Motorola Talkabout T42 vs Midland XT10 PRO
The Motorola Talkabout T42 and Midland XT10 PRO are both AAA-powered PMR446 twin packs. Both claim 4 km. The difference is stickers and a clear 18 hour claim against VOX and 38 privacy codes.
Updated October 2, 2026
Motorola Talkabout T42
AAA-powered PMR446 twin pack with 16 channels, Easy Pairing and a rated 4 km range.
Full specs, pros and cons
Midland XT10 PRO
Family entry-level PMR446 pair on AAA cells with VOX and 38 CTCSS codes.
Full specs, pros and consThe short answer
The Midland XT10 PRO fits most buyers. It adds VOX and 38 privacy codes where the Motorola Talkabout T42 lists neither. The Motorola Talkabout T42 answers with Easy Pairing, stickers and a battery claim of about 18 hours. Battery figures for the Midland XT10 PRO conflict between sources at 5 and 20 hours. Neither radio ships with a rechargeable pack.
Choose the Motorola Talkabout T42 if
- you want a battery claim Motorola puts at about 18 hours on alkaline cells
- you want Easy Pairing to link the radios
Choose the Midland XT10 PRO if
- you want VOX for hands free talking
- you want 38 CTCSS privacy codes
- you want a humidity resistant radio on the extended PMR446 band
Specs side by side
Motorola Talkabout T42
Pros
- Runs on three AAA cells so there is no charger to carry.
- Weighs 79 g without batteries according to the brochure.
Cons
- Hands-free use is out because there is no VOX and no headset jack.
- The rated 4 km range sits at the low end of this list.
Midland XT10 PRO
Pros
- Covers the extended PMR446 band with all 16 channels.
- VOX is on board for hands-free use.
- Humidity resistant build suits damp conditions.
Cons
- AAA cells are not included according to Midland.
- Quoted battery life ranges from 5 h at Midland to 20 h in a retailer listing.
Frequently asked questions
Are batteries included?
The Motorola Talkabout T42 runs on three AAA alkaline cells. Its listed weight of 79 g is without batteries. For the Midland XT10 PRO Midland states that the AAA cells are not included. Neither radio uses a rechargeable pack. Plan on buying AAA cells for the Midland XT10 PRO before the first use.
How long do they run on a set of cells?
Motorola lists about 18 hours on alkaline cells for the Motorola Talkabout T42. For the Midland XT10 PRO the figures conflict. Midland lists about 5 hours of autonomy and an Amazon title claims 20 hours. Treat both as maker claims. The Motorola figure is the clearer of the two.
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