Best Walkie Talkies Of 2023 – Review and Comparison

There are many great walkie-talkies, or two-way radios, on the market nowadays. Since your radio has to fit and match your needs, keep reading to discover the right walkie-talkie for you.

Top 10 Walkie Talkies – Quick Comparison

1. Best For Active Family – Motorola T260

T260 has many kid-friendly features, such as an easy-to-navigate interface and an effective keypad lock. The voice activation feature (iVOX/VOX) allows your kids and you to keep the radio in your pocket while being able to communicate with each other.

When you are out camping with your family, NOAA alerts keep your family current on real-time weather updates. It has a fairly decent build, and while it isn’t waterproof, it can withstand slight splashes with no problems.

Its 800mAh battery lasts about 5-6 hours of constant usage, which is nothing spectacular, however, it offers many charging options. You can bring AA batteries or a portable battery pack with a micro-USB cable to keep it charged. Lastly, the radio can be pretty loud – great for noisy campsites, not-so-great for night safari adventures.

This radio has also made its comfortable way into our top 10 of the best two-way radios on the market for families and casual use.

2. Best With Bluetooth – Motorola T800

With 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, there is always a clear channel to use. You don’t even need to touch your two-way radio for that since you can control all the settings for T800 on the app – selecting radio bands, privacy codes, call tones, and more

This two-way radio takes emergency readiness very seriously. Thanks to the IPX4 rating, it doesn’t get damaged in water. Access to NOAA, ECCC, and VHF weather channels also gives you real-time weather updates and the ability to set emergency weather alerts on your app. Besides that, it also comes with a built-in LED flashlight.

3. Best For Business – Kenwood PKT-23

The LED Battery Status Indicator ensures you always know how much power you have left.

Moreover, the extra rigid polycarbonate housing can withstand up to a 1-meter drop, making it perfect for use in demanding business environments.

If you are after versatility at work, this pocket radio gives plenty of that. The built-in voice-activated transmission allows for hands-free use, and an external mic through the 3.5mm audio jack for better sound clarity and reduced noise.

It also features a voice guide that announces the menu options and settings, making it easy to use even when you can’t see the radio.

Use the channel scan function to see which channels are active and available, or use the Privacy Codes to help ensure that your conversations remain private. The Monitor Function lets you hear if someone is trying to call you on the same channel.

With its simple and rugged design, the Kenwood PKT-23 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable radio. Apart from its excellent quality connection and audio, it charges fast and is pocket-sized, making it even more appealing.

4. Best Battery Life – Baofeng BF-F8HP

It has the capability to transmit 4 times the power of an average walkie-talkie, it is one of the longest-lasting radios on the market. Although it can’t be used with AA batteries, you can swap out the rechargeable battery for a more powerful one when it runs out.

Besides that, BF-F8HP offers many well-thought-out features like channel tracking, allowing you to listen to two channels simultaneously. But because of this, it is slightly bigger than an average two-way radio. Getting to these settings can be a bit complicated for a beginner radio user, too. Plus, the need for a license to operate this powerful device, BF-F8HP is best suited for experienced radio operators.

5. Best Cheap – BaoFeng BF-888S

However, you can get more transmission power by screwing on a longer antenna if you have a GMRS operating license. The sensitivity is pretty decent, as you can pick up signals easily.

But, the selectivity has left a lot to be desired. In places with high radio-frequency activity, it is close to impossible to hear incoming radio transmissions. To make matters worse, the radio doesn’t come with a scrambler, which distorts your transmissions when competing with other signals in the vicinity.

You get about 9 to 10 hours of power with BaoFeng BF-888S, which is pretty impressive for a budget radio device. The low-voltage alert reminds you to charge it when the battery is low – a nifty feature many pricier ham radios lack.

6. Best For Adventures – Cobra ACXT1035R

The Rewind-Say-Again function allows you to playback your transmission for 20 seconds if you missed what your friend said.

To ensure maximum safety, ACXT1035R FLT comes equipped with NOAA weather channels. This two-way radio automatically scans the weather channels for automatic weather updates. It also comes with a small LED light that allows you to see in the dark.

That being said, it can be a bit difficult to push the buttons as they are not very tactile and responsive.

7. Best Overall – Midland GXT1000VP4

With 50 channels and 142 privacy codes, it gives you more than 3,000 free channels to keep your conversation private. Whisper mode tones down the radio’s operational sounds for optimal hunting conditions.

Beyond basic functionalities, this Midland two-way radio is also made for emergencies. It has a built-in NOAA weather channel that keeps you updated on weather conditions. If you are caught in bad weather or a dangerous situation, you can send an SOS siren alert to get help.

However, it takes about 12 hours of charging to give you 9 hours of usage. You can bring extra batteries with you on your trip, but the long charging time can be a dealbreaker for some users.

8. Best Value – Midland LXT500VP3

If you are not fussed about getting a license, the low-powered channels are perfect for ski trips since they deliver crystal-clear transmission at the top of the mountain. The radio also performs well in densely wooded areas and most other open spaces. That being said, it tends to lose signal pretty quickly if you use it in an area with obstructions like the city.

This Midland radio is water-resistant as it comes with a rubber seal on the in/out ports. Since it is made of plastic, it is lightweight and easy to carry around. You can also turn off all operating sounds in silent mode, making it one of the best walkie-talkies for hunting.

It gives you up to 12 hours of constant usage after a full charge. If you need to use it longer, you can swap out the rechargeable batteries for 4 AAA batteries when they go flat.

9. Best For Kids – Retevis RT628

It has a good 2 mile-range – a pretty impressive feat for a ‘toy’ two-way radio. The sound quality is loud and clear, thanks to the automatic squelch.

On the downside, this walkie-talkie comes with a poorly written instruction manual that can cause more confusion than it solves. But since it is a fairly straightforward radio, it isn’t too hard to figure it out yourself. Besides that, it can be cost-consuming as it can only be powered by AA batteries.

Our Top Walkie Talkie Picks

Here, the mantra we stand by is this: the right walkie-talkie for you is one that best suits your needs.

If you need something that works across the board, Midland GXT1000VP4 is your best bet. It has relatively average specs, but it will get the job done no matter where you need it.

If you need something more child-friendly, look no further than Retevis RT628 and Motorola T260. These walkie-talkies are easy to learn and can be used in or out of your home. BaoFeng BF-888S is excellent for teenagers or older children for a fraction of the price of two-way radios.

For hiking, Motorola T800’s emergency preparedness and Midland LXT500VP3’s great value have all the other competitors beat. Cobra ACXT1035R FLT is the best for water-based activities. If you need something with a bit more range, Midland GXT1000VP4 has got you covered better than anything else out there.

At the same time, if you happen to be after one of the best portable shortwave radios instead, check out the other review that we have just wrapped up.

How To Choose The Best Walkie-Talkie For You?

It is important to note that the best handheld ham radios is a more formal way to describe walkie-talkies, and you can check our other articles for some great picks in that neighboring niche.

Because of the huge range of walkie-talkies available on the market, it is very easy to get distracted by the bells and whistles of fancy walkie-talkies without actually getting the right one for you. Depending on what your needs are, here are some tips on getting the right walkie-talkie for you.

Environment

This is probably one of the most important factors to consider. A professional walkie-talkie would pack more robust features, such as a wider selection of channels, privacy codes, and a more extended range. If you work in a harsh environment, you might need something waterproof or explosive-certified.

On the contrary, getting a walkie-talkie for recreational use is much more budget-friendly if you get what you need. For the most part, getting a two-way radio with decent battery life, sensitivity, and range would be enough for your weekend excursions. However, if you tend to go to forests or places with rough terrain, it might be better to get a more powerful two-way radio, as radios tend to see a range of degradation when met with obstructions.

Bands And Channels

Dealing with interference is a part of using walkie-talkies. An extensive range of bands and channels would negate this since you can switch between channels to find the clearest one. Some of the best industrial walkie-talkies have up to 99 channels with multiple tones set for each channel.

For leisure use, you can get by with about 20 channels. This gives you the flexibility to change channels when needed but not pay for the extra ones that you would probably not use.

Power And Range

Most manufacturers release their range number based on obstruction-free conditions, which can be very different from real-world usage. Interference from other users, cars, steel frames, and woodlands are among some of the common obstructions that manufacturers don’t test for. A general rule of thumb for walkie-talkies is one watt of power for a mile of coverage.

You should manage your expectations when buying a walkie-talkie with a huge advertised range. But if you are determined to get a good range out of your device, you can buy walkie-talkies with higher sensitivities to receive weak signals. Using high-powered GMRS channels in tandem with a high-gain antenna can also significantly improve your reception, especially if you are standing in high places.

Battery Life

The type of battery your device uses can make or break your experience. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used for modern two-way radios because of their high capacity.

Nickel-metal hydride batteries, on the other hand, are used for devices that prioritize quick charge, high durability, and great impact. Some two-way radios use AA batteries for convenience, but the cost might rack up if you use your radios often.

Most walkie-talkies allow you to swap out drained batteries for new ones, so you might not have to worry about it if you pack extra batteries when you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions