Weather Radios, Reviews
There is no denying the sheer utility and convenience of weather radios in this day and age, especially with the way news channels have become in recent years. Perhaps the best way to get your weather news these days is to gather the information yourself via any means at your disposal. This includes weather radios which can be programmed to keep track of various types of storm alerts and to do so via multiple channels and through various alarms of your choosing.
Given the reliable and convenient purpose of these radios, you should definitely consider investing in one if you haven’t already. To give you some pointers on what’s out there, we put together a list of the ten best weather radios the market has to offer at this point in time.
10. Sangean PR-D12 AM / FM NOAA Weather Alert Digital Tuning Portable Radio
Equipped with 45 memory preset stations, the Sangean PR-D12 Am/ FM NOAA Weather Alert Digital Tuning Portable Radio offers you with 20 FM, 20 AM and 5 WX channels. Designed to notify you of any hazardous conditions that could be experienced in your area, this device is reliable and receives all 7 NOAA weather channels.
Made from durable materials, it is compact in size and ultra-portable and features 2 alarm systems that include on radio alarm and one buzzer alarm along with an adjustable snooze timer. Crafted with a large backlit LCD display screen, it comes with an inbuilt antenna, a single 3-inch speaker and a stereo jack for headphone use.
9. CRAFTSMAN Emergency Weather Alert Radio
Delivering accurate and updated hazardous weather alerts, this emergency radio by CRAFTSMAN receives all NOAA channels plus AM/FM radio channels. Providing you with detailed information to help keep you prepared, it offers up to 32 hours of radio runtime with every charge.
Easy to use, it is rechargeable and can be powered up via an inbuilt solar panel, or a hand crank located behind the device. Backed up by a power bank, this device also allows you to charge your smartphone and other digital devices via its USB port. Thanks to its bright LED flashlight, it helps in low-light areas and is ideal for camping, hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities.
8. TFTDOUP FM/AM/NOAA Weather Radio
Learn the latest weather updates, news, and all other information on-the-go, with the TFTDOUP FM/AM/NOAA Weather Radio. Backed up by solar power, this versatile device features a compact construction and is ultra-durable. Featuring a 1000mAh power bank, this weather radio allows you to charge your smartphone anytime, anywhere.
Uniquely crafted with 3 different ways to charge including a hand crank, a micro-USB cable, and solar charging, it comes with a reliable LED flashlight with 3 bright bulbs. Measuring 5 inches by 2.4 inches by 1.6 inches approximately, this device is portable, compact in size, and extremely light in weight.
7. La Crosse 810-805 NOAA/AM/FM Weather RED Alert Super Sport Radio
The La Crosse 810-805 NOAA/AM/FM Weather RED Alert Super Sport Radio is a premium-quality, ultra-portable device that is crafted to receive NOAA weather band channels. Easy to use, this device automatically gets activated and instantly notifies you if any severe weather conditions are expected in your area.
Designed with a blue backlit LED screen that turns red and a tiny top LED light that flashes red during emergencies, it comes equipped with a white LED flashlight that helps in low-light areas. Offering you with an AM/FM radio reception, it includes a high-quality digital IC chip that enhances its reliability and accuracy.
6. Sangean PR-D9W AM/FM Weather Alert Rechargeable Portable Radio
Uniquely designed to provide you with updated information on upcoming weather conditions around you, the Sangean PR-D9W AM/FM Weather Alert Rechargeable Portable Radio is a high-grade digital weather alert device.
Equipped with a range of high-end features, it comes with an automatic alarm that instantly informs you if any hazardous conditions are expected. Including 19 present stations with a favorite station for storing areas around you, this weather radio features a red flashing LED light that is accompanied by a siren for quick alerts.
5. American Red Cross Emergency NOAA Weather Radio
The American Red Cross Emergency NOAA Weather Radio is a premium-grade, multifunctional digital device that is designed to provide you with weather alerts and upcoming disasters. Perfect for emergencies, this radio is rechargeable and comes with a solar panel and a hand crank power generator. Equipped with a convenient alert function, it instantly notifies you if any weather alerts are due in your area.
Offering you AM/FM and NOAA channels, it comes with a digital display, an alarm clock, and a power bank that allows you to charge your smartphone via a USB on the go. Perfect for use at home, in the office, or while outdoors, it also features an LED flashlight and a red flashing LED beacon that lights up during emergencies.
4. Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM/Weather+Alert Emergency Radio
Known for its robust construction, quality, and efficiency, the Sangean MMR-88 AM/FM/Weather+Alert Emergency Radio is a heavy-duty device that is resistant to damage. Featuring 19 preset stations, it is engineered to receive all 7 NOAA weather channels and offers instant and updated information on all hazardous weather conditions and emergencies around you. Including an inbuilt solar panel, this device can also be charged via a hand crank and a micro-USB cable.
The radio also comes equipped with a bright lamp, charging LED indicator, a weather alert LED light, an emergency buzzer alert, and an adjustable bright flashlight that includes hi, low, blink, and SOS options. Other features include a 90-minute automatic shutdown function, an inbuilt clock, and a speaker with a stereo headphone output.
3. Sangean DT-400W AM/FM Digital Weather Alert Pocket Radio
Portable, durable and efficient, the Sangean DT-400W AM/FM Digital Weather Alert Pocket Radio is a compact size device that receives Digital AM/FM/NOAA weather channels with PLL tuning. Equipped with 19 preset memory stations along with a favorite station option, it allows you to save radio channels from AM/FM and WX stations.
Featuring a real-time clock, an automatic seeks and a sleep timer option, it comes with a 90-minute automatic shutdown function that is optional. Delivering crisp clear sound clarity, it comes with an inbuilt speaker with a dynamic bass boost, a stereo headphone jack, and a backlit LCD screen.
2. RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Self Powered AM/FM NOAA Solar Weather Radio
The RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Self-Powered AM/FM NOAA Solar Weather Radio is a versatile, high-quality device that features a heavy-duty 1000 mAh power bank. Designed to provide you with updated information on weather conditions and other news from around your area, this device can also be used for charging your smartphones or tablets via its USB cable.
Made from durable materials, it also comes equipped with a flashlight that is ultra-bright and backed up by a 1W LED bulb. Ideal for camping, hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities, this weather radio is crafted with a rechargeable battery and can be charged via a manual hand crank, a USB cable, or via direct solar energy.
1. Midland - WR120B/WR120EZ - NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio
Featuring 7 public alert NOAA channels, the Midland – WR120B/WR120EZ – NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio offers you with up to date information on floods, thunderstorms, tornados, and other such hazards. Equipped with an advanced SAME alert programming mechanism, it notifies you when specific counties are in danger via a sound alarm.
Crafted with a 90dB siren, flash LED lights, and a voice alert mechanism, it comes with a 25-county memory storage system that allows you to store a range of counties around you. Designed with an LED screen with various buttons for easy control, it features an inbuilt clock with a snooze and alarm function and a battery backup during power cuts and emergencies.
Finding The Best Weather Radio
When it comes to weather radios, they may all serve the same general purpose but they are far from being identical. In fact, the good ones are far more complex than generic models, not just in terms of design alone but by virtue of their incorporated systems as well.
Without having any intimate knowledge of what constitutes a decent weather radio, you should take the time to find out as much as you can about what these radios are all about before committing on a purchase. To help you through, we put together a short guide detailing what specifics to look after when buying a weather radio of any type.
1. Purpose
The first thing you want to consider when buying a weather radio is the actual purpose of the device, mainly if you want it to serve as a radio with occasional weather-inclined alerts or if you require a more complex device altogether. We should point out that weather radios can also be grouped based on their application, in the sense that some can be used for outdoor activities like camping or hiking while others are better suited for household use.
2. Features
It is very important that you consider a weather radio’s features and specifications prior to making any sort of purchase, because needless to say, these devices aren’t exactly cheap. That said, you can definitely find some decent budget options if you go looking, but don’t hold your breath over it. In principle, you want to pay close attention to the notifications, channels, alert options, SAME features, and the receiving antenna above everything else.
3. Notifications
You need a radio with reliable notifications, mainly those that announce sudden or substantial changes in weather around your geographical position. While some devices only incorporate standard emergency warnings, more advanced devices enable you to fully personalize and customize your radio’s warnings. This is essential when trying to differentiate between standard emergency notifications and public announcements of a wide variety.
4. Channels
One should always pay attention to the channels when buying a weather radio, mainly the number of channels the radio can broadcast at any given time. At the same time, you should also consider the number of bands and how consistent the broadcasting is at all times, not just for utilitarian reasons but also for entertainment. Speaking of which, a weather radio should definitely double as a standard radio if need be, which is one of the trademarks of a decent radio.
5. Alerts
It isn’t just the notifications that you should consider when it comes to emergency updates but the alerts as well. We say this because your radio’s alerts will resonate with you over time and establish a sound pattern that you will in time associate with weather updates and/or emergencies. This is precisely why you want a weather radio that features loud, consistent, and crystal-clear alerts for any emergencies that might concern you.
6. S.A.M.E Feature
A decent weather radio should absolutely boast a S.A.M.E. option, which is the system responsible for receiving and broadcasting warnings specific to a certain county or state. With this in-depth warning system, you will gain a better understanding of all local updates that might concern you, updates that you will be able to interpret on an individual basis on account of their severity. By comparison, low-end weather radios usually incorporate basic and fairly mediocre alerts that may or may not broadcast geographical-specific updates.
7. Antenna
The antenna of a weather radio is fairly important when it comes to a radio’s reliability. While most weather radios will receive basic weather updates, it is only the good ones that can pick up on long-range alerts that may interest you if you travel. Not just that but it can be somewhat challenging for you to receive weather updates in certain areas, especially NWR (NOAA Weather Radio) signals. In this respect, you want to invest in a weather radio with a reasonably sized antenna.
8. Audibility
We should also point out that a decent radio should definitely possess a great audibility standard. This is valid for any type of radio, not just weather radios, and yet this is far more important for a radio that you will sometimes rely on to plan your day and even remove yourself from harm’s way. Speaking of which, people depend on weather radios to deliver reliable and audible alerts at all times, which is precisely what you want from any radio you plan on buying.
9. Durability
Although you have no intention of causing any serious harm to your weather radio, chances are that the device will sustain a fair amount of damage from regular usage over time. This tends to happen long-term with most portable devices, mainly on account of how they’re built and because of how you use them. So if you’re planning on getting a portable weather radio, then, by all means, invest in a device that can withstand a fair amount of abuse before showing any visible signs of damage.
