The Battery Powered Shortwave Radio For 2024

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Weather Radio Raynic 5000 Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Weather Radio Raynic 5000 Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio

You never know when disaster might strike. Be prepared with the Weather Radio Raynic 5000 Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio. It features a 7-channel NOAA radio, 2 LED light sources and 5 ways to power it up: solar, hand crank, USB, DC plug in or battery input. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Weather Radio 5000 Solar Hand Crank Portable AM FM Shortwave NOAA

This Weather Radio 5000 Solar Hand Crank Portable AM FM Shortwave NOAA provides 5 power sources, AM/FM radio and 7 NOAA weather channels for you to stay up to date. The 5000 large capacity battery ensures you're never without light or power. With 2 emergency light sources, this weather-ready device has a loud SOS siren as well as a flashlight with strobe mode in case of emergencies. Read Review

3. Best Connectivity: Greadio Portable Shortwave Radio,AM FM Transistor Radio

With Greadio, you can enjoy your favorite radio stations anywhere. Whether listening to AM or FM, this portable shortwave radio is designed for you. The new upgraded LCD display with best reception and simple to operate function will make it convenient to use without any complications. Greadio comes with 2 powerful charging ways that charge your phone and the radio at the same time Read Review

4. Best Easy To Use: Emergency Radio with NOAA Weather Alert

Have peace of mind, anywhere. This emergency radio is perfect for your household and also great for outdoor activities. It features AM/FM/Shortwave Radio, a NOAA Weather Alert and manual SOS button with 2 emergency lighting sources including an LED flashlight and a red flashing beacon. The hand strap makes it easy to carry, so you can take it with you wherever you go. Read Review

Battery-powered shortwave radio is different from other types of radio because it doesn’t use air to carry its signals. Because of this, shortwave radio has some interesting properties that make it ideal for communication and broadcasting over long distances. It can also be used to transmit over the horizon, which is why many ships, planes, and other users of shortwave radio keep a constant lookout for these broadcasts.

Because shortwave radios are battery powered radios that need to be portable and lightweight, they tend to have some special characteristics beyond their general design as battery-powered radios. They also tend to cost more than most battery-powered radios because of their special features – but if you know where to look, it can still be a fairly affordable way to get a compact utility radio with plenty of range.

We will help you choose the best products. With our Weather Radio Raynic 5000 Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio and Weather Radio 5000 Solar Hand Crank Portable AM FM Shortwave NOAA, you will surely be satisfied with the convenience it brings when using.

Our Top Picks

  • HOME & OUTDOOR NECESSARY - This waterproof IPX3 emergency radio with a backup power source is reliable and necessary for home use and outdoor travel, so youโ€™ll be ready in case of any emergency events. Packing included: 1*Raynic Emergency Weather Radio,1*Handy Braid belt,1*Carabiner,1*Compass,1*Micro USB Charger,and 1*User Manual.
  • MULTI-USE & DURABLE- The upgraded crank radios is enough to charge your cell phone or USB devices for a brief call or a text message during an emergency. And plus a 3.5mm headphone jack, allows you to enjoy radio shows without disturbing others. This weather radio with 3W integrated flashlights and 2.5W reading lamp are handy during emergency power cuts to see any signal in the dark. can be a lifesaver during dangerous disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes.
  • NOAA ALERT RADIO - This NOAA weather alert radio are specially designed for emergency need. But it requires being powered on and manually tuned into a local weather station to receive alerts. It has standard analog tuning of AM/FM/SW/7 preset NOAA weather channels. It is a particular device designed to receive emergency warnings for various life-threatening weather events such as cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other weather disasters.
  • 5-WAY POWER SOURCES - The weather radios with multiple power backup options are the best choice.5 power sources including a hand crank, solar panel, and AC power to make it easier to keep the radio running during a prolonged situation where AC power is off.
  • PORTABLE RADIO & COMPASS - This pocket-sized portable emergency radio is surprisingly small and light. Its dimension is 7.5*3.5*4.7inch and weight 1.2LB, and it comes with SOS alarm function and a necessary compass.For hiking or trekking purpose this type of radio is a smart choice. Carrying around a large unit is quite difficult when you have to move around during emergencies.
  • ๐Ÿ’Ž ใ€Never Power Outage with 5 Charging Waysใ€‘This ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ with multiple power backup options is the best value for ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ in this market. 5 power sources - 5000 Large Capacity Built-in Battery, Solar, Crank, 5V USB Input, 3*aaa Battery. No matter what emergency youโ€™re in, it never runs out of electricity! Also works with most USB powered devices, this ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ could provide enough emergency power for important calls.
  • ๐Ÿ’Ž ใ€Prepared Yourself Ahead with ๐—ก๐—ข๐—”๐—” ๐—ช๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—”๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผใ€‘PPLEE weather radio will keep your family safe through natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, Snowstorms, and so on! Select your local weather station, this emergency radio can timely report various life-threatening severe weather issued by National Weather Service, alert you with a loud siren and flashing red light, never miss a critical time to get prepared even at night while you are sleeping!
  • ๐Ÿ’Ž ใ€Solid Product with Strong After-sale Serviceใ€‘Our ๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฝ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ with versatile functions can be your life-savor! We also provide an 18-months Warranty, 24/7 customer service. Any questions, pls contact us via Amazon or our support email address. Add to the cart, you will never regret purchasing this ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ธ ๐—ณ๐—น๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต๐—น๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ!
  • ๐Ÿ’Ž ใ€Great Reception for ๐—”๐—  ๐—™๐—  ๐—ฆ๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผใ€‘Added a 3.5mm headphone jack and adjustable antenna, this ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ณ๐—น๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต๐—น๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ helps you to enjoy the AM/FM/SW radio with crystal sound and good signal. The big tuning knob makes it easier to tune into your favorite channel manually. The dimension of this ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ธ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ is 6.69 x 3.74 x 2.36 inches and weight 1LB, which is surprisingly small and light to carry around.
  • ๐Ÿ’Ž ใ€Light Your Way with High Illuminated Flashlight & Reading Lampใ€‘Itโ€™s a smart choice to have this ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐˜€๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ no matter for indoor or outdoor usage. Provides a 3W ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ณ๐—น๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต๐—น๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜ and 2.5W ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜, this ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ is designed to light up your darkness when emergencies, bug out, or power failure.
TOP Choice #3 Greadio Portable Shortwave Radio,AM FM Transistor Radio
Our Score:
9.3
Greadio
  • ใ€New Upgraded: LCD Display with Best Receptionใ€‘Equipped with a big LCD screen, you can easily and clearly to see each AM/FM/Shortwave stations when tuning the knob on this portable radio. The long antenna and advanced DSP chip ensure a ultra strong stable radio signal for you to listen to your favourite music, NPR, sports and news stations no matter at home or outdoor. Never miss a station and you will have a relax radio time with your family and friends with this am fm radio.
  • ใ€2 Powerful Charging Waysใ€‘This am fm radio is designed for two charging ways. While you are indoor, the AC power for you to plug the charging cable(include) in the wall to listen radio whole day. If there power outage, don't worry, inserts 4 D Cell batteries(not include) in the shortwave radio that you can continue to connect and get broadcast news in real time. And the battery can be easily found in every household and stores. Keep one in your house, you will happy to have this portable radio.
  • ใ€Ideal Christmas Giftใ€‘With its classic appearance and simple operation, our portable radio is best sell on many countries. If you are distressing on what to buy to your parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts, this am fm radio is the best choice for you. It is a thoughtful Christmas gift to fill their heart to joy and remember you! Besides, we guarantee a 12-month warranty, 30-day money back and 24/7 customer service to make it no risk for you to purchase this fm radio.
  • ใ€Good Sounds Quality & Earphone Jackใ€‘With a premium built in 2W speaker, this transistor radio offers a big great sound, it can easily fill a room with your favorite musics or baseball game. And you can choose high/low tune mode as you like to listen on the shortwave radio. A good choice for radio lover. Moreover, an 3.5mm earphone jack here is designed for those who wants to have private listening space. Take this portable radio for picnic,camping or party,leave a good memory with your friends.
  • ใ€Simple to Operate, Convenient to Useใ€‘Not like other radios which are too small to operate, our shortwave radio is big enough to use and easy to operate for both elder and children as the knobs are large to tune and the LCD screen is clear to see. A handle on the radio makes it not difficult to take outside. Beyond that, a time setting is available for you to see on the LCD display, so it is not just a fm radio but also a clock for you. Buy this transistor radio, bring convenience to your life.
4 Emergency Radio with NOAA Weather Alert
Our Score:
9.2
Eoxsmile
  • ใ€AM FM Shortwave Radio with Earphone Jack-Best Listening Experienceใ€‘Easy to tune into your favorite broadcast, AM Radio(520-1710Khz); FM Band(87-108MHz); SW Radio(7-19.00MHZ). The crank radio has a comprehensive coverage of entertainment, sports, news or overseas broadcast like The BBC/Moscow/Beijing. The telescopic antenna makes it a portable radio with best reception. Big volume knob is designed for easy volume adjustment and the 3.5mm headphone jack for your enjoying radio shows privately.
  • ใ€Versatile for Emergencyใ€‘Built in USB output port, this 5000 ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐˜๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ can charge more than one cellphone for important calls or texts. The side SOS button can make loud Alarm(116dB) with red flashlight to seek help. Besides, the compact lightweight noaa emergency weather radio comes with a compass,hand strap, perfect for outdoor camping, field survival, hiking, trekking and night biking. We care you and provide one-year warranty, just email us with any question.
  • ใ€All-in-One Portable Radio with LED Flashlight/Reading Lampใ€‘Our ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ธ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ is also designed for outdoor survival- providing 2 light sources. The side 3W LED flashlight emits strong and straight light to light up 80 meters away. A very vital survival gear and equipment if you are lost at night. 2.5W Reading Lamp with 2 adjustable brightness- Flipping up the solar panel makes the emergency crank radio a reading lamp with 6 built-in LED bulbs to illuminate 20ใŽก room or campsite.
  • ใ€NOAA Weather Alert Radio Keeps You Prepared Aheadใ€‘Our NOAA Weather Radio is certified by National Weather Service. Choose WB band and one of the 7 preset weather band to tune into your local weather station. When the National Weather Service issues a severe weather alert, the radio will auto make a loud SOS alarm that lasts for 9 secs, meanwhile, the red light flashes.You will never miss it even at sleep. Great ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐˜ for tornadoes, tsunamis, Wildfire, hurricane & snowstorm.
  • ใ€5 Power Sources Long Run Timeใ€‘The 5-way powered ๐—˜๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ is ready to save your life in emergency. Built-in 5000 rechargeable battery, the weather radio is easily recharged by solar/hand crank/power plug( 5V/2A, not included)and USB cord(included). The solar crank radio is also equipped with backup battery compartment(3pcs*AAA batteries, not included). No more power failure concern in any situation. The full charged solar radio can last up to 13 hours only playing FM radio.
  • ๐ŸŒฉ๏ธ[OUTDOOR BODYGUARD]:Portable NOAA stations at a crystal-clear sound weather radio with flashlight for lighting road in dark and SOS alarm ready to go when you need it most.
  • ๐Ÿ’Ž[LIFETIME WARRANTY]: For ensuring prefect experience,if you are not satisfied with this NOAA weather radio, we can refund you immediately as you contact us. And our customer service is here for you 24/7 for anything you need!We will always be responsible for the products we sell!
  • โšก[NEVER POWER OFF]:Hand crank radio have solar,hand crank,charging USB phone cable or 3 AAA batteries(not included)4 ways to charge.Can be charged on sunny day even if in dark without electricity charge it by hand crank Full power safety forever.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹[2000 mAh]:Solar emergency weather radio built in 2000mAh power bank USB cable for charging to phone or any small tablet Support 12 hours of light or 4-6 hours of radio time.
  • ๐Ÿ“ป[HOUSEHOLD RADIO]:Emergency solar hand crank radio AM/FM & NOAA emergency broadcast weather alert radio with 6 LEDs reading lamp and headphone jack Keep staying aware of weather conditions in advance 6 LEDs Reading lamp design.It can be used in emergency and survival situations to light up dark spaces and areas or to keep your room nice and bright after a storm cuts off your power.
  • Handle radio with 3W speaker and a 3.5 mm headphone jack; the loud volume is enough to cover the entire room for the elderly with weak hearing to listen to their favorite radio; if you can use headphones to listen to station at night or in a stormy to avoid external sounds Disturb or disturb others
  • AM FM Shortwave Radio; AM 520-1710 KHz; FM 87-108 MHz; SW 6000-18000 KHz; Built-in DSP chip makes TR618 easy to lock the radio without drifting; AM needs to avoid radiation interference from electrical appliances; connect an external antenna to get better SW reception
  • Desktop radio is driven by AC 110V or 3 x D batteries; when you use AC drive you can use the timer socket to control the radio ON or OFF without adjusting knob; when you use D battery drive you can listen to the station in the drive in theater or drive in church ( Battery not included)
  • Ideal Christmas gift; if there are elderly in your home who like to listen to the radio; you may wish to give this friendly operation shortwave radio as a gift to your family; TR618 can meet the needs of listening to the radio and is very easy to operate
  • Portable radio with best sound; support 16GB SD card; micro SD card; USB flash drive; through the buttons at the bottom of the screen you can control to play your favorite MP3/WMA format music or audiobooks
  • ใ€Straightforward to Useใ€‘Weighs only 2.7lb and measures 9.1*3.9*5.9 inch. A simple vintage portable radio with big analog dial with warm glow inside, is more intuitive and pleasing than push-button digital interfaces. No more confusing buttons, itโ€™s easy to use, just like a radio from a generation ago. And the portable handle included makes it easy to carry, perfect for old folks.
  • ใ€3 Options for Charging ใ€‘AC powered radio with three ways of charging, makes sure never worry about power. Youโ€™ll need AC power when in bedroom, kitchen or office. Built-in 1200mAH rechargeable battery is perfect choice when you have a backyard BBQ. D-cell battery operated radio (NOT INCLUDED) is an essential addition to an emergency or camping kit. Note:To avoid the radio or batteries to be burnt out, please take the D-cell batteries out while charging with the rechargeable battery.
  • ใ€A Nice Gift Choiceใ€‘Have classic vintage look with todayโ€™s technology. J-110 is an accent to the furniture, which makes you feel the passions of good old days. It also makes great gift for recepient who enjoyed the original design of old transistor radio. Itโ€™s suitable for any occasions including birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, housewarming party and Christmas.
  • ใ€Excellent Receptionใ€‘ Equipped with powerful DSP chip and 50cm long retractable antenna, this analog tuning vintage radio has excellent signal quality to pick up enough stations. Comes with big old-school tuner dial with compact tuning knob. No needle drifts and the tuning is very spot on. Never miss a ball game and get the latest weather report wherever you are.
  • ใ€5 in 1 Speaker Radio ใ€‘More than an portable shortwave radios, also is a portable vintage bluetooth radio that keeps up with todayโ€™s tech, too. Allows you to enjoy a rich and well-balanced sound of classic, country and rock music by Bluetooth, TF card, USB disk and AUX mode. And Bluetooth 4.0 can hook up to your device in an instant. Note: NO EARPHONE JACK
  • Stay Safe And Have Fun: For Over 30 Years We'Ve Been Dedicated To Creating Award-Winning, Innovative Products For Emergency Preparedness And Entertainment; We'Re A Proud Partner Of The American Red Cross
  • Keep Connected: From Weather Alert Radios And Backup Battery Packs To Solar-Powered Sound Systems, We'Ll Keep You Connected And In The Know At Home, In The Office, On The Road Or In The Great Outdoors
  • Versatile And Portable: This Receiver Also Picks Up Vhf Aircraft Band And Single Sideband (Ssb); It Comes With A Leather Case With Craftsman Stitching For Ultimate Portability, Making It Ideal For Travel
  • International Radio Receiver: The Executive Satellite Receives Every Radio Wavelengthโ€”Am(Mw), Fm With Rds, Lw, And Shortwave (Sw)โ€”Anywhere; It Features Precision Automatic Or Manual Digital Tuning
  • ใ€2 Ways to Chargingใ€‘This portable radio is designed with different charging methods for indoor and outdoor use. When indoors, just plug the AC charging cable into the wall and enjoy all-day broadcasting time. When you want to take this portable am fm radio outdoors,like walking, camping ,gardening and others. You only need to turn on the back of the am fm radio and install 4 x DC batteries(not included) for it to work.And the battery is easy to buy in the local market or amazon store.
  • ใ€ Large LCD Display & Big Knobใ€‘This portable am fm radio has a simple and easy-to-operate knob and a large LCD display.Flexible knob allows you to intuitively adjust the volume and channel, and quickly adjust it to the position you want. It is friendly and easy to use for the elderly.When the volume knob is turned to "off", the LCD display shows the time. In addition, you can set the time by using the "TIME,HOUR,MINUTE" button.
  • ใ€Great Sounds Quality& Earphone Jackใ€‘The radio is equipped with a large 2W speaker, which is 1/2 the size of the whole shortwave radio. This is the source of its amazing sound.Having high/Low tone satisfy your different needs in such a portable radio.The design of the low tone will bring good effect to the atmosphere, suitable for parties, dances, family gatherings,etc.High tone will sound clearer.Meanwhile,with the 3.5mm earphone jack for using with headphones not to disturb others around you.
  • ใ€A Delightful Giftใ€‘This am fm radio (size: 9.4*2.4*5.9in, weight: 1.68lb) has a portable handle for carrying, a large LCD screen for easy reading, two big knobs for easy tuning, perfect for some enjoyable time at home, the park, picnics,beach, gym or playroom.Plus,it is also a gift that makes people hearts full off joy.Meanwhile,we back our battery operated Radio with 12-months Warranty! Our customer service are here for you 24/7 for anything you need and help you out.
  • ใ€Upgraded with Best Receptionใ€‘Use an advanced DSP chip as the AM FM radio brain and this battery operated radio can receive various bands opening up a marvelous world of radio at home or on the go. This am fm radio supports FM(87-108MHz)/AM(520-1710KHz)/SW short wave(4.70-18MHz).Enjoy your favorite stations to listen to music, baseball game, news.When receiving the FM radio stations, please extend the 23.6 inch antenna to obtained the best reception.
  • ใ€3 POWER SOURCESใ€‘AC powered radio with three charging ways, AC power, 1200mAh rechargeable battery, dual D-type cell batteries(NOT INCLUDED), make sure you can enjoy continuous playtime even during power outage period
  • ใ€CONVENIENT TO USEใ€‘Weighs only 2.7lb, measures 9.1*3.9*5.9 inch, designed with sturdy portble handle, easy to carry it anywhere, no matter at home, in office, outdoors. Accompanied by the retro transistor radio, enjoy a comfortable life
  • ใ€5 IN 1 SPEAKER RADIOใ€‘Portable vintage bluetooth radio, with stunning clear and bass sound via TF card mode, bluetooth mode, aux input mode, usb disk mode, or SW AM FM radio mode. With 4.0 bluetooth technology, paired with your devices in seconds. โ˜…NO EARPHONES JACK
  • โคTo avoid the radio or batteries to be burnt out, please take the Type D batteries out while charging with the built-in rechargeable battery.ใ€EXCELLENT RECEPTIONใ€‘Analog tuning vintage radio with big 270ยฐcircular tuning window, allows for easy reading to dial, even if your vision is not so good. NO needle drifts, locks on stations tightly, metal retractable antenna (up to 50cm), and powerful DSP chip, ensuring better signal reception without static
  • ใ€IDEAL GIFT FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORSใ€‘Classic vintage look with modern feature, great for decoration, simple to operate just like 1960's old transistor radio, for its simplicity and versatility, makes for an ideal chrismas gift for your parents, your friends, your kids
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What to Look For in a battery powered shortwave radio?

Often buyers are reluctant to buy battery powered shortwave radio. When considering a large purchase, certain things should be examined. Our knowledge and experience of battery powered shortwave radio will help in making the best options.

Please keep in mind the following criterial before selecting the battery powered shortwave radio:

Extra Features

There are many features on emergency radios. These include SOS signalling and emergency buzzers, as well as table lamps and LED flashlights. Many radios can charge small electronics via USB. A larger battery is better if your phone is important.
These radios have emergency features that are essential. Make sure you look for one you can use to notify you of severe weather warnings from NOAA. A flashlight is a great option for emergencies.
Look for things that can help you find your way if you are trapped by floodwaters or in the woods. You can also use a flashing red LED light, flashlights that blink or have SOS or blinking functions, and an ultrasonic dog whistle or buzzer to help you locate your destination.

Weather Alerts

If you're camping or out in the elements, it is crucial to stay informed on the weather. You can also use it if the weather is unpredictable or you are at home without power.
You should look for devices that have access to the NOAA radio channel. Up to seven radio stations broadcasting emergency warnings and weather information across the United States can be tuned in. You can even tap into the station that is most pertinent and switch on whenever a broadcast occurs.

Power Efficiency

A radio's battery life, crank or solar panel does not guarantee that it can charge quickly or lasts long. You should verify the battery's average life before you spend any money. Any battery life that exceeds eight hours is good.
The time taken to produce meaningful power can vary between cranks. It can take up to two minutes for one minute of playback at the lowest end. You can achieve more than 10 times as many minutes if you work harder.

Durability & Waterproofness

You'll be more likely to drop your radio in an emergency situation or get it wet during inclement weather. You should look for radios made with durable materials such as bumpers or impact-resistant rubber skin.
Learn about the IPX rating system. It rates how water-resistant a device. This ranges between the device breaking down upon water exposure (IPX0), to being capable of enduring powerful water jets. (IPX9K).
Most radios we found fell within the IPX3 and IPX4 ranges. These are able to resist light rain or splashes coming from all directions.

Size

Experienced adventurers know it is best to travel light to save time and make your journey more enjoyable. A compact radio is the best option if you aren't looking to carry extra weight or want to save space.
You will get lower quality sound quality if your device is smaller or lighter. It's not necessary to have high-quality audio in order to enjoy a weather update.

Battery Life

However, it's less likely that the battery will need to be charged every hour. The larger batteries for emergency radios are typically between 2,000 and 2,600 mAh. This should provide you with a full day's use, before needing to recharge.
Radios that are smaller and lighter will be able to store between 850-1,999 mAh. This will allow for more frequent use or shorter emergency situations.

Charging Methods

There's no way to be certain that the power will remain on in an emergency. It's likely it'll go out. Make sure you have multiple options for charging your radio. To recharge the battery completely, it is easiest and most efficient to do so.
Radios with disposable batteries are a favorite of ours. It is easy to stockpile and receive several days' worth of power with minimal investment.
Although solar charging can prove useful, it is slow and requires the sun to work. This can cause problems in severe weather. A hand crank is a good alternative charging option.
Hand cranks don't all work the same. Take note of what power each crank can produce. You want a radio with a high ratio of cranking and listening, such as 10 minutes per minute.

FAQs

What Are The Emergency Radio Channels?

Your location will often determine which emergency radio stations you have access to. You should find the local channels as well as state emergency radio stations and keep them in your emergency kit.
The national weather service (NOAA), also has its own weather station. Non-weather updates will also be provided by the NOAA station.

Do Hand-crank Radios Work?

While not all models will work perfectly, crank radios can be trusted. You can turn a crank to charge a radio battery. I.e. It should be wound up.
Although a crank radio is not as reliable or powerful as other sources of power, they can be used for a long time without needing to recharge.
The efficiency ranges from 2 minutes for 1 minute power to 90 seconds for 30 minutes power.

When Will I Need An Emergency Radio?

A portable emergency radio is a vital tool in times of crisis, such as a tornado, hurricane, earthquake or power cut. You will probably need an emergency radio, with climate change increasing and disasters related to weather becoming more common in many places. It is better to have this radio than not using it.

How Long Does A Crank Radio Last?

A crank radio generally provides 10-15 hours of radio talk time when fully charged. If other features are being used, the timeframe will be longer. You don't have to turn the radio on again to make it work.
There is no definitive answer to how long a crank radio will last. However, it generally takes 500-1000 charges to charge a device. If you don't have frequent tornadoes, you can expect to get a couple of years, if not even decades, out of the unit.

What Kind Of Radio Is Used For Emergencies?

Federal government suggests that you include a hand crank radio or battery-powered radio with NOAA weather access, alerts and notifications in your emergency kits.
Emergency radios are tuned specifically to be able to listen to AM and FM radio, as well as access NOAA weather channels. In case of power grid failure, they can be used independently from wall outlets.
A radio that can alert you to NOAA's weather warnings is a good choice. It doesn't need a plug and will work at the minimum. While useful, some perks, like integrated flashlights and USB charging ports, can be helpful, but they are not essential to emergency radios.

How Do You Use An Emergency Radio?

You should make sure your radio is fully charged before you use it. You can access NOAA weather channels and your local radio station by charging your radio. Many radios also have a USB cable that can be used to charge the phone and act as a flashlight.

How Long Do Emergency Radios Last?

A good emergency radio will last for 5-10 years if kept dry and clean.

When new data becomes available, we routinely adjust the list of battery powered shortwave radio. Please do regularly visit our website for the most up-to-date news.

If you have any questions or difficulties with battery powered shortwave radio, please do not hesitate to contact us. We'll try our best to do everything we can to assist you if you ask!


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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.