Do you want to know what is going to be the best walkie-talkie for you? In this article, we’ll break down the top 5 walkie-talkies on the market this year based on price versus performance and the situations they’ll be used in. So whether you’re looking for the best heavy-duty walkie-talkie or simply the best walkie-talkie money can buy, stay tuned; we’ll have the perfect choice for you.
First up is the UNIDEN MHS-75 VHF Marine Radio, our pick for the best walkie-talkie for the money. The UNIDEN MHS-75 is a compact handheld VHF marine radio that has a large, bright, easy-to-read display screen that shows channels and information in large segment block-style numbers. In addition to being a great communication tool, NOAA weather alerts let you prepare for any impending dangerous weather conditions. The MHS-75 features a rugged cast aluminum build that’s rated IPX8, making it resistant to water, and can even withstand submersion to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes with no damage. The radio has a range of about 36 miles, and the internal battery will keep it going for up to 12 hours. There are three main operation modes: normal, scanning, and weather mode. Using the MHS-75 in normal mode lets you monitor and talk to others on a single channel. Scan mode allows you to monitor all the channels you have saved in memory, while the weather mode monitors the selected NOAA weather channels. Apart from these operation modes, there are a few watch modes worth mentioning. There’s a weather alert watch that checks the last used weather channel every 7 seconds and will alert you with a warning tone when a potential hazard is in your region. The dual watch checks the distress alerting channel 16 every 2 seconds, while the triple watch checks the distress alerting channel 16 and the supplementary calling channel 9 every 2 seconds, which is very useful at night when weather patterns become more unpredictable. Finally, the quad watch monitors both channels 16 and 19 every second while simultaneously monitoring the weather alert channels every 7 seconds. If you’re a recreational or commercial boater who’s looking for great value in a walkie-talkie, the Uniden MHS 75 is an excellent choice. You’ll get access to NOAA weather alerts, useful operation modes, and super-long range.
Next up is the Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0, our pick for the best heavy-duty walkie-talkie. The Backcountry Access BCLink 2.0 radio is an easy-to-use communication tool with good range and glove-friendly controls. While pricier than other radios, the remote speaker microphone is compatible with BCA and other backpacks and enables communication while the radio is safely stowed in a pack. Whether you’re involved in outdoor group activities or need to share vital terrain and safety information, two-way radios let you communicate quickly and efficiently where no other means are available. And while there are a variety of good-quality two-way FRS radios on the market, the BC-Link 2.0 stands out from its rivals with its remote speaker slash mic that’s built into the design, making communication easier. The weather-resistant speaker slash mic clips to the shoulder strap of your pack for full-time accessibility and takes ease of use to the next level with its power and volume controls and the ability to change frequencies directly from the remote mic. Not only does this make operation easier, but the main radio can be tucked away in your pack to keep it safe and out of the way. The radio works with other handheld FRS radios, allows you to change frequencies within the FRS-GMRS channel range, and offers access to 22 FRS-GMRS channels plus 121 subchannels. At 2 watts, it’s twice as powerful as its predecessor, uses a rechargeable battery that will give you up to 40 hours of uptime, and is entirely weatherproof enough to handle exposure to snow and precipitation. If you’ve been looking for a heavy-duty walkie-talkie that thrives in the outdoors, the Backcountry Access BC-Link 2.0 is an excellent choice. Whether you’re skiing or hiking in a group and need to stay in contact, this is the system you want. Plus, its remote mic makes operation foolproof.
Next up is the Motorola Talkabout T800, our pick for the best walkie-talkie for most people. When you’re off the grid, the Motorola Talkabout T800 will keep you connected. But what makes this two-way radio set so special is what it does when paired with your smartphone, which goes way beyond push-to-talk functionality. Like the Backcountry X SBC-Link 2.0, the talk about the T800 is water-resistant, but it doesn’t have the same waterproof properties as the UNIDEN MHS-75. If you’re involved in some extreme activities, you have the option to use the loop at the base of the walkie-talkie to clip it to your belt or strap it to your arm. There’s also a built-in flashlight, which can be a lifesaver if you find yourself in the dark. Power comes from a pair of included nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries, which will keep the T800 powered for up to 14 hours. Also included are a charger and a micro USB cable adapter, so you can charge using your laptop or a power bank if a power outlet isn’t available. If you’re off the grid and have no other means to charge the batteries, you can use three standard AA batteries in a pinch. The range varies depending on location. On open terrain, range is as great as 35 miles, and if you’re on open water or in the city, you can expect to get between 2 and 6 miles. But you can significantly increase the T800’s range when you pair it with your smartphone and use the Talkabout app. When paired, the T800 acts as a modem, and you can send messages, locations, maps, record statistics and tracks, and more. Like the UNIDEN MHS-75 VHF Marine Radio, you can even get NOAA emergency alerts and weather reports so that you stay safe. If you’re looking for a walkie-talkie set that gives you the most value for your money, you can’t go wrong with the Motorola Talkabout T800. You’ll get good range and battery life, and when paired with your smartphone, the T800 really shines.
Next up is the Baofeng BFF8HP. The Baofeng BFF8HP is a handheld two-way ham radio that can monitor VHF and UHF ham frequencies and FM, NOAA, GMRS, and FRS without a license. However, transmissions on the ham or GMRS frequencies do require an FCC license. This versatile two-way radio is great for hunting, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and more. But unlike the other walkie-talkies we’ve looked at, there are no water-resistant or waterproof measures in place. The GMRS and ham frequencies open up higher power options, up to 8 watts, and while the F8HP is programmed to transmit on these frequencies, you need to be licensed by the FCC to legally utilize this extended capability. The range is relative to the environment you’re in and the frequency range you’re using. If you’re licensed to use ham frequencies, you’ll get up to a 10-mile range between handheld units. On the GMRS frequencies, which also require a license, you’ll get up to a 2-mile range, while the FRS frequencies, which are free to use, will give you up to a 2-mile range due to their lower wattage. A 7-inch antenna comes standard on the F8HP but can be easily swapped out for an aftermarket whip antenna like the Nagoya NA771 for improved range. The F8HP has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, and like the Motorola Talkabout T800, it can make use of an AA battery pack if you don’t have access to power, but it’s not included in the box like it is with the T800 and has to be purchased separately. Accessories include a charger, an earpiece kit, a wrist strap, and a belt clip. If you’re looking for a two-way radio that can access VHF, UHF, FM, NOAA, GMRS, and FRS frequencies and aren’t too concerned about water resistance, the Baofeng BFF8HP is a very good choice. With variable power up to 8 watts, this walkie-talkie is perfect for outdoor activities and even communication for construction sites or other team projects.
Last but not least, the Redivis H777 is our pick for the best overall walkie-talkie. The Redivis H777 Walkie-Talkie is designed for indoor or short-range communication, such as between employees on a job site, and this package includes enough units to equip a staff of 20. The Redivis H777 package includes 20 handheld units with charging bases and battery packs. They’re ideal for commercial applications like factories, hotels, retail, or even theme parks, and they transmit exclusively on the FRS frequencies, so no license is required. Each walkie-talkie offers crystal-clear audio and accessories that include earpieces, belt clips, and more. And like the Motorola Talkabout T800, each radio has a built-in flashlight. There are 16 channels to operate on, with a range of 3 to 5 miles, depending on the environment and terrain type. Each channel is protected with encryption codes to maintain your privacy, so anyone who is outside of your business or organization will be unable to listen in on your conversations. The soft push-to-talk buttons allow you to easily handle the controls in colder environments, even when you’re wearing gloves. You can even enable the Vox feature, which puts the H777 into hands-free mode, so you can transmit without having to press the push-to-talk button and focus on the task at hand. The speakers in each unit are loud and clear, and the lightweight and handheld size makes them easy to carry around all day. Each battery pack has enough power to cover an 8-hour shift, and radio units can be charged in groups interconnected via USB, saving you time. If you’re looking for a one-box solution to equip your staff with two-way communication, the 20-piece Redivis H777 walkie-talkie set is an excellent choice. You’ll get everything you need for operation and battery maintenance, along with good performance and channel encryption to keep conversations private.
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