Best Emergency Radios (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

When it comes to choosing a top-of-the-line, reliable emergency radio that is sure to keep you informed and up to date on all current events, there are quite a few options to weed through. In order to narrow the field, I decided to stick with name brands you’re probably familiar with. These companies have a solid track record of providing reliable, functional, and high-quality products. I wanted to provide a variety of different price options so that there would be a good option to suit any budget. I also selected only those units that have the most up-to-date technology and user-friendly options. For more about our selection criteria and methodology, check out The Drive’s About page.

When it comes to the ideal combination of reliability, durability, functionality, and price, the Midland NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio is our top pick overall. For a great budget-friendly pick and good addition to your car or truck emergency roadside kit, check out the WeatherX Weatherband AM/FM Radio and Flashlight. 

With so many options for emergency radios on the market, it can be difficult to judge the ones that truly deliver reliable and dependable results. You don’t want to get stuck with a piece of junk that fails you at the first sign of a true emergency. The following buying guide will outline exactly what to look for to ensure that you get the biggest bang for your buck and a unit that will provide hours of reliable information and data when you need it most.

Weather radios are the most basic type of emergency radio. They work similarly to smoke detectors by automatically alerting you to weather advisories or other non-weather-related emergencies by emitting loud sounds, flashing bright lights, or both. These radios issue alerts whether they’re turned on or not. The drawback to this type of radio is that many models need a reliable power source to function properly, so it’s not ideal in a climate with frequent and prolonged power outages. Consider buying one with a hand-crank as a back-up power source.

These radios are a step up from weather alert radios and they’re usually equipped with pre-programmed stations that specifically access NOAA emergency alert broadcasts, allowing you to get up-to-date information on weather-related emergencies, mandatory evacuations, power outages, flooding, and civil or public emergencies. These radios will also provide information about weather warnings and watches in non-emergent situations. They usually have multiple methods of recharging, so you don’t need electricity to run them. Their drawback is that they have to be turned on in order to issue you vital information. They don’t offer an automatic emergency alert.

These emergency radios take the weather radio one step further. They can access local AM/FM radio stations and some are capable of accessing short sideband, or SSB radio channels, making them the most complete source of emergency information. They usually have multiple methods of charging, as well as added features, such as flashlights and S.O.S. lighting. They can be stationary desktop models or more portable handheld designs.

For less than $20, you can get a compact and relatively reliable emergency radio that may or may not include AM/FM capabilities. Features such as flashlights, solar charging, and reading lights aren’t usually included in this price point. For $20 to $50, you can get a wide selection of durable and dependable emergency radios that offer a good mix of accessory features, including multiple charging sources, smartphone chargers, built-in compasses, and more. If you spend more than $50, you’ll get the emergency radios that include all the bells and whistles. If you want Morse code capability, digital tuners, shortwave radio capacity, and loudspeakers, this is where to look. 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.