At any time, users could walk past it and hit the weather/snooze button to get an update on the latest weather alerts in their area. It was tested in an office space, where we left it plugged in and on. We can definitely verify that the Midland weather emergency alert radio will alert the listener to impending inclement weather. Plug the Midland radio into any standard outlet or power it with two AA batteries. There is an option to select a preferred type of alert: a siren alarm, a voice alert, or a flashing LED light. The built-in Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology helps ensure that users can always receive alerts specifically pertaining to their home region. It also features 25 programmable locations, so users can check out conditions in other parts of the country if needed or wanted. In addition to its functionality and ease of use, the Midland WR120B/WR120EZ Emergency Weather Alert Radio stands out for being configurable into multiple languages-English, French, and Spanish. Check out some of the best emergency radios for use when the power goes out. We’ve tested all of the following radios, so we can verify that they do all that’s promised. It’s a bonus if the radio comes with weather-resistant properties and other features. The best emergency radios also feature more than one power source, such as battery, solar, or hand-crank power, and have clear listening reception. These top picks are emergency radios that can pick up National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) broadcasts in addition to offering AM/FM listening ability. A radio could sit on a nightstand, but others could get tossed into a backpack without adding too much weight. Portability came into play with this part of the testing, too. Some models felt lightweight and cheap, while others were lightweight but still felt like they could withstand some heavy use. We also considered how hard it was to use the crank.ĭurability, size, and weight factored into the testing process, too. With the hand cranks, we timed how long we had to crank to get 5 minutes’ worth of power. Some models were very simple to figure out, while others required carefully going through the owner’s manual. Ease of use became pretty evident by this point in the testing. Charging with the DC or the USB cords was the fastest way to power, but we also charged using the solar panels and hand cranks.įrom there, we tested the reception quality, both with the AM/FM, weather bands, and shortwave radio if the model had it. Surprisingly, many of the radios arrived with dead rechargeable batteries. Nash How We Tested the Best Emergency Radios ALSO CONSIDER: Eton American Red Cross FRX3+ Emergency NOAA Radio.MOST VERSATILE: Kaito KA500 5-Way Powered Solar Power Emergency Radio.Crane CC Skywave SSB NOAA Weather + Alert Radio BEST AM/FM: Rocam Emergency AM/FM/SW NOAA Weather Radio.BEST PORTABLE: Eton American Red Cross FRX2 Hand Turbine Radio.BEST COMPACT: Midland ER210 Emergency Compact Crank Radio.BEST HAND-CRANK: DaringSnail Emergency Crank Radio, 4000mAh-Solar.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Esky Emergency Hand Crank Radio.RUNNER-UP: Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM/Weather+Alert Emergency Radio.BEST OVERALL: Midland WR120B/WR120EZ Emergency Weather Alert Radio.This guide explains the features to look for and shares some of the best emergency radio options available. Whether planning a camping trip or putting together a “just-in-case” kit for the home, everyone should consider including an emergency radio. Everything from the crank and solar panel to the reception was examined in greater detail to make sure we found radios that will perform when the time is right. We took the radios on this list through hands-on testing to see how they work in the field. Users can access basic AM/FM stations on an emergency radio, too. Users of emergency radios may listen to dedicated weather channels or set the radio to alert when a weather or disaster warning is issued. Unlike standard radios, emergency radios can receive warnings and notifications from very high-frequency (VHF) public service band stations.
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