Walkie Talkies are those devices that are used by everyone. Kids, teens, and adults all find uses for walkie-talkies. But many people still think that in real life walkie talkies are just toys for kids to play with. This is a wrong view simply because there are hi-tech walkie talkies which you use while out camping. If you are going somewhere alone or remote then having a high-grade walkie talkie with you might just save your life.
You can rely on your phone in normal situations but will you get proper cell service when you are deep in the woods or mountains? Chances of that are extremely low. If that didn’t make things worse then your phone’s battery life won’t last long enough in case something goes wrong. In case of an emergency, you won’t even be able to call for help. To prevent being stranded and helpless you should take a walkie-talkie with you. This should be in your essential survival package.
A good walkie talkie that will help you survive must have some essential features. One of these is sturdiness. After all, in a perilous situation, you will need a device that will be able to handle some falls without breaking apart. It must also have a long-range as well as long battery life. This is the most important trifecta of features that a walkie talkie for survival purposes must-have.
But how will you even know which walkie talkies are the ones that will have your back in case there’s a natural disaster or if your hiking trip goes wrong? After all, the entire market is fully saturated with knockoffs. That’s why we are here to help you know which devices are the ones that will save your life if it ever comes to that.
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- Weight: 5.32 pounds
- Dimensions: 11 x 9.3 x 7 inches
- Range: n/a
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- Weight – 3.54 pounds
- Product dimensions – 10.55 x 7.62 x 6.83 inches
- Range – Long-range functions
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- Weight: 6.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 4.33 x 2.28 x 1.26 inches
- Range: n/a
12 Best Walkie Talkies For Survival in 2023
In case of a natural disaster, if you get lost, or find yourself in any other emergency then you will find that a walkie-talkie can indeed save your life. But not all walkie talkies are made for assisting in survival purposes. The ones mentioned below are the devices that will help you out in extreme situations:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOCOM Walkie Talkies For Adults Two-Way Radio |
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| Retevis RT28 2 Way Radios Walkie Talkies |
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| Retevis RT-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio |
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| Midland - LXT118, FRS Walkie Talkies with Channel Scan - Extended Range Two Way Radios |
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| OBRA ACXT345 Walkie Talkies |
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| Retevis RT16 Walkie Talkie for Adult Long Range Two Way Radio |
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| Retevis RT17 Walkie Talkies |
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| MOICO Walkie Talkie for Adults |
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| Radioddity R2 Long Range Walkie Talkie UHF Two Way Radio |
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1. GOCOM Walkie Talkies For Adults Two-Way Radio
No products found.
- Weight: 14.1 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.09 x 1.5 x 6.89 inches
- Range: 16 miles
This walkie talkie works with any kind of radio both one-to-one as well as one-to-more. With this, you will be able to contact your partner in an emergency or send out a message to multiple group members. The device comes with a very bold LCD screen which ensures that you can see clearly what’s filling the screen. The radios come fitted with a singular-earbud microphone inbuilt in the earpiece. Now when you will talk everything will be heard clearly.
The device can be charged using the dual charging line USB. It is fitted with 6 whole AA batteries. All are rechargeable. In this walkie talkie, you will get to access a total of 2662 channels. There’s also the channel scan option so that you can check on for any kind of activity. There is the Vox scan which will check in on the channels which are currently active. It comes with three sensitivity modes that ensure that you can carry out a hands-free operation.
The device comes with additional useful features like NOAA weather scanning. With this, you will be able to scan automatically and easily through 10 different kinds of weather-band channels. The device will lock on the weather channels which is the strongest. With this, you will be able to proper weather updates and make plans accordingly. The device has a battery time of 25 hours. It also comes with additional important features like an LED flashlight.
This walkie talkie will make long-range communication possible. You will find that it will give you 16 miles of communication distance between two mountain tops. On the sea it will be 8 miles, in the woods, it will be 3 miles, and in town, it will be just a mile. The decrease in range is due to obstructions. The formula is that the lesser the instructions, the higher the range.
Pros
- NOAA weather scanning
- Vox scan
- Flashlight
Cons
- None
2. Retevis RT28 2 Way Radios Walkie Talkies
No products found.
- Weight: 5.32 pounds
- Dimensions: 11 x 9.3 x 7 inches
- Range: n/a
This walkie talkie is durable. So it will last long even after taking a few falls. It comes with a lot of useful features, one of which is the emergency alarm. This alarm will sound off in case you are in a life-threatening situation so that others can know your location.
It comes with 16 channels. You will be able to choose the channel you want to use to communicate with your teammates. The walkie talkie comes with a rechargeable battery of 1000 mAh Li-on. This will give you enough battery juice to go off on your adventure. But if you are afraid of your battery getting low, then there is a battery-saving function you can use.
There is a Vox feature that will let you use the radio without using your hands at all. If you are stuck climbing and need help then it will come in handy. There is also a standard earpiece jack of 2 pins (2.5mm/3.5mm) that comes with it.
You will be able to charge this device using a micro USB charger which will make it more convenient than traditional chargers. While using this model you won’t have to worry about audio clarity at all. The high-quality audio coupled with the squelch function will make high-quality communication possible for you.
Pros
- Squelch function
- Emergency alarm
- Vox feature
Cons
- The battery could be better
3. Retevis RT-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio
No products found.
- Weight: 6.6 ounces
- Dimensions: 4.33 x 2.28 x 1.26 inches
- Range: n/a
This walkie talkie is compact as well as solid. Due to this, you will be able to hold it in your hands easily. The solid construction ensures its durability and allows it to last for a long time, even after incurring a few accidents.
The model provides you with high power and comes with a frequency-range of both VHF and UHF. This will give you a greater variety to work with. The high-gain antenna which is attached to it will give you a longer range and also better penetration to work with. This will be useful in case of an actual emergency where you get lost for example, deep in the woods.
You will get a whopping 128 channels as well as 50 CTCSS or 105 DCS to work with. This variety means that you will be able to choose the channel which is most suitable for you. What’s more, is that you get channel privacy as well as channel storage with this as well. You will get a lot of features to work with. Some important ones include the Vox feature that will allow you to use the device hands-free and the squelch function will let you scramble the messages sent so that it remains private between you and the sender.
The device comes with a good battery life of 1400mAh Li-ion. Even if you use it continuously, you will be able to get 8 to 12 hours out of it. The model comes with an LED display which will allow you to see everything clearly on it. This display is so bright that you will be able to use it to send signals as well. You will be able to connect the device to a computer or use the keypad to set some basic functions. There is an emergency function which will surely help you when you are in danger.
Pros
- Large battery life
- Vox feature
- A large number of channels
Cons
- None
4. Midland – LXT118, FRS Walkie Talkies with Channel Scan – Extended Range Two Way Radios
No products found.
- Weight: 3.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 1 x 2 x 6 inches
- Range: 18 miles
This walkie talkie comes with 22 Family-Radio Service channels. Not only will you get a lot to choose from but the device comes with a channel scan feature that will allow you to check for any activity as well.
The radio will give you a long 18-mile range to work with. But do remember that you will get a better range in open areas which don’t have any obstruction. The device makes use of rechargeable batteries as well as 3×AAA batteries to power itself. There is even a battery life extender which will give you more power. This can prove to be valuable in an emergency. But do note that you will have to but those batteries separately.
Note that charging is easy and you will be able to get it done through the walkie talkie’s headset jack. To make things easier for you, this walkie talkie comes with an eVox function. This ensures that you are carrying out easy sound and voice activation transmission without using any hands.
The device comes with a keypad lock which will prevent you from accidentally activating any mode or function keys. There are keystroke tones which will ensure that you get audible tones every time you press a key for either confirmation or response. If you find these disturbing then you can use the silent operation feature to turn it all off.
Pros
- 22 channels
- Long-range
- eVox function
Cons
- Battery life could be better
5. COBRA ACXT345 Walkie Talkies – Rechargeable, Long Range 25-Mile Two Way Radio Set with VOX
No products found.
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Dimensions: 1.55 x 2.41 x 6.05 inches
- Range: 25 miles
A benefit of getting this walkie talkie is the range that comes with it. With this, you will be able to connect to your partner over a distance of 25 miles. Such a long-range can be life-saving in the case of an emergency like getting lost from your group.
Know that you will get a whopping 2662 channels to choose from over here. With this much amount of variety, you will be able to choose which one works for you the best. Along with this, 10 NOAA channels will help you get weather alerts and updates. With this, you will be able to know about incoming storms and be able to plan.
The device comes with rechargeable batteries. As for charging, there is a micro-USB charger packed with this. Know that with this device you will be able to choose from 5 different kinds of tones for call alerts. So now you will be able to distinguish between the different parties who give you incoming calls.
The device comes with the useful Vox feature which will let you transmit the radio signals you want to without using your hands. It does it by first recognizing the user’s voice and then carrying about the instructions stated. Such a feature will be really useful if you are stuck somewhere or have to use your hands for other purposes.
Pros
- Vox feature
- 10 NOAA channels
- 2662 channels
Cons
- Less extra features
6. Retevis RT16 Walkie Talkie for Adult Long Range Two Way Radio
No products found.
- Weight: 3.06 pounds
- Dimensions: 8.58 x 7.52 x 6.02 inches
- Range: decent
This device has a very ergonomic design which makes it easy to operate and use. Such a design makes it comfortable to grip. Also, the walkie talkie is very durable. A few falls or accidents won’t hurt it. The device is small and compact as well, so you will slip in your bag without any worries.
You will find that the device gives off crystal clear sound so that you listen clearly and transmit messages without any problems. The device will let you communicate easily with the squelch function that will scramble your messages and keep your conversations private. The device comes with a big LCD screen as well as a big keyboard. You will be able to see all your operations there and type out what you want to do next. This makes the entire process of operating it much easier.
This device comes with 6 x 1000 mAh batteries so that you can enjoy a long battery life. After all, a longer battery span will give you long hours and will ensure that the chances of you getting out alive or getting out of a perilous situation is increased. There is a Vox function here, which will let you use the device handsfree.
It comes with 22 channels and 11 NOAA weather channels which will allow you to receive weather updates and alerts. This will keep you safe and let you know about potentially bad weather beforehand so that you can make your plans accordingly. To help navigate the path before you, this device even comes with a flashlight. This will be helpful at night.
Pros
- 11 NOAA weather channels
- 22 channels
- Vox function
Cons
- The decent range could be better
7. Retevis RT17 Walkie Talkies
No products found.
- Weight – 3.54 pounds
- Product dimensions – 10.55 x 7.62 x 6.83 inches
- Range – Long-range functions
Retevis is a leading brand that has time and time distinguished itself with its highly responsive and high-quality walkie-talkies. If you are specifically getting one for survival purposes, the Retevis RT17 Walkie Talkies is a bestselling option.
Not only does it feature durable construction, this supports long-range communication for continuous use. This is also a license-free walkie-talkie, which means that you wouldn’t have to worry about paying extra license fees.
As for the functions, the device is backed with good call quality, reliable calls, and logistics and ideal for usage in any situations that you find yourself stuck in. The device supports an independent charging base for superior user experience and long-time usage.
The long high-gain antenna supports long-range communication, thanks to the copper wire construction with the rod antenna technology. The audio response quality is between 7-12.5 dB, which is pretty great for a standard walkie-talkie.
The walkie-talkie is integrated with a 1200 mAh battery that allows you to use the device continuously for 14 hours straight. So, if you are looking for ways to survive and get yourself out of a dangerous situation, this device is going to support that well.
The palm-sized lightweight design of this walkie-talkie comes in handy when you want to communicate easily handsfree. The device is integrated with 16 communication channels for seamless compatibility. Also, the exterior is waterproof and shock-resistant, so you can use it for extended periods without worrying about consequences. Even the tube earpiece in the device is pretty responsive.
Pros
- Highly responsive and compatible
- Longer battery life
- Supports handsfree communication
- Long-range communication
- Integrated with 16 communication channels
Cons
- A little on the expensive end
8. MOICO Walkie Talkie for Adults
No products found.
- Weight: 14 ounces
- Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.08 x 3.19 inches
- Range: 3 miles
This is one of the affordable walkie talkies in the market that comes with efficient features. This is a lightweight and compact-sized walkie talkie that can be easily carried without any strain. You can use it for both personal and business purposes. It is ideal for field trips, trekking, mountain climbing, event management, construction sites, schools, etc.
The walkie talkie comes with a bright LCD screen that is backlit in green colour. This makes it perfect for usage even at night and in dark places. When you are trekking or on an adventurous trip, you can effortlessly use it during the night as it comes with high clarity bright display.
It works great up to the distance of 3 miles in open spaces like mountains, suburbs, sea areas, etc. In closed spaces like the city side and where there are buildings, it can work up to 1.2 miles. If there is more obstruction, the working distance might be further reduced. The miles depend upon the area you are in. Open the area, higher the coverage.
The device comes with an LED torchlight, which can be activated using the battery. This will be useful during emergencies and at dark times. The battery avoids the necessity for a plug point during field trips and trekking.
The walkie talkie is equipped with a VOX function and has 22 FRS channels and 99 sets of CTCSS tones. You have 2178 combinations of codes to block conversations. These privacy codes can be used for private communication with one another. You can get a refund or exchange the product within a month of purchase if you face any technical faults. The brand also gives you free customer service for a lifetime.
Pros
- Compact & lightweight
- Bright LCD
- Built-in LED torch
Cons
- Covers less miles
9. Radioddity R2 Long Range Walkie Talkie UHF Two Way Radio
No products found.
- Weight: 1.65 pounds
- Dimensions: 4.49 x 2.29 x 1.1 inches
- Range: 6 km
This device comes with solid and durable construction. It ensures that even in rough situations the walkie talkie will be able to take a few falls without incurring damage. The device is comfortable to hold and fits the shape of your hand so it won’t slip off easily. This device is also very easy to use. All you will have to do is turn on one knob and then proceed to select the channel you like. Then you will be able to talk to whoever you like. As such both adults and kids will be able to do it with ease. In an emergency, this simplicity can prove to be invaluable.
This model comes with a USB port and not a traditional charging system. Such a move ensures that charging becomes more convenient. After all, due to this, you will be able to change your walkie talkie using a charger adapter, power bank, laptop, computer, and more. This device has a large battery capacity which will certainly be useful in case of an emergency. It comes with 3.7V/1100mAh that will give you 96 hours worth of battery life. Do keep in mind that the first charge will take you around 4 hours. But this can vary a little too.
You will get a long range of 3 to 6 km with this walkie talkie. If you are out hiking or camping for a short trip and find that there’s no cell phone signal then this will come in handy. It is in an open field you will be able to get a range of 6 km. With this, you will get a frequency range of UHF 400-470MHz and get 16 channels to choose from.
There is another feature in this walkie talkie as well. You will find that there is a battery-saving function as well as a low voltage function that will alert you when you are running low. Apart from this, you will be able to use the scan function, squelch function, and be able to set the narrow and wide bandwidth easily. If you use the scrambler feature then others won’t understand what you are saying so your messages to the other person will be safe.
Pros
- Large battery life
- USB charging
- Durable
Cons
- The range could be better
10. Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios
- Weight: 2.99 pounds
- Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.9 x 4.7 inches
- Range: 5 miles
This walkie talkie is small but durable. So it won’t just fit easily in your hands you will also have to worry about it getting damaged as a result of a fall. Such features make it perfect for kids as well. The device is also water-resistant so if you find yourself stuck in a flood or an unending rainy area, then you will be able to use this walkie talkie without issues
The radio comes with a belt clip that can use its hook on yourself. But this is removable as well if you don’t like it. This device is very easy to operate and this simplicity might be life-saving for you or your kids in case of an emergency. The device comes with an inbuilt speaker which ensures that you can hear crystal clear audio. There is a built-in mic as well as a single-earbud earpiece. The radio even has a Vox function which will let you use the radio hands-free.
It has a frequency range of UHF 400-470MHz and comes with 16 channels. As such you will get a variety to choose from and use. There is a 16-position mechanical-rotary channel selector switch which you can use to select the channel you want. If you aren’t sure what the channel number is then there’s no need to worry. A synthesized voice will let you know the channel you are on.
You will be able to program easily any of the 50 CTCSS-tones as well as the 105 CDCSS-tones present on each of the programmed channels. The walkie talkie comes with a large battery life of 1500mAh. You will get a battery life of 96 hours with this. But it will depend on how much you transmit. This is rechargeable and in fact, does come with a charging dock. Its charger has an AC A-plug. It works in the 110v-240v range and you will need to spend 2.5 hours at least to get a full charge.
Pros
- High battery life
- Water-resistant
- Variety of channels
Cons
- The range could be better
11. Uniden GMR1635-2 Up to 16-Mile Range, FRS Two-Way Radio Walkie Talkies
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Product dimensions: 7.09 x 2.95 x 7.95 inches
- Range: 16 miles
This walkie talkie will ensure that you can keep in touch with your friends, family, and more when you are out camping, hiking, and such. It comes with a direct call mode that will let you dial anyone in the group (an exclusive group that you can make) while keeping everyone else in it quiet. In emergencies where you just want to talk to someone privately, this will be useful.
The device has a two-way radio feature which will ensure that you are well connected. If you are setting out for a long journey, then this will be helpful. As far as the range goes, that will be dependant on the line-of-sight as well as the obstructions in the path. It is powered using 3×AAA batteries. The device comes with a very unique circuit which helps extend the battery life. It does so by ensuring that if there’s no incoming calls or transmissions for 2secs then the device switches to the power-saving mode. If any transmissions are received then it will be put through.
The walkie talkie comes with a full 22 channels. You will be able to choose the channels you want to listen to. But to choose a channel, which you can use for through uninterrupted communications. The channels all operate on the industry-set standard frequencies. As a result of this, you will be able to communicate with another person easily, even if they use another brand or model.
The device comes with a beep and call tone that will let you know just when the transmissions from or to from someone is ending or beginning. You can turn off the beep if you would prefer it that way. It comes with an automatic squelch feature as well, which shuts off any weak transmission as well as unwanted noise which is caused as a result of terrain conditions.
Pros
- Direct call
- Automatic squelch
- Beep/call tone
Cons
- Battery life could be better
12. HESENATE HT-U222 Long Range Uhf: 400-470Mhz/70cm 16-Channel Portable FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio
- Weight: 14.1 ounces
- Dimensions: 8.75 x 6.75 x 1.8 inches
- Range: n/a
This walkie talkie is perfect for taking with you on long voyages and camping trips. You will find that this is lightweight and durable. So it can certainly take on some falls easily. The device is also simple with just 4 buttons to use so you won’t have to fiddle with multiple buttons in the case of an emergency.
The walkie talkie has a slim design as well, so it will fit in your pocket, bag, purse easily. This will give you more of an impetus to carry it wherever you like. This device is also water and dust resistance. Such a feature will prove invaluable in case you are stuck in floods, in an excessively rainy place, or more. This walkie talkie is truly prepped for emergencies since it comes with an emergency alarm that you can sound off if you are in a life-threatening situation.
The walkie talkie comes with an integrated antenna that has a functional UHF 400-470MHz analog that works with the two-way radio. You will be able to change this using the computer and power bank as well apart from wall charging. If your battery gets too low then you will get a low-battery prompt so that you can charge it fast or save whatever is left.
With this device, you will get 16 channels which will give you a wide variety to scan from. That’s not all. This walkie talkie comes with a scan and monitors function as well as a SQL, wide/narrow band, and ctcss&dcs function too. All these are essential and will prove to be invaluable in case of any emergency. There is a Vox feature as well, which will let you choose the channel you want. If you are having trouble understanding it all or configuring the device, then don’t worry, there is a user guide that will help you out.
Pros
- Simple and lightweight
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only 16 channels
Ultimate Buying Guide To Choose the Right Walkie Talkies For Survival in 2023
Walkie talkies that are made to assist in your survival come with a lot of useful features apart from just range and battery life. But how will you know which ones are authentic and which ones are fake? To help you choose the best ones we are here with some features which you should keep in mind while buying a walkie talkie:
1. Durability
In a survival situation, you should need a walkie talkie which is solid and sturdy. If your device breaks after a fall, then the chances of you getting out alive from a perilous situation decreases a lot. So make sure that your walkie talkie can take a little beating and get still functioning fully.
2. Channels
The more channels the better since you will get a lot more to choose and switch from. Also, get those walkie talkies which come with ten or more NOAA weather alert channels.
3. Weatherproofing
Make sure to get a walkie talkie which is water, dust, and shock-resistant. The chances of your device getting dropped in water, dropped from a height, eating dust, or just having to endure harsh weather conditions is always really high in survival situations. So don’t take any chances and beef up your survival chances with a weatherproof walkie talkie.
4. Range
The range is key to survival. The longer the range the better chances you will have of being able to call for help in the direst circumstances. When buying look for those walkie talkies which give you a range of 16 to 22 miles at least.
5. Battery Life
Another factor that will affect your survival is the battery life of a walkie talkie. No matter how many features your device comes with, without a strong battery life all of that might ultimately be useless. So get a walkie talkie which will give you upwards of 90 hours of battery life. Also, always get those devices that come with rechargeable batteries and with convenient charging systems like USB charging.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Best Walkie Talkies For Survival in 2023
1. Will you always get the range specified in the walkie talkie guide?
Actually no. The range that is specified in the user manuals is the one you will get in an open area with no obstructions. But in a survival situation, there’s bound to be plenty of obstructions and this will cut down the range of communication.
2. How to save battery in a walkie talkie?
If you want to save your battery, then switch on the power-saving feature which will slow down the battery, use if there are no transmissions for some time. Also know that you should always keep your low battery alert on so that you know when it’s time to begin charging.
3. What life saving extra feature your walkie talkie should have?
Make sure that your device comes with an emergency alarm. This can be your last-ditch effort towards survival. The alarm will help alert someone and the sound will lead them to your position.
4. Should you buy an expensive walkie talkie?
It’s better to invest in an expensive walkie talkie since chances are that you will get better features and a longer range. But don’t blindly buy a walkie talkie just because it’s expensive. Always check the battery life, range, and other features before buying.
A walkie talkie for survival is something that should always be in your backpack. This might end up saving your life in dire situations since it will help you alert others of your condition. While buying such walkie talkies always pay more focus on battery life as well as the range. These two are vital and a device with a lesser range and battery life might very well spell your doom.
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