The best emergency radios we tested
Best emergency radio: Midland ER310 Emergency Radio
Severe weather situations like blizzards, flash floods, hurricanes and tornadoes can develop extremely quickly. That’s why it’s vital to stay ready with an emergency preparedness supplies kit, and including an emergency radio in it can prove downright life-saving. Today’s emergency radios are sophisticated, providing access to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather frequencies that provide alerts to upcoming or current weather situations. Many radios can be recharged via a hand crank or solar panel so you can extend their run time indefinitely, even without access to power.
We have conducted hands-on product reviews of all sorts of emergency preparedness essentials, including portable solar chargers that can provide backup power for your home or car during an emergency, walkie-talkies that help you maintain short-range communication where cellular service is inaccessible or weak, and first aid kits that let you treat minor injuries quickly before you can reach professional medical help. All these products can also be useful to bring along individually when doing off-grid activities like camping or hiking the outdoors.
For this guide, we’ve put nine of the most popular emergency radios to the test, comparing their ability to issue alerts and receive emergency weather broadcasts and assessing how functional and useful they would be in an actual emergency. After testing, one radio from Midland emerged as the top-performing product.
The Midland ER310 Emergency Radio is a well-built, sturdy emergency radio that impressed us with its ability to automatically receive emergency-band alerts without tuning into a NOAA broadcast station. Its LCD screen is large and bright and the unit provides 26 minutes of radio time after just a minute of hand cranking to charge its battery. It's also rechargeable via its solar panel or by using its six AAA batteries.
Best emergency radio: Midland ER310 Emergency Radio
If you’re looking for an emergency radio that’s extremely easy to use while providing a variety of useful bells and whistles, then look no further than the Midland ER310 Emergency Radio. It is a solidly built weather alert radio that performed well on all of our tests and was simple to use — which means it’ll be there if you need it and you’ll have no problem operating it when you do.
The Midland ER310 is well-built, with a sturdy, high-quality feel, and the textured body makes it comfortable to pick up and maintain a good grip on while carrying around. Thanks to a large, bright, backlit LCD screen, we were able to maneuver through the different bands and frequencies without any trouble, and the clear, helpful instruction manual provided any extra assistance we needed. The ER310 is a weather alert radio, not just a weather band radio, which means it is able to receive emergency-band alerts automatically without you having to tune in first — a useful feature during hurricane season.
An emergency checklist was included in the box as well, which was a nice perk and valuable for anyone buying this radio as part of a larger household emergency kit.
The Midland ER310 performed well in testing, providing an impressive 26 minutes of radio time after just 60 seconds of hand cranking. The large handle of the crank was also the most comfortable of all the radios in our group, which can make a big difference if you end up needing it in an extended emergency situation. Its solar panel was also able to charge the radio enough after an hour in direct sunlight to provide full functionality, and filled the battery to 1/3 after six hours. Your results may vary on these measures depending on the speed you turn the crank or cloudiness of the sky, but under the conditions in which we tested, and in relation to the rest of the radios tested, these results put the ER310 at the top of the group.
Setting up the ER301 to receive alerts and receiving the NOAA weather alert test to confirm couldn’t have been easier, thanks to a dedicated “Alert” button that enables the function. Other radios we tested used a multipurpose button that enabled alerts and functioned as a “menu” button. Even though that’s not a dealbreaker, we appreciated that the ER310 gave us one less step to remember, an additional point in its favor in a stressful situation.
We were also impressed with the brightness of the integrated flashlight, which provided three settings to choose from: standard, bright and flashing. Lower light settings help to conserve battery life, and come in handy if you need to read a map and not just illuminate a hallway. The placement of the button and raised grip also gave an ergonomic, flashlight-like feel to the whole unit, making it easy to direct the beam where we needed it.
Its rechargeable 2,600 mAh battery was the second-largest in our testing group, and combined with the three other power options (solar, hand crank or six AAA batteries) makes the Midland ER310 a reliable choice for anyone who wants to be prepared for power outages and have the ability to charge their mobile devices.
How we tested
Since many of the radios we tested had similar features, and it can be overwhelming to try and choose one without seeing them in person, we ran each one through a comprehensive testing and evaluation process. This allowed us to confidently select our top pick, and will provide the information you need to choose the best option for you.
Build
- Ease of use: Perhaps most importantly, an emergency radio should be easy to use, since you won’t want to waste precious time searching and pressing buttons or fumbling through an instruction manual during an emergency.
- Layout and function: We paid close attention to the layout and function of the buttons or dials, and made note of any steps or controls that were confusing or required any trial and error to use correctly.
- Build quality: While setting up and testing each radio, we kept a close eye on their overall build quality. We noted whether they felt cheap and flimsy or sturdy and well-built. We also made sure to use all the dials, sliders, knobs and buttons to see if any were loose and rattled around, or if they had a solid, secure feel.
- Lights: We explored each radio’s light features, especially those that had multiple settings like SOS beacons or lantern-style LEDS that could be more useful than just a simple flashlight-style beam. We compared their brightness as well, and how simple or confusing they were to turn on and off.
- Power sources: We compared each radio’s power source options, battery capacity, any USB charging abilities and whether or not they had a backlit display. This gave us a better idea of each radio’s overall functionality and the value it could provide in an emergency.
Performance
- Tuning: To assess performance, we tuned each radio into our local NOAA weather broadcast, comparing both how simple the tuning process was and the clarity of the transmission from our basement.
- Alerts: For the radios that were designed to automatically alert you when a weather alert is issued, we activated the “alert” setting, and waited until the NOAA’s weekly alert test, which occurs every Wednesday. We compared how effectively each radio received the alert, as well as how having the “alert” setting activated affected the rest of the radio’s functions. (The Kaito KA340 Weather Alert Radio for example, required you to turn this alert setting off if you wanted to use any other radio function, which seems impractical.)
Battery and charging methods
- Hand-crank: After draining the batteries overnight, we evaluated the effectiveness of each radio’s various charging methods. To look at hand-crank charging, we cranked continuously for one minute, then left the radio running on the NOAA weather station and timed how long it took to run out of juice. We noted how ergonomic the crank handles felt, how comfortable they were to use and the effort required to turn them.
- Solar panel: For radios with solar panels, we again drained their batteries overnight and then placed them in direct sunlight in our backyard. We checked in after an hour to see how much, or if any, battery power was generated, and again six hours later.
- Storage capacity: The storage capacity of the battery, measured in mAh, indicates how much power your radio will be able to hold and how effective it will be when charging a cell phone (current flagship phones have batteries rated in the 3,000-4,000 mAh range). We checked each radios specs to find out their specific mAh, and was surprised to find such a wide range (850 to 4,000 mAh) within our testing group; we preferred radios with more capacity.
How to choose an emergency radio
There are a few considerations to keep in mind when deciding what kind of emergency radio you need. The extra bells and whistles of an emergency radio may seem gimmicky at first, but considering the uncertain and unpredictable nature of weather and natural emergencies, they can be extremely useful when the time comes. To choose the best option for you, take some time to think about the types of weather emergencies that are common to your area, and the features that would be most helpful to you.
Next, you should also make sure you’re aware of whether or not you’re buying a weather band radio or a weather alert radio. We suggest a weather alert radio, like the Midland ER310 — these will automatically alert you of weather emergencies whether the radio is turned on and tuned in or not, while weather band radios must be turned on and tuned into the emergency band to receive the alert. Weather band radios have their uses if you’re expecting poor weather, but weather alert radios are more generally useful since situations can change quickly.
Then, if you want to give yourself as many options as possible when it comes to power, then go with a radio that has at least three charging methods. Whether those are solar panels, hand cranks, a rechargeable battery or replaceable alkaline batteries, they all add up to being more prepared for emergencies that could last more than a day or two.
Finally, USB charging capability is another useful feature. Having your radio double as a power bank for your phone can be even more valuable than receiving NOAA transmissions, and can allow you to call for help when necessary. Combined with a manual crank or solar panel, these two features can keep your phone functioning even during power outages.
Other emergency radios we tested
The Eton American Red Cross FRX3+ Emergency NOAA Weather Radio was simple to set up and find the band and station we desired, but we weren't impressed with its flashlight and it just took way too long to charge, no matter the method we tried.
The Eton American Red Cross FRX3+ Emergency NOAA Weather Radio is an update to the FRX3, a well-regarded Red Cross-branded model. But this newer model exhibited poor enough charging speeds in our solar and hand crank tests that we wouldn’t recommend. One minute of cranking provided zero power, and even after an additional five minutes, the battery was still dead. An hour in the sun had the same result in our solar test, although after six hours in direct sunlight, it did register that two of the three battery bars were filled and the unit was functioning normally. This may well have been a quality control issue — a CNN Underscored editor owns and has used the precursor to this model, the FRX3, and has never encountered this issue — but should you order this one, you’ll want to make sure it works out of the box.
It was fairly simple to set up and find the band and station we wanted, and the NOAA alert worked perfectly. But without the battery power, it won’t last you through a significant power outage. We do wish its flashlight was more powerful or, considering the unit’s height when stood upright, that it featured some kind of lantern-style illumination. The unique X-shaped design does make it easy to carry around, although the large shape may not be convenient if you plan on keeping it in a small drawer or emergency kit.
The FosPower FOSPWB-2376 Emergency Solar Hand-Crank Portable Radio is a weather band radio, which means it doesn't automatically receive NOAA alerts, unlike some of the other radios we tested. But it did impress us with its 32 minutes of listening time after charging it via just one minute of hand cranking.
A low-cost alternative, the FosPower FOSPWB-2376 Emergency Solar Hand-Crank Portable Radio still provides useful features and four charging options. Its manual tuner knobs were simple to use, and we had no issues quickly finding the NOAA station we were looking for. This is a weather band radio rather than a weather alert model, so it won’t automatically receive NOAA alerts; you’ll have to tune in first when you expect to face threatening weather conditions. This radio lacks digital tuning and push-button controls like higher-end options, but that’s not necessarily bad. Its simple design, without menus or digital control, means there’s little to go wrong, and there’s no need to remember what buttons perform which functions if you’re under stress. Older users may appreciate these manual tuner controls over digital ones.
This radio also provided an impressive 32 minutes of listening time after one minute of hand cranking but struggled in our solar testing (zero function after one hour). The low price of this radio could be appealing to those looking for a budget-friendly option, but if that’s your priority, then we’d recommend shelling out the extra money and choosing the similar RunningSnail MD-090P and its 4,000 mAh battery.
The Kaito KA340 Weather Alert Radio features a confusing layout of controls that we found difficult to navigate during testing. Its physical controls also felt flimsy and loose but its lack of visual indicators made it even harder to figure out. It does offer a variety of power options, including a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, four AA batteries, a hand crank and a solar panel.
Although the Kaito KA340 Weather Alert Radio had some interesting features, like Bluetooth connectivity and a microSD memory card slot, the confusing layout of its controls makes it difficult for us to recommend for emergency use. The physical controls — a collection of sliders, knobs and buttons — had a flimsy, loose feel to them, which made it hard to achieve precise volume or radio settings. We were most confused by the lack of a visual arrow or indicator on the band selection slider, which made it tough to tell which setting we selected. This was made even more challenging by the large range of options (seven!) to choose from.
We did appreciate its various power options — rechargeable lithium-ion battery, four AA batteries, hand crank and solar panel — and the hand crank provided 26 minutes of radio time after just 60 seconds of cranking. The flashlight threw a useful wide beam, and the large lantern light was a nice perk as well. Although it felt less durable and rugged than the other radios we tested, this could be useful for those interested in taking advantage of the plethora of media inputs. Although this radio can receive NOAA alerts, you won’t be able to use any other function while the “alert” setting is selected.
The Midland ER10VP Emergency Radio is by far the lightest radio we tested, weighing in at just 8.8 ounces. It produces automatic NOAA alerts and offers a flashlight with three brightness settings. The only drawback we saw in this radio was that it runs on three AA batteries and is not rechargeable.
If you’re looking for an effective, high-quality radio that won’t take up much room in a drawer or backpack, then this 5 by 3 by 1.5-inch Midland model could be just what you’re looking for. The younger sibling of the Midland ER310 and Midland ER210, this radio fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 8.8 ounces, by far the lightest we tested. Despite the small size, this little radio still provides automatic NOAA alerts without your having to tune in first, a feature that several much larger and more expensive radios did not. You also get a flashlight with three settings, a headphone jack and a handy wrist lanyard so you can attach it to your pack or hang from a tree limb at your campsite.
Its controls were extremely easy to use, and setting up the NOAA alert was simple as well. The only drawback to this little radio is that it only runs on three AA batteries, meaning it’s not compatible with a rechargeable battery, nor does it have a hand crank or solar panels. That being said, Midland claims the battery lasts up to 26 days when in alert standby mode, which should be sufficient for most emergencies.
During testing, we found the Midland ER210 Emergency Radio to be easily rechargeable via its hand crank and solar panel. It took a minute of hand cranking to amass 32 minutes of listening time. We also liked its controls which were easy to figure out, and its backlit LED screen is a nice touch since it makes it easy to read in the dark.
This Midland model is a scaled-down version of our top pick, the Midland ER310, providing nearly all the bells and whistles in a smaller package. It only lacks the dog whistle and the ability to use disposable batteries, but still provides the same hand crank and solar charging ability, as well as the multi-beam flashlight. We enjoyed the smaller size of this radio, especially when using the hand crank, although we wish the crank handle had a bit more material to hold onto.
Sixty seconds of cranking provided an impressive 32 minutes of listening time, which was one of the longest of any radio we tested. The NOAA weather alert was simple to set up, the straightforward controls made switching between bands easy and we especially liked how the display would flash back to the current time every 10 seconds or so. The backlit LED screen was easy to read in the dark, too. This radio also has a convenient carrying handle like the Midland ER310, which makes it comfortable to carry around.
We loved this Midland Emergency Weather Alert Radio for its customization as it lets us pick up NOAA weather bands and alerts while also being compatible with S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) programming. This lets you input your current location and only receive alerts for that area. Our favorite feature though is this radio's extra-large “Weather” button, which provides a current weather report with a simple press.
What this Midland radio lacks in portability and power source options, it makes up for in customization. Unlike our other radios that only pick up NOAA weather bands and alerts, this model can be used with S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) programming. This allows you to input your current location and only receive alerts for that area. This radio also allows you to pick and choose the alerts you want to receive, and disable any that you don’t want to be bothered with. These settings may seem complicated, but we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to program and configure the specific alerts you want, thanks to the helpful instruction manual.
Our favorite feature of this radio was the extra-large “Weather” button on the front of the unit, which allows you to get the current weather report at the push of a button. No tuning or band selection is needed. Its trilingual settings (English, Spanish and French) also make it useful for potential users who may not use English as their primary language. This radio, however, is useful only for alerts in advance of an emergency since it does need to be plugged into a wall outlet to function — you’ll need an external power source of some kind to keep it working.
The RunningSnail MD-090P Emergency Radio impressed us during testing with its 4,000 mAh battery, which was larger than the other batteries in the other radios we tested. However, it's a weather band radio so it doesn't receive automatic weather alerts, which is what kept it out of our winner's circle.
The most impressive feature of the RunningSnail MD-090P Emergency Radio is its 4,000 mAh battery, which is substantially larger than any other model we tested, with the two closest competitors offering 2,600 mAh batteries. This means that the RunningSnail MD-090P should be able to run longer than any other, which also translates to more charging capacity when it comes to using it as a power bank to keep your devices working. This is a major benefit in an emergency when the power goes out. We also appreciated the powerful flashlight and separate “reading lamp,” which provides a wide, soft light source, perfect for reading a map or book or performing any emergency repair or maintenance tasks.
Like the FosPower model we looked at, the RunningSnail is only a weather band radio, and doesn’t have automated weather alert functionality (though it can clearly receive NOAA weather stations). This lack of automatic alerts ultimately kept it out of our consideration for the top spot, but if that’s not a dealbreaker for you, then the low price and large battery of this radio could make it a solid all-in-one emergency solution.
The Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM Weather+Alert Emergency Radio performed well in our testing, featuring controls that were easy to figure out and use and offering 32 minutes of listening time after only a minute of hand cranking to charge its battery. That said, its 850 mAh battery was the smallest of all the radios we tested, so if frequent recharging is a deal breaker for you, we suggest you go instead with our top pick, the Midland ER310.
We were a big fan of nearly every aspect of the Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM Weather+Alert Emergency Radio, except for its 850 mAh battery capacity, the smallest in the testing group. This doesn’t make it a poor choice in itself, but if a long running time before having to recharge is a priority for you, you might want to consider another model.
That being said, the controls were simple to use, and the orange backlit display made it easy to work with in low light conditions. It was also the only model we tested that offered radio presets, which could be convenient for those who plan on using its AM/FM radio frequently. We also appreciated the rubber end caps that cover all four corners of the unit, which provided a very durable and rugged feel and made us confident that it could survive a moderate drop or fall. This radio performed well in all performance tests, too, providing 32 minutes of listening time after 60 seconds of hand cranking, and it reached half capacity after six hours in the sun.
FAQs
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CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors with many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when it makes sense to ensure we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item.
For this review, writer Alex Rennie put each emergency radio through various tests to assess their usefulness in an emergency. In his testing, he compared their button layouts, charging methods, ability to receive emergency weather broadcasts and issue alerts, and more. He has written several Best-Tested guides for Underscored, including others on emergency preparedness topics like the best first aid kits, the best flashlights and the best portable solar charger guides.