Emergency radios
Kaito KA500
Kaito
Shortwave and NOAA alert radio with five power options including AA batteries and AC adapter.
Where to buy in
What you get
An AM/FM radio with two shortwave bands and 7 NOAA weather channels with alert. Power comes five ways: AC adapter, AA batteries and the hand crank among them. The 180-degree adjustable solar panel hides a 5-LED reading lamp and the crank can charge a phone.
- Five power options: AC adapter, AA batteries, Ni-MH pack, hand crank and solar
- AM/FM, two shortwave bands and 7 NOAA weather channels with alert
- 180-degree adjustable solar panel with 5-LED reading lamp behind it
- Replaceable rechargeable battery pack; crank can also charge a phone
- Rubberized water-resistant housing
Pros and cons of the Kaito KA500
Pros
- Five power options include AA batteries and an AC adapter for home use.
- Two shortwave bands sit next to AM/FM and 7 NOAA weather channels.
- The housing is rubberized and water resistant and the Ni-MH pack is replaceable.
Cons
- The 3x 600 mAh Ni-MH pack is small next to the Li-ion packs on this list.
- The housing carries no IP rating so water resistance is not quantified.
Specs
- Bands
- AM/FM/SW1/SW2/NOAA (7 preset weather channels)
- NOAA alertsounds an alarm for a warning
- 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
- Charges a phone
- Yes
- Water resistance
- Rubberized water-resistant housing (no IP rating given)
- Weight
- 28.8 oz (816 g)
- Battery type
- 3x Ni-MH 600 mAh, replaceable
- Reading lamp
- 5-LED reading lamp behind the solar panel
- SOS alarm
- SOS beacon (Bob Vila)
- Size
- 8 x 5 x 2.5 in (204 x 128 x 66 mm)
Why it scores 8.8
8.8/10
Shortlist score. How it is calculated
Emergency features
- NOAA weather alert
- Hand crank and solar charging
- Charges a phone
- Battery of 2,000 mAh or more
- Built-in flashlight
- Water resistance rating
Tester picks
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