Emergency radio accessories and power
Batteries, chargers, antennas and solar power for radios.
Updated October 2, 2026
Accessories are what keep a radio or phone alive once the outlet is gone. Spare battery packs and a desk charger matter for a pair of handhelds. Rechargeable AA cells fit many devices that take AA. The maker rates them for hundreds of recharges.
Off the grid the choice is sun or muscle. A panel without a battery only charges while the sun shines. A power bank stores energy to use later. A hand crank charges only while the handle turns. A GMRS antenna adds reach but has to match the radio's connector.
The shortlist, ranked
How the score works- 1
6 dB gain 5/8-wave GMRS whip on an NMO mount for Midland MicroMobile radios.
- Works with: MXT105, MXT115, MXT275, MXT400, MXT500, MXT575
Why it is here: 6 dB of gain from a 5/8-wave design tuned for 462 MHz.
- 2
10,000 mAh solar power bank with Qi wireless charging and 20 W USB-C Power Delivery.
- Capacity: 10,000 mAh
- Outputs: USB-C PD 20W in/out, USB-A, Qi wireless pad
Why it is here: Qi wireless pad charges a phone without a cable.
- 3
10 W solar panel with a built-in 3,200 mAh battery so it keeps charging after sunset.
- Capacity: 3,200 mAh
- Outputs: 1x USB-A out; micro-USB in
- Solar panel: 10 W
- Weight: 19.4 oz (550 g)
Why it is here: Built-in 3,200 mAh battery stores sun for later use.
- 4
Single-band GMRS handheld whip with up to 3 dBi gain and an SMA-Female connector.
- Weight: 1.13 oz (32 g)
Why it is here: Up to 3 dBi of gain over the stock handheld antenna per Nagoya.
- 5
28 W four-panel folding USB solar charger with a built-in ammeter showing the current.
- Outputs: USB up to 5V/2.4A per port, 4A max combined (SmartIC)
- Solar panel: 28 W
- Weight: 21 oz (595 g)
Why it is here: 28 watts from four folding panels with SunPower cells.
- 6
10 W foldable monocrystalline solar panel with a kickstand and a USB port up to 7.5 W.
- Outputs: USB-A 5V up to 1.5A (7.5W max)
- Solar panel: 10 W
- Weight: 17.9 oz (507 g)
Why it is here: Monocrystalline cells and a kickstand for aiming at the sun.
- 7
30 W foldable solar panel with USB-C and USB-A outputs and IP65 weather resistance.
- Outputs: USB-C 5V/3A; USB-A 5V/2.4A
- Solar panel: 30 W
- Weight: 38.4 oz (1089 g)
Why it is here: IP65 rating shields it from dust and jets of water.
- 8
BQ-CC55 charger that handles AA and AAA cells one by one plus four eneloop AA cells.
- Type: individual-slot AA/AAA charger with 4 eneloop AA
- Works with: AA and AAA NiMH, single or mixed
Why it is here: Each slot works on its own so one AAA can charge next to three AA.
- 9
Low-profile 3.5-inch Ghost GMRS antenna with 3 dB gain for off-road MicroMobile setups.
- Works with: MXT105, MXT115, MXT275, MXT400, MXT500, MXT575
Why it is here: Just 3.5 inches tall so it clears branches and low garage roofs.
- 10
Sixteen 2,800 mAh NiMH AA cells sold as a budget alternative to eneloop.
- Capacity: 2,800 mAh
Why it is here: Sixteen cells in one box covers a lot of devices.
- 11
Pair of genuine Midland 6-volt NiMH packs for GXT1000-series, T290-series and XT511 radios.
- Works with: GXT1000VP4, GXT1000X3VP4, GXT1000AZ, GXT1030VP4, GXT1050VP4, T290VP4, T295VP4, T299VP4, XT511
Why it is here: Fits a long list of Midland radios from the GXT1000 up to the XT511 Base Camp.
- 12
Eight pre-charged low self-discharge NiMH AA cells rated for up to 2,100 recharges.
Why it is here: Rated for up to 2,100 recharges under the IEC standard.
- 13
Two genuine Midland NiMH packs for X-Talker T71 and T75 radios and the T77 and T79 series.
- Works with: X-Talker T71VP3, T75VP3, T77VP5, T77VP5J, T79X4VP5
Why it is here: Made by Midland for its own X-Talker radios.
- 14
Dual desktop charging base with AC adapter for Midland GXT1000, GXT1030 and GXT1050 radios.
- Type: dual-slot desktop charger with AC wall adapter
- Works with: GXT1000VP4, GXT1000X3VP4, GXT1030VP4, GXT1050VP4
Why it is here: Charges two GXT radios at once on a single base.
- 15
9,600 mAh IP67 power bank with 18 W USB-C in and out and a 50-lumen flashlight.
- Capacity: 9,600 mAh
- Energy: 35.52 Wh
- Outputs: USB-A 5V up to 3A (15W max); USB-C in/out 5-12V up to 3A (18W)
- Weight: 10.12 oz (287 g)
Why it is here: IP67 rating means dust and water will not stop it.
- 16
Hand crank generator with a standard 5 V 1 A USB output and no battery inside.
- Outputs: USB 5V DC 1A
- Weight: 15 oz (425 g)
Why it is here: Standard USB output so any phone cable plugs straight in.
All accessories & power side by side
Specs from the makers. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Model | Score | Type | Capacity | Energy | Outputs | Solar panel | Works with | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland MXTA26 | 8.5 | - | - | - | - | - | MXT105, MXT115, MXT275, MXT400, MXT500, MXT575 | - |
| BLAVOR PN-W05 | 8.4 | - | 10,000 mAh | - | USB-C PD 20W in/out, USB-A, Qi wireless pad | - | - | - |
| BioLite SolarPanel 10+ | 8.0 | - | 3,200 mAh | - | 1x USB-A out; micro-USB in | 10 W | - | 19.4 oz (550 g) |
| Nagoya NA-771G | 7.9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1.13 oz (32 g) |
| BigBlue SolarPowa 28 | 7.6 | - | - | - | USB up to 5V/2.4A per port, 4A max combined (SmartIC) | 28 W | - | 21 oz (595 g) |
| Goal Zero Nomad 10 | 7.4 | - | - | - | USB-A 5V up to 1.5A (7.5W max) | 10 W | - | 17.9 oz (507 g) |
| Anker SOLIX PS30 | 7.4 | - | - | - | USB-C 5V/3A; USB-A 5V/2.4A | 30 W | - | 38.4 oz (1089 g) |
| Panasonic eneloop Quick Charger with 4 AA | 7.4 | individual-slot AA/AAA charger with 4 eneloop AA | - | - | - | - | AA and AAA NiMH, single or mixed | - |
| Midland MXTA25 | 7.1 | - | - | - | - | - | MXT105, MXT115, MXT275, MXT400, MXT500, MXT575 | - |
| EBL AA Rechargeable Batteries 2800mAh | 7.1 | - | 2,800 mAh | - | - | - | - | - |
| Midland AVP17 | 7.0 | - | - | - | - | - | GXT1000VP4, GXT1000X3VP4, GXT1000AZ, GXT1030VP4, GXT1050VP4, T290VP4, T295VP4, T299VP4, XT511 | - |
| Panasonic eneloop 8-pack AA | 7.0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Midland AVP13 | 6.4 | - | - | - | - | - | X-Talker T71VP3, T75VP3, T77VP5, T77VP5J, T79X4VP5 | - |
| Midland AVP10 | 6.4 | dual-slot desktop charger with AC wall adapter | - | - | - | - | GXT1000VP4, GXT1000X3VP4, GXT1030VP4, GXT1050VP4 | - |
| Goal Zero Venture 35 | 6.4 | - | 9,600 mAh | 35.52 Wh | USB-A 5V up to 3A (15W max); USB-C in/out 5-12V up to 3A (18W) | - | - | 10.12 oz (287 g) |
| K-TOR Pocket Socket | 6.0 | - | - | - | USB 5V DC 1A | - | - | 15 oz (425 g) |
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to charge a phone with a solar charger?
The makers give figures for power banks rather than phones. Goal Zero's Nomad 10 page quotes 4.5 to 9 hours to fill a Venture 35. A Nomad 20 does it in 4 to 8 hours. Panel wattage sets the pace. The Nomad 10 feeds up to 7.5 watts over USB. The BigBlue SolarPowa 28 and Anker SOLIX PS30 are rated at 28 and 30 watts.
Do eneloop batteries need a special charger?
Panasonic sells the cells bundled with its own BQ-CC55 in the eneloop Quick Charger bundle. That charger takes AA and AAA NiMH cells in any mix. Each slot works on its own. It also detects defective or non-rechargeable batteries. Wirecutter calls the BQ-CC55 its favorite AA and AAA charger. CNN Underscored tested the bundle and made it its top pick. Buyers who want a known match can start there.
Do GMRS antennas need to be tuned?
The antennas on this shortlist come tuned for the GMRS band. The Midland MXTA26 and MXTA25 are both tuned for 462 MHz. Both are rated to 120 watts on an NMO mount. The Nagoya NA-771G is centered on 462 MHz with 462 to 468 MHz as its optimal range. Nagoya lists a VSWR of 1.5 or lower. Mounting still matters. Neither Midland antenna ships with its NMO mount.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking one, the store may pay us a commission. The price stays the same for you, and commissions do not decide which emergency radios we recommend. Specs come from the makers; range and battery life are their claims. Our method.