The 9 best walkie talkie radios to consider in 2020
With the best walkie talkie, you can do a lot more than you might think. Walkie talkie radios aren’t just for kids anymore.
Radio technology is capable of so much more than most people realize. While it’s true that many of us rely on our radios to stay informed and entertained, radio waves aren’t just there for one-way communication.
As shortwave and Ham radio experts know, you can also use your radio to connect with friends, loved ones, and strangers worldwide.
In a survivalist situation, an environment where cell phone connections aren’t great, or even when you’re exploring the great outdoors, walkie talkies are often a lot more reliable than the standard smartphone.
With the best walkie talkies, you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to do if you run out of credit or phone reception.
Long range walkie talkies give you an instant link to all the people you need to speak to, using radio waves.
Many of these products are available in a range of sizes, often compact enough to fit in a backpack or pocket.
You can also find walkie talkies that include extra features, like NOAA weather alerts and SOS signals.
If you’re thinking of investing in your own two-way radio, we’re here to help. Here are some of the top-rated walkie talkies on the market right now.
1. GOCOM walkie talkies (best for hiking)
The best walkie talkies are simple, efficient, and brimming with handy features, like these GOCOM walkie talkies (for adults).
An excellent long-distance walkie talkie option for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, GOCOM’s set offers a 32-mile range, for clear communication in open areas.
These radio devices work best in spaces with minimal obstruction – so we recommend using them outside of the city.
With a charging station included, or the option to power your walkies via battery, the GOCOM set will keep you connected to the people who matter most.
The 2-way radio features up to 22 family-friendly service channels, and a privacy codes system too. This means you can block other conversations if you need to.
With up to 75 hours of battery life, you won’t run out of energy when you’re in a tight spot. Plus, the GOCOM talkies come with IPX4 water resistance, to protect you against damage from splashes or rain.
Features include:
- 32 mile range
- Smart LCD screen
- LED flashlight
- Danger alarm for safety
- IPX4 water resistance
- 2,662 channels and 22 family-friendly options
- NOAA weather scanning and alert
- Up to 75 hours of battery
- USB charge or battery charge
The perfect partner for an outdoor adventure, these GOCOM radios provide a host of bonus features to discover, such as an LED flashlight, a danger alarm, and even a NOAA weather scanning and alert system.
You’ll always be aware of upcoming weather issues. Just keep in mind that the charging port is a little flimsy, so you’ll need to be extra careful with it.
Pros:
- IPX4 weather proofing
- 75 hours of battery life
- Excellent range of safety features
- NOAA weather radio included
- 32-mile range
Cons:
- Doesn’t work well in city spaces
- Charging port is flimsy in places
2. Uniden SX407-2CKFHS (best compatibility)
Uniden is a popular brand for people in search of a best buy walkie talkie.
Well-known for durability and reliability, the Uniden SX407-2CKFHS provides a 40-mile range for those in need of effective long-distance communication.
You can use these products when you’re out camping, caravanning, biking, or just exploring the world.
Like many of the best walkie talkies around today, the SX407-2CKFHS from Uniden come with NOAA weather channel functionality built-in.
The service is always on to constantly receive emergency weather broadcasts from the National Weather service. The emergency/weather mode ensures that the elements will never catch you off guard.
These Uniden walkie talkies come with 22 channels, 142 privacy codes, and 142 direct calling codes, so you’ll be able to find an open line with ease.
Since this device operates on industry standard frequencies, you can communicate with any other walkie talkie radios.
Features include:
- 40-mile range
- NOAA weather channels (always-on alert)
- 22 channels, 142 privacy codes, and 142 direct call codes
- Excellent range
- 14 hours of battery life
- AA rechargeable batteries
- Dual charging cradle included
- IPX4 rating
- Emergency LED flashlight
- Earbud input
With the option to use your walkie talkie with a set of headphones, or use the available speaker, you can ensure you always get the best experience with Uniden.
The backlit display is easy to read, even at night, with an IPX4 rating that protects against splashes and rain.
One possible downside is that the battery could be a little better.
Pros:
- Great 40 mile range
- Compatible with any other radio
- NOAA weather alerts
- 22 channels and 142 privacy/direct calling codes
- IPX4 protection
Cons:
- Not the best battery life
- Not ideal in city landscapes
3. Proster Rechargeable walkie talkie (best earpiece)
Compact and convenient, the Proster long range walkie talkies are ideal for people who want a quick and convenient way to stay connected. These tiny products will fit easily into your palm or your pocket when you’re on the move. Each radio also comes with a removable belt clip, so you can keep the device close at hand.
There are 16 pre-programmed channels to choose from at first, and each radio has an identical
frequency on each channel out of the box. You can also program a host of other CTCSS and CDCSS tones on each device. The product comes with a USB charging for easy power from your phone, car charger, or at home.
The high-quality built-in speaker on this radio provides fantastic sound, but you also get a single
earpiece included if you prefer to listen to your conversations privately. The earpiece comes with a hook design to keep it firmly attached to your ear. Features include:
- Small, convenient size
- Easy operation for all users
- Push-to-talk button
- UF 400-470 MHz
- 16 channels
- 2 mile radius
- Easy to charge with USB connector
- Built-in LED emergency light
Easy to use and equipped with a decent range of up to 2 miles, these handsets are great for short-distance interactions between people in a building that might not have the best cell signal. Unfortunately, the batteries aren’t as durable in this product as they are in other devices, so you may need to replace them quite quickly.
Pros:
- Easy to use with convenient set-up
- Handy earpiece included for private listening
- Compact enough to fit in your pocket
- Easy USB charging
- Built-in LED emergency light
Cons:
- Very limited range
- Not the best battery quality
4. Motorola T260TP talkabout (best scanning)
The best walkie talkies are a breeze to use, making them perfect for outdoor adventures, and situations when you need to connect with your friends and family fast. The Motorola T260TP in a pack of three is an excellent example of this.
These high-performance walkie talkie radios come from one of the better-known brands in the digital world.
Depending on your needs, you can power these devices with a set of 3 AA batteries for up to 29 hours of energy or use the rechargeable batteries for up to 10 hours.
One of the best features of these products is that they come with a low battery alert, so you know when you need to top up.
The Motorola walkie talkies are compatible with any radio, thanks to industry-standard wavelengths.
There’s also a NOAA radio service available to keep you informed on real-time weather conditions.
Features include:
- 2 charging options (battery or rechargeable)
- NOAA weather alerts
- Quick scanning feature
- Low battery alert
- Compatibility with any two-way radio
- 22 channels each
- 121 privacy codecs
- 2,662 combinations
- Durable and lightweight design
- 20 call tones
- Hands-free conversations
With 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, you can access up to 2,662 combinations with the Motorola T260TP. The quick scanning feature ensures that you can see which channels are currently in use in an instance.
Plus, you have up to 25 miles of range – excellent for long-distance communication. That battery life can suffer if you’re using your radio regularly.
There’s also no waterproofing here.
Pros:
- Multiple charging options
- Quick scanning feature for finding channels
- Clear voice quality
- Durable and lightweight design
- Low battery alert
Cons:
- No waterproofing
- Battery can drain quite quickly
5. DEWALT DXFRS800 (best commercial)
As mentioned above, one of the most common uses of walkie talkie radios today, is as a tool for on-site communications between employees.
If your team is going to be working in a variety of environments, you need a walkie talkie that can withstand anything. DEWALT, one of the best-known names in worksite tech, has the DXFRS800 to offer.
These heavy-duty walkie talkies are shock resistant, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally dropping them as you work. They also come with a life-time warranty for peace of mind.
The 2-watt talkies provide up to 300,000 square feet of coverage – more than enough for a construction site, warehouse, or production floor.
These waterproof radios can handle a 2 meter drop with no problem, and you can immerse them in up to a meter of water for as long as 30 minutes without any damage.
The DEWALT walkies are even dust-proof.
For the price, you get a full set of 6 walkie talkies complete with an all-in-one charger with features including:
- Pack of 6 for the full workforce
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Shock resistant (up to 2 meter drops)
- Rugged anti-slip design
- Backlit screen
- Easy-to-use functionality
- 22 preset channels
- Privacy codes to minimize interference
- 300,000 square foot range
- Waterproof IP67 rating
- Dust-proof
Although these walkie talkies are a little more expensive than some of the options we’ve covered so far, they’re an excellent choice for commercial settings.
These walkie talkies charge quickly, work well, and stay durable in challenging environments.
The biggest issue is that the belt clip isn’t as strong as it could be.
Pros:
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Shock and dust resistant
- Waterproof IP67 rating
- 22 preset channels
- 300,000 square-foot range
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not the best belt clips
6. Motorola T600 (best waterproof)
If you’re looking for a set of the best walkie talkies for durability and persistent performance, but you don’t want to pay commercial prices, Motorola has you covered.
These T600 walkie talkie radios belong to the popular Talkabout range and feature a fantastic IP67 rating, which means that you can immerse your walkie in water and still use it with no problems afterwards.
One particularly appealing feature of these walkie talkies is that it comes with a vibracall feature that helps to boost your voice quality when you’re on the move in a boat or car.
There’s a keypad lock to prevent you from making accidental calls, and a battery life of up to 23 hours in the right circumstances.
You even get an added built-in flashlight.
Each walkie talkie comes with 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, so you’ve got plenty of combinations to choose from.
The low-battery alert will let you know when you’re running low on energy.
Features include:
- Luminous design to prevent loss
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Keypad lock and vibracall features
- Built-in flashlight
- Backlit LED screen
- 23 hours of battery life
- Battery alert
- 22 channels and 121 privacy codes
- NOAA weather radio
- Compatible with any walkie talkie
With NOAA radio compatibility, you can make sure that you’re always up to date with the latest weather alerts when using these radios.
The fact that Motorola offers these devices with GMRS/FRS radio performance also means that they can communicate with devices from any other provider with no problem.
One possible issue you might have with this device is that it doesn’t have the best range.
Pros:
- Lightweight design with luminous color
- IP67 water resistance
- Keypad lock included
- NOAA weather radio
- Excellent compatibility
Cons:
- Limited battery life
- Not the best range
7. Midland X-Talker T71X4VP3 (best hands-free)
Long range walkie talkies are available in a variety of styles to suit any need.
These Midland X-Talker T71X4VP3 walkie talkie radios are some of the more convenient products that we’ve seen so far, with a massive 38-mile range – perfect for outdoor adventures.
You’ll get a longer range if you’re in an area with little obstruction.
The Midland walkie talkies come with a quick scanning functionality and 36 family radio service channels, as well as 121 CTCSS privacy codes.
There’s also a silent operation option to remove all tones.
Like many outdoor radios, these walkie talkies come with NOAA weather scanning and alert to automatically keep you up-to-date with severe weather conditions.
Most impressively, these walkie talkies are excellent for hands-free operation with easy voice and sound activated transmission.
You even get a set of belt-clips included.
The Midland radios feature:
- 2-way radios
- 36 family radio service channels
- Channel scanning function
- 121 CTCSS privacy codes
- NOAA weather scanning
- Hands-free easy voice operation
- Belt clips included
- Rechargeable battery packs
- 38 miles of range
- Silent operation feature
The Midland X-Talker radios come with a crisp and clear set of communication features, to help you connect with loved one in a hurry. Plus, the water resistant design will keep you safe when unexpected showers happen.
The battery life could be better.
Pros:
- NOAA weather scanning
- 38 mile range
- Excellent hands-free functionality
- 36 radio service channels
- Silent operation
Cons:
- Limited battery life
- Problematic range in obstructed areas
8. Tenway UV-5R Pro (best with ham)
Ham radio and walkie talkies don’t have to go hand-in-hand.
If you’re a fan of amateur radio, and you want a two-way communication method too, then the Tenway UV-5R could be an excellent investment for you.
This powerful set comes with built-in LED flashlights for emergency situations, and a rechargeable Li-Ion battery.
Power-saving features ensure that you get the most out of your battery life, while a low-battery alert lets you know when you’re running out of juice.
These walkie talkie radios come with a built-in VOX function, an emergency alert system, and a keypad lock to avoid any issues when you’re on the move.
There’s also the option to access ham radio functionality with USB-enabled programming.
The high-quality speaker on these walkie talkies ensures a good quality of sound, and the push-to-talk button is a breeze for even beginners to use.
Features include:
- Rechargeable battery
- Power-saving features and low-battery alert
- Excellent USB programming option
- Ham radio access
- Antenna included
- 1-year warranty
- High-quality hand-held speakers
- Crystal-clear sound
- Push to talk button
- Earbud style earpiece
An excellent way to combine walkie talkie functionality with the ham radio hobby, the Tenway UV-5R set could be the perfect choice for those who want to experiment with the power of radio waves.
Your range will depend on a lot of factors, though, including the weather conditions and potential obstructions (like buildings).
Pros:
- Ham radio functionality
- Excellent power-saving functionality
- USB programming available
- High-quality audio
- Push-to-talk simplicity
Cons:
- Not the best range
- Expensive if you’re just looking for walkie talkies
9. Cobra ACXT1035R (best bonus features)
Finally, for those in need of a durable, high-performance set of walkie talkie radios, the Cobra ACXT1035R set is brimming with amazing capabilities to explore.
You can enjoy a fantastic range of up to 37 miles for your conversations, with around 121 privacy codes and up to 2,662 channel combination options.
The ACXT1035R walkie talkies from Cobra are waterproof to an IPX7 standard, so you don’t have to worry about taking them out with you on a boat or fishing trip. These devices will even float in water.
Plus, there’s access to NOAA weather alerts so you can stay tuned into what’s going on around you. The most impressive thing about these devices is how many extra features you get.
The Vibra-alert and call alert means that you always know when a call is incoming.
There’s a “say again” option to rewind the last 20 seconds of audio, and built-in LED and flashlights for outdoor exploration. You even use voice-activated transmission. F
Features include:
- Long-range of up to 37 miles
- 2,662 channel combinations
- 121 privacy codes
- NOAA weather alert function
- Floating and waterproof (IPX7)
- Rewind (say again) feature
- Vibration and call alert
- LED and SOS flashlight
- VOX (Voice-activated transmission)
The Cobra walkie talkies come with everything you need to stay connected in a host of different situations, with a fantastic waterproof design, and a convenient operation.
The belt clip included on these devices is very flimsy, and the microphone is strangely situated in the middle of the device, which may be jarring for some.
Pros:
- Waterproof with floating design
- 37-mile range
- LED and SOS flashlight
- NOAA weather alerts
- Unique features like “say again” function
Cons:
- Not a very durable belt clip
- Microphone in the center of the device
How to Choose the Best Walkie Talkie
Choosing the best walkie talkies is just like investing in any kind of radio technology. Everyone will have their own unique requirements to consider.
The needs of a company purchasing walkie talkies for a work site will be different to the demands of an individual who wants walkie talkies for a family camping trip.
To help you make the right decision when buying walkie talkie radios, here are some factors you might want to consider:
Range
In most case, your walkie talkie radio manufacturer will specify the range you can expect from your device. It’s worth remembering that you might not be able to achieve the maximum range if you’re in an area with a lot of obstructions, or poor weather.
Features
When purchasing a two-way radio, keep an eye out for extra features. Functions like NOAA radio alerts so you can keep track of the weather are a good investment. You might also look into flashlights, and “say again” features where you can rewind the last several seconds of audio in a call.
Call quality
You’ll need to ensure that the audio quality of your radio is good enough to convey a clear sound when you need to communicate. Most of the top-performing walkie talkie radios are excellent for removing noise and distortion.
Design
There are a few things to think about from a design perspective. First, you need your walkie to be compact, so you can take it with you on the move, wherever you go. You also need a device that’s durable. IPX7 water resistance is a good feature to look for if you want your investment to last.
Usability
Your walkie talkie should come with a wide selection of channels to choose from, and an easy interface so you can scan through channels quickly. The easier it is to use your radio in a hurry, the better off you’ll be.
Battery life
Make sure that your walkie talkie can last for as long as you need it. Multiple charging methods, including outlet and battery options can come in handy when you spend a lot of time outdoors.
What is the best walkie talkie?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to which walkie talkie radio will be best for you. You’ll need to think about what you need from the best walkie talkie.
Consider how you’re going to be using your device – will you be taking it camping, or staying connected to colleagues on a construction site? Think about how much functionality you want from your walkie talkie too.
Aside from being able to communicate through two-way radio channels, do you also want access to an emergency flashlight and NOAA weather signals?
Are you going to be using your walkie talkie to help with your ham radio hobby in your spare time?
To learn more about all the wonderful things you can do with radio waves, and the different kinds of radio devices available, check out our other articles here at Radio Fidelity. Good luck finding the walkie talkies that speak to you!
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