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Best Walkie-Talkies

Updated December 2021
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Motorola Solutions T600 Talkabout Two-Way Radio
Motorola Solutions
T600 Talkabout Two-Way Radio
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Simple and Waterproof
Bottom Line

With a waterproof, floatable design and water-activated emergency light, this set is particularly suited to water activities.

Pros

IPS67 waterpoof for 30 minutes submerged. 2-color LED emergency flashlight is water-activated. Has access to 22 frequency bands and 11 weather emergency channels. Floats face-up in water. Bright colors are easy to spot.

Cons

Users note some drain batteries quickly, and note low speaker volume. Belt clip could be sturdier.

Best Bang for the Buck
Midland GXT1000VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (2 pack)
Midland
GXT1000VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (2 pack)
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Handy and Reliable
Bottom Line

A fairly reliable option with a range for land or water use.

Pros

GMRS frequency option available for users needing high-power transmission. Good range, even on lower-power FRS frequency. Rechargeable batteries last a decent amount of time.

Cons

Reports of radios failing after a few months of use. Models do not have group-mode feature. Radios’ range is less than 36 miles.

Retevis H-777 Two Way Radios (10 Pack)
Retevis
H-777 Two Way Radios (10 Pack)
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Good for Groups
Bottom Line

This model has a good price point and compatibility with other models under this brand.

Pros

Radios work well and provide clear reception. Owners like the hands-free earpiece when working. Good battery life for 10-12 hours. Can charge by USB. Works right out of the box.

Cons

Antenna housing can break or fall off after several months. Battery housing can loosen over time.

BAOFENG BF-F8HP 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio
BAOFENG
BF-F8HP 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio
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Power for Enthusiasts
Bottom Line

This favorite of radio enthusiasts boasts a complex and comprehensive feature set for power users.

Pros

Can duplicate and replace larger two-way radios and kits. New high-gain antenna can transmit more powerfully over distances. Concierge service support to help with its array of options.

Cons

Complex setup and user interface. Needs to be tweaked to use in the US.

DEWALT DXFRS800
2-Watt Walkie Talkies
DEWALT
DXFRS800 2-Watt Walkie Talkies
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On the Job
Bottom Line

A rugged, waterproof, drop-resistant walkie talkie for keeping connected in heavy-duty job sites.

Pros

Designed for construction sites and rugged use cases. IP67 waterproof and dustproof rubberized body can withstand falls up to 2 meters. Clear audio and decent signal strength. Users like the big central push-to-talk button.

Cons

The belt clip is not as durable as the unit itself. Not intended for recreational use.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

35
Models
Considered
123
Consumers
Consulted
30
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best walkie-talkies


Whether you use them to keep track of your party while camping or hiking in the wilderness, or you need to communicate with colleagues at work, walkie-talkies are an excellent way of staying in touch when it would be impractical to use a phone.

Even a rudimentary internet search will provide you with hundreds of options to choose from, so it can be tough to pick the best walkie-talkies, especially if you're a first-time buyer and know little about them.

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Some walkie-talkies provide weather alerts in case of incoming adverse conditions, so you can remove yourself to safety before a bad front comes in.

Types of walkie-talkies

FRS walkie-talkies

FRS walkie-talkies use the Family Radio Service (FRS) and are designed for short-range, recreational use.

Pros:

You don't need a license to operate an FRS walkie-talkie.

FRS walkie-talkies tend to be fairly inexpensive.

Most FRS walkie-talkies are simple and straightforward to use.
 

Cons:

FRS walkie-talkies are limited to 0.5 watts, and therefore, they have a fairly short range.


Price: Basic FRS walkie-talkies start at around $15 a pair, whereas high-end options may cost closer to $100 for a pair.

GMRS walkie-talkies

GMRS walkie-talkies use the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and are designed for long-range or commercial use.

Pros:

GMRS walkie-talkies can harness up to 5 watts of power, giving them a significantly longer range than FRS models.

You'll often find GMRS walkie-talkies are more durable and rugged than FRS radios.
 

Cons:

You need to obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to operate a GMRS walkie-talkie.
 

Price: You can find basic GMRS walkie-talkies for as little as $25 a pair, whereas high-end commercial models can cost $200 a pair.

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Did you know?
You can also buy FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies which give you the option to use channels from either service, though you'll still require a license if you want to use the GMRS channels.
STAFF
BestReviews

Walkie-talkies: learn the lingo

If you want to feel like a walkie-talkie pro (or you need to be one for work), you might want to learn some of the common shorthand phrases that radio operators use when communicating.

Affirmative: Yes

Negative (or negatory): No

Do you copy?: Do you hear me?/Do you understand?

Copy that (or Roger that): Message received and understood

10-1: Receiving poorly

10-2: Receiving well

10-3: Stop transmitting

10-4: Okay/Message received

10-20: My location is…

What’s your 20?: Where are you?

Over: Message finished — time for the other person to reply

Over and out: Message finished and communication has come to an end

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Expert Tip
Walkie-talkies with keypad locks prevent you from sending out an unintentional transmission if a button accidentally gets pressed in your pocket or bag.
STAFF
BestReviews

Considerations for selecting a walkie-talkie

Frequency

Walkie-talkies either operate on Very High Frequency (VHF) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

VHF walkie-talkies use frequencies between 136 and 174 MHz, and can cover a long distance with a small amount of power. However, they don't work well with obstacles in the way, so they're best used in open areas with very few obstructions.

UHF walkie-talkies use frequencies between 400 and 512 MHz. In simple terms, this means they're more powerful (but also require more power), so the signal can make its way through obstructions, such as buildings and densely wooded areas.

Size and weight

Some walkie-talkies are extremely lightweight and compact, whereas others are larger and heavier. If you'll carry your walkie-talkie for long periods of time, you may prefer a relatively lightweight option. That said, some compact walkie-talkies can be flimsy, so you'll need to find the sweet spot between lightweight and durable.

Durability

How you use your walkie-talkie makes a difference as to how durable you need it to be. If you only use it occasionally, and you aren't taking part in any extreme activities, you probably don't need an extremely rugged walkie-talkie. However, if you use it daily, take it with you while engaging in activities like rock climbing or mountain biking, or generally expect it to get its fair share of drops and scrapes, it's worth investing in a durable model that will stand up to some abuse.

Number of channels

The biggest drawback to walkie-talkies is that they're not private. Anyone with a compatible device can tune into a channel you're using, and only one person can use it at a time. The more channels you have available on your walkie-talkie, the less likely it is that anyone else will be using them. FRS walkie-talkies have between two and seven channels, whereas GMRS models can have 30 or more. If you plan to use your walkie-talkies in a remote area, a model with just a handful of channels will suffice. However, you'll probably need access to a greater number of channels if you use them in a busy place where there may be a lot of radio activity, such as a large event or music festival.

Wattage

FRS walkie-talkies are limited to 0.5 watts, whereas GMRS models can yield up to 5 watts. The amount of watts your radio has essentially equates to transmission power, so the larger the wattage, the further your messages will reach. While walkie-talkies often advertise very large communication ranges, this range is really only achievable given perfect conditions. A more realistic range (factoring in obstacles and weather conditions) is around one mile per watt. So a 0.5-watt walkie-talkie should have a range of around half a mile, whereas a 5-watt model should have an approximately 5-mile range.

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Expert Tip
Ideally, your walkie-talkie's display screen should be clear, easy to read, and illuminated, so you can see it in the dark.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

While you can buy single walkie-talkies, most come in a set. Think about how many you need (you might be buying for yourself, your whole family, or a group of colleagues), and select a set size accordingly.

Check the battery life on your chosen walkie-talkies. If you'll be using them on multi-day camping trips with no charging facilities, you'll need a model with adequate battery power.

Some walkie-talkies use standard disposable batteries, whereas others use rechargeable batteries or come with battery packs.

You can buy walkie-talkies with voice-activated transmission (VOX), which means you can operate them hands-free.

Look for a walkie-talkie with extra features, such as timers and alarms, which some users may find valuable.

Most walkie-talkies have a belt clip, so you can attach them to a belt or waistband for easy access.

FAQ

Q. Do I have to pay for a walkie-talkie license?
A.
Yes, if you purchase a licensed walkie-talkie, there is a fee for the license. At the time of writing, the license costs $70, and it’s valid for five years.

Q. What's the difference between a walkie-talkie and a two-way radio?
A.
The term "walkie-talkie" is just another name for two-way radios, so if you read about two-way radios during your research, know that it's the same thing as a walkie-talkie.

Q. Can you buy waterproof walkie-talkies?
A.
Yes, you can buy walkie-talkies that are fully waterproof, which is useful if you'll be using them on boats, near bodies of water, or simply in rainy conditions.

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