Whether you’re at home and there’s a power cut, or you’re on a trip in the great outdoors, an emergency radio can be a vital part of your kit. Working from a variety of power sources, one of these will ensure you can listen to weather reports and the news when you need to, plus stay entertained with music. With rugged designs for great durability, these are the pick of the bunch.
FosPower Emergency Solar Crank Portable Radio
Camping companion
This radio’s a winner when you’re out in the wilds. It takes batteries, but the crank lever and solar panel can also generate enough power to keep its features working. As well as allowing you to hear news and weather bulletins, it has a reading light, and it can be used as a torch. There’s an SOS alarm, and it can also power a phone in an emergency.
Duronic AM/FM Radio
Colour splash
You won’t lose this vibrant design in your kit bag, and it has a headphone jack socket so you can listen to the radio privately if you’re on a campsite or by the riverbank. It can be charged via USB, as well as via its crank or solar panel. The aerial extends to 33cm for the best reception wherever you find yourself.
Rocam Wind Up Solar Radio
Safety first
If you’re going far off the beaten track, check out this model. It has an extra loud SOS alarm with a flashing red light, and a compass on the carry strap to help you navigate. It can charge up your phone, and you can power it with the solar panel, crank lever, or batteries, and you can use the DC power adapter at home. It’s made from durable material, and is water-resistant, too.
RunningSnail Wind Up Solar Radio
Light and sound
Suitable for outside use because it’s water-resistant, this little number is also handy to have at home when the lights go out since it offers both a table lamp and torch. It charges with the micro USB cable, hand crank, or solar panel, as well as working with batteries. It can also charge up your phone in an emergency.
iGadgitz Xtra U4457 Portable AM/FM Radio
Neat proportions
If you want a radio so you can stay in the know when you’re in the garden, caravanning, fishing, or camping, or when there’s a power cut, this budget model could be all you need. It charges via solar or crank, or USB. It’s light to carry at just 203 grams and has a robust design. The radio picks up AM and FM frequencies.
Greadio Emergency Wind Up Radio
Loud alarm
Once this radio is fully charged it will allow you 10 to 12 hours of radio time, or up to 15 hours of use of the torch. There’s a reading lamp as well to help keep you entertained. If you need to make an emergency call, you can use it to charge your phone, and it also has an SOS alarm with a flashing red light if you find yourself in dire straits.
Bottom line
An emergency radio is worth packing if you’re venturing into the wild, but it can be equally handy for less adventurous holidays and trips or days out, to use in the garden, and to keep at home in case the power goes off. The FosPower Emergency Solar Crank Portable Radio is a great choice. This rugged design can be solar-powered or hand-cranked, and takes batteries, too. It'll charge your phone if you need it to, providing added reassurance when you’re somewhere remote.
If you're looking for a low-cost radio suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and that won’t weigh you down, take a look at the iGadgitz Xtra U4457 Portable AM/FM Radio. It’ll keep you up to date via the AM or FM frequencies and can be solar, crank, or USB charged.
