Even in this modern, hyper-connected era, basic walkie-talkies can be vital in situations when cell service fails.
The easy, clear communication that these simple handheld radios provide can improve activities such as backwoods camping, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, and other adventures far from a cell tower.
After 30 hours of researching basic walkie-talkies (not the industrial variety used by police, firefighters, and military) and many days spent testing them while hiking, camping, and otherwise removing myself from civilization, I’ve found that the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio is the best walkie-talkie for most people thanks to its great communication range, sturdy build, and overall ease of use.
Everything we recommend
Our pick
This reliable and easy-to-use radio is rugged enough to go pretty much anywhere, and it offers excellent range and battery life.
Budget pick
This tiny, light radio performs almost as well as our top pick but is a fraction of the price. Its only drawbacks are slightly shorter battery life and range, but it still outclasses many radios that cost far more.
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Do you need a license?
As long as you’re using an FRS-only radio, which is the type we focus on in this guide, you don’t need a license.
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What is their range?
Manufacturers advertise ranges in the tens of miles, but in real-world conditions you can expect to get about 1 or 2 miles.
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Where can you use them?
Backwoods and mountainous regions are ideal for these radios. Cities and indoor venues pose more difficulties.
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Are they private?
No. These handsets operate on public channels and can be overheard by anyone in range—even when you use “privacy codes.”
Our pick
This reliable and easy-to-use radio is rugged enough to go pretty much anywhere, and it offers excellent range and battery life.
The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio is a consistently excellent performer with great range—I got clear reception for about 3 miles in the mountains and more than a mile in the city. It also has excellent battery life, as the battery never got below 40% during a three-day camping trip and lasted about five days in my standby test. Plus, it has a sturdy build and integrated carabiners, which are much more convenient than the belt clips found on other radios.
It’s also simple to set up and use, with convenient controls that reduce accidental inputs and an easy-to-navigate menu. As a bonus, the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio features USB-C charging, so you can juice it up via a power bank or phone charger if you forget to pack the included wall plug and cord.
Its rubberized plastic case feels grippy and provides good-enough protection from most casual drops or dings.
Budget pick
This tiny, light radio performs almost as well as our top pick but is a fraction of the price. Its only drawbacks are slightly shorter battery life and range, but it still outclasses many radios that cost far more.
If you’re looking for the best performance for the least amount of money, the Midland T10 X-Talker fits the bill. This tiny, 3.95-ounce handset delivers range almost as good as that of radios three times its price.
It underperforms our pick slightly in range—it was the fourth-best performer in my tests, with a noticeable decrease in signal clarity after a mile in the city but a clear signal for a little under 2 miles in the mountains—and it falls short more significantly in battery life, as it runs on three AAA batteries that last about two days. The lightweight package comes at the cost of a flimsier design, too. But if budget is your primary concern, this set of radios is a great option.
