What exactly the best weather radio should offer? Finding an answer to this question before choosing this partner in need will save you from facing several problems.
Since bad weather can cause power failures, your radio should foremost feature a high-power capacity. The battery backup should be strong enough that it powers the radio as well as your phone.
Furthermore, the radio should efficiently receive broadcasts from weather channels to inform you if there is an emergency alert.
But finding a device fulfilling all these conditions isn’t easy as it sounds. Thus, to set your mind at ease, we have handpicked these 6 best weather radios that are manufactured dedicatedly to deal with harsh conditions.
1. Raynic Solar Hand Crank Radio
This radio has taken the power capacity to the next level by offering 5 exclusive options for continuous power supply. Now you can stay alert and out of the dark by either using the hand crank or solar supply option, AAA batteries or Li-ion battery; or can charge the radio by AC supply. Furthermore, you can use the 5000 mAh battery to charge your phones in case of power failure.
Moreover, the reading light and flashlight in the radio saves you from plunging into darkness. The device will broadcast from NOAA channel along with AM/FM/SW/7 channels to make sure the weather forecasts reach out to you. The emergency warning feature installed alerts you of any disastrous event coming by.
To our surprise, all these exclusive features are contained in a pocket-size radio. You will also find an SOS alarm, a compass and headphone jack built-in this handy radio to further enhance the resourcefulness.
2. FosPower Emergency Portable Radio
The first thing a bad weather can bring to you is power breakdown. For a long-lasting power supply, the FosPower radio comes with 3 power sources. You can either utilize the regenerative solar or crank lever options for a power boost. But in case of unavailability, the AAA batteries are also there to power up the radio for you.
Not only that, a 2000 mAh power bank is built-in to the device to help keep your cell phones charged. For lighting up the darkness, the radio installs 2 sources of light. Hence both LED reading lights and flashlights provide for a convenient light source.
To timely update you about the weather forecast, this radio receives signals from NOAA as well as AM/FM radio broadcasts. And in case you need help, the SOS alarm is loud enough to alert everyone. Lastly, the body of this radio is super-durable and water-resistant, so it helps you out until the storm ends.
3. RunningSnail MD-090P Weather Radio
Nature can bring unprecedented challenges like tornadoes, hurricanes, storms etc. to us. And this might lead to power breakdowns which will indirectly amount to communication losses. But with RunningSnail radio, you can continue knowing about others and the weather forecast by tuning in one of the 7 NOAA channels or AM/FM radios.
This radio’s power backup is quite strong as it operates by installing solar power, hand crank, a USB or li-ion battery to continue broadcasting. Also, you would not run out of your cellphone as the 4000 mAh battery installed in this radio can charge your phone so you can continue informing others about your safety.
And to illuminate the darkness for you, this radio also comes with two light sources. However, it differentiates in the compatibility it offers while lighting up. You can use the flashlight in far, dipped or far and dipped mode as per the requirement. When using the reading light, you can switch to the auto option which permits the radio to light up for 30 seconds every time it senses a movement.
4. Aiworth Weather Radio with Large Display
This radio with a large LCD screen keeps the user updated of all necessary information. The radio charges from 4 different methods. You can simply charge it by USB or by installing 3 AAA batteries. In case of power failure, you can switch to regenerative charging. Your radio will start charging when its solar panel is exposed to sunlight or the handle crank is rotated for a few minutes.
The radio can also work as a power bank due to the 2000 mAh battery installed. It can catch 7 NOAA channels to update you about weather forecasts while the retractable antenna is built-in to ensure that news reaches you with clarity.
The 1W flashlight integrated on the front will brighten up the darkness for you. And the light will also flash whenever the SOS alarm clangs so someone rescues you promptly in case of emergency.
5. Esky Portable Weather Radio
This lightweight radio can seamlessly accompany you anywhere. Not only the radio is portable but highly durable as well. Its sturdy and water-proof body will withstand the rough handling.
The radio charges with a solar panel, hand crank or USB. It can also charge your dead phone, so your communication remains unaffected during bad weather.
You can inquire about the weather by listening to broadcasts from NOAA or FM/AM radio channels. And the 3W flashlight is built-in to the radio to brighten up the darkness.
6. Midland WR120B/WR120EZ Weather Alert Radio
Getting alarmed before a natural disaster comes by enables you to brace yourself before it’s too late. The Midland radio is designed to keep a continuous check on the weather forecast and alert you instantly if there is a calamity coming by.
Whenever there is a bad weather condition, a siren will start ringing and an emergency alert will inform you about the nature of threat impeding your area.
In case of power breakdown, you will need to install 3 AA batteries to keep the radio transmitting the latest news. The backlit LCD will update you about battery level, network level and a lot more. Plus, you can also use this radio as a clock or to set alarms.
How Important to have the best Weather Radio?
Facing an extreme weather condition feels like a nightmare and the turmoil multiplies when you disconnect from everyone. However, with time there has been a reported increase in severe climatic changes.
To deal with all this, a reliable weather radio should be around you. A radio for such challenges should be durable to the maximum level and it should have a stable transmission range.
The options mentioned above are recommended as they have secured a reputation for being the best weather radios in the market.