The 10 Best Hand Held Radio Of 2024, Researched By Us
The Rundown
1. Best Overall: BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) Two-Way Radio
The BF-F8HP is an 8-watt dual-band handheld radio with many exclusive features not found on any other consumer radio. On top of that, the BF-F8HP also includes exclusive concierge customer help and warranty support. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: Uniden MHS75 Waterproof Handheld 2-Way VHF Marine radio
A Uniden MHS75 handheld radio that can be carried in your hand. It has a large, clear display that is easy to use. The glow in the dark seals, power key and power key make it easy to locate in the dark. Read Review
3. Best Performance: Standard Horizon HX210 HX210 6W Compact Floating Marine Handheld
The HX210 Handheld VHF Radio has an FM audio receiver that allows you to listen to music. It also has a large, easy-to-read backlit full-dot matrix display and a simple menu system. Read Review
4. Best Versatile: Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Handheld Scanner
The Uniden Bearcat BC125AT Handheld Scanner is a rugged handheld scanner with 500 alpha-tagged channels to search more efficiently. With 10 storage banks, you can organize your channels by department, location, area of interest or any other way you prefer. Read Review
5. Best Quality: Uniden PRO401HH Professional Series 40 Channel Handheld CB Radio
Whether you're travelling by car, truck, van or bike, camping out or just out hiking the trail, The PRO401HH is an essential piece of equipment that will keep you in touch with others. Read Review
Every team needs a reliable radio system to keep everyone coordinated and on the same page. Handheld radios can be an excellent tool for any crew working in remote areas or with limited cell phone service. They are also helpful for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, or other situations where voices may not carry as far as everyday speech. Most of us probably think of walkie-talkies when we hear the term "handheld radio", but there are many different kinds of radios that can be used to improve communication on a construction site or other work environment. This article will explain the pros and cons of various handheld radios and help you select the one that is right for your needs.
However, after investing in 14 hours, we've come up with a name worthy of your requirement: BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) Two-Way Radio. Its kit offers some accessories such as Earpiece Kit, Wrist Strap, and Belt Clip. If you desire extra features not included in this model, you might look into another one-a Uniden MHS75 Waterproof Handheld 2-Way VHF Marine radio. It could better suit your needs.
We hope that you select the best handheld radio through our recommendations.
RELATED: We have reviewed the latest 10 best walkie talkie for work of 2024 with surprising quality and reasonable price!
Our Top Picks
TOP Choice #1
![BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) Two-Way Radio]()
- The BF-F8HP was designed in the USA and because not everyone is a radio-expert we really wanted to focus on providing an easier user experience! That starts with the new in-depth manual that guides you through the capabilities and customization of the BF-F8HP. On top of that the BF-F8HP also includes exclusive concierge customer help and warranty support. This concierge service is only available on select BaoFeng models such as the BF-F8HP, UV-82HP, and UV-5X3
- BTECH is proud to be in the USA, which allows you to have the best available local support for any issue that may arise. BTECH only engineers and develops radio products. That brand focus allows you to have the best available radios and accessories with the most features, with real USA warranty and support.
- Upgrades from our Previous Generation UV-5R: Twice the Output Power (8 watts up from 4 watts output), New Hardened Durable Radio Shell, 30% Larger Battery, V-85 High Gain Antenna (Twice the Antenna Performance), USA Support + In-depth User Guide Included; A PC03 FTDI Programming Cable is Recommended for Easier PC Programming
- Kit Includes: BF-F8HP, 2100mAh Battery, V-85 Dual Band Antenna, CH-5 Charger, CH-5 110V Adapter, Earpiece Kit, Wrist Strap, Belt Clip, User Manual
- High / Med / Low Power Settings (8W, 4W, 1W); Frequency Range: VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx). UHF: 400-520 MHz(Rx/Tx); Broad (Wide) / Narrowband (Narrow) Selectable
- Instant Channel 16/9/Triple Watch - Triple Watch mode monitors channels 16 and 9 for a signal while you listen to the currently selected channel. The marine radio checks channel 16 and 9 for activity every 2 seconds.
- All USA, International, and Canada Channels - The MHS75 covers all USA, International, and Canadian marine channels, keeping you up-to-date with all the latest marine activity.
- All NOAA Weather Channels with Weather Alert - This radio comes preprogrammed with NOAA weather channels. The Emergency/Weather Alert allows it to function as a severe weather warning radio and will also alert you to any local or national emergencies. If the NOAA issues warning while this feature is turned On, the radio sounds an alert tone. You will then hear the emergency/weather broadcast.
- 1 /2.5/5 Watt Switchable - Select between 1, 2.5, and 5 Watts for short- and long-range communication - this is also a convenient way to save a little battery life. In most situations, the 1 Watt transmission power is all you need. If you find yourself far away from other stations and have trouble getting a response, you may need to boost the transmission power from 1 Watt to 2.5 Watts or 5 Watts.
- JIS8 Waterproof Level - Uniden MHS75 VHF Hand Held Radio won't give up no matter how wet it gets. Whitecap splash, gusty spray, tidal wave, whatever, this radio can take it. The Uniden MHS75 2-way Marine Radio is built rugged to take the rigors of being out on the water, day in and day out with a full JIS8 waterproof rating. It also features a floating design, and is submersible for up to 30 minutes at five feet.
- High capacity 1850 mAh Li-Ion battery. 3 hour desktop rapid charger. 12VDC and 110VAC charging cables and charging cradle included.
- Compact Case Design. Water Activated Emergency Strobe light. Oversized full dot matrix display. E20 Easy to Operate Menu System
- All USA, International and Canadian channels. Selectable 6W / 2.5W / 1W output power. Receive WX and FM radio bands 76MHz to 108MHz
- High resolution dot matrix LCD display. Programmable function keys. Speaker mic Jack.
- 3-year Waterproof Warranty. Floating / Submersible IPX7 Waterproof rating (3.3 feet or 1 meter for 30 minutes). Built in FM Broadcast band receive
- LISTEN TO OVER 40,000 FREQUENCIES, you can listen to both civilian and military bands, including Non-Digital Police, Ambulance, Fire, Weather, Marine, Aircraft, Railroad, Civil Air, Amateur radio services, and Racing events.
- GET STARTED LISTENING RIGHT AWAY with convenient Pre-sets for the most popular searches. Frequencies are preset in ten separate Non -Digital Police/Fire/Emergency, Ham, Marine, Railroad, Civil Air, Military Air, CB Radio, FRS/GMRS/MURS, and Racing search bands. This makes it easy to find channels that interest you.
- SEARCH MORE EFFICIENTLY with 500 Alpha-Tagged Channels finding the channel you want to listen to is easy, with 500 channels divided into 10 storage banks. Organize your channels by department, location, area of interest, or any other way you prefer. Alpha Tagging lets you assign names to your channels, so you can keep track of who you are listening to.
- EXCELLENT HAND-HELD SCANNER (Please note: model BC125AT is NOT suitable for Trunking or Digital Radio system monitoring, (e.g. Project 25, DMR, NXDN). Some Police/Fire/Emergency/Public Safety Agencies in larger cities are switching over to DIGITAL Trunking systems. If you live in an area where Trunking or Digital Radio systems are used, you need to upgrade to a Uniden Digital model (“D” stands for Digital), such as models BCD436HP, BCD536HP, BCD996P2, BCD325P2, or HomePatrol-2.
- LIGHTWIEGHT PORTABLE DESIGN, take this Bearcat handheld radio scanner with you on the road, or on outings. It packs plenty of features, the orange backlight display is easy to read, even in low light conditions.
- LISTEN IN AND STAY INFORMED, this sophisticated scanner has 500 alpha-tagged channels in a convenient compact design with loads of features. Close Call RF capture technology instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters and the Do Not Disturb Mode prevents Close Call checks during a transmission.
5
![Uniden PRO401HH Professional Series 40 Channel Handheld CB Radio]()
- Whether you're in your car, truck, Van or bike, over the road, camping out or just out hiking the trail, The high performance PRO401HH s you're never out of touch.
- Features a low-power setting to conserve battery life and a high-power setting so you can extend your range When needed.
- Designed for use in the citizens band (CB) radio service, the PRO401HH mobile radio will operate on any of the 40 CB frequencies authorized by the (FCC).
- You can use rechargeable (9 AA Ni-MH) or alkaline (9 AA) batteries (not included). The included DC power cable will also charge your AA Ni-MH batteries. A switch inside the battery compartment lets you select rechargeable or alkaline batteries.
- The Uniden PRO401HH delivers the convenience of a handheld CB radio with the security of knowing you have the longest range possible so you can always stay in touch.
- It’s compact and lightweight, weighing approximately 1 pound making it easy to operate with one hand. The design features strategically placed controls and jacks on the top, left, and right side.
- Included Components: Uniden Pro401Hh Handheld Cb Radio
6
![Cobra HHRT50 Road Trip Cb Radio - Emergency Radio]()
- 10 NOAA WEATHER CHANNELS - Be the first to know of incoming hazards or changing weather w/ instant access to NOAA weather channels 24 hours a day and audible tone if an emergency or threatening weather is nearby while monitoring up to 3 channels at once
- DUAL WATCH - select two channels to constantly monitor simultaneously. Keep an ear open for incoming transmissions on multiple channels so you will hear alerts around you.
- 40 CHANNEL ACCESS - Navigate the complete range of 40 channels for full coverage of CB stations.
- SOUND TRACKER SYSTEM - Don’t miss any important information due to interference or static, with the Sound tracker system cutting 90% of the noise, you'll hear crystal clear communication
- MAGNETIC MOUNT MOBILE ANTENNA - Allows mobile operation from your vehicle. Mount the magnetic antenna to the roof of your car and use your radio easily from inside your vehicle.
7
![Retevis RT5 Dual Band Two Way Radio, Long Range Walkie Talkies]()
- Car charger support battery allows you carry it outside when you need to work or trip for a long time; 1400mAh Li-ion battery provides 8-12 hours continuous use
- Long range walkie talkies; high-power and high-gain antennas support long-distance calls; you can also connect base station to increase the distance
- Keypad setting allows you to set your radio to connect with your companion or other radios user; Built-in flashlight and 4 color LCD display provide additional visibility in dark or strong light environments
- Emergency alarm function supports you to ask for help in danger
- RT5 has strong radio body and excellent radio cell;sealed design enhances the water and Dust resistant of the radio
- 128 channels with CTCSS/DCS; dual-band display
8
![Uniden Atlantis 155 Handheld Two-Way VHF Marine Radio]()
- With the Largest LCD screen in its class 25mm (h) x 40mm (w), and Paper White Backlight display for Day Time, and Red Backlight display for Night Time, it’s the radio you won’t leave shore without.
- Receives all Marine Radio Channels, including all USA, Canada, and International Marine VHF channels (includes the new 4-digit channels and Canadian “B” channels) and receives all NOAA Weather Channels and Alerts
- When every inch of space count, you still want the important features that will keep you safe at sea. The Atlantis 155 doesn’t sacrifice big features to keep its profile small.
- The Atlantis 155’s submersible, Floating Handheld design allows you to stay secure and connected while having fun on the water.
- It Floats, meets the toughest Waterproof standards IPX8 / JIS8, and even clears its speaker of water after being submerged. And with its compact size it’s never far away when you need to stay in touch the most.
- NiMH Rechargeable 4xAAA, 950mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries and DC charging cable included. 3 Watt Transmit Power with user selectable 3W or 1W Transmit power. 3 Year Warranty and Full 3 year Waterproof Warranty.
- VOX
- 7 Color LCD Display
- Weather Channel
- ASC Automatic Squelch Control
- Accessories included: AC Adapter, Battery Pack, Belt Clip, Wrist Wrap, Cigar Lighter Plug, Microphone Support, External Antenna Adapter
- 2 Programmable Emergency Channels
- ✔️This model has been FCC certified, FCC ID: 2AWL3TIDRADIOTD-H6;FCC Certification and Program Guide under the listing product guides and documents; Enjoy 60 days no reason to return including the accessories.
- ✔️Durable Rugged Shell:Completed with a hard case outside, supports using for years, especially for business and outdoor using, like at the construction field, security work, survival rescue.
- ✔️Tri-Power & Long Range:TD-H6 ham radio have higher output power and TD-771 high gain antenna, greatly expands the signal transmission distance and enhances signal reception;Tri-power switch, allow you to choose between high power to maximize range or low power to conserve battery life.
- ✔️All you need is in one box! Get Extended pack of ham radio with 2pcs 2200 mAh Batteries + CH340 Programming Cable + TD-771 High Gain Antenna + High Quality Radio Mic and more; No more worry about looking for compatible accessories.
- ✔️Wide Compatibility:TD-H6 ham radio covers most commonly used frequency range, makes it compatible with many other handheld radio such as the baofeng uv-5r series and baofeng bf-f8hp series, baofeng uv-82 series.
- ✔️Easy Programming:More convenient to manual programming most of settings via the keypad, as well as PC programming with the cable in the box. TD-H6 is also compatible with CHIRP.
- ✔️96 Hours Battery Life:Rechargeable 2200 mAh Li-ion Battery, up to 48 hours standby time, one more extra battery supports non-stop communication, car charger adapter also included;Supports you longer, especially in outside activity.
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
What to Look For in a best hand held radio?
You may know that best hand held radio is a kind of product many customers are hesitant to pay for. It is not due to its quality but the fact that there are many factors you must consider. Nevertheless, all your worry is not a problem for us. Our knowledgeable staff will help you with the right decision.
Tech-evaluated and high-rated products are available in our list of eligible items. Here are some indispensable things you shouldn’t ignore:
Weatherproofing
You can't keep your two-way hidden in your bag, but there is a good chance it will be exposed to other conditions than the cool, mild, early summer sun when there is a gentle breeze blowing. It is important to consider the weatherproofing of your two-way. If you reside in an area with moderate temperatures and light to predictable rains, some models can withstand splashing water.
An entirely waterproof radio is an option. Many models are waterproof and can withstand severe rain. Some models can be submerged up to 30 minutes without causing any damage. A model that floats will be your best option if your radio is used for fisherman, fishing or crossing open waters. If you drop your model accidentally, it can be easily picked up from the water surface.
An entirely waterproof radio is an option. Many models are waterproof and can withstand severe rain. Some models can be submerged up to 30 minutes without causing any damage. A model that floats will be your best option if your radio is used for fisherman, fishing or crossing open waters. If you drop your model accidentally, it can be easily picked up from the water surface.
Number Of Handsets
You will need as many handsets as you can afford when purchasing two-way radios. While a twin-set may suffice for camping trips, busy warehouses might need more to ensure everyone is connected. The price per handset drops when you purchase in bulk. To meet every customer's requirements, we offer many two-way radio packages. If you need to add more handsets, we also have single handsets.
Channels & Privacy Codes
Two-way radios that are license-free have a fixed frequency they can transmit on. PMR446 The majority of two-way radios without a license have 8 to 16 channels. These tune the frequency at which handsets communicate. There are usually privacy codes in addition to channels. These codes do not protect your transmissions, contrary to the title. They allow you to talk freely and without being interrogated by others. This can prove problematic if your use them in an area such as a ski resort, where many other two-way radios are in use.
Weight And Size
Both weight and size play a major role in carrying all you need. Two-way radios are small and lightweight, so they can be carried in a bag or attached to your belt. Although smaller units can be more affordable than larger models, they might not offer as many features or provide the same protection. Heavy-duty, impact-resistant two-way units that are heavier and more durable are a better choice for outdoor enthusiasts who want to be tough.
Maximum Range
When choosing a 2-way radio, the first thing to think about is how far you want them to travel. Consumer 2-way radios with a transmit power of 0.75W and the PMR446 frequency can travel up to 10 km. This could be possible only in the ideal circumstances: high above ground with no obstructions between radios. This range is unlikely to be achieved unless you use your walkie-talkies to connect between mountaintops. The maximum range in a dense urban setting is more likely to be lower. A good radio will provide sufficient range to reach the majority of people. You will require more power and range than that. They are more costly than the license-free model and require a license.
Battery Type
Many two-way radios can be powered with regular alkaline batteries. Others have rechargeable batteries that include a dock. Two-way radios should not be used for longer than one day without power access. A model that takes both regular and multiple batteries is a better option if you are going on camping trips. We recommend regular 2-way rechargeable radios. This is because used batteries are expensive and can cause damage to the environment.
Emergency Features
Your two-way radio is a great tool for emergency planning, whether you are camping, hiking or hunting. An Emergency Alert radio sends an alert to all radios within your radio group in case you need immediate help. There are many types of emergency alerts available, and they vary from brand to model. Some alerts combine a beacon flashing S.O.S with international Morse Code, others send a loud alarm to members of the group. These alerts block any activity on radios and get louder until someone responds.
FAQs
What Is 2 Way Radio VOX?
Voice activation is VOX. VOX promises hands-free operation. "Speak and the radio will open to broadcast your message." However, voice activation should actually be called sound activation. The VOX function on a 2-way radio can't distinguish between a call to help or the usual grunts, groans and grunts of normal physical activity. VOX may cause more problems than it solves. We do not recommend VOX being used in commercial applications.What Is The Life Expectancy Of A 2 Way Radio?
Two-way radios of commercial grade are made to comply with Military Specifications as well as Intrusion Protection standards. These radios can live for a long time if they are maintained and used in accordance with the specifications. Two-way radios can last up to 10 years. But radio batteries rarely last more than 3 to 4 years.How Far Do 2 Way Radios Broadcast?
Broadcast distances of commercial-grade hand-held radios are generally between one and two miles. While VHF radios can broadcast further, they do not penetrate as far. UHF radios transmit a greater distance and have better penetration.Can I Change The Frequencies On My 2 Way Radios?
Many commercial-grade 2 way radios can be programmed from either a computer onboard or via a PC. Although you cannot change VHF to UHF, the radio can be programmed with a PC or on-board programming. However, it can alter the frequencies in the band.Why Do 2 Way Radios Have Multiple Channels?
Every channel can be programed at a different frequency. Most modern 2 way radios can have between 4 and 16 channels, although some radios may have up to 256 channels. Channel one will be the only channel that broadcasts on the frequency being used. It is beneficial for commercial applications to have different communication depending on the work group or whereabouts. Radios can be used by schools to broadcast the news. Teachers and administrators might prefer one channel.Is VHF Or UHF Better?
The frequency band that a radio can operate within is called VHF (very high frequency), or UHF [ultra high frequency]. VHF operates between 136 and 174 MHz, while UHF operates between 400 and 512 MHz. Wave length is shorter the higher frequency. A signal will travel farther if it has a longer wave length. It is easier for the signal's to penetrate if the wave length is shorter. VHF broadcasts better over open water and from an unobstructed location to another. For broadcasting through buildings or other obstructions, UHF is better than VHF.How Many Radios Can I Use One Location?
You can use as many radios at any location you wish, regardless of the license. To manage communication better, we suggest that the channel's users be limited to ten.READ NEXT: The Best Parametric Equalizer For 2024
About Nicolas Ward
