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Whether you’re facing a hurricane or tornado, a blizzard, or an earthquake, you may want what we call a “weather radio” to keep you and your family well-informed throughout the ordeal. These radios can keep you updated and act as emergency radios after you’ve been hit. Plus, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of music or talk radio to keep you entertained after the storm has left you without power. A weather radio is also a smart bit of outdoor gear because you don’t want to get caught unprepared when you’re exposed. But what’s out there for you to get to make sure what’s out there doesn’t get you? Here, we explore the best weather radios to help you weather a storm.
- Best overall: Midland E+Ready
- Best for cars: FosPower Emergency Weather Radio
- Best for home alerts: Midland WR400 Deluxe NOAA Weather Radio
- Best splurge: Eton Sidekick
- Best budget: Running Snail Hand Crank Radio
How we chose the best weather radios
Weather radios need to be able to survive a storm even if your power doesn’t (though we always recommend keeping a topped-off solar generator on hand, just in case). They function to serve you through storms that can cause disruptions in utilities and other services. The radios we selected meet these requirements above all others.
The best weather radios: Reviews & Recommendations
The following radios should be able to get you through almost any storm. They have been selected for having a wide variety of powering mechanisms and their usefulness in various situations. They won’t have the sound quality of the best Bluetooth speakers, but when you need a radio that can get you through a common thunderstorm or intense weather events, you’ll find something on this list.
Best overall: Midland E+Ready
Why it made the cut: This weather radio has a bit of everything, plus it is one of the best-rated weather radios at online retailers.
Specs
- Charging mechanisms: USB charging, AA, hand crank, solar
- NOAA access: Yes
- Battery life: 32 hours (Infinite with hand crank)
- Size: 3.4 x 8 x 2.4 inches
- Bonus features: Segmented display, flashlight, SOS alarm, ultrasonic dog whistle, power bank
Pros
- Excellent form factor with handle
- Big, easy press buttons
- Dog whistle emergency alert
- Morse code flashlight beacon
Cons
- Mildly expensive
The Midland E+Ready is one of the most favored emergency weather radios on the market. Its large buttons are intelligible and workable even by those who are nervous, have big thumbs, or have arthritis. Its large segmented display will further make it usable to those who need big readouts. We particularly appreciate it for its WX alert button, which quickly changes to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather alert readouts.
Should you be using this radio while camping or hiking as part of one of your fully built survival kits, further survival features come from its SOS flashlight beacon, which can alert people visually to your location as well as send Morse code messages. There is also an ultrasonic dog whistle to alert rescue dogs to your location should the worst occur.
However, it would be best if you didn’t discount this handy machine for at-home use, either. It has a sturdy base, low and high flashlight settings for navigating your darkened home after a power outage, and a power bank to charge your phone enough to make an important call. And, of course, it has the NOAA weather radio readouts, which is what you want a weather radio for in the first place.
While the Midland E+Ready has multiple charging mechanisms, we recommend you charge its 2600 mAh battery to full ahead of time. It’ll get you through about 32 hours of radio use with little extra effort. You can also crank the radio or (if you have the sunlight) charge it via solar panels. Finally, there is the battery-operated option, using AA batteries, but the six required to charge it seems somewhat excessive.
Best for cars: FosPower Emergency Weather Radio
Why it made the cut: Stuffing this radio under the driver’s seat can prep you for the next storm in more ways than one.
Specs
- Charging mechanisms: AAA, USB charging, hand crank, solar
- NOAA access: Yes
- Battery life: Infinite with hand crank
- Size: 6.2 x 2.1 x 2.9 inches
- Bonus features: Flashlights, SOS alarm, power bank
Pros
- Intense power bank
- IPX3 water resistant
- Glove box size
- Includes SOS alarm
Cons
- Lengthy initial charge time
As you’re building your emergency car kits, you’ll want access to NOAA radio that your car very well might not be able to receive, plus extra goodies that can get you through the storm while pulled over. This FosPower radio has everything you need to keep your car battery (and gas supply) good while also helping you out in other ways in a pinch.
It’s compact enough to fit in your organized glovebox, for one, so it’ll always be a moment’s reach away. During heavy rains, when you should pull over, you can turn your car off, use your FosPower radio instead, and use its reader light for some novel entertainment. Decide to dash for home anyhow? Not only is the FosPower IPX3 water-resistant, but it also has a handy flashlight, allowing you to safely find your way to your door even when your power is out.
And while we’re not saying this is the only piece of equipment you’ll need while trying to figure out how to survive a snowstorm inside your truck, there are some features that will help you in this case. It has a pretty intense power bank that can charge your phone (alongside a crank if you need more power) and it has an SOS siren that can alert people to your location.
Best for home alerts: Midland WR400 Deluxe NOAA Weather Radio
Why it made the cut: This weather radio for home use is perfect for tornado and thunderstorm alerts.
Specs
- Charging mechanisms: Outlet, 4 x AA
- NOAA access: Yes
- Battery life: ~4-8 hours
- Size: 7 x 5.5 x 2.2 inches
- Bonus features: Segmented display, SAME tech, Siren
Pros
- Advanced NOAA features
- Helpful weather-oriented display
- Loud alert alarm
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Limited powering options
- Lacks durability
Midland’s WR400 Deluxe is built especially for those who want a stationary, at-home weather radio with an intuitive readout and many dedicated weather features. The WR400 provides instant NWS reports, has NOAA ‘SAME’ tech for region-specific reports, and features an 85dB siren for emergency alerts. Its segmented display includes regions for warning/watch/advisory alerts and written-out alerts to give you specifics. In other words, knowing what’s happening in your area only takes one look.
This radio is meant to be kept with you, plugged into your bedroom’s wall socket, possibly working as your morning commute alarm, too. Its alternative powering mechanism is a somewhat outdated four AA batteries, though you can get some of the best rechargeable batteries to counteract this somewhat. In light of this, this radio will best serve people worried about tornadoes and thunderstorms over conditions like flooding and hurricanes. But if that’s your use case, it’s the best value.
Best splurge: Eton Sidekick
Why it made the cut: While on the expensive side, it has robust features and a quality build.
Specs
- Charging mechanisms: USB, hand crank, solar
- NOAA access: Yes
- Battery life: Infinite with hand crank
- Size: 7.8 x 2.9 x 12.7 inches
- Bonus features: Segmented display, light, emergency beacon, SAME technology, large power bank
Pros
- Sturdy build with great handle
- IPX4 water resistance
- Easy to use
Cons
- Expensive
Eton’s Sidekick is an adventurer’s weather radio with a strong build, good handles, and enough water resistance to ward off a sprinkle. It is also NOAA-ready with SAME technology for county-specific broadcasts. If you’re on the go, you can either pack it in your backpack or carry it with you as you hike through easier sections of the trail.
The hand crank on the Sidekick is in a nice, central location, and you should feel a sense of balance as you spin it. The handles and empty spaces around the edge give you multiple ways of securing it while you crank, too, so it should be quite easy to steady. According to Eton, you’ll get 10 to 15 minutes of charge from a 4-minute cranking session, though your mileage will, of course, vary. For example, if you’re shining the huge light on its side at full blast, expect less time.
Best budget: Running Snail Hand Crank Radio
Why it made the cut: This small radio gets it done at a low price.
Specs
- Charging mechanisms: USB, Hand Crank, Solar
- NOAA access: Yes
- Battery life: Infinite with hand crank
- Size: 5 x 1.8 x 2.4 inches
- Bonus features: Flashlight, effective power bank
Pros
- Can charge your phone in a pinch
- Small and lightweight
- “Afterthought” tier pricing
- Emergency flashlight attached
Cons
- Very simple
This weather radio, while cheap and simple, shouldn’t be overlooked. Its fit-in-your-pocket size, half-pound weight, and low price make it a quick pickup for many situations. It can certainly be used as a backup weather radio for even the most prepared families.
While it does have NOAA access, the most important part of this radio is its combination of hand crank power and phone charging. Even when we have extensive portable power banks, the scarcity mindset can kick in, and we won’t want to use up the power except for the most necessary phone calls. However, with RunningSnail’s small emergency weather radio, that all changes, as you can crank your way to enough power for a phone call whenever you need to do so. In the calm after the storm, you can also grab some solar power.
Again, this radio is so small and so affordable that it can be logical to buy as a backup for your car, camping bag, or even your backpack and purse should you wind up somewhere without phone power and no other ways to charge up. If you live in an area prone to sudden storms, this would also work as your piece-of-mind tech option with no exorbitant price. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly workout.
What to consider before buying weather radios
Radios aren’t extremely complicated devices; that much is known. That’s why the best weather radios do something to distinguish themselves as having something special for you during emergencies.
