Top 10 Best Weather Radio

In an emergency, you might not always have access to the internet or even the regular radio on your phone or car, so you need to have an emergency weather radio handy.

This might have a radio where you can see what is happening, but some would also have flashlights that make them easier to use. Consider which ones will work perfectly for you and which model would be ideal for your budget.

If you are still confused about which emergency weather radio would be ideal for you, you should read our comprehensive guide to make a decision.

Best Overall

Midland ER210 Emergency Compact Crank Weather Radio

9.8

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Runner Up

Kaito KA500 5-way Powered Solar Power Weather Radio

9.6

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Best Budget Option

RunningSnail Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio

9.2

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Top 10 Best Emergency Weather Radio

1. Best Overall: Midland ER210 Emergency Compact Crank Weather Radio

If you are looking for the best overall model, then this one will be the one to look for and purchase.

This is a solar-powered weather radio; you can hand crank it or even use the 2000mAh rechargeable batteries. Ensure that everything is full, and you can easily use this to charge up your phone, tablet, or another mobile device that you would need access to.

If you have an emergency and this is handy, the flashlight can do Morse code to draw the attention of people passing by. In addition, 10 weather channels are programmed into this device, and it will find the strongest one to get the latest updates.

Verdict

This is the perfect model if you only want the best of the best and want something that will be easy to use and operate without you having to do any setup.

2. Runner Up: Kaito KA500 5-way Powered Solar Power Weather Radio

The next best model you can purchase is this one, which is also solar-powered and can use electricity and a rechargeable battery.

This supports both AM and FM radio, so you can get information from any station that you would require. You will have to change the stations on your own until you find one with the necessary information.

This also has a USB port so you can plug in your phone or another mobile device charger to ensure that you can charge it even if there isn’t power.

It has a reading lamp with 5 LEDs, a LED-based flashlight, and a beacon light that turns red.

Verdict

If you don’t want to deal with electric plugs but want the option to buy or use one, this model will be great, so make sure to check it out.

3. Best Budget Option: RunningSnail Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio

If you don’t have a large budget, then this model might be something to check out, which will be very small.

It is also lightweight, and it has a 1000mAh power bank that is built-in so you can charge up your mobile devices. You can easily switch between AM and FM to find the right channel with the information you need.

You can charge this mini device using the USB cable, solar charging, or even the hand crank.

The flashlight has an average usage time of 10 to 12 hours if nothing else is used before it needs to be recharged entirely for the next usage.

Verdict

This model is ideal for those who are looking for something small that will give them enough power to charge their phone a bit or even for a flashlight and radio usage.

4. LuckkiuLee 4000mAh Emergency Radio

If you are searching for something that has a larger battery so it will last longer, then make sure to add this model to your list.

It can be charged using solar power, 3 AAA batteries, hand cranking, or even the USB cable so you can have power no matter what emergency you are dealing with.

You can easily change the channel from AM to FM and then find the right channel using the easy-to-push button on the front.

The LCD is large enough to read and has a battery indicator so you can see how much power is left. It also can work well with charging your phones or other devices, with a high-powered flashlight on one end.

Verdict

If you want to have something powerful on hand for emergencies or outdoor activities, this is the right one to look at.

5. Upgraded Version RunningSnail 1000mAh Emergency Weather Radio

If you need affordable, this will be a great model for you to use, and it is sturdy and lightweight. This can be used on both AM and FM modes, so you can get all the radio stations you want and get updates.

This can be powered using the crank handle, solar power, AAA batteries, or an electrical cord.

The battery is 1000 mAh, which means it will last for around 4 to 6 hours if you are using the radio and up to 12 if you use the flashlight.

You can easily choose the batteries you want to use by flipping the switch on the device’s bottom.

Verdict

If brand and price are both necessary to you and will be major factors, then this model is one that you should be looking at.

6. Aiworth NOAA LCD Display Weather Radio

If you want to see the station easily you are listening to, this model with a large LCD is ideal. The hand crank is located on the back and is easy to use to give the radio and flashlight extra power and time.

The solar panel for power is on the top, so you can use it during the day if you don’t want to waste the batteries.

It has a phone charger that is included, and it is 2000mAh, which gives you a few hours of operating time before it needs to be charged again.

The reading light and flashlight are powerful and can be used to get others’ attention if required.

Verdict

If you don’t mind the loud radio, this model will work for you, especially if you want a large LCD.

7. Dodocool NOAA Emergency Weather Radio

For those who like to be prepared, you need to have this radio fully charged and in your stock. This will be a smaller model; you can easily change the station it plays along with the volume and tune.

It has a 2000mAh power bank that is included, so you would be able to inform your family and authorities of your location and what you need.

SOS alarm will also draw others’ attention to you, which will be deafening. It has a cranking charger, solar panels for extra power, an in-built lithium battery, and it can also use 3 AAA batteries to help keep it running over time.

Verdict

If you want something that will be serviced for the entire lifetime of the device, then this might be the perfect model for you to look at.

8. Rocam 2000mAh Weather Radio

If the design isn’t something you would be bothered about, this simple, sturdy-looking weather radio will work fine.

It has a rechargeable power bank built-in that has 2000mAh, which is perfect for giving your phone or tablet a bit of power. You can also use the crank or the solar panels to keep the radio working if all the other power is gone.

The SOS alarm on this model is extremely loud, and the flashlight will be easy for you to reach, so you don’t have to fumble for it at night.

You can adjust the weather channel until you find one that works, and you can change between FM and AM whenever you want.

Verdict

If you don’t need something over the top or complicated, then this simple and easy-to-use model is just the thing you want to have on your list or in your home.

9. Vondior Mini Emergency Weather Radio

This simple device will work well if you don’t need a flashlight or a power bank on your emergency radio.

This one has an adjuster to pick the radio station you want and an antenna that can easily be pulled up and adjusted until you find the station you want. The speaker is on the front of the device, which will be hand-held, which means easy to hold and use.

This radio takes 2 AA batteries and can last for a long time if you aren’t using it for hours and hours on end.

You might want to use this to carry around the home with you if you don’t want to leave the others without the bigger models.

Verdict

This model will be ideal if you want something you can quickly move around with and not worry about charging it again.

10. Lijiani NOAA Portable Emergency Weather Radio

When size matters, this model comes into play, and it has an in-built flashlight on the top so you can use it to navigate. In addition, this has 7 different NOAA channels that you can use and an overly long antenna to give you better reception.

It has a 18650 replaceable LI-ION battery, or you can recharge it with the USB cable to give you plenty of options.

This will be great; you can carry it with you no matter where you go without worrying about adding extra weight.

Verdict

For those looking for something easy to use with a flashlight, this model will be something you want to check out more.

Weather Radio Buying Guide

It would help if you considered various factors before purchasing any weather radio, which means knowing what those factors are.

If you don’t know what they are or the features you might want on the weather radio, then you won’t be able to make the right choice. So here is everything you want to know about before purchasing your weather radio.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Weather Radio

There will be numerous factors that would help you make the final determination about which weather radios should be on your list.

Here are some of the top factors that you need to look at and compare to others, such:

• Purpose – Think about the typical usage or purpose of the weather radio, which could be forgoing camping or even being handy during emergencies. You want to think about this to get the right one for your needs, which should include your overall usage.
• Specifications – Ensure that you are looking at the specifications, which should tell you about what radio stations you would be able to get and much more. Before making any decision, you need to look at all types of specifications, including the size, power source, and much more.
• Features – Another thing to consider is the features that might come with the weather radio, including an LCD. It would help if you also considered what other features it might come with, like stations programmed in already and much more. This would also include whether or not there is a flashlight or reading light along with a power bank to charge up any devices.
• Battery life and power source – Also, you will want to think about the battery life of the device, which should include how long it would last if you are using the radio and if you are charging a device. You want to know how to give the radio more power, including using the solar panels or the hank crank.

Another thing to consider is other ways to charge it up, including electricity and a power port or rechargeable batteries. Finally, consider the power bank’s size, how long it would last, and how much power it would take.

• Durability – You also need to find a model that would be highly durable, which means it needs to have a sturdy design. You don’t want to get a model that would break if it falls a few times, so make sure that you are getting one made of heavy-duty plastic with elements and knobs that will also be sturdily built. It would help if you kept yourself updated and informed, so make sure your emergency weather radio doesn’t break.
• Weight and size of the radio – When it comes to an emergency radio, you aren’t going to want to be keeping your hands full or having to carry something overly heavy. This is why you want to choose a model that would be small enough that you can put it in your bag without worrying about it, and it should be around 1 pound at the most to make it portable.
• Alert audibility – If you are going to have this on at all times, then you want to ensure that the radio is loud or that the alert will be loud enough. This would help you ensure that you hear it when it happens, and this should also apply to the SOS alarm on the device. Also, ensure that it is loud enough that others can listen to it from a distance and help you.

FAQ

• Can the weather radio pick up public information?

These emergency weather radios can get alerts from all stations, but if you want to be updated in the best manner, go for an NOAA one.

You can choose the station you want to use and then keep it on this station to get the latest updates.

However, if you don’t have one of these radios, you can use any other station to get public updates.

• What are some of the most commonly used NOAA codes?

If you plan on programming your weather radio after you get it, you should insert some of the NOAA codes.

These frequencies should be input into the device and stored, including 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz, and 162.550 MHz.

• Do I need to have a flashlight on my weather radio?

For those looking at the weather radio features, one of the top ones you want to have on it is the flashlight.

This will be ideal since it can help you navigate your area without carrying anything else with you. This will also be good if your power goes out and you don’t have access to candles or other flashlights immediately.

• What power sources to consider for my emergency weather radio?

It would help if you were looking at the various power sources that your emergency weather radio would have, and you don’t want to stick to something that requires electricity to power it.

This is something to consider since you don’t know if you will have the power to keep it on and keep yourself updated. There are plenty of other options that you can use to power the radio, including the handle crank, solar power, and even batteries that would make it convenient to use.

• How can I store the weather radio?

For those who aren’t using the weather radio all the time, you will want to have it stored.

Ensure it is somewhere you can access it easily without worrying, and it should be charged up or stored along with the batteries you might need.

Please don’t leave the batteries inside; instead, store them with them to keep them fresh.

Final Thoughts

The more you think about it, the more you will see that being prepared will pay off, especially when dealing with an emergency.

If you live in an area where the weather can go from typical one day to severe, you must have a weather radio handy.

These will let you know of any changes, and you will want to pick the right one, which includes the right size, features, alert audibility, and much more.

Other than weather radio, you might be interested in a weather station or storm glasses to predict the weather.