The Best Emergency Radio With Shortwave For 2024

Tim Powers By, Tim Powers
Updated
Weather Radio 5000 Solar Hand Crank Portable AM FM Shortwave
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Weather Radio 5000 Solar Hand Crank Portable AM FM Shortwave

This emergency radio can timely report various life-threatening severe weather issued by National Weather Service and alert you with a loud siren and flashing red light so you'll never miss a critical time to get prepared. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: HQ ISSUE Dynamo Emergency Radio Hand Crank Solar Portable

This battery-powered radio is an essential emergency kit item, sending dispatches from the National Weather Service directly to the device and providing super bright LED flashlights and SOS emergency lights for unpredictable disasters. Read Review

3. Best Smart Control: Kaito KA500 5-way Powered Emergency AM/FM/SW NOAA Weather Alert Radio

The Kaito KA500 5-way powered emergency AM/FM/SW NOAA weather alert radio is an indispensable tool in any emergency situation. You can rely on it to deliver up to 100 hours of continuous operation on just 2 D-cell batteries. Read Review

4. Best Connectivity: Weather Radio Raynic 5000 Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio

Weather radios are the best choice for emergency situations. With a hand crank, solar panel, and AC power backup, these weather radios will keep you informed of any impending weather changes. Read Review

Shortwave radios are a type of radio that can receive signals from different frequencies. These frequencies are known as bands, and shortwave bands are the lowest frequency you can listen to on a standard AM/FM radio. You must tune your radio to a specific frequency for each band to receive these frequencies. For example, to listen to the 40-meter band on your shortwave radio, you must tune it to a frequency between 7100 kHz and 7300 kHz. But how do you find these frequencies? Most radios will only give you access to the standard AM and FM bands. Suppose you’re looking for a way to listen to and record emergency broadcasts during an emergency or natural disaster. In that case, the best emergency radio with a shortwave is what you need!

Our experts have determined the models that would be the most excellent fit for your requirements, specifically our Weather Radio 5000 Solar Hand Crank Portable AM FM Shortwave with a 3W camping flashlight and 2.5W reading light, after doing extensive study and analysis over a considerable time. In addition, we also provide you with other radios you can consult.

Our Top Picks

  • 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€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€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€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€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 #2 HQ ISSUE Dynamo Emergency Radio Hand Crank Solar Portable
Our Score:
9.6
HQ ISSUE
  • FEEL SAFE & REASSURED: Battery powered radio is your emergency essential. NOAA weather alert sends dispatches directly to radio, and radio contains super bright LED flashlights & SOS emergency light for unpredictable disasters
  • STAY INFORMED/ ENTERTAINED: Shortwave radio keeps you informed about news, weather, music & more. Choose from 11 bands: AM/FM, shortwave 1-2 & weather bands 1-7
  • HIGH SOUND QUALITY: Hand Crank radio provides access to NOAA weather alerts & news with multiple bandwidths for a strong & clean sound transmission. Use the attached hand crank for even better sound leverage
  • PROTECTIVE ENCLOSED CASE: NOAA weather radio is enclosed with a smooth rubberized firm case that protects the small radio from bumps & knocks
  • MULTIPLE OPERATING FUNCTIONS: Weather alert radio is solar powered & contains a top solar panel that converts sunlight into power/sound. When the sun is not accessible, manually hand-crank the radio for crystal clear sound. Radio can also function on 3 (AA) batteries (not included)
  • The solar panel powers the radio by itself and charges the built-in batteries as well.
  • To maximize the sunlight's rays, the solar panel is designed to tilt with the suns position to receive the energy during the day time.
  • A perfect radio for emergencies and disasters, it comes with all the features that you need in any emergency situation. It comes with a High quality AC type brushless generator.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Keep Your Device Charged & High Illuminated Flashlight / Reading Lamp with 2 Brightness Options----Essential for emergencies,backout or power failure,it works not only as a weather radio but also emergency cellphone charger,a handy outdoor camping 3W flashlight or 2.5W reading light.enable you to boost your phone to get intouch and ask for a help.both led flashlight and reading lamp can be set with 2 optional brightness settings to meet individual needs.
  • 5000 Replaceable/Rechargeable Built-in Battery & 5 Power Options----This ๐—ช๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ comes with 5000 large-capacityย rechargeableย Li-ionย battery can charge more than one cellphone in emergecy.5 power options,never worry it power off anytime.when the built-in li-ion battery is power off,it will effortlessly charge via the backup power sources include manual winding up handle,solar panel,microย USBย input connection or 3 pcs AAA battery.
  • ๐—ฆ๐—ข๐—ฆ ๐—”๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ/IPX3 Waterproof/Headphone Jack/Lock Button/Wrist Strap/Hanging Clip-----Features anย SOSย modeย so you can emit a loud siren and flashing red light to ask for help.Connect with 3.5mm Headphone jack for private or quiet listening alone.this newest model designed with lock button to avoid messing your settings when touched some buttons accidently.include a strap and a heavy duty metalย clipย toย attach to a back pack for camping.
  • Digital Tuner for Accurate Focus & Large and Easy to Read Backlit LCD Screen---No more annoying analog tuner that is hard to focus,this newest ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ถ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—น ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ is super easy to search accurate stations.all the information of radio frequency/battery/charging status/time/alert icon/headphone/Volume/lock indicator clearly show on the large LCD display.backlight will turn off and enter power saving modes without any operation within 15 seconds.
  • Auto/Manual ๐—ก๐—ข๐—”๐—” ๐—ช๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—”๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ Preset, WX Timer & AM/FM/Shortwave Radio-----Once preset WX alert function,it will auto- scan all the 7 NOAA weather channels to alert you right with a siren and red flashing indicator when important updates from the national weather service were released,especially at night you are sleeping.WX function will be disabled when timer ends up(2H,4H,6H,8H,12H,16H,20H,24H or OFF).It works perfectly for listening to local AM FMย radio and shortwave radio.
  • AM/FM/Shortwave Radio & NOAA Weather Alert - This portable radio has a wide range of band reception of AM, FM, Shortwave and NOAA weather stations with the extended telescopic antenna. Shortwave Radio allows you to receive some weird stations from other locations. There are also 7 weather channels are pre-programmed so you can easily tune into your local one, you will hear a Loud Alarm Sound from the NOAA weather signals if there is a severe weather hazard in your area such as storm, hurricane
  • 5 Power Sources & Rechargeable Battery - This weather radio supports 5 way to keep device powered. It comes with the upgraded rechargeable battery to charge your cell phone, tablets or other devices. In case the rechargeable battery is power off, the solar panel and the crank lever can keep your radio connected and powered. You can install 3 AAA batteries into the compartment when you are not able to regenerate power, also you can just simply plug the radio in wall with DC adapter.
  • Loud SOS Alarm Flashing Red Light & 3.5mm Headphone Jack - Simply press the SOS button for asking for help in case you are in danger or you would like to warn someone else, the SOS alert sound is extremely loud and can be heard miles away. There will be a flashing red light on in the meantime; The earphone jack on the right side of the radio allow you to enjoy the your favorite audio more clearly.
  • 2 Bright Light Sources & Compass - Light is important when you are in the dark, this crank radio comes with 3W flashlight and a 6 LED reading lamp, which are brighter than other radios in the market, with easy to reach switch button at the right side, user-friendly design to adjusts the reading lamp to the front, making it easy for users to set and adjust the radio when they are outdoors. The campass attached on the carry strap can guide you to the correct directions when you lose your way.
  • Easy to Carry & 12 Months Replacement Warranty - The size for this weather radio is just7.5*3.5*4.7 inch with 1.2LB weight, and we have included a carry strap and a hang buckle so you can take it anywhere you want, this emergency radio is made of strong ABS material which is IPX3 water resistance. A necessary tool for camping, traveling, backpacking or any other outdoor activities. A ideal gift option for adventurers. - We provide our customers with 12-Months Warranty.
  • 180-degree adjustable solar panel with 5-LED reading lamp, Flashlight
  • 4 tuning methods including manual, direct digit entry, ATS & memory tuning with 335 memories for easy access to favorite stations
  • 5 Ways of Charging the radio,Auxiliary input jack available for external audio devices
  • Dynamo and Solar Powered AM/FM/LW Shortwave & NOAA weather radio with back-lit digital display, NOAA all hazards alert & RDS
  • Calendar, alarm clock with dual settings, sleep timer, thermometer & humidity meter
  • EXECUTIVE: The Executive Satellite receives every radio wavelengthโ€”AM(MW), FM with RDS, LW, & Shortwave (SW)โ€”anywhere. It features precision automatic or manual digital tuning. // This receiver also picks up VHF aircraft band & Single Sideband (SSB). It comes with a leather case with craftsman stitching for ultimate portability, making it ideal for travel.
  • FRX3 EMERGENCY RADIO: Be prepared for any emergencies & disasters with this rechargeable weather alert radio with solar panel & hand turbine power generator. No emergency kit is complete without it. // FRX3 ALERTS: The โ€œAlertโ€ function automatically broadcasts any emergency weather alerts for your area. Keep it charged via solar panel, hand crank or a built-in rechargeable battery.
  • FRX3 KEEPS YOU PREPARED: This AM/FM/NOAA weather band digital radio with display & alarm clock can also charge a smartphone via USB port. Also features an LED flashlight & red flashing beacon. // AND IT KEEPS YOU CONNECTED: From weather alert radios & backup battery packs to solar-powered sound systems, we'll keep you connected & in the know at home, in the office, on the road or in the great outdoors.
  • EXECUTIVE: The Elite Executive receives every radio wavelengthโ€”AM(MW), FM with RDS, LW, and Shortwave (SW)โ€”at home or abroad. Plus, it also receives VHF aircraft band, Single Sideband (SSB) and includes a PLL tuner so your AM signal is strong and clear. It features a faux leather case with craftsman stitching for ultimate portability.
  • BUNDLE INCLUDES: Eton Elite Executive Radio with Faux Leather Case, ARCFRX3 American Red Cross All-In-One Preparedness Device, and Car Toys Keychain. Car Toys is an Eton authorized retailer. Manufacturer Warranty.
  • ใ€5 Power Way & Emergency Must Have Kitใ€‘The ๐—ก๐—ข๐—”๐—” ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ options with 5 way power sources--rechargeable battery&hand-crank&solar&3pcs AAA batteries&5V USB input. 5000 large-capacity rechargeable battery, which support lasting 15-100 hours. USB which provides the most efficient way to recharge ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ in daily use.Micro USB port charge your cell phone or portable device for calling for help in emergency, such as thunderstorm, hurricanes.
  • ใ€Backlit Digital LCD Screen&Easy Operationใ€‘Information about radio frequency, battery/charging status, time, alert icon, headphone, lock indicator and volume clearly show on the ๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐—Ÿ๐—–๐—— ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ฎ๐˜†. The ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ backlight will turn off without any operation within 15 seconds. Additionally, a convenient 3.5mm headphone jack for listening without disturbing others, enjoy your private time. Intuitive enlarges button easy to set accurate stations|wx alert|sos.
  • ใ€Manual/Auto ๐—ก๐—ข๐—”๐—” ๐—ช๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—”๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ & AM/FM/SWใ€‘The ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ธ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ receives broadcasts from AM/FM/SW,NOAA weather alert will automatically scan through 7 available weather channels. WX function can be set time, .NOAA weather alert will emit a siren alarm sound and red flashing light notify that life-threatening weather, earn a critical time keeps your family far away from danger. ๐—™๐— /๐—”๐—  ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ with strong reception even in poor signal areas.
  • ใ€User-Friendly Design&Professional Customer Serviceใ€‘ Design of wrist strap makes it very easy to clip for your backpack. โ€œLockโ€ button prevent mistakenly touching. A sleep timer allow you listen to it while fall asleep. ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ as a ๐—บ๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜-๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐˜๐˜€ for cyclones,tsunamis, floods, earthquakes.1 Year warranty, 30 days free return, and 24 hours customer service response. Any questions, feel free to contact us, please.
  • ใ€Superbright Flashlight&Reading Lamp&105db Loud ๐—ฆ๐—ข๐—ฆ ๐—”๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บใ€‘The ๐˜€๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฟ ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ธ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐˜€ have an extra loud SOS alarm and flashing red light to attack attention and rescued in time. The ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐—ถ๐—ผ as flashlight continuously provides 150 to 250 Lumens bright light; as a reading lamp with a built-in 6 bright LED is designed in 150 to 250 Lumens to meet more needs. A IPX4 waterproof must-have kit for casual camping, backpacking, or wilderness survival.
  • Durable strong premium ABS construction with digital tuner and LCD back-lit display featuring calendar, 24-hour clock with alarm, count-down sleep timer; Works as an emergency mobile battery charger with built-in standard DC 5V USB output port for charging mobile devices, such as smart phones, GPS units, MP3 players, digital cameras, and etc. Other safety features include a 5-LED reading lamp & an LED flashlight
  • Telescopic antenna extends up to 14" for high sensitivity and selectivity reception assisted by a pure digital tuner and advanced semiconductor circuitry design; 4 tuning methods including manual with tuning knob or keypad, direct numerical keypad entry, ATS & memory tuning with over 1,000 memories for easy access to favorite stations
  • All-purpose 5-way powered portable emergency radio, hand crank generator, solar power, 5V USB input, 6V DC wall power adapter (not included), and built-in 2,000 mAh li-ion rechargeable battery pack; suitable applications include everyday use around the house, outdoors recreational activities such as camping, backpacking, picnic, and emergency / disaster preparedness, roadside emergency, and etc., a dependable source of information and a reliable survival tool when everything else fails
  • Comprehensive coverage of AM, FM, Shortwave and 7 pre-programmed NOAA weather channels for entertainment, sports, talk-shows, breaking news around the world, and 24/7 weather forecast (USA and Canada ONLY) with PEAS (Public Emergency Alert System) real-time alert
  • Unique and revolutionary design with dual stereo speakers provides uncompromising sound quality not only for radio listening, but also for playing your favorite tunes via wireless Bluetooth streaming or by inserting a micro-SD memory card or connecting an external audio device to a 3.5mm audio input jack, features a fully-functional MP3 player with built-in digital sound equalizer, built-in recorder for both live and future scheduled recording of radio broadcasting
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What to Look For in a best emergency radio with shortwave?

The best emergency radio with shortwave is a product type that many customers feel hesitant to select because of the challenges in evaluating its features. It comes to trust! When studying a significant purchase, many factors must be considered. Our best emergency radio with shortwave knowledge will help you make an ideal decision.

Our article here will highlight some outstanding items and provide solutions to FAQs and guides to buying. You should keep in mind some main criteria of best emergency radio with shortwave below:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

How Long Do Emergency Radios Last?

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

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 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 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.

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About Tim Powers

Tim Powers

Tim Powers is an audio equipment & home theater gadget reviewer and the editor of TheAudioInsights.com. He has been involved in the home theater hobby since the late 1990s when he purchased his first AV receiver. Tim is also a writer, with articles appearing in various online and print publications.