The Best Emergency Weather Radios for 2023
The solution to keeping your family safe in times of natural emergencies!
Do you know what an emergency weather radio is? If not, you’re not alone.
Many people don’t realize that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (N.O.A.A.) has a system in place to warn people of severe weather, including hurricanes and tornadoes. But if you live in one of the states that have been hit by a major disaster — or if you’re just concerned about your own family’s safety — it’s crucial to get one.
In times of national emergency, the Emergency Alert System will broadcast warnings over N.O.A.A.’s network of transmitters and channels across the country. These messages will include instructions on how to prepare for emergencies accordingly.
Therefore, if you have an emergency weather radio, then you’ll be able to hear these broadcasts without having to tune into your local television or turn on your radio manually. So, you should get one to keep yourself and your family safe!
Everything We Recommend
1. Best Product
Midland Emergency Crank Weather AM/FM Radio
2. Runner Up
Eton Scorpion II
3. Cost Effective
Esky Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight
4. Almost Made the Cut
RunningSnail N.O.A.A. Weather Radio
1. Best Product
Who it is for
Midland ER310 is a great product that should be bought by people who need any situation to be safe and if they live in a problematic area that witnesses many natural emergencies. This radio has all of the features needed for the best possible user experience, and it works with the N.O.A.A. alert system.
Why it is great
The ER310 Emergency Radio is a tremendous radio for emergencies. It has great audio quality and a large battery capacity. The included flashlight with strobe light S.O.S. makes this an ideal little unit to have in your pack or backpack when you're going camping, hiking, or facing emergencies! Its compact size makes the ER310 easy to carry around with you. This is one of those radios that keeps going and going...
Potential flaws
The ER310 has its own flaws, but the first one is that it lacks the SAME technology for local alerts. The display brightness for some users might be too high which might prevent them from sleeping, and finally, this might be a little bit expensive in comparison to other affordable models. That being said, these are not dealbreakers, and the ER310 is at the top of the list.
Other features
The Midland ER310 is an excellent emergency radio with several benefits. The ER310 has a large display and great sound quality, creating a comfortable user experience. All of Midland's E.R. series radios feature custom alerts that allow you to set up recurring alarms for specific situations or locations.
Product specifications
Dimensions: 9.6 x 3 x 6.8 inches
Weight: 1 pound
SAME Technology: No
Public Alert Certified: No
Power Source: Rechargeable Lithium Ion 2600mAh Battery, Hand Crank, USB, Solar, 6 AA Batteries
2. Runner Up
Who it is for
The people who need to buy the durable and small Eton Scorpion II emergency radio are those who live in remote areas.
People living in remote and rural areas have always been at risk of natural disasters, and that's why they need a source of communication that can remain functional even after an earthquake or hurricane.
The Eton Scorpion II emergency radio is a great choice because it is both durable and portable, meaning that it can be easily carried with you anywhere you go.
Why it is great
Get the most out of your emergency preparedness kit with the Eton Scorpion II. This emergency radio allows you to listen to multiple N.O.A.A. frequencies and features a durable L.E.D. light that can operate as a night light or portable power source for charging your cordless devices. It also includes a built-in carabiner and bottle opener, which make this one incredibly versatile device.
Potential flaws
The Eton Scorpion II emergency radio is a great little device, but it has its limitations. It's not the best radio for long trips or anything (the battery is small and it can't really handle loud noises). Its small display screen is also an issue because it doesn’t have a backlight which makes it hard to see in the dark.
And finally, the audio quality is average. It doesn't have the best clarity or volume, but it's also not too bad
Other features
The Eton Scorpion II is a tremendous emergency radio because it upholds the highest standards in construction. It’s weatherproof and can withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at you, including storms and rain. It’s also lightweight, and small enough to fit into your pack or even your pocket.
Production specifications
Dimensions: 2.5 x 6.5 x 1.9 inches
Weight: 0.66 pounds
SAME Technology: No
Public Alert Certified: No
Power Source: 800mAh Rechargeable Lithium Battery, Hand Crank, Solar, USB
3. Cost Effective
Who it is for
The Esky Hand Crank Radio is a great emergency radio that comes with a flashlight, which makes it perfect for people used to camping and other outdoor activities. So, if you are looking for an emergency radio that is easy to use, has good sound quality, can be used in an emergency, and won't hurt your savings, then this is definitely something you should consider buying.
Why it is great
If you're in an emergency, you need a way to communicate.
The Esky Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight is the best way to stay connected during a disaster — or any time you need to stay in touch. With multiple power/charging options, this radio is compact and portable, and it fits in your pocket, so you can take it anywhere. Last, and by no means least, it has an extendable antenna that picks up N.O.A.A. weather signals along with A.M./F.M. radio.
Potential flaws
The Esky Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight emergency radio has its own flaws, but it's also a great product.
The first thing we'll say is that the Esky Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight doesn't have any shortwave or weather alerts. However, it's easy enough to tune in to what you need.
Another con is its non-premium construction. While this may not be a huge deal for some people, others may want something more high-quality.
Other features
The Esky Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight stands out with basic but reliable features.
It has a pretty decent-sized 1000mAh battery estimated to last seven hours of operation, which is enough in many cases. And of course, the methods to charge it are multiple. You can do so through a Micro U.S.B. cable, solar panel, or even its hand crank.
Besides, this is a budget-friendly device, so you don't need to empty your pockets to get one.
Product specifications
Dimensions: 5 *2.4 *1.8 inches
Weight: 0.49-pound
SAME Technology: No
Public Alert Certified: No
Power Source: Corded-Electric, Li-ion Battery, Solar, Hand Crank
4. Almost Made the Cut
Who it is for
The RunningSnail NOAA Weather Radio is perfect for anyone who loves to be outside and wants to stay informed on what’s going on in the weather. The radio allows you to get immediate alerts about storms, hurricanes, and other weather emergencies.
Therefore, if you are looking for an emergency alert system that will keep you safe when disaster strikes, this is the perfect product for you!
Why it is great
The RunningSnail NOAA Weather Radio is an affordable option that won't break the bank. It has a large rechargeable battery that lasts hours, which means you won't need to worry about constantly recharging it during an emergency. It also comes with a one-watt flashlight, which is brighter than most other portable radios on the market. The battery is also equipped to charge other devices like phones or tablets, so if you have any other electronics with you (like a phone or tablet), this radio will help keep them charged up too!
Potential flaws
The RunningSnail NOAA Weather Radio is a great device for those who are interested in weather updates, but it doesn’t have enough features to make it stand out from other radios. The radio has no weather alert functionality, which means you won’t be able to receive emergency messages or warnings when the situation gets serious. The radio also has cheap construction and it has no digital display that is supposed to make your life easier.
Other features
The RunningSnail NOAA Weather Radio is a great emergency radio because it packs a ton of features into a small, lightweight package. It has a 2000mAh battery, among the very best on the market, which means you can get up to 12 hours of use out of it. It also has a reading light and flashlight, so you can read by candlelight or light your way through the woods in low-light conditions. And as a bonus, it includes an S.O.S. alarm. So, If you're looking for an emergency radio that will keep you safe in any situation, this is it.
Product specifications
Dimensions: 6.2 x 2.1 x 2.9 inches
Weight: 0.68 pounds
SAME Technology: No
Public Alert Certified: No
Power Source: 2000mAh Rechargeable Lithium Battery, Hand Crank, Solar, USB, 3 AAA Batteries
Who This Is For
If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, you must have an emergency weather radio at home. Whether it’s a tornado, hurricane, or snowstorm, having the right equipment can mean the difference between life and death.
You don’t have to be a meteorologist or know how to read a barometer to benefit from having an emergency weather radio. All you need is to tune on the radio for a few minutes every day and keep an eye on climate change throughout the day.
Is It Worth Splurging On?
The emergency weather radio is a must-have item that you don’t want to be without during a storm, hurricane, or other natural disaster. With an emergency weather radio, you’ll be able to know if it’s safe to leave your home and check on your family members. You can also stay informed about the severity of the situation and how long it will be before conditions improve.
It’s also important that everyone in your family knows how to use the emergency weather radio. If they do not know how to operate one, they may not receive accurate information from the station or not hear it at all if the power is out.
What Kind Of Radio Is Best in Case Of An Emergency?
When it comes to emergency radios, there are a few options.
The most obvious choice is a handheld model that you can keep in your pocket or handbag at all times. These are easy to use and don’t require any special training or skills to operate. They can also be used as backup radios for when one of your primary radios has run out of battery power.
A small hand-held radio may not be powerful enough to broadcast over long distances, so you must keep it close by if you want to stay connected during an emergency.
Some people prefer larger models with built-in chargers because they need more power and range than smaller units have available. These radios tend to be more expensive, but they are also easier to use than their smaller cousins because they have more features built-in including an external antenna so you don’t have to rely on internal wiring (which could fail) or batteries that might run out at any moment.
Can’t I Just Use My Phone?
There are several reasons why you cannot use your phone as an emergency radio. The first is that if you are in the car, you need to be able to hear the emergency broadcast clearly so that it doesn’t interfere with the other emergency broadcasts that are coming through your car’s radio. If you’re using a phone, then it could be hard to hear those other broadcasts and get important information from them.
The second reason is that many phones can’t receive A.M./F.M. frequencies — or at least not very well — so they won’t receive emergency broadcasts. Some phones do have this ability, but not all of them.
The final reason is that some phones don’t have enough power for their internal battery to last long enough for an emergency broadcast (and therefore they wouldn’t be able to receive any). This could happen if there were other electrical devices or appliances near where the phone was located, or if there was something else draining too much power from the phone itself (like a laptop).
Why You Should Trust Us
We know how important it is to have reliable emergency weather radios in your home. You need a radio that can keep you safe and get you the information you need — whether that’s updated forecasts, severe weather alerts, or just the latest news about what’s happening in your community.
That’s why we’ve spent years evaluating the best emergency weather radios on the market and narrowing down our list of favorites to bring you the only list of reliable emergency weather radios you’ll ever need. Our team of experts carefully analyzed each model to determine which ones were most reliable and accurate — so you don’t have to do any of the work!
How We Picked
The best emergency weather radios have been evaluated, and we’ve picked the best options based on several factors.
Reception
A non-negotiable factor was having picks that have a good alert reception and transmission from N.O.A.A’s Emergency Alert System. Because otherwise, If your current weather radio doesn’t have good reception or transmission, it could mean that you won’t receive alerts about severe weather or other emergencies.
Battery Life
We also made sure that our picks have a good battery life so that you don’t waste precious time looking for power outlets when there aren’t any around.
Temperatures
Next, we evaluated the emergency radios based on whether they can withstand extreme temperatures without breaking down on you.
Ease of Use
We made sure that our picks are easy to use so that all members of your family will know how to use them without having to learn how in an emergency.
As for the preferred size for an emergency weather radio, we picked the options which fit easily into your handbag or backpack so that even if there are no power outlets nearby, you can always reach it quickly!
Weight
Then, we weighed each model and made sure each top pick is lightweight and can be carried easily.
Design
We looked at whether or not each model has an appealing design or is easy to use with one hand in case you need to use it for emergencies outside of your home (e.g., when you’re stuck in traffic).
Warranty
We evaluate warranty length and to which extent it covers the models throughout the years.
Headphone Jack
Finally, we checked whether or not our top models have a headphone jack so you can listen to weather updates even if the radio isn’t connected to an external speaker system.
How We Picked
Receives alerts + transmissions from NOAA’s Emergency Alert System
Make sure your emergency radio receives alerts and transmissions from N.O.A.A’s Emergency Alert System. This means that in an emergency, you can receive messages and instructions to deal properly with the given situation.
Battery life
Besides the product specifics, you can look at the size of the battery. The more power your radio needs, the bigger its battery has to be. If it's not big enough, it won’t last during an emergency.
Durability
One of the ways to test the durability of this gadget is to take it outside and leave it in direct sunlight. You should also try to heat it or put it in a freezer for 30 minutes.
Price
If you're looking for a budget-friendly model, you can get it for as low as $25. If you want something more advanced, you can spend up to $80, but more than that would be expensive and not cost-effective.
Care and maintenance
Emergency weather radios are great for taking care of your family in case of an emergency. However, you need to make sure that you are using them properly and in the most effective way possible. We have compiled a few tips to help you out.
The first thing you should do is clean your emergency weather radio regularly. This will ensure that it is working as well as possible. You can use a damp cloth with some mild soap to clean it off. It should be stored in a dry place so that it does not get damaged by moisture or dust particles inside the device itself.
If you need to carry your emergency weather radio around with you, you should make sure that it’s securely fastened on your person by using a belt or other security device that will prevent losing it in stressful times!
You may also want to consider storing your emergency weather radio somewhere safe when not in use so that children don’t accidentally turn it on and cause an electrical shock or fire hazard. You could invest in a small tin box or something similar so that it can stay safely out of sight when not used at all times.
