The best wind up radios in the UK
Wind up and solar radios for power cuts.
Updated October 2, 2026
A wind-up radio charges its built-in battery when you turn the crank. Nearly every radio on this list also charges from a small solar panel or USB. FM, AM and DAB need no mobile network or internet. Only some radios here receive DAB. The rest cover AM and FM.
Some radios on this list have a USB output. That tops up a mobile phone from the radio's own battery. A larger capacity in mAh stores more energy. Not every maker publishes it. Battery life and phone-charging claims come from the maker. Most radios on this list carry a torch.
The shortlist, ranked
How the score works- 1
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)
- 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
Why it is here: Five power options include AA batteries and an AC adapter for home use.
- 2
DAB+ and FM crank radio with IP55 body, Bluetooth 5.0 and a five-mode torch.
- Bands: DAB+/FM (RDS)
- Power sources: 18650 Li-ion 3.7V 2600mAh, USB-C DC-in 5V/2.4A, hand crank, solar panel
- Battery: 2,600 mAh
- Charges a phone: USB-A DC-out 5V/1A
Why it is here: IP55 dust and water protection for use outdoors.
- 3
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.
- 4
DAB and FM wind-up radio with solar panel and IP55 body plus a USB port for your phone.
- Bands: DAB/DAB+/FM
- Power sources: built-in rechargeable battery, integrated solar panel, hand-crank dynamo, USB-C
- Charges a phone: Yes
- Water resistance: IP55
Why it is here: Solar panel and hand crank back up the battery and USB-C charging.
- 5
AM/FM/SW crank radio with a 12,000 mAh power bank plus an IPX6 body and 120 dB siren.
- Bands: AM/FM/SW + NOAA (NOAA is US-only)
- Power sources: solar panel, hand crank, USB-C, 3 x AAA, internal rechargeable battery
- Battery: 12,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: USB-A, approx. 2 phone charges
Why it is here: The 12,000 mAh battery is rated for about two phone charges.
- 6
AM/FM crank radio with a 2,000 mAh power bank plus a three-LED torch and IPX3 rating.
- Bands: AM/FM
- Power sources: hand crank, solar panel, USB, built-in battery
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: power bank
Why it is here: The 2,000 mAh battery works as a power bank.
- 7
AM/FM crank radio with torch and alarm where one minute of winding gives up to 27 minutes.
- Bands: AM/FM (FM 87-108 MHz, AM 520-1620 kHz)
- Power sources: solar panel, USB, wind-up crank
- Battery: 300 mAh
- Weight: 300 g (10.6 oz)
Why it is here: One minute of cranking is rated for 18 to 27 minutes of radio.
- 8
Analogue FM/AM torch radio rated for up to 32 hours with USB-A out and AAA backup.
- Bands: FM/AM (analogue)
- Power sources: built-in Li-ion (USB-C), solar panel, hand crank, 3 x AAA (not included)
- Charges a phone: USB-A charge out
- Weight: 390 g (13.8 oz)
Why it is here: Up to 32 hours from the built-in battery according to Philips.
- 9
Grab-bag AM/FM crank radio with a 2,000 mAh battery and a 140-lumen torch.
- Bands: AM/FM/NOAA (NOAA is US-only)
- Power sources: hand crank, solar panel, USB, built-in rechargeable battery
- Battery: 2,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: Yes
Why it is here: The 2,000 mAh battery doubles as a small power bank.
- 10
Pocket-size AM/FM wind-up radio from a UK brand with a USB output for a phone.
- Bands: AM/FM
- Power sources: solar panel, wind-up crank, USB-rechargeable battery
- Charges a phone: USB output
- Weight: 230 g (8.1 oz)
Why it is here: At 230 g and 13 cm long it slips into a coat pocket.
- 11
Pocket-size 203 g AM/FM wind-up radio with a three-year warranty from a UK brand.
- Bands: AM/FM (analogue)
- Power sources: solar panel, dynamo crank, USB
- Battery: 300 mAh
- Charges a phone: No
Why it is here: At 203 g and 13 cm long it disappears into a pocket.
- 12
Analogue torch radio with solar and crank charging that Philips UK sells directly.
- Bands: FM/AM per Philips description (Philips spec table lists FM only)
- Power sources: built-in Li-ion 3.7V (USB-C), solar panel, hand crank, 3 x AAA (not included)
- Charges a phone: USB-A charge out
- Weight: 390 g (13.8 oz)
Why it is here: Sold directly by Philips UK.
- 13
DAB, DAB+ and FM wind-up radio from a UK brand with torch and SOS and alarm.
- Bands: DAB/DAB+/FM (FM 87-108 MHz)
- Power sources: USB, hand crank, solar panel (full solar charge 35-42 h)
- Battery: 300 mAh
- Weight: 300 g (10.6 oz)
Why it is here: DAB and DAB+ reception from a UK brand in a 300 g body.
- 14
Retro DAB and FM radio with Bluetooth and a solar panel that slows battery drain.
- Bands: DAB/DAB+/FM
- Power sources: mains, 4 x rechargeable NiMH AA (supplied), solar-assisted panel
Why it is here: Four rechargeable AA cells come in the box and are rated for up to 20 hours.
- 15
Budget AM/FM wind-up radio with hand crank and solar charging and little else on paper.
- Bands: AM/FM
- Power sources: hand crank, solar panel
Why it is here: Hand crank and solar panel mean no batteries to stock.
- 16
DAB+ and FM crank radio with a 4,500 mAh battery plus Bluetooth 5.0 and a three-level torch.
- Bands: DAB/DAB+/FM (FM 87.5-108 MHz, DAB 174-240 MHz)
- Power sources: 4500mAh rechargeable battery, solar panel, hand-crank dynamo, USB-C
- Battery: 4,500 mAh
- Charges a phone: Yes
Why it is here: The 4,500 mAh battery doubles as a power bank for a phone.
- 17
AM/FM crank radio with a 10,000 mAh battery rated for two full phone charges.
- Bands: AM/FM
- Power sources: built-in 10,000 mAh Li-ion, USB-C, hand-crank dynamo, solar panel
- Battery: 10,000 mAh
- Charges a phone: USB-C port, up to two full smartphone charges
Why it is here: The 10,000 mAh battery is rated for up to two full smartphone charges.
- 18
AM/FM crank radio with a 12,000 mAh battery and an 8500 mm² solar panel.
- Bands: AM/FM (UK listing; the US version on mesqool.com adds NOAA)
- Power sources: 12000mAh Li-ion, 8500 mm2 monocrystalline solar panel, hand crank
- Battery: 12,000 mAh
Why it is here: Mesqool claims a real 12,000 mAh battery.
- 19
Compact analogue FM/AM wind-up radio with an emergency buzzer and a backlit dial.
- Bands: FM/AM
- Power sources: AA batteries or built-in battery (the product title says rechargeable), hand-crank dynamo
- Charges a phone: No
- Weight: 329 g (11.6 oz)
Why it is here: Hand crank and AA batteries keep it going without a mains socket.
Head-to-head comparisons
All wind up radios side by side
Specs from the makers. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Model | Score | Bands | Power sources | Battery | Charges a phone | Flashlight | Water resistance | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaito KA500 | 9.0 | AM/FM/SW1/SW2/NOAA (7 preset weather channels) | 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) |
| Sangean MMR-99 DAB | 8.3 | DAB+/FM (RDS) | 18650 Li-ion 3.7V 2600mAh, USB-C DC-in 5V/2.4A, hand crank, solar panel | 2,600 mAh | USB-A DC-out 5V/1A | - | IP55 | 837 g (29.5 oz) |
| 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) |
| Roberts SolarDAB 99 | 8.1 | DAB/DAB+/FM | built-in rechargeable battery, integrated solar panel, hand-crank dynamo, USB-C | - | Yes | - | IP55 | 837 g (29.5 oz) |
| Rocam Emergency Weather Radio | 8.1 | AM/FM/SW + NOAA (NOAA is US-only) | solar panel, hand crank, USB-C, 3 x AAA, internal rechargeable battery | 12,000 mAh | USB-A, approx. 2 phone charges | - | IPX6 | - |
| NNOOAADIO Wind Up Solar Hand Crank Radio | 7.9 | AM/FM | hand crank, solar panel, USB, built-in battery | 2,000 mAh | power bank | - | IPX3 | - |
| Duronic Apex | 7.5 | AM/FM (FM 87-108 MHz, AM 520-1620 kHz) | solar panel, USB, wind-up crank | 300 mAh | - | - | - | 300 g (10.6 oz) |
| Philips TAR1609 | 7.3 | FM/AM (analogue) | built-in Li-ion (USB-C), solar panel, hand crank, 3 x AAA (not included) | - | USB-A charge out | - | - | 390 g (13.8 oz) |
| Esky Emergency Hand Crank Radio | 7.3 | AM/FM/NOAA (NOAA is US-only) | hand crank, solar panel, USB, built-in rechargeable battery | 2,000 mAh | Yes | - | - | - |
| Duronic Solar Radio HYBRID | 7.2 | AM/FM | solar panel, wind-up crank, USB-rechargeable battery | - | USB output | - | - | 230 g (8.1 oz) |
| iGadgitz Xtra Wind Up Radio | 7.2 | AM/FM (analogue) | solar panel, dynamo crank, USB | 300 mAh | No | - | - | 203 g (7.2 oz) |
| Philips TAR1659 | 7.0 | FM/AM per Philips description (Philips spec table lists FM only) | built-in Li-ion 3.7V (USB-C), solar panel, hand crank, 3 x AAA (not included) | - | USB-A charge out | - | - | 390 g (13.8 oz) |
| Duronic SDAB1 | 6.9 | DAB/DAB+/FM (FM 87-108 MHz) | USB, hand crank, solar panel (full solar charge 35-42 h) | 300 mAh | - | - | - | 300 g (10.6 oz) |
| Roberts Revival Uno Solar | 6.8 | DAB/DAB+/FM | mains, 4 x rechargeable NiMH AA (supplied), solar-assisted panel | - | - | - | - | - |
| PRUNUS J-369 | 6.8 | AM/FM | hand crank, solar panel | - | - | - | - | - |
| August MB290 | 6.7 | DAB/DAB+/FM (FM 87.5-108 MHz, DAB 174-240 MHz) | 4500mAh rechargeable battery, solar panel, hand-crank dynamo, USB-C | 4,500 mAh | Yes | - | - | 300 g (10.6 oz) |
| Midland ER300 Pro | 6.4 | AM/FM | built-in 10,000 mAh Li-ion, USB-C, hand-crank dynamo, solar panel | 10,000 mAh | USB-C port, up to two full smartphone charges | - | - | - |
| Mesqool Wind Up Radio | 6.4 | AM/FM (UK listing; the US version on mesqool.com adds NOAA) | 12000mAh Li-ion, 8500 mm2 monocrystalline solar panel, hand crank | 12,000 mAh | - | - | - | - |
| Roberts R9957S | 6.2 | FM/AM | AA batteries or built-in battery (the product title says rechargeable), hand-crank dynamo | - | No | - | - | 329 g (11.6 oz) |
Frequently asked questions
How long does a wind up radio last?
That depends on the battery. Makers quote runtimes on a full charge rather than on cranking alone. The Duronic Apex is rated for 7 to 9 hours. The Philips TAR1609 is rated for up to 32 hours. The August MB290 claims up to 30 hours and the Midland ER300 Pro up to 100 hours. Treat these as maker figures rather than guarantees.
How long does it take to charge a wind up radio?
By USB it is a matter of hours. Midland quotes five hours for a full USB-C charge of the ER300 Pro. Solar is slower. Duronic says a full solar charge of the SDAB1 takes 35 to 42 hours. Cranking is for short bursts. One minute on the Roberts SolarDAB 99 gives up to 7 minutes of play. The Duronic Apex claims 18 to 27 minutes per minute of winding.
Which wind up radio charges a phone?
Look for a USB output and a battery of several thousand mAh. On this shortlist the Midland ER300 Pro has 10,000 mAh rated for two phone charges. The Rocam Emergency Weather Radio has 12,000 mAh for about two charges. The August MB290 offers 4,500 mAh and the Sangean MMR-99 DAB a 1 A USB-A port. The iGadgitz Xtra Wind Up Radio and the Duronic SDAB1 list no phone output.
Shopping in the US? See the US shortlist of emergency 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.