that, just buy one of the Sony ones for $20. They're overpriced and lack virtually any features, but they're at least well made.

> American Red Cross Emergency NOAA Weather Radio. $37.60, originally $50.

For this price you can get a baofeng, program it to rx NOAA frequencies, and also be able to transmit if you get a ham license. Bleh.

A radio can be a lifesaver in these situations and a crank radio can mitigate the need for batteries that may be in short supply.

I have lots of battery powered stuff so I keep a good stock and rotate through them reasonably quickly so they're fresh but the crank will be useful if the outage lasts longer than expected or I need to go out on foot for some reason.
https://www.amazon.com/Weather-Powered-Emergency-Flashlight-1000mAh/dp/B07DN8G654/

For these situations, a crank power radio is perfect. A few minutes of cranking gives you several minutes of audio. The one I have takes AAA batteries and has an internal rechargeable battery. It also has a USB plug to recharge your phone and a solar panel on top to keep it topped up during the day. Link

Cheap, good sound quality and loud, sensitive, AA powered: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BH6RPTY/

Make a wire 20ft long to throw over a tree branch for an extra antenna length.

I've tried several of the popular hand crank ones, underwhelmed, fiddlely.

My current one is a bit over the top: https://www.amazon.com/Skywave-Shortwave-Weather-Airband-Portable/dp/B00QMTI6YK/

Its overkill, but light and two AA batteries last forever.

My girlfriend thought it was stupid of me to "waste money" on a hand crank radio/usb charger. The few times power has gone out - it's been perfect.

I don't use pocket radios but if Santa wan6ts to give me one it would be this: Sangean DT-800 in the yellow and black color scheme. This radio has a speaker but like the old Sony Walkman of the past it is best enjoyed with good headphones.

Reviews...

Todderbert

Jay Allen

Weather Spotter here!

I have this Midland HH54VP2 model and for the most part love it. The slight problem is Midland's batteries aren't the best, so you'll want to keep it charged and may need to order additional batteries. The thing I love about this model is it has Tone, Voice, and Visual alert modes (or all 3). Whenever it goes off in my house, I get a loud tone, the display flashes, and then it immediately tunes in to the Alert broadcast so I hear what it is. It also has a text read-out display so if I am not right by it, I can see what the alert was.

The other one I like is the Cobra CWR 200 Weather and Emergency Alert radio. Cobra has better battery life. This one is nice as it can charge your phone if you needed it. I had one before our move and left it with a friend who didn't have one at all.

I also recommend a desktop WX radio that can be left at home at all times. This way you have one that is on stand-by at home 24x7 and your portable can go with you in the car, hiking, or to work.

You may also find this Weather Station and Portable Alert Radio useful, although I haven't personally used this model.

Some apps, if you're on Android, I highly recommend are Dark Sky, RadarScope, and MyWarn. I also have the Weather Radio app but lately it's only advantage is Text-to-Speech reading of the warning like a Weather Radio, which can suck when you're in a crowded place and don't want your phone talking.

I forgot to turn on my alarm last night, but this thing woke me up on time by coincidence. I was so relieved when I realized.

Hold up

Here you go: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013EQVDJ8/ref=pd_aw_sbs_23_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41nFvBMlTHL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C100_&psc=1&refRID=XYXT8J6RHSTEMP9MA1YC

Have you used the radio much? I returned mine, it's reception was so poor. Also it's usb chargeing is a joke compared to even the worst batterypack style chargers, and the good ones aren't spendy. I went with a cheaper radio that works better and is smaller.

Full change of clothes is always nice to have in the car, a sleeping bag at least in winter, and a decent shovel.

My favorite tip that seems to be over looked, or not followed by prepared people, since they try to help themselves. Is if you are stranded with your car, outside of civilization, it is nearly always best to stay with your car. You car is easier to find than you are and the searchers will likely be using the same roads you were/are on to find you. As long as someone knows roughly where you went and when you are expected back, you should easily be found.

Speaking of a crank radio: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QTXKBA/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

I just bought this for my get home BOB (admittedly, it's a "travel 300 miles home" BOB, but still), and it works wonderfully. AM/FM radio, weather radio, and solar/hand crank USB charging, all in a small package. I know you've got a solar charger already, but you can't go wrong with a handcrank, and you might want some form of radio as well.

any radio like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Eton-All-Purpose-Weather-Alert-Radio/dp/B00KFDPCVY

>S.A.M.E. and NOAA Weather Alerts

This One! I fucking love this rugged little guy. AM/FM/Weather Alert / Emergency Radio. Solar/Hand Crank/USB/Flashlight(with low, high, sos), runs off of a cr123/16340 battery.

Yeah see thats what I wanted to do, I was running a lot of my stuff on a charger but it wasn't worth it. The dollar store sells packs 8 double A's for a dollar and its worth just keeping them close to your core so the cold doesn't sap them and using them as you need them in everything. Plus I have nothing essential running on a battury mostly quality of life items like a radio and mini lamp. I might keep my charger for its cell phone attachment which does make it worth it for my longer excursions in the summer.

I do need to swap my gear over to AA, I need a new mini lamp and a decent AA radio. Maybe I could look for some more light quality of life shit as well. Might just get this actually:

https://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Weather-WR-77-Emergency-Flashlight/dp/B01BH6RPTY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1469723599&sr=8-5&keywords=pocket+radio+AA&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011

Emergency crank radio with USB out.

I live in Ontario and ordered this one from Amazon: [New Version] Esky Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio for Emergency with AM/FM, Flashlight, Reading Lamp and 2000mAh Power Bank https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07HKB2VF1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4x3DDbWFXYFV5 it’s perfect except for the fact I can’t get 680AM on it

I bought my radio from Amazon

Do everyone a favor and spend the $25 on this (el-cheapo weather radio with alerting for your county at Amazon), program it for your county, and keep it in a place where you can hear it when it goes off. This bad boy is $35 and what I personally use. It normally lives in the charger, but I can hear it over a movie when it's in an adjacent room when it goes off.

By "everybody", I mean you, so you can know when to consider sheltering, and the EMS people, so you'll be sheltered in the event that something nasty turns your residence into just so much rubble.

I have a [Midland HH54VP2] (http://www.amazon.com/Midland-HH54VP2-Portable-Emergency-Weather/dp/B003FGWF04/ref=pd_sim_e_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SBSD11J3A7TKXMQ0HMS), a Midland desktop at home, a [Midland 75-822] (http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-822-Channel-CB-Way-Radio/dp/B00000K2YR) CB with weather radio in my truck, an Eton FRX2 and an Eton Scorpion.

I pretty much use the HH54 the most. It gets the best reception of any of those (even the one in my truck with an external antenna). This one has a rechargeable battery pack and a desktop charging cradle. The it will easily go for a couple of months on a charge (turned off, not in "monitor" mode, which will need to be charged in a couple of days). It is small and rugged and I usually take it along when I am away from my truck.


I do use the 75-822 a lot, usually once or twice a day during my commute. It also includes a battery pack and a rubber antenna for portable use.

I do like the FRX2 and it gets some use. It holds a charge well and I like having the ability to use the solar or crank charger. As a charger for a cell phone or other USB device, I would not rely on that, as it takes a lot of cranking. It can also be charged through the USB port. The tuner is analog and includes AM and FM.

I really wanted to like the Scorpion, but it is a disappointment. It works, but you can only charge it with the solar panel, the crank or with an external AC adapter (not included), but not through the USB port, which seems stupid. It is also considerably bigger and more bulky than the FRX2 or the Midland portable. Reception is good, but the tuner (which is digital) and switches are rubber covered buttons, which are difficult to work. Flashlight is ok, but nothing stellar. I do like having AM/FM on this, but again, you fight with the rubber buttons to select band and station.

I have three of these: hand crank solar radio w/weatherband and flashlight
Highly recommended.

thank you ! I was also looking at something like this which has radio as well, but ya it's more of a flashlight than a lantern - https://smile.amazon.com/RunningSnail-Weather-Emergency-Flashlight-Bank%EF%BC%88Orange%EF%BC%89/dp/B07QKKJHQK/ref=pd_cp_23_4/137-0173810-8227560?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07QKKJHQK&pd_rd_r=93b527f0-d2b3-4fb8-b7ff-10b58ecb0bd6&pd_rd_w=LYk0O&pd_rd_wg=ZPX8L&pf_rd_p=0e5324e1-c848-4872-bbd5-5be6baedf80e&pf_rd_r=CEVQHJW42SYDMWF5868Y&psc=1&refRID=CEVQHJW42SYDMWF5868Y

I bought this one. I like it a lot. It's my camping/backpacking radio. During the day you don't even have to touch it. I wish I got a little more time out if the cranks at night but it isn't bad at all. It was great when we had a 14 hour city wide blackout too and my roommate and I only had booze,snacks and this little guy to pass the time (who am I kidding, it was awesome).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QTXKBA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2G3GR4EQQPR74&coliid=I9HKU2Z69EFH2&psc=1

A good all in one radio is a bitch to find. Almost every one has a good number of defects that are complained about.

Here is the one I have. I'm very happy with it.

I bought the same model you've linked but I heard some pretty terrible reviews on it so I exchanged it for the above just to be safe.

I looked on Amazon for that product; it has only one (2-star) review :/

Best - http://www.gorman-redlich.com/products/weather-radio/
but don't even ask the price.

http://www.reecominc.com/

Very good, can add an external antenna if needed - approved for use in schools, etc.
Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/Reecom-R-1630-Effective-Detection-Memories/dp/B003I29YF4/ref=sr_1_1?m=AAQ8W8DVR7PSZ&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1510183004&sr=1-1&dpID=41y%252BNmrB7GL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Kaito KA500 5-Way Radio You can power it via Micro USB and Adapter as well as the usual Solar, Crank, and AA batteries. This radio also gives you access to the Shortwave bands so you can listen to.

If you want to go small, I recommend any portable radio that allows you to power it via external batteries AND internal rechargeable batteries while having an auxiliary jack for speakers and headphones. There are not that many portable radios that have all those features in a small package so it may be hard to find. The closest I got is this RunningSnail and it is in a similar size like the Kaito, but it managed to be a perfect fit in the side pocket of my daypack.

I also recommend using analog for emergencies if you plan to store it for months on end without checking the batteries. I have a Midland ER200 that died on me after the LED screen drained itself, however, the other RunningSnail that I keep in the car still had plenty of power even after six months.

That is assuming you are planning on receiving signals. Refer to others if you are looking into portable HAM radios.

Maybe you have one of these, but anyone who travels or boondocks a lot should have a radio that has the NOAA weather radio channels on it (there are lots on Amazon, but here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/Kaito-Portable-Shortwave-Weather-Flashlight/dp/B071DXSZ7Z ). Listen to it every couple of days to find out what's coming, like snowstorms or hurricanes or whatever.

How did you not know that weather was incoming? Was this the recent, "second bomb cyclone" storm that hit the country recently? You definitely handled that well, though. Nice job.

the Red Cross one is merely an ETON with their logo on it. I like mine and it has very good reviews online. I haven't had to use it much, but it's a nice thing to have. it does have a flash light component, but i'd rather have a crank light separate from it.

I have Etón American Red Cross ARCFR160WXR Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger I have not had any luck getting the USB to charge the iphone, so i have another device for that.

That's probably why they developed this other one Eton American Red Cross Axis Self-Powered Safety Hub with Weather Radio and USB Cell Phone Charger (ARCPT300W) Looks like it has a much more serious Crank mechanism.

I keep this little one in my bugout bag: https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Version-iRonsnow-Emergency-Flashlight/dp/B013EQVDJ8?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-ffsb-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B013EQVDJ8 no idea about it's longevity.

Bf took up camping/fishing/boating a few years ago and it's become an obsession for him. I've turned into a den mother to him and his friends lol. Maybe next month check out a weather radio/flashlight/usb charger? I love this one www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007KFLVW4?cache=fe76734fe55a9d8735db0d2b92229716&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1411091186&sr=8-6#ref=mp_s_a_1_6

Great AM/FM/weather radio, flashlight, and USB charger. You can charge it at home before you leave and then also solar charge or hand crank it. Once you have the absolute basics it's definitely a great investment, and only $35!

sangean radios are usually pretty good:

http://www.amazon.com/Sangean-MMR-88-Weather-Alert-Radio/dp/B00OJZOOLI/

The Eton I have is http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/frx3-american-red-cross which is also the http://www.amazon.com/Eton-Turbine-Weather-Smartphone-Charger/dp/B007HSOAYU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

Make sure you check the Amazon comparison chart for the Ambients before you buy, and check the reviews, too. More than several people have noted breakdowns, including in your post.

The Ambients are made poorly. The Etons have their issues, like batteries not performing as some expect them to but they don't break nearly as often as the Ambients.

http://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Weather-WR-333-Emergency-Flashlight/dp/B009NUK6S4

The chart is at the bottom of that page. Read the reviews, don't just pull the trigger because three people recommend a brand. Ambient has about
20 radios, as does Eton.

The Eton is $5 cheaper and I haven't had an issue with it. It's also a bit less prone to breaking IMHO.

If I have to pick from "Maybe won't hold a charge for months." and "Maybe won't work at all." I'd pick the one with the batter complaints that doesn't break, the Eton, which also happens to be cheaper. And you can often find them on sale, to boot.

Now, when you upgrade when your Ambient breaks, buy a few of the FRX-3s or one of the FRX-5s, which will be out very soon. ;)

http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/frx5

http://www.amazon.com/Eton-All-Purpose-Weather-Alert-Radio/dp/B00KFDPCVY

Also look at the hand crank and solar efficiency, that's important, too.