From Shelter to the Mountains: I’ve painstakingly researched and tested the best emergency radios to find the perfect addition to your emergency or weather gear. Knowing what to expect is essential for emergency preparedness, so I tested nearly 25 of these devices and identified the 12 best currently available.
There’s a wide range of radios to choose from, from top-of-the-line models like the Midland ER210 to more budget-friendly options like the Running Snail Weather Radio. My tests covered everything from battery life to demanding NOAA weather reception at fire stations I went into detail to fully understand these radios. My top picks are below.
Editor’s Note:
We updated our guide to emergency radios on August 21, 2025, adding new evaluation criteria for each radio tested.
Midland ER210 E+READY
Compact Emergency Radio with Crank-Operated Weather Display: For most users, the Midland ER210 E+READY (around €50) is the best emergency radio currently available. It’s a portable unit from a trusted brand, has a large battery, and offers all the features I usually need. If you’re looking for a radio that’s ready to use right out of the box and can safely forget about, this is the one for you.
Overall, the ER210 sits roughly in the middle of Midland’s emergency radio range in terms of performance (between the compact ER310 and ER50), receiving both regular AM/FM signals and NOAA channels. It has a handy automatic station search feature that finds the best weather reception for your location, and you can also set it to warn you of extreme weather conditions in your area.
In summary, the ER210 sits roughly in the middle of Midland’s emergency radio range (between the compact ER310 and ER50) and receives both regular AM/FM signals and NOAA channels. It has a handy automatic station search feature that finds the best weather reception for your location, and you can also set it to alert you to extreme weather conditions in your region.
LCD Screen Displays Radio Stations and Weather Information.
The large, backlit LCD screen displays radio stations, time, and weather information. I particularly appreciate the attention to detail, such as the SOS flashlight. The 130-lumen LED flashlight has an SOS strobe for calling for help in an emergency. Thanks to a loop, it can be easily attached to a backpack, and the solar panel charges in the sun while hiking.
In my reception test (I went to a lookout tower and searched for a signal), the Midland radios consistently received a slightly better signal than other devices. While some radios only run on batteries, this model offers all three power options (battery, solar, and hand crank). Of course, there are radios with more features, but the extra features (like the Bluetooth speaker connection on the Eton Odyssey or the local weather alerts on the Midland WR210) are not necessary in my opinion. The ER210’s weaknesses are significant: It has a larger battery than the feature-rich Odyssey and is significantly more portable than the WR210 base station.
ER210 Lacks
While the ER210 lacks a dog whistle for an especially loud distress signal, it offers enough features to keep users engaged and learning new things. Thanks to its various power options and additional features that can be helpful in emergency situations, I believe the ER210 is the best emergency radio currently available.
Running Snail Solar Crank Radio with NOAA Weather Alerts
It’s hard to find an emergency radio that’s as good value for money. The Running Snail Solar Crank Radio with NOAA Weather Alerts (36 euros) offers almost all the features of a brand-name radio, but at a lower price. The workmanship and quality of materials aren’t perfect, but after several years of use, we haven’t found a single flaw.
The radio receives all NOAA weather stations and AM/FM radio. It can also be set to warn you of severe weather, hurricanes, and tornadoes in your area. The only slight downside is the analog receiver. While this is common in cheaper radios, it’s less accurate than digital units and harder to tune to exact frequencies.
Still, I was able to easily receive our local NOAA stations, and during severe weather alerts, a flashing red light alerts others that you need help. The LED flashlight with three modes (spotlight, floodlight and combination light) illuminates dark areas, and the USB port lets you charge smartphones and other small devices.
4000 MAh Battery
This radio has a 4000 mAh battery, which has been improved since the first version I tested and is now among the most powerful on the market – surprising considering the price. That’s easily enough to fully charge modern mobile phones and power the radio for several days with sporadic use.
Compared to the solar cells in other emergency radios, I noticed that this version was lower. A direct comparison with solar power when the battery was low seemed to confirm this. I therefore recommend charging this radio via the micro USB port, replacing the batteries with three AAA batteries, or, in an emergency, charging the battery with the hand crank.
The low price of the Running Snail makes it an excellent entry point into the world of emergency radios, with a strong focus on weather resistance and ease of use.
Kaito KA500 Voyager Emergency Radio
With its rugged ABS plastic casing and rubber bumper, the Kaito KA500 Voyager emergency radio (€50) is a durable device packed with features. Even after falling down our basement stairs, the KA500 still worked perfectly, making it my top pick for a rugged emergency radio.
The downside to its rugged construction is its weight of almost 700 grams. But if you need a device that won’t break the moment it accidentally falls off a table, this radio is just what you’re looking for. It also offers the most charging options of any radio on my list, including an internal rechargeable battery, a solar panel, a hand crank, AA battery compatibility, and an optional AC adapter. The radio receives a variety of frequency bands, including AM, FM, and NOAA weather stations, with all seven NOAA channels pre-programmed. Another great feature is its shortwave radio reception, which broadcasts worldwide and delivers news from all over the world. During testing, I was able to receive evening broadcasts from Radio Romania and the BBC World Service, which broadcasts from the Ascension Islands off the coast of Africa.
The 14-inch Telescopic Antenna Improves Reception.
The LED signal strength indicator allows for fine-tuning. The radio also has an “alarm mode” that automatically turns on when NOAA weather stations issue severe weather warnings. Don’t expect a powerful battery to charge other devices, though: the 600 mAh battery is one of the smallest I’ve ever seen. A power bank is a better choice for that.
The KA500 radio also comes equipped with a reading light, a flashlight, and a red flashing light. I consider the Midland ER210 to be the better option for everyone (mainly due to its more compact design), but if ruggedness is your top priority, this might be the best emergency radio for you.
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