This radio's main selling point is its waterproof housing making it an easy choice for a sea kayaker or paddleboarder. You'll pay for it though, and the extra protection adds heft and bulk. If you don't expect to drop your radio in the water and need one that can withstand the odd slash or light rain shower, most of the options we tested will work. Many are smaller, lighter, and less expensive. If you spend all your time on the water and don't want to worry about sinking a radio, we recommend the T600. A very satisfied professional wrote, "These instantly became an essential part of our business operations. They are by far the best overall two-way radios in every aspect that we have found in our 50 plus years of being in business." No doubt this is a splurge item, but it could very well be the outdoors tool that keeps you from getting lost. Aside from being able to communicate up to a 20-mile range, this long range walkie talkie is equipped with GPS navigator and display. This is not only important to help you find your own positioning, but other Rino users can also see your positioning as well. What makes the SAMCOM FWCN30A Two Way Radio stand out from the crowd is that you do not need a license, as they only include FRS radio channels. While this may limit its transmission distance, it means you do not need to fork out the money for a radio license. Each of the walkie talkies in the four-piece set comes with 22 programmed channels, includes voice-free talking, and even sports a built-in flashlight for nighttime illumination. Access to the official NOAA weather stream broadcast is another handy feature, especially for users heading out into more remote areas. VHF walkie-talkies use frequencies between 136 and 174 MHz, and can cover a long distance with a small amount of power. However, they don't work well with obstacles in the way, so they're best used in open areas with very few obstructions.

UHF has an overall better signal quality compared to VHF and is especially better for use indoors or in cities. Do walkie talkies need line of sight? Whether you want to build your own home theater or just learn more about TVs, displays, projectors, and more, we've got you covered. Most walkie-talkies have a belt clip, so you can attach them to a belt or waistband for easy access. FAQ The LXT500VP3 from Midland is a true long-range walkie-talkie that, under ideal circumstances, will provide an effective range of more than 20 miles. Under less than ideal circumstances in the open country, you can expect perhaps 1/2 that range and in the city center, it will be reduced to 1 or 2 miles. This gadget fits neatly into the palm of your hand and the operation is a cinch. Despite the range issues, which exist in even the best walkie talkie, we think you’ll like this two-way radio. GMRS walkie-talkies can harness up to 5 watts of power, giving them a significantly longer range than FRS models.

Communicate Freely

The steep price means you also get a fleet of other features. For one, the mic has built-in noise canceling, which makes it easy for others to hear your voice. That said, the sound quality is clear and crisp. Like the one above, it is a long-range walkie-talkie and gives you access to 16 channels. Why We Chose It: You can charge them on the go and we like the SOS signal transmission capabilities that could be a lifesaver. Garmin continues to set the standard with satellite communication with the Garmin inReach Mini. Though it’s not exactly a walkie-talkie radio, it offers many similar and even more advanced features. With an extra-long battery life and the ability to store up to 500 waypoints/favorite/locations and 20 routes, this device really stands out as a leader in its class. It has a high waterproof rating of IPX7, which means it’s fully submergible for 30 minutes in up to a meter of water, making it a preferred choice for boating and fishing trips. UHF walkie-talkies use frequencies between 400 and 512 MHz. In simple terms, this means they're more powerful (but also require more power), so the signal can make its way through obstructions, such as buildings and densely wooded areas.

The audio quality is clear, but the transmission is not loud. On the upside, it’s lightweight and easy to carry around. The battery life is decent, and add-ons like a built-in flashlight and an illuminated screen are the cherry on top. 4. Cobra MR HH500 RadioWe scrutinized their settings before looking at the manual and afterward to judge how easy they are to use, doused them with water, and submerged those that claimed to be waterproof. We tested their ranges on flat and undulating terrain and from mountain tops to valley base camps. In Sierra snowstorms and New England nor'easters, our testers ventured out to brave the weather and assess performance in inclement weather. We then conducted days of 24 hours of tedious battery testing and size and weight measurements in the lab. We used them with winter gloves, dirty hands, tired eyes, and worn-out brains to see which ones were easiest to use. In short, we were thorough. Keeping tabs on family and friends when out exploring or camping has never been easier (or more enjoyable) than with the Wishouse handheld walkie-talkies. These devices are user-friendly as they were initially designed with children in mind, so staying in touch is a breeze. One of the many happy customers, an avid skier, confirmed, "We use them in the Colorado ski mountains and they reach really far. Highly recommend."