Crank it up: Your guide to the best wind up radio
Contributing Editor
Want to make sure that you can always tune into your favorite radio shows? Perhaps it’s time to explore wind up radios…
Having a rechargeable DAB radio is a great start. Rechargeable devices mean that you don’t have to worry too much about spending a fortune on batteries. Additionally, you can usually access a wider selection of radio stations with DAB too.
But what do you do if you’re nowhere near a wall outlet and you’ve run out of power?
If you don’t have any batteries on hand, you could be left without entertainment for the rest of your journey or camping trip.
The best wind up radios eliminate that problem.
Designed for outdoor explorers, hikers, and survivalists, the wind up radio gives you an environmentally friendly way to listen to your favorite music or shows. Not only do wind up radios ensure that you can always access a source of power for your gadget, but they also save you a fortune on batteries too.
Rather than relying on a plug socket or a set of double A’s for energy, your wind up radio comes with a hand crank that you can use to keep your radio fully charged. Most of these devices can also be charged using other methods, – like USB cables or even solar power when necessary.
Because these devices are very limited in what they can do, there’s a good chance you won’t find many wind up DAB radios or digital devices. However, your wind up device could easily double up as an alarm clock, flashlight, or even a source for charging your smartphone.
Ready to go shopping?
Here are the best wind up radios to try in 2023!
1. Duronic AM/FM hybrid wind up radio
Simple, versatile, and compact enough to take with you on any adventure.
The Duronic AM/FM Hybrid Radio gives you three ways to keep your device charged. You can either create crank-based energy using the wind up handle on the device or solar charge the tool by leaving it in direct sunlight. There’s also the option to plug your radio into a USB cable so you can charge it by the mains at home.
One of the more affordable wind up radios on the market today, the Duronic hybrid is available for less than £18 and comes with a number of useful features.
Aside from connecting to AM and FM signals, the Duronic also comes with a headphone jack for private listening and an LED torch built-in. You can also use this device as an alarm clock on your next camping trip.
Features include:
- Lightweight and portable design
- LED light indicator
- 7 hours of battery life (fully charged)
- Crank power or solar power options
- Deceptively small but offering plenty of volume
- AM/FM station connectivity
- Durable extendible aerial
- 300mAh battery
- Headphone jack
- Alarm clock
This is a very basic radio system, so you probably shouldn’t expect something as robust as the Roberts Unologic, for instance.
Duronic has clearly created something that their customers will feel comfortable throwing in a backpack for a last-minute camping trip.
However, if you’re looking for something cheap, cheerful, and reasonably reliable, this is a fantastic piece of kit. It does need winding up pretty frequently if you’re relying on the crank charge alone – but the same can be said for most wind up radios.
Pros:
- Three charging options to choose from, including solar power
- Easy to find a station with an extendible aerial
- Very affordable for any budget
- Excellent volume performance
- Headphone socket included
Cons:
- Solar-powered panel doesn’t work well on overcast days
- A little cheap and plastic in style
2. RunningSnail Wind Up Crank Radio
This is one of the most versatile crank-up radios today.
Featuring a fresh design, the RunningSnail Wind Up Crank Radio is designed to be a powerful emergency radio.
Due to nature’s unpredictability, this radio is designed to ensure you’re always ready and prepared to face anything.
To begin with, this is a weather band radio that will keep you updated on any severe weather changes or alerts. You won’t miss any NOAA weather alerts from the National Weather Service, including hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters.
The availability of the seven NOAA weather radio bands makes it an excellent radio for outdoor activities such as camping and hiking.
During our review of this radio, we loved the fact that it’s made to ensure you can communicate with your loved ones, even during a power outage or when you can’t access AA batteries. But how is that possible?
Well, besides being a crank-up radio, the RunningSnail is also solar-powered. Therefore, if you’re lucky enough to get some direct sunlight, even for an hour, your radio will remain powered.
To make it even better, this radio comes with a high-capacity 4000mAh rechargeable battery. The good thing about this battery, especially during emergencies, is that it can charge more than one smartphone to keep you connected.
And what if you’re in the dark with no light? The RunningSnail radio has you covered. It has a powerful flashlight to keep your path lit, even in the darkest of nights.
And, let’s not forget that you can power it up by cranking it or through its USB cable.
For about $35, you get:
- 4000mAH rechargeable battery
- Super bright 3-mode flashlight
- Motion-sensor reading lamp
- Comfortable hand crank radio
- External antenna
- 7 NOAA weather stations
- Micro USB charger
- Solar charge
A point worth noting is that this radio’s flashlight is not your ordinary LED light. Instead, it’s a super-bright option with a range that exceeds 10 meters (32.81 feet).
Moreover, the reading lamp with a motion sensor to switch it on or off based on your movement makes this the most versatile wind up and emergency radio. You can get up at midnight without waking up other family members.
Pros:
- Multiple charging options
- Crystal-clear sound quality
- Highly portable
- Sufficient reading light
- Timely emergency weather radio updates
- Easy navigation in the dark
- Motion sensor reading lamp for efficiency
- High-capacity battery to charge your devices
Cons:
- Can be challenging to tune at first
- ★【 Newest Design MD-090P】Based on MD-090 emergency flashlight radio, we've optimized and upgraded a lot of features. A biggest 4000mAh rechargeable battery can charge more than one smartphone, the most powerful lighting functions include super-bright 3 mode flashlight and motion sensor reading lamp. Also, external antenna, electricity label, comfortable hand crank, tap switch fit all your needs. The MD-090P is the best value for emergency radio in this market.
- ★【The Most Powerful Life Saver Radio】Nature is unpredictable, but you can be prepared and ready in the face of her fury. The emergency crank radio with weather band and phone charge professionally get weather broadcasts the latest weather and all hazard information for your areas like hurricanes, tornadoes and so on from 7 NOAA stations at a crystal-clear sound. Earns a critical time for you to get full preparation advance, keeping you and your family safe with this emergency weather radio.
- ★【4 CHARGING MODES】Compared with 2000mah or 1000mah emergency radio on the market, the solar radio has upgraded to 4000mAh rechargeable battery, found in every household and easy to buy in the local market or amazon store. Also, Micro USB charge, Solar charge, Hand-crank could also supply the flashlight radio last for days after the storm had passed until the power back on. No matter what emergency situation you find yourself in, this hand crank light never run out of electricity!
- ★【Super-Bright 3 Mode Flashlight And Motion Sensor Reading Lamp】 If you are an outdoor enthusiast or need to walk in places without lights, the flashlight radio with 3 modes flashlight is a great alternative, which farthest lighting range exceeds10m, farther than the most other solar emergency radio. Also, a reading lamp with a Motion sensor will greatly help you get up in the mid-night to avoid waking your family. Add to cart, you will never regret that you purchase this crank flashlight radio!
- ★【We Care About You and The ones Your loved】 In the past years, Our emergency radio has helped more than 10,000,000 USA Civilians to live through the hurricane, tornadoes and snowstorm season, like "Dorian", "Harvey, "Irma", etc. Your voice drives us to be the best. We back our emergency weather radio with 18-months Warranty! 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!
3. Midland Portable Wind-Up Radio
If you’re looking for a compact hand-crank radio for your emergency kit, the Midland Portable Wind Up Radio has got you covered.
Its compact size makes it easy to pack and carry along on your travels. Additionally, its durable design ensures that it can withstand any rough conditions you may encounter while using it.
The Midland is also ideal for your day-to-day use, especially if you’re a radio enthusiast. Besides using it as a survival radio, the Midland is equipped with AM and FM bands, making it perfect for listening to your favorite stations.
And just like the RunningSnail radio, this one also comes with multiple charging options. You can power it through its hand crank or a small solar panel. It also has a USB charging port for your devices.
The radio’s 2200mAh battery makes it one of the best wind up radios on the market, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. With a guaranteed playtime of up to 25 hours during normal use, you can keep going for extended periods without worrying about running out of battery.
But that’s not all! The Midland radio has a built-in Cree LED flashlight with an SOS beacon function, ensuring you can signal for help during emergencies.
Moreover, you can use this radio as a portable power bank to charge your devices even when there’s no sun or wind. This feature makes the Midland radio an essential item for any outdoor adventurer.
For about $43, you get the following features:
- AM/FM receiver
- Bright LED torch
- SOS function
- Large LCD display
- Owner’s manual
- Battery-powered radio
- 2,200mAh rechargeable battery
As a water-resistant radio, the Midland Portable Wind Up Radio is perfect for use in any weather conditions. It’s also a great addition to your emergency kit as it ensures you always have a way to stay connected during critical situations.
Pros:
- Multiple charging options (solar, hand crank, and mains electricity)
- Durable and water-resistant design
- Compact and lightweight
- Long battery life
- You can use it as a portable power bank
- Easy-to-read LCD interface
- Built-in SOS function for emergency situations
Cons:
- Needs a lot of regular cranking
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- AM/FM NOAA Weather Emergency Crank Radio
- Extremely Bright Cree LED Flashlight 130 Lumens
- USB Output for charging other Portable Devices
- Replaceable 2000 mAh Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
- SOS Flashlight beacon that flashes Morse code
4. Duronic Ecohand wind up radio
The Ecohand by Duronic is the even more simplified version of the hybrid solar and wind up radio that we reviewed above.
Intended primarily for emergency use, this Duronic AM/FM radio comes in the same bright red shade as the other products in the Duronic design, so you’ll never lose track of it.
Small enough to fit in your hand, the device can either be powered via wind up, cranking, or using a mains adapter.
However, there’s no solar power option with this addition to our list of the best wind up radios. On the bright side, when you’re located in the UK, where sunlight is scarce, you might not even need this function.
Offering pretty good sound and reliable reception for less than £13, the Duronic Ecohand is an affordable and easy way to get your hands on a fantastic eco-friendly radio.
Features include:
- Wind up radio charging or mains power
- Small and lightweight design
- Easy to use rotary dials
- AM/FM reception
- Great tuning and volume
- 2.5 hours of playback when fully charged
- Small enough to fit in any bag and most pockets
This is definitely one of the simplest wind up radio reviews that we’ve done when creating this list.
The Duronic lacks a lot of the features that you would be able to access from other devices, including a headphone jack or an LED light. However, if you’re looking for a very basic way to listen to radio channels on the go, then this could definitely be the ideal option.
There are no complex bells and whistles to come to terms with on this device – which makes it a fantastic choice for those who don’t feel comfortable using a lot of tech.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- Basic set up with two charging options
- Small and lightweight design
- Tuning and volume is good
Cons:
- Very limited feature set
- Feels a bit cheap and plasticky
- No solar power option
5. Degen DE13 wind up radio
As noted elsewhere in this article, finding a wind up DAB radio isn’t easy.
However, you can find a few products that give you a wider range of signals to choose from. For instance, the crank solar radio from Degen, otherwise known as the DE13, comes with access to FM, MW, and SW1 signals.
Aside from giving you everything that you need to tune into your favorite channels on the go, this Degen radio also comes with a wide selection of other useful features like an LED torch, an alarm siren, and a USB port where you can charge your smartphone.
There’s also the opportunity to charge your radio via solar power if you have enough sunlight.
For almost $30, features include:
- Excellent LED torch
- SW, FM, and MW radio
- Alarm siren
- Multiple options for powering, including batteries, hand crank, solar panel
- USB mains charging when necessary
- Phone charging available
- Robust and reliable construction
This is one of the tougher, and therefore the best wind up radios that we’ve seen on the market. When you’re clambering through trees in the great outdoors, the last thing that you want to worry about is breaking your radio.
Fortunately, the Degen feels tough enough to withstand most bumps and knocks. Additionally, it comes with modern features like smartphone charging, which come in handy.
We particularly liked the fact that it comes with the option to use standard AAA batteries if you can’t find the energy to crank for power and there’s not enough light for solar. Overall, the versatility of this device makes it a great tool for anyone to have on hand.
Pros:
- Durable and strong design
- Plenty of useful features, including bright flashlight
- Smartphone charging
- Plenty of volume
- Excellent range of signals
Cons:
- Not very efficient
- Battery pack not included
- Not always easy to use
- Still not a DAB wind up radio
- 【Provides multiple power sources】Three power supply methods, rechargeable battery power, AAA (#7) battery power, solar power, four charging methods, crank hand crank power, solar charging, USB charging, computer charging, you can also use DE13 to charge your cell phone, MP3, MP4.
- 【Multipurpose and durable】The upgraded crank radio comes with a lithium battery, enough to charge your cell phone or USB device for a short call or text message in case of emergency. Plus a 3.5mm headphone jack that allows you to enjoy radio programs without disturbing others. This weather radio comes with a flashlight, which is handy in case of an emergency power outage and allows you to see any signal in the dark.
- [Alert Radio] This weather alert radio is specially designed for emergency needs. However, it needs to be powered on and manually tuned to a local weather station to receive alerts. It has standard analog tuned AM/FM/SW weather channels. This is a special device designed to receive emergency alerts for a variety of life-threatening weather events such as cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis and other weather disasters.
- 【Portable Radio】This pocket-sized portable emergency radio is surprisingly small and light. It measures 13.3*6.2*4.7CM and weighs 0.256KG (not including batteries). For hiking or trekking purposes, this type of radio is a wise choice. In an emergency, carrying a large unit can be quite difficult because you have to move around.
- 【Must have for home and outdoor】It has high quality speaker and IC with good reception and can be tuned to FM/WM/SW. It has two easy to control dials: one for mixer and the other for volume control with an antenna for enhanced reception. Good expandability to help you get a better signal anywhere. Package includes. 1*DEGEN DE13 emergency weather radio, 1*rechargeable battery, 1*USB charging cabler, 1*wristband, 1*English manual, and 1*12 months worry-free product service.
6. Midland ER300 Crank Up Radio
The Midland ER300 is among the few wind up radios with modern emergency technologies.
While reviewing this radio, we noticed one piece of technology that sets it apart from the rest—its ultrasound recall for dogs! If you’re an avid hiker or camper, this feature is surely a game-changer.
Even if your furry friend gets lost while on the trail, you can easily locate them using this radio’s ultrasound feature. Just make sure they have their dog collar with them.
But don’t worry; that’s not all this crank-up radio has to offer. It incorporates three recharging modes—dynamo, solar panel, and rechargeable batteries. Therefore, it ensures you’ll always stay connected, even during a power outage.
And what if you’re someone who enjoys listening to radio talk shows? The Midland ER300 comes with a digital tuner to give you access to your favorite shows. Plus, it will receive all your local radios, both AM and FM stations.
Since this radio is equipped with the Morse code SOS function, it’s ideal for signaling for help during emergencies. When activated, the Morse code SOS function will send a coded distress call in case of any danger.
For about $73, you get:
- Cree LED flashlight
- Ultrasonic dog whistle
- Wide and bright LCD display
- Digital tuner
- USB micro charging
- 2200mAh battery pack
- Dynamo crank power with recharge
- Solar panel
- SOS function
- Morse code signalling
It’s worth mentioning that this radio uses ultra-high frequency (UHF) tuner technology to eliminate the background noise and make your radio experience more enjoyable. Also, this technology means that radio waves can travel through walls, making it perfect for indoor use.
Pros:
- Ultrasonic dog whistle
- UHF technology for better reception
- Multiple charging options
- Access to all local radio stations
- High privacy through the Morse code signaling
- Bright built-in flashlight
- Easy-to-use button
Cons:
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- No headphone jack for private listening
- AM/FM NOAA Emergency Crank Radio with Solar Power Panel
- Extremely Bright Cree LED Flashlight 130 Lumens
- Ultrasonic Dog Whistle to assist search and rescue teams
- Replaceable 2000 mAh Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery with USB Output for charging Portable Devices
- SOS Flashlight beacon that flashes Morse code
7. Duronic Apex wind up radio
Whenever we do a top 10 review here at Radio Fidelity, there’s often one brand that seems to excel in a specific category more than others. That seems to be the case for Duronic in the world of wind up radios.
Although we haven’t been able to find a DAB wind up radio from Duronic, we’ve found a number of reliable and powerful options from the company, including the Duronic Apex.
The Duronic Apex is the AM/FM three-way charging radio for the person on the go. Designed for portability and convenience, the Apex has a built-in LED torch and an alarm function. There’s also a clock display so that you can keep track of the time on your next hike or camping trip.
Available for almost $47, the Duronic features:
- Small and lightweight design
- 3 charging options including wind up and solar power
- Easy-to-use tuning dials
- USB adapter option
- Torch included
- AM/FM radio
- Easy-to-use screen
- Up to 7 hours of playback
- Strong and durable
Although the Duronic Apex still isn’t the best wind up radio we’ve seen for durability, it’s a lot tougher in design than the other Duronic models. Compared to the Ecohand and Hybrid, the Apex feels immediately more robust from the moment you take it out of the box.
We liked how simple it was to use this device, particularly with the convenient back-lit display. Additionally, the LED light was surprisingly bright for such a small product. The biggest issue we had was trying to tune the radio properly.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact design
- Very good and powerful flashlight for the size
- Plenty of volume and reasonable audio quality
- Easy to use with tactile tuning
- 3 choices of how to charge
Cons:
- Could be more durable
- SMALL BUT PACKED WITH FEATURES: This radio tunes into both AM/FM bandwidths, has an LED torch and also an alarm function. It has a digital display to show the radio station which reverts into a clock when you are not scrolling through the stations. There is also a “light” button that illuminates the display. When charged this radio can also partially charge a mobile phone – with enough power to keep it going for a short amount of time.
- CHARGES 3 WAYS: The APEX is a dual wind-up torch and radio, which makes it perfect for emergency use or just for when you are not near any form of electrical power. For versatility, we have designed it also to be charged with a USB cable. Comes with two USB cables: DC > USB male & DC > USB female. Use the USB male to charge up the radio directly with a USB adapter (not included). Use the USB female to connect the radio to your mobile phone to enable phone charging.
- READY WHEREVER, WHENEVER: Take this radio along with you on all of your adventures. It’s perfect for camping, glamping, fishing, hiking, walking, trips to the park or beach, or even beside the pool on holiday. The APEX is also the perfect companion for the garden shed or garage when working on your hobbies. It’s also great to have simply for emergencies like power cuts or if you get stuck with no mobile power. It’s small and portable so you can just tuck it away in your bag.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: Small, compact and portable this radio measures just 15.6cm x 7.6cm x 5.8cm making it perfect to take out and about with you. It’s lightweight too at just 300g so you’ll hardly notice it’s in your bag! It has an antenna that can extend to 37cm to help you achieve a better signal no matter where you are. Customer’s love that this portable radio can go from home to outdoor adventure with no fuss, all you have to do is remember to take it with you.
- SPECIFICATIONS: LED indicator light to show when it’s charging. 3.5mm headphone jack socket. 37cm telescopic antenna. Reception scope of the FM: 87-108 MHz. Reception scope of the AM: 520-1620KHz. Internal built-in battery: 300mAh/3.6V. When fully charged the battery will give you 7-9 hours radio playback or 4-6 hours flashlight. Charging Times: Cranking/wind up 1 minute = 18-27 minutes radio OR 27-36 minutes light. Solar charge: full charge achieved in 35-42 hours. Can also be charged by USB.
8. Kaito KA500 Dynamo Crank Radio
If you’ve been reading reviews about emergency radios, chances are you’ve come across the Kaito Electronics brand. This is one of the most famous brands when it comes to emergency radios. Its products have great sensitivity and excellent audio output quality.
That’s why we’re checking out the Kaito KA500 Dynamo Crank Radio in this review.
The biggest selling point for this radio is its six rechargeable options—solar panel, hand-crank generator, 5V USB input, 5V AC/DC input, AC adapter, or three AA batteries. This feature ensures that you can access your radio and charge it no matter where you are.
The Kaito KA500 also comes with a built-in Ni-MH replaceable and rechargeable battery pack that stores the power generated by the dynamo crank. It ensures extended playtime even when there’s no sun or main power.
Termed as the “Voyager,” this is one of the few wind up radios with the most versatile and comprehensive band coverage. With access to 2-band shortwave, FM, AM, and seven pre-programmed NOAA weather radio channels, you can stay informed and entertained no matter where you are.
So, what makes the Kaito KA500 highly sensitive? Well, this radio has an extendable telescopic antenna that goes up to 14.5 inches (36.83 cm) for better sensitivity. With this feature, you can rest assured of the best radio signals, even in the most remote areas.
For about $49, you get:
- Comprehensive band coverage
- Six recharging options
- 5-LED reading lamp
- LED signal strength indicator
- Telescopic antenna
- ABS material
- Built-in flashlight with SOS beacon function
- 180-degree adjustable solar panel
Another feature we loved during our review of the Kaito KA500 is its LED signal strength indicator. You can quickly identify which direction you need to turn the radio for better reception by using this indicator.
Pros:
- Six rechargeable options
- Comprehensive band coverage
- Excellent radio signals
- Emergency mobile battery charger
- High pin-point tuning accuracy
- Highly durable due to premium ABS material
- Long-lasting battery life
Cons:
- Louder speaker but not high-quality sound output
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- 6-way powered portable emergency radio with hand crank generator, solar panel, compartment for 3 AA batteries (not included), 5V USB input, 5V AC/DC input with a wall power adapter (sold separately), built-in NiMH replaceable and rechargeable battery pack
- Comprehensive coverage of AM, FM, 2-band shortwave and 7 pre-programmed NOAA weather channels for entertainment, sports, talk-shows, breaking news around the world, and 24/7 real-time weather forecast (USA and Canada ONLY) with PEAS (Public Emergency Alert System)
- 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 features include a 5-LED reading lamp, LED flashlight and a red LED S.O.S. beacon light
- Telescopic antenna extends up to 14.5" for high sensitivity reception assisted by advanced semiconductor circuitry design and LED signal strength indicator for pin-point tuning accuracy, and built-in speaker delivers loud and crispy sound
- Made of strong premium impact-resistant and water-resistant ABS material, suitable for both indoors home/office use and outdoors recreational activities
9. Leaton Crank Radio
Unlike other crank-up radios on this list, the Leaton Crank Radio has the highest battery capacity. With a 10,000mAh rechargeable battery, this radio will ensure your mobile devices have sufficient power, whether during an emergency situation, road, or camping trips.
Not only does it have a high battery capacity, but it also has multiple recharging options: solar panel, hand-crank dynamo generator, and USB type-C input. Its solar panel is larger than most radios on this list, making it charge faster even when there’s minimal sunlight.
We featured this radio in our review because we realized it has some of the most amazing features most radio enthusiasts look for. For instance, it has excellent AM and FM radio signal reception to ensure you can play music without much interruption.
Furthermore, it has an excellent shortwave radio signal reception, even when the antenna is switched off.
It’s also worth mentioning that this is one of the best wind up and emergency radios you can get if you love listening to multiple radio stations. It guarantees extended frequency ranges, both AM, FM, and NOAA weather stations, as follows:
- AM: 520-1710kHz.
- FM: 87-108MHz.
- NOAA: 162.400-162.550MHz.
With these diverse radio frequencies, you can stay informed and entertained during emergencies or while on the go.
For about $39, you get:
- A variety of recharging options
- High battery capacity
- Large solar panel
- USB type-C charging
- Compact radio
- Excellent radio signal reception on AM, FM, and shortwave frequencies
- Built-in flashlight with SOS function
Due to its design for use in emergencies, the Leaton Crank Radio is small enough for portability. Also, it’s lightweight, weighing only 500 grams to ensure it doesn’t weigh you down while on the move.
Finally, its IPX3 splash-proof rating means you don’t have to worry about it getting wet during a sudden rainfall.
Pros:
- You can charge mobile phones and other devices
- Multiple recharging options
- Faster solar charging
- Highly portable
- Highly splash-proof
- Super-bright torch
- It occupies less space
Cons:
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- No headphone jack
- Necessary for emergencies - built-in rechargeable battery with 10000 mAh for charging the mobile phone and tablet in an emergency, This emergency weather crank radio can reliably receive the latest emergency weather forecasts of NOAA and AM/FM radio stations , Emergency portable radio, a super bright torch with 3 modes, a reading lamp, SOS alarm, a hand crank and a solar panel for charging the battery. 48 LED Reading Lamp with 20 LED Flashlight
- 3 charging modes – the emergency radio with built-in 10000 mah Polymer Battery can not only be charged via a USB Type-C cable, but you can also power the emergency radio via the hand crank and solar panels to ensure that you can use the radio crank normally in an emergency.
- Emergency torch and super loud SOS alarm: this solar radio has built-in 3 LED torch modes and 1.3 W reading light There is an SOS siren and Compass. SOS siren can trigger a loud alarm and can be heard far to quickly attract attention and seek help. Compass can help you not get lost.
- You can quickly get the daily forecast by turning the knob instead of turning the knob up and down. FM / AM radio receives good reception (AM:520-1710khz, FM:87-108MHZ, NOAA:162.400-162.550MHZ).
- Small and waterproof- it is small and handy (160 x90x 80 mm), a weight of 500 g, with IPX3 protected against spray water at an angle of 60°. It does not take up much space when stored, and you can carry it anywhere in any bag or handbag.
How We Picked the Best Wind Up Radios
When looking for the best wind up radio, you want to be sure that you’re getting reliable information to make the best decision. So, why should you trust us?
Well, at Radio Fidelity, we take our mission of providing you with accurate and reliable product recommendations seriously. We follow a rigorous process in selecting the best wind-up radios on the market.
Here’s how we undertook the process:
- Expert reviewers: Our team at Radio Fidelity comprises seasoned radio enthusiasts and experts with a wealth of first-hand experience with wind-up radios. These experts have spent countless hours using various models and their expertise to recognize the nuances and features that truly matter to users.
- Market research: We conducted extensive market research to stay up-to-date with the latest wind-up radio models. It involved keeping an eye on new releases, studying user feedback, and monitoring industry trends to ensure that we cover the most relevant and current options.
- Hands-on testing: The core of our review process involved putting each wind-up radio through its paces. Our experts rigorously tested these radios in real-world scenarios, paying particular attention to ease of cranking, suitability for emergencies, channel connectivity, recharge options, and audio output quality.
- Comprehensive assessment: Based on the data gathered from our testing and research, we compiled this comprehensive list of the best wind-up radios.
Based on the above procedure, you can rest assured we recommend wind-up radios that meet high performance, usability, and durability standards.
How to choose the best wind up radio
If you’re looking to crank up the entertainment value of your next big adventure, then a wind up radio could help you to do just that.
With the right wind up radio, you’ll ensure that you always have access to your favorite channels, wherever you go.
Another added bonus is that you’re not contributing anything negative to the environment either.
So, how do you make the right choice for the best wind up radio? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are a few features that you may want to look into.
For instance:
Torch
It’s helpful to have an LED light on your windup radio, particularly if you’re going to be using the device as a tool for camping and hiking. Some of the lights that are available with today’s wind up radios are more effective than others – so check the reviews to learn more.
Phone charging features
Some of the latest wind up radio options come with smartphone charging features. You can even use the hand crank to add a bit of extra power to your phone when you desperately need to get in touch with someone back home.
Remember that you might need to spend quite a lot of time winding to get anywhere, though.
Durability
A wind up radio is usually designed for use on the go. That means that most of the best products out there come with durability built-in.
However, you should always keep an eye out for knock-proof radios, as well as devices that can continue to work when exposed to rain and other sources of moisture.
Additional charging options
You won’t necessarily want to rely on nothing but wind up charging to use your radio. Many of the best wind up radios on the market will come with extra charging options available.
For instance, you might have the option to power your radio via some included solar panels or a USB cable that attaches to the mains.
Alarm clocks
Many wind up radios also come with clocks and alarm features so you can use your radio to handle your schedule, just like you would at home. This is a convenient feature to have if you don’t want to drain the battery on your smartphone, too.
Finding your wind up radio
There’s no perfect wind up radio that will appeal to everyone. However, the good news is that there are a number of great choices to pick from.
If you’re looking for something with the widest range of features as well as exceptional durability, we’d probably recommend the RunningSnail, with its amazing 4000 MAH battery.
However, if you need something a little more simplistic, the Duronic Ecohand is a great way to take your radio with you on the go without harming the environment.
Which wind up radio will you be trying in 2023?
If you’re a fan of radios that are made to take anything you can chuck at them, you’d be thrilled to hear we have just that. These are the Best Waterproof and Emergency Radios that money can buy!
Radio Fidelity: For the love of radio.
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