Powering through the Gulf of Mexico, Isaac has strengthened from a tropical storm to a hurricane and is expected to make landfall by morning. Hundreds of thousands of residents have already lost power. Those who have been through this before know that in an emergency, a weather radio can be a lifesaver. These radios feature special weather warnings and forecasts that can't be heard on AM/FM models. They typically feature hand-cranks and solar panels for recharging; alarms to alert rescue searchers; flashlights and even cell-phone chargers. Consumer Reports has checked out a few models including one from the American Red Cross.
Known as the Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service, NOAA weather radio is a nationwide network of radio stations provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The broadcasts of official warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information come directly from the nearest National Weather Service office 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The weather service has 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NOAA radio requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts can be found in the VHF public service band at seven frequencies from 162.400 MHz to 162.550 MHz.
The National Weather Service doesn't recommend one brand of radio over another but it does suggest that people look for receivers that carry the Public Alert and/or the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards logo. Devices with this logo have been evaluated by the weather service for user friendliness and performance capabilities. The radios cost from $20 to $200. Here are four that we found that pick up the NOAA broadcasts but you'll find others on the market as well.
The Best Emergency Radios Of 2023
The Eton American Red Cross Solar Link FR600, $80, is a combination radio, flashlight, cell-phone charger, and clock that can be powered in three ways (crank, solar, or battery). Available at the Red Cross Store.
If all you want is a radio with a weather band, the Kikkerland Dynamo Solar Crank Radio, $32, will do. It can be charged quickly by crank or slowly with a solar cell. Available on amazon.com. Also available on Amazon is the Jensen Portable Weather Band Radio, $40, which features an AM/FM receiver plus a handy LED flashlight.
The Swiss Tech BodyGard Survivor, $25 looks like a walkie-talkie but does a lot for its size. It has an FM radio, LED flashlight, and compass, plus it can charge a cell phone or MP3 player. Available at Swiss Tech Tools.
Best Emergency Radios For 2022
For more information including how to program your radio, visit the NOAA website or read What to pack in your storm preparedness kit.These days, we use our smartphones, computers, and TVs to keep us aware of what’s going on around us. But if a storm knocks out the power grid, our everyday tech isn’t enough.
From the cellar to the storm shelter to the mountains, we carefully tested and researched an array of products, narrowing down the best emergency radios of 2023 for a wide range of needs.
One of the most critical features of a trustworthy emergency radio is the ability to keep it running no matter what. Whether dealing with a blizzard, tornado, or any unforeseen event, you may need to be able to keep it charged for days on end.
Emergency Weather Radio Solar Hand Crank Battery Operated Portable Am Fm Shortwave Radio With Noaa Alert, Flashlight, Reading Lamp, Cellphone Charger,earphone Jack, Sos Alarm For Home Outdoor Survival: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
We rounded up a variety of radios that run on batteries, solar energy, and hand cranks to help you find the best emergency radio for every situation.
To learn more about emergency radios and what makes them tick, consult our comprehensive buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and FAQ sections. Or, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, and jump to the category you’re looking for:
The lightweight, ergonomic ER210’s ($50) 2, 000 mAh battery offers 25 hours of continuous use. And when that runs out, it can be recharged via a hand crank or direct sunlight with its solar panel. The wealth of features and usability puts this one at the top of our list.
When You Need It: The Best Emergency Radios For 2022 » Explorersweb
This radio receives the standard AM/FM signals as well as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) channels. And it has a handy auto-scan that will find the best weather channel signal for your location. You can also set it to alert you to severe weather risks in your area. The large backlit LCD display can show the radio station, time, and weather channels.
We especially like the attention to small details, like the SOS emergency flashlight. The 130-lumen LED light has an SOS strobe to call for help in emergency situations. Also, the loop on the end makes it easy to fix onto a backpack and lets the solar panel soak up the sun during a hike.
Even if the ER210 doesn’t contain a dog whistle for that extra level of shrill emergency sound, it has enough features to keep you engaged and learning. With several power options and additional features that can help in an emergency, we think the ER210 is the best emergency radio available today.
The 8 Best Emergency Radios Of 2023
It would be hard to find an emergency radio that provides more bang for your buck. This Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio provides a wide range of emergency features for $30 MSRP.
The radio tunes in to all of the NOAA weather stations and AM/FM radio. Plus, it can be set to alert you to severe weather, hurricanes, and tornadoes in your area.
When the weather does hit, an SOS alarm with a flashing red light lets others know that you need help. The LED flashlight brightens up dark areas, and the USB port lets you charge smartphones and other small devices.
Amazon.com: Emergency Weather Crank Radio 4000mah
We love the table lamp feature, which functions as an LED reading light and lights up dark rooms efficiently when the power goes out. This can provide a lot of comfort during an emergency.
If the 2, 000 mAh battery of this radio runs out, it can be replaced with three AAA batteries, powered up via a solar panel (albeit slowly), or manually charged with the crank arm. You may want those batteries handy because that solar panel isn’t as powerful as we’d appreciate.
The low price on this option provides a great entry into the emergency radio world with a mixed focus on both weather and creature comforts.
Amazon.com: Weather Radio Raynic 5000 Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio 5 Ways Powered Am/fm/sw/noaa Weather Alert Portable Radio With Flashlight, Reading Lamp (yellow)
At under half a pound, the CC Solar Observer survival radio ($50) is a top pick for hiking and travel, making it one of the best emergency radios we tested.
Being one of the lightest on our list doesn’t mean it’s a lightweight when it comes to power, though. Eight hours in the sun powers the battery for 4-6 hours. And 90 seconds of cranking will get you up to 30 minutes of listening time.
However, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever need to use those options, as this radio will run for a whopping 60 hours on three AA batteries. This means a 12-pack of batteries will keep it going for 10 days straight in an emergency situation. The radio tunes into AM/FM radio and weather bands via a backlit analog tuner. A USB adapter will charge external devices. And the LED flashlight lights the way.
The 9 Best Emergency Radios Of 2023
With no automatic alert function built into the lightweight travel companion, you may need to keep this tuned — thankfully it has the power to do so — when concerned about incoming weather or hazards. At just over 6 ounces, there’s no excuse not to take the CC Solar Observer with you when adventuring.
Weighing in at 1.4 pounds, Kaito’s Voyager radio ($50) is a behemoth when it comes to features, but it can stand up to almost any beating you give it. The radio sports a range of band reception that includes AM, FM, shortwave, and NOAA weather stations, with all seven NOAA channels pre-programmed for easy switching.
The 14.5-inch telescoping antenna increases reception. And the LED signal strength indicator lets you dial in your tuning. It also offers an “Alert” mode, which automatically turns the radio on when it receives emergency weather alerts from NOAA weather stations.
Best Portable Radios 2021
The AC/DC and USB chargers are useful for day-to-day use, but the Voyager really shines when the power goes out. The Voyager runs on three AA batteries or the 600 mAh rechargeable battery pack. If you run out of batteries, the Kaito Voyager can run on solar power. And in overcast conditions, you can use the hand crank to charge up the battery pack.
Don’t expect a powerful battery for charging other devices, though. You may want to rely on a small portable for that task.
This radio literally shines as well, with its included reading lamp, flashlight, and red blinking emergency light. It also sports a USB port, so you can charge up your smartphone and small devices as well. If durability is your top concern, this might be the best emergency radio for you.
Best Survival Radios For Emergencies
Midland’s ER310 emergency radio ($70) sports a variety of charging options — rechargeable and disposable batteries, solar power, and hand cranks — when wall charging isn’t an option. This variety gives the battery plenty of versatility, even if the whopping
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