Best CB radios

There's a reason why truckers and travelers still use CB radios. Cell phones don't get service everywhere, which can be a problem when you need to stay in touch or during an emergency. Two-way radios are portable and don't need cell towers to work, but they have a short range. 

CB radios solve both of these problems, allowing anyone who travels or enjoys spending time in the great outdoors to have instant access to weather reports and communicate with others near and far when needed. If you're in the market, these are my tried and true favorite CB radios.

The Uniden PRO505XL scores the highest on my list for its low price point, reliability, and excellent sound. This is Uniden's most basic model and one of the more compact CBs, allowing it to fit in any vehicle, even those with limited under-the-dash space. The PRO505XL has 40 channels, a PA function, an external speaker jack, and an onboard channel 9 emergency button. The orange LCD is easy to read day and night, and the buttons on the front are simple to operate. There's dynamic squelch control on the PRO505XL, and it has a high-quality sound most often found in much pricier options. If you need a basic CB, this is the one to get.

The Midland 75-822 is a handheld radio with 40 CB channels, 10 NOAA channels, and 4 watts of output. This little handheld powerhouse uses six AA batteries or your vehicle's auxiliary power port to keep you in business. The Midland has ANL and squelch control that dramatically improves reception and limits environmental noise. The reception and transmission are excellent for a non-mounted CB radio, with an average range of four to five miles. This unit from Midland comes with the handheld CB transceiver, all the necessary cables, and complete instructions. 

The one-of-a-kind antenna warning indicator on the Cobra 29LTD gives you the reliability you need when using a CB radio. A light illuminates when your system needs checking or your antenna could use an adjustment. Smart! With 4-watt output, instant emergency access, 40 channels, and instant channel 9 access, this reliable, full-featured CB radio will keep you in touch when you hit the highway.

You can talk to anyone on the road with this compact 40-channel CB radio from Uniden. The PRO510XL has a backlit LCD and red-lit LED indicators so you can monitor activity at a glance. The built-in noise limiter and squelch control fine-tune your connection to others and block out environmental noise, keeping communication static-free. This inexpensive kit comes with the CB radio, a microphone, and all the mounting hardware needed for installation.

When you're in unfamiliar territory, it's essential to keep tabs on the weather. With the President Electronics BILL, you'll have constant access to a weather channel that pushes out alerts when threatening skies are near. This CB has 40 channels, two programmable emergency channels, a seven-color display, and an impressive range. This kit includes the CB radio, handset, and all hardware required for installation.

Keep in touch

CB radios are one of the most reliable forms of communication. They don't lose signals due to terrain, like smartphones, and they're affordable tools that keep you in touch with people, weather conditions, and emergency channels.

The Uniden PRO505XL is my favorite CB radio. It's small enough to fit in any vehicle yet powerful enough to pull in 40 channels. I love the illuminated LCD and noise control, and my pocketbook digs the price.

If you don't want to mess around with wires and tedious installations, get the Midland 75-822. It plugs into your vehicle's auxiliary power port or is useable with six AA batteries. It gets 40 CB channels and 10 NOAA channels and sounds fantastic.

The Cobra 29LTD is one of the best CB radios for those who work or travel and need consistent reliability. It has a unique antenna warning indicator that tells you when you're having issues so you can stop and address them, plus 40 channels, excellent sound, and instant channel 9 access.

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