NOAA weather radios can be an invaluable aid when living in areas prone to hurricanes or tornadoes. With various features and power options, these devices provide critical weather forecasting.
Search for an emergency radio equipped with a powerful flashlight and USB charging port; some models also include table lamps and SOS alarms.
Battery-Powered
With NOAA alerts and a bright LED flashlight, this radio offers everything needed for emergency preparedness. Equipped with a backup battery and USB charging options to stay connected during power outages. Plus, its compass and reading light make navigation and finding your way easier during emergency situations.
At 8.8 ounces, this emergency radio is the lightest option on our list – making it perfect for backpacking and outdoor activities such as climbing. Furthermore, its more functional than cheaper models thanks to features like its built-in compass and Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) that provides hyperlocal weather alerts.
Though not as expensive, this simple and cost-effective model provides plenty of functionality for any prepper. This radio can be powered via solar panel, hand crank, batteries or both and features AM/FM radio with NOAA tuner plus 1-watt flashlight/reading lamp features.
Solar-Powered
FosPower 2000mAh Emergency Crank Weather Radio is a great option for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness. Tuning into NOAA and AM/FM stations, it can alert you of local weather emergencies based on your location, including SOS alarm, LED flashlight, reading lamp and an SOS alarm. Furthermore, its battery has enough juice for 72 hours of playback and it can be charged using solar panels, USB port or hand crank charging options – though unfortunately this model lacks Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME), which enables users to program county codes so as to receive alerts tailored specifically to you.
The OnLyee NOAA Emergency Weather Radio was our lightest model to test, and can fit in your pocket at 8.8 ounces. Powered by its rechargeable 5000 mAh battery – which can be charged in five different ways to ensure you never run out of power – its headphone jack allows private listening sessions. An SOS alarm and AM/FM radio complete this compact device.
Hand Crank
When out in the backcountry and cell signal is limited, a hand-crank emergency weather radio provides you with important updates about potential dangers. A model with an efficient crank that offers good listening time/cranking power ratio (e.g. 10 minutes per minute) or one with a larger rechargeable battery (like 2000 mAh) that can be charged via solar or USB is your best choice.
The Midland ER310 E+Ready features a sleek design and can be powered by batteries, solar panels or hand crank. Its speaker can project a powerful high-pitched siren that sounds similar to an air raid alarm to draw attention and scan NOAA frequencies so you only hear alerts relevant to your area. Furthermore, its built-in county codes display Specific Area Message Encoding alerts so you only receive warnings in your own county.
The Eton Hand Turbine is an ideal option for outdoor enthusiasts, offering both a headphone jack and flashlight in case of emergency situations. Furthermore, its longer crank allows more leverage to be applied – providing even greater power production from this turbine.
USB Charging
Models that offer replaceable alkaline batteries as a low-cost power source are particularly convenient in an emergency when solar charging doesn’t work as planned. We also prefer radios equipped with USB ports for charging electronic devices such as smartphones.
Emergency weather radios listed here feature extra features that could prove invaluable in an emergency, including LED flashlights and reading lamps with built-in LEDs, Morse code signals for SOS signals, and the capability of receiving Specific Area Message Encoding broadcasts from the National Weather Service. Some require you to input your location code so they can receive SAME broadcasts from NWS.
Technical specifications dictate selecting a radio that has been certified by Public Alert or NOAA NWR All Hazards as meeting stringent standards, with features such as tone alarm and an external power source for external warning devices such as strobe lights. A good example would be the Sangean MMR-88 radio.
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