Midland WR120B vs Midland WR400
The Midland WR120B and Midland WR400 are both Public Alert certified SAME radios for up to 25 counties. The Midland WR400 adds AM/FM and USB charging while the Midland WR120B sticks to weather alerts.
Updated October 2, 2026
Midland WR120B
Dedicated NOAA SAME alert radio with a 90 dB siren and jacks for a strobe or bed shaker.
Full specs, pros and cons
Midland WR400
Tabletop SAME alert radio with AM/FM and a USB output to charge a phone during an outage.
Full specs, pros and consThe short answer
The Midland WR400 fits most buyers. It adds AM/FM with four presets and a dual alarm clock and a USB charging port. Test editors at TechGearLab and Wirecutter cover it. The Midland WR120B keeps the louder 90 dB siren and an alert override and runs on three AA batteries instead of four.
Choose the Midland WR120B if
- you want a dedicated alert radio with nothing else to tune
- you want the louder 90 dB siren
Choose the Midland WR400 if
- you want AM/FM and a dual alarm clock in the same box
- you want a USB port to charge a phone during an outage
- you want a headphone jack
Specs side by side
Prices in the makers' own US stores, checked October 2, 2026. Amazon links carry no price.
Midland WR120B
Pros
- SAME coding for up to 25 counties on a Public Alert certified receiver.
- The display reads in English, Spanish or French and color codes each alert level.
- External alert and antenna jacks take a strobe light or bed shaker accessory.
Cons
- There is no AM or FM band. This one is a dedicated alert receiver rather than a daily radio.
- The alert memory holds the last 10 messages. Several radios on this list keep more.
Midland WR400
Pros
- Public Alert certified with SAME coding for up to 25 counties.
- The 85 dB siren has three volume settings and can be swapped for voice or display-only alerts.
- A USB output charges a phone during an outage while the radio runs on four AA batteries.
Cons
- Midland does not publish the radio's own size or weight. Only the gift box figures are known.
- Newer units may come with a USB-C port instead of the older USB output. Check which version you receive.
Frequently asked questions
Do both radios sound the same alerts?
Both use SAME county codes for up to 25 counties and are Public Alert certified. Midland lists over 60 alert types for the Midland WR120B and over 80 for the Midland WR400. Both store ten alerts and offer siren or voice or display-only warnings. Both keep an external alert jack for a strobe or bed shaker.
Which one works better during a power outage?
Both run on AA batteries when the power fails. The Midland WR120B takes three and the Midland WR400 takes four. The Midland WR400 also lists a USB output to charge a phone during outages. Neither includes the batteries so keep a fresh set beside the radio.
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