The best emergency radios

Hand crank and solar radios with a power bank and flashlight.

Updated October 2, 2026

When the power goes out you want a radio that keeps working without an outlet. Hand crank and solar charging matter for that. So does a battery big enough to charge a phone. NOAA weather alerts tell you when a warning is issued for your area.

Beyond that the choice comes down to how you will use it. A pocket-size model fits a go bag. A heavier one with Bluetooth and shortwave doubles as a kitchen radio. AA or AAA backup helps when the sun is gone and your arm is tired.

The shortlist, ranked

How the score works

1
Midland ER210 9.6/10
Compact crank and solar weather alert radio with a 130-lumen flashlight and 2,000 mAh battery.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB (micro USB in), rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
Why it is here: Reviewed by five named testers including Wirecutter and Popular Science.
$64.99 at Midland Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
2
Kaito KA500 8.8/10
Shortwave and NOAA alert radio with five power options including AA batteries and AC adapter.
- Bands: AM/FM/SW1/SW2/NOAA (7 preset weather channels)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: AC/DC adapter, hand crank (dynamo), solar panel (180-degree adjustable), USB/PC, built-in Ni-MH pack, 3x AA
- Battery: 600 mAh
Why it is here: Five power options include AA batteries and an AC adapter for home use.
Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
3
Eton FRX3+8.7/10
Crank and solar weather alert radio with a 2600 mAh battery and a glow-in-the-dark locator.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (7 NOAA/Environment Canada weather bands)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand turbine (crank), solar panel, USB, rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 2,600 mAh
Why it is here: All 7 NOAA weather bands come with an alert function.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
4
RunningSnail MD-090P 8.4/10
Crank and solar radio with a 4000 mAh replaceable battery, AAA backup and a reading lamp.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (7 weather channels)
- NOAA alert: No
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, micro USB, replaceable Li-ion, AAA batteries
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
Why it is here: Four named testers have reviewed it including Outdoor Life and Popular Science.
Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
5
Sangean MMR-99 8.3/10
IP55 rated crank and solar NOAA alert radio with Bluetooth streaming and a 1.5W speaker.
- Bands: AM/FM-RDS(RBDS)/WX (7 NOAA channels)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C DC-in, 18650 Li-ion
- Battery: 2,600 mAh
Why it is here: IP55 protection with reinforced corners handles dust and water.
Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
6
FosPower Model A1 8.3/10
Crank and solar NOAA radio with AAA battery backup, IPX3 splash resistance and a reading light.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (WB 162.400-162.550 MHz)
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion, AAA batteries
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: Yes
Why it is here: AAA batteries back up the 2,000 mAh Li-ion pack when there is no sun.
Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
7
Midland ER310PRO 8.1/10
Hand crank and solar NOAA alert radio with a 10,000 mAh battery and Bluetooth streaming.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (7 NOAA/NWS weather alert channels)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 10,000 mAh
Why it is here: The 10,000 mAh battery is rated for 200+ hours of radio use.
$109.99 at Midland Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
8
Midland ER40 8.0/10
Crank and solar NOAA alert radio with a siren that works even when the radio is off.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (7 NOAA/NWS weather channels)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, micro USB, rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 2,600 mAh
Why it is here: Weather alerts sound even when the radio is powered off.
$64.99 at Midland Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
9
Eton Sidekick 7.9/10
Crank radio with S.A.M.E. county alerts for up to 25 locations and Bluetooth streaming.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB, rechargeable battery
- Battery: 2,600 mAh
Why it is here: S.A.M.E. technology delivers county-specific NOAA alerts for up to 25 locations.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
10
Kaito KA600 Voyager Pro 7.6/10
Digital AM/FM/LW/SW radio with 7 NOAA alert channels and a flip-up 180-degree solar panel.
- Bands: AM/FM/LW/SW/NOAA (weather channels 1-7)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: AC/DC adapter, hand crank, solar panel (flip-up 180-degree), USB/PC, Ni-MH pack, 3x AA
- Battery: 600 mAh
Why it is here: Longwave and shortwave (2.3 to 23 MHz) widen the choice of stations.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
11
C.Crane CCRadio Solar 7.6/10
Crank and solar NOAA alert radio with a 3400 mAh 18650 battery and 3 AA alkaline backup.
- Bands: AM/FM/WX (7 NOAA channels) + Alert
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank (dynamo), solar panel, micro USB, 18650 Li-ion, 3x AA alkaline, optional AC adapter
- Battery: 3,400 mAh
Why it is here: The NOAA alert stays active while you listen to AM/FM.
$109.99 at C.Crane Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
12
Esky ES-CR01 7.6/10
Small and light crank and solar NOAA radio at 7.5 oz with a flashlight and USB phone port.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB, rechargeable battery
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: Yes
Why it is here: At about 7.5 oz it is light enough for a glove box or a daypack.
Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
13
Raddy SH-906 7.4/10
Shortwave and VHF radio with NOAA alerts plus a 10,000 mAh battery and dual USB outputs.
- Bands: AM/FM/SW/VHF/WX (weather band on US version)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: USB-C, hand crank, solar panel, rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 10,000 mAh
Why it is here: Dual USB outputs let the 10,000 mAh battery charge two devices at once.
$29.99 at Raddy Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
14
FosPower Model D8 7.3/10
Crank and solar NOAA alert radio with a 10,000 mAh power bank and a 200-lumen flashlight.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (7 weather channels)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 10,000 mAh
Why it is here: The 10,000 mAh power bank runs the radio and keeps phones charged.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
15
RunningSnail MD-088s 7.2/10
Pocket-size crank and solar NOAA weather radio with a 2,000 mAh battery and LED flashlight.
- Bands: AM/FM/WB (NOAA)
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, micro USB, rechargeable battery
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: Yes
Why it is here: The maker says 3 to 5 hours on micro USB gives a full charge.
Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
16
American Red Cross FRX2 7.1/10
Crank and solar NOAA radio at 9 oz with a 1000 mAh battery and USB phone charging.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (all 7 NOAA/Environment Canada weather bands)
- Power sources: Hand turbine (crank), solar panel, mini USB, rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 1,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: Yes
Why it is here: At 9 oz it is one of the lighter radios on this list.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
17
American Red Cross Journey 7.1/10
Slim AM/FM/shortwave radio with NOAA alerts, IPX4 splash resistance and a 3000 mAh battery.
- Bands: AM/FM/SW/WB (NOAA)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion
- Battery: 3,000 mAh
Why it is here: Shortwave joins AM/FM and NOAA for listening beyond local stations.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
18
Kaito Voyager X 6.9/10
Shortwave and NOAA alert radio with a wireless charging pad and a 5000 mAh battery.
- Bands: AM/FM/SW/NOAA
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Solar panel, hand crank, USB-C input, 4x AA
- Battery: 5,000 mAh
Why it is here: A wireless charging pad on top charges a phone without a cable.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
19
Raynic CR1009Pro 6.9/10
Automatic NOAA alert radio with AM/FM/shortwave and a 5000 mAh battery for phone charging.
- Bands: AM/FM/SW/NOAA
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: Hand crank, solar panel, USB, rechargeable battery
- Battery: 5,000 mAh
Why it is here: NOAA alerts trigger automatically.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons
20
Mesqool CR1030Pro 6.9/10
FM and NOAA radio with S.A.M.E. county alerts for 25 locations and a 12,000 mAh battery.
- Bands: FM/NOAA (no AM listed)
- NOAA alert: Yes
- Power sources: USB-C, solar panel, hand crank, rechargeable battery, 3x AAA
- Battery: 12,000 mAh
Why it is here: S.A.M.E. narrows NOAA alerts to up to 25 locations across 86 alert types.
Search Amazon.com
Specs, pros and cons

Head-to-head comparisons

All emergency radios side by side

Specs from the makers. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.

Model	Score	Bands	NOAA alertsounds an alarm for a warning	Power sources	Battery	Charges a phone	Flashlight	Water resistance	Weight
Midland ER210	9.6	AM/FM/NOAA	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, USB (micro USB in), rechargeable Li-ion	2,000 mAh	Yes	130 lumens	-	14.9 oz (422 g)
Kaito KA500	8.8	AM/FM/SW1/SW2/NOAA (7 preset weather channels)	Yes	AC/DC adapter, hand crank (dynamo), solar panel (180-degree adjustable), USB/PC, built-in Ni-MH pack, 3x AA	600 mAh	Yes	-	Rubberized water-resistant housing (no IP rating given)	28.8 oz (816 g)
Eton FRX3+	8.7	AM/FM/NOAA (7 NOAA/Environment Canada weather bands)	Yes	Hand turbine (crank), solar panel, USB, rechargeable Li-ion	2,600 mAh	Yes	-	-	14.9 oz (422 g)
RunningSnail MD-090P	8.4	AM/FM/NOAA (7 weather channels)	No	Hand crank, solar panel, micro USB, replaceable Li-ion, AAA batteries	4,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	11 oz (312 g)
Sangean MMR-99	8.3	AM/FM-RDS(RBDS)/WX (7 NOAA channels)	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C DC-in, 18650 Li-ion	2,600 mAh	Yes	-	IP55	31.7 oz (899 g)
FosPower Model A1	8.3	AM/FM/NOAA (WB 162.400-162.550 MHz)	-	Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion, AAA batteries	2,000 mAh	Yes	20 lumens	IPX3	10.9 oz (309 g)
Midland ER310PRO	8.1	AM/FM/NOAA (7 NOAA/NWS weather alert channels)	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion	10,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	-
Midland ER40	8.0	AM/FM/NOAA (7 NOAA/NWS weather channels)	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, micro USB, rechargeable Li-ion	2,600 mAh	Yes	-	-	-
Eton Sidekick	7.9	AM/FM/NOAA	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, USB, rechargeable battery	2,600 mAh	Yes	-	-	22 oz (624 g)
Kaito KA600 Voyager Pro	7.6	AM/FM/LW/SW/NOAA (weather channels 1-7)	Yes	AC/DC adapter, hand crank, solar panel (flip-up 180-degree), USB/PC, Ni-MH pack, 3x AA	600 mAh	Yes	-	-	16 oz (454 g)
C.Crane CCRadio Solar	7.6	AM/FM/WX (7 NOAA channels) + Alert	Yes	Hand crank (dynamo), solar panel, micro USB, 18650 Li-ion, 3x AA alkaline, optional AC adapter	3,400 mAh	Yes	-	-	18.2 oz (516 g)
Esky ES-CR01	7.6	AM/FM/NOAA	-	Hand crank, solar panel, USB, rechargeable battery	2,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	7.5 oz (213 g)
Raddy SH-906	7.4	AM/FM/SW/VHF/WX (weather band on US version)	Yes	USB-C, hand crank, solar panel, rechargeable Li-ion	10,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	19.6 oz (556 g)
FosPower Model D8	7.3	AM/FM/NOAA (7 weather channels)	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion	10,000 mAh	Yes	200 lumens	IPX3	20.1 oz (570 g)
RunningSnail MD-088s	7.2	AM/FM/WB (NOAA)	-	Hand crank, solar panel, micro USB, rechargeable battery	2,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	-
American Red Cross FRX2	7.1	AM/FM/NOAA (all 7 NOAA/Environment Canada weather bands)	-	Hand turbine (crank), solar panel, mini USB, rechargeable Li-ion	1,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	9 oz (255 g)
American Red Cross Journey	7.1	AM/FM/SW/WB (NOAA)	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, USB-C, rechargeable Li-ion	3,000 mAh	Yes	-	IPX4	12.2 oz (346 g)
Kaito Voyager X	6.9	AM/FM/SW/NOAA	Yes	Solar panel, hand crank, USB-C input, 4x AA	5,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	32 oz (907 g)
Raynic CR1009Pro	6.9	AM/FM/SW/NOAA	Yes	Hand crank, solar panel, USB, rechargeable battery	5,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	-
Mesqool CR1030Pro	6.9	FM/NOAA (no AM listed)	Yes	USB-C, solar panel, hand crank, rechargeable battery, 3x AAA	12,000 mAh	Yes	-	-	-

Frequently asked questions

How do emergency radios work?

An emergency radio receives AM or FM and the NOAA weather band. That band carries National Weather Service broadcasts. A model with a NOAA alert function switches on by itself when a warning is broadcast. The built-in battery refills when you turn the hand crank. A solar panel charges it slowly in daylight. Radios with a USB output can charge a phone from that battery.

Do hand crank radios need batteries?

Not for the radio itself. Every model here has a built-in rechargeable battery that refills by hand crank, solar panel or USB. Some add a slot for disposable batteries as a backup. The RunningSnail MD-090P, FosPower Model A1 and Mesqool CR1030Pro take AAA cells. The Kaito KA500 and the Kaito KA600 Voyager Pro take AA cells. So do the Kaito Voyager X and the C.Crane CCRadio Solar.

How long do you have to crank a hand crank radio?

Two radios on this shortlist come with a cranking figure. The American Red Cross FRX2 is rated at 15 to 20 minutes of radio per minute of cranking. The RunningSnail MD-088s claims 6 minutes of radio or 18 minutes of flashlight per minute. Both figures are maker claims under the maker's own test conditions. The other radios on this list publish no cranking figure.

What is the best emergency radio with a cell phone charger?

Every radio on this shortlist can charge a phone. The difference is how much energy the battery stores. The Mesqool CR1030Pro holds 12,000 mAh. The Midland ER310PRO and the FosPower Model D8 hold 10,000 mAh each. So does the Raddy SH-906. The Raddy SH-906 and Mesqool CR1030Pro have two USB outputs for two devices. The Kaito Voyager X pairs two USB outputs with a wireless charging pad.

Shopping in the UK or Ireland? See the UK shortlist of wind up radios

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.