RadioShortlist.com

Midland WR400 vs Reecom R-1650D

The Midland WR400 and Reecom R-1650D both pair AM/FM with Public Alert certified SAME alerts. The Midland WR400 adds USB phone charging while the Reecom R-1650D offers more alert memory and siren control.

Updated October 2, 2026

Our pick
Midland WR400 by Midland

Midland WR400

9.5/10

Tabletop SAME alert radio with AM/FM and a USB output to charge a phone during an outage.

$109.99 at MidlandAmazon.com
Full specs, pros and cons
Reecom R-1650D by Reecom

Reecom R-1650D

8.5/10

SAME radio with AM/FM that counts down how long each alert stays in effect.

Amazon.com
Full specs, pros and cons

The short answer

The Midland WR400 fits most buyers. A USB port to charge a phone during an outage is a daily-life advantage and two test editors back the radio. The Reecom R-1650D stores more alerts and more presets and shows how long each warning lasts. Both take four AA batteries and offer siren or voice or display-only alerts.

Choose the Midland WR400 if

  • you want a USB port to charge a phone in an outage
  • you want reviews from TechGearLab and Wirecutter behind your choice
  • you want a headphone jack and a scrolling alert display

Choose the Reecom R-1650D if

  • you want 25 alerts in memory and 24 radio presets
  • you want to see a countdown of how long each alert lasts
  • you want a stated standby of over 185 hours on AA batteries

Specs side by side

Midland WR400Reecom R-1650D
Shortlist score9.58.5
Price in the maker's US store$109.99sold via retailers
SAME county codingYesYes
Public Alert certifiedYesYes
Alert typessiren (85 dB, selectable high/medium/low), voice, visual LED flasher / display-onlyvoice alert with EOM detection, siren (max 90 dB, 24 levels), siren mute/display-only, flashing LED for Warning/Watch/Advisory
Battery backup4 x AA (not included)4 x AA alkaline (over 185 h in standby; not included)
External alert jackYesYes
Displaybacklit LCD with scrolling alphanumeric alert text, continuous backlight option, color-coded Warning/Watch/Advisory lightsLCD with event message and effective-time countdown, continuous backlight option
BandsAM/FM + NOAA / Environment Canada weather bandAM/FM + NOAA weather band
Size-8 x 5.43 x 1.85 in (203 x 138 x 47 mm)

Prices in the makers' own US stores, checked October 2, 2026. Amazon links carry no price.

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.

Reecom R-1650D

Pros

  • Each alert shows its remaining effective time with an automatic countdown.
  • Voice alerts end on their own thanks to End-Of-Message detection and the siren has 24 volume levels.
  • The maker rates standby at over 185 hours on four AA alkaline batteries.

Cons

  • At 8 inches wide it needs more shelf space than the compact models on this list.

Frequently asked questions

Which radio runs longer on batteries?

Reecom states over 185 hours of standby on four AA alkaline batteries for the Reecom R-1650D. Midland publishes no standby figure for the Midland WR400 which also takes four AA batteries. Both are meant to sit on wall power with the batteries as backup. The Reecom figure is a manufacturer claim.

Can the Midland WR400 charge a phone?

Yes. Midland lists a USB output for charging devices and the newer owner's manual shows a USB-C port. Older units may carry a different port type so check the unit you receive. The Reecom R-1650D has no charging output. It offers an audio-out jack and an alarm-out jack instead.

See the full weather alert radios shortlist Midland ER210 vs Midland ER310PROMidland ER310PRO vs Kaito Voyager XKaito KA500 vs Midland ER210Eton FRX3+ vs Midland ER210

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.