Radio reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 157 Reddit reviews across 32 subreddits and 51 posts to rank the best Radio brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/amateurradio, r/shortwave, r/gmrs, r/GTA, r/fpv. Top-rated brands include Yaesu (4.5/5), Tecsun (4.7/5), Radio (4.7/5).
Stats
Reviews157
Subreddits32
Posts51
Brands57
Products72
157 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Yaesu
4.5
(17)
"Love me the yaesu 710, recommend it hands down."
"Have a FTM-6000R in my work truck and am very satisfied with its form, function and features."
"Ft991a"
"You can considere a FT891. 100w."
"I wouldn’t want to try with anything less than 100w. I would recommend an 891 at minimum."
"I've had great success with SOTA & POTA with the 100w Yaesu ft891, love it's portability and power."
"Look at the FT-710, it’s small enough to take into the field yet also powerful and capable enough to be your main shack radio."
"I recommend a 100w rig if you want to run 20/40m side band for Pota."
"Absolutely. I like them so much, I bought two of them: One for my car, and one for my home shack."
"HF - Elecraft (USA), Elad (Italy), Yeasu (2), Icom (1), and Kenwood (2) from Japan."
#2
Tecsun
4.7
(13)
"It just doesn't have an air band or VHF, but for what you want it is 10/10."
"Economical, picks up both commercial radio throughout the spectrum and amateur radio."
"I have a Tecsun PL-330 that gets AM and FM broadcast as well as CW, SSB, and AM on shortwave."
"My Tecsun PL-368 does a great job receiving CW. And it fits in a shirt pocket."
"The Tecsun PL-368 for its weight, form factor and RX range."
"Tecsun pl 330."
"Solid radio right here. Worth EVERY penny."
"Solid radio right here. I highly recommend and LOVE mine!"
"A good handheld carry is the tecsun pl368."
"Tecsun pl-310 or xhdata d-808."
#3
Radio
4.7
(9)
"Top 3 are non stop pop, Ls rock, and rebel radio (not in order)"
"FlyLo FM on release day just hit different."
"Nothing like creating chaos and destruction with Curtis Mayfield - So in Love playing in the background 💀"
"It's the biggest station and an incredible selection of electronica."
"West Coast Classics & Channel X"
"Radio DAMN MIRROR PARK, I LOVE THIS!!!"
"Blue Ark, Rebel Radio, Blaine County Radio and LS Rock were my personal favourites."
"Usually West Coast Classics, but NonStop Pop is also my go-to."
"Lost Santos Rock Radio with Non-Stop Pop being 2nd"
#4
Baofeng
3.8
(10)
"Start with a UV-5R and work your way up if needed. Best bang for buck."
"It has the most unique menu that’s actually very simple to understand"
"The baofeng uv5g was my first gmrs handheld and it has treated me really well."
"I’d recommend baofeng uv5g plus."
"That is a decent radio for the price."
"It’s a solid radio, you get what you pay for."
"Baofeng! If you drop it, you'll lose very little money!!"
"For purely skiing use I would go Rocky Talkie."
"Get the package with short and long antennas."
"Just get a uv-5r. That radio is a pain in the bass."
#5
Icom
4.0
(9)
"After that an IC-7300."
"Best Overall Value: Icom IC-7300 for its unbeatable price (~$1,000–$1,200), modern SDR features, and versatility."
"HF - Elecraft (USA), Elad (Italy), Yeasu (2), Icom (1), and Kenwood (2) from Japan."
"Anything from the big 3, Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood would be a great choice."
"Depending on your budget - could be good with something like a Icom 2730a, or 5100 if you want to add d star."
"Icom IC-2730A if a mobile base station is what you’re looking for."
"If you want all-mode, I think Icom has the only VHF/UHF/SHF all-mode radio on the market, but it's quite expensive."
"I *think* Icom is Japanese"
"Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu in that order."
#6
XHDATA
4.4
(8)
"I have the D-109 and it's very capable & inexpensive."
"I got the xhdata d808 about a week ago, my first radio. I’m having a great time."
"These are all good performers and good values at various prices."
"A simple radio and has an emergency frequency (NOAA) and the traditional FM and AM frequencies and also shortwave."
"It is a good brand and is not expensive."
"I can also recommend Xhdata D-808 for a beginner, very good value for money especially because of SSB with proper fine tuning."
"XHDATA D109 is reasonably priced and has many good features."
"My first radio was the D-808…was happy with it when I could find a signal."
#7
Kenwood
4.0
(8)
"Has cross band repeat."
"HF - Elecraft (USA), Elad (Italy), Yeasu (2), Icom (1), and Kenwood (2) from Japan."
"Anything from the big 3, Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood would be a great choice."
"For HF, Elecraft. For VHF, Kenwood."
"Best Kenwood Option: Kenwood TS-590SG if you’re set on Kenwood for its audio and ergonomics."
"Really any of the mobiles from Kenwood Yaesu or Icom will work fine as a base station."
"Kenwood TS-590SG on the used market is good."
"Personally I'd go Kenwood over Icom."
#8
Sangean
4.4
(7)
"I'd opt for the Sangean PR-D4W."
"Another: Sangean PR-D18."
"Here is a good bet."
"Sangean ats 909x2."
"Tecsun, or -- if you can afford it -- a Sangean ATS-909X2."
"Sangean or Kaito both sell 'reel' antennas with a built-in clip simplifying things greatly."
"Sangean made in Taiwan"
#9
Alpine
4.5
(4)
"Alpine for sure 👍🏼"
"I have the Alpine in my 11 trd sport. Sounds great even with stock speakers"
"Anything by Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, or JVC."
"Now on alpine ILX 507 and am pretty happy."
#10
Pioneer
4.5
(4)
"I got a Pioneer single din (DEH model) and I love it for my 00 XLS."
"I have a 1989 Pioneer radio fitted to my 1986 mini."
"I’ve historically had good experiences with Pioneer and Sony CarPlay head units."
"I enjoy it, very adjustable."
#11
Amazon
5.0
(3)
"Just get an Alexa and link it to a music subscription service."
"We have echo dots for ours kids and can control them remotely from our phones."
"If his speech is clear enough he can give voice commands to an Amazon echo."
#12
TidRadio
4.7
(3)
"Tidradio H3 hands down. Great cheap radio for GMRS!"
"+1 for the Tidradio H3."
"Cheap, does great, has all the features, etc."
#13
Radiomaster
4.7
(3)
"I have now moved to the new boxer crush which is amazing and a really good size."
"I recommend the RadioMaster Boxer with ELRS. Should last you a long time."
"Radiomaster pocket seems to be the go to suggestion from most people. It's upgradeable, works with sims and budget friendly."
#14
GMRS
4.3
(3)
"GMRS is exactly what you need for your family."
"Five miles might be a reach for handheld radios."
"Many repeaters run off batteries and solar."
#15
Uniden
4.3
(3)
"I've run uniden for 30 years first on am then on uhf."
"Have a uniden in one of my rigs and it’s pretty good."
"This is a nice starter pack with all the controls on the handset."
#16
Wouxun
5.0
(2)
"Those are the Wouxun KG-Q10G and the Rocky Talky. Wouxun based on personal experience."
"My first recommendation is always going to be either: 1) Wouxun KG-Q10G"
#17
SiriusXM
5.0
(2)
"SiriusXM is badass as it also broadcasts all of the sports games; MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, College."
"The ones I use are: SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Audacity, Tune In, Litt Live, BBC Sounds, Global Player (UK), and some of my local FM stations have their own apps."
#18
Radio Garden
5.0
(2)
"Tune in used to be the best choice but now radio garden is the best."
"Radio Garden is a really cool app. Basically it gives you a map of the world and you can drill down by location to find a station of your choice."
#19
Sony
5.0
(2)
"I LOVE my Sony XAV-AX6000."
"Sony makes great reliable head units."
#20
Cave 91.9
5.0
(2)
"Run by high school students with a kick ass taste in music."
"It has no ads & some of the programming the kids put together is iconic."
#21
Elecraft
5.0
(2)
"HF - Elecraft (USA), Elad (Italy), Yeasu (2), Icom (1), and Kenwood (2) from Japan."
"For HF, Elecraft. For VHF, Kenwood."
#22
Anytone
4.5
(2)
"I have 3 radios. I use 1 as a home base, 1 in the RV, and 1 at my cabin. All of them are 'Anytone AT-5555N II'."
"If you’re going through all that get one of the big 4. Anytone 5555n2."
#23
TuneIn
4.0
(2)
"Tunein has always been my favorite for years but like radio garden for discovery."
"Tunein is good. I use Apple Music now as it has the radio included."
#24
4.0
(2)
"The Pocket is uniquely perfect for this scenario."
"Just get another Pocket."
#25
TYT
4.0
(2)
"Cross-band repeater capable."
"Easy crossband repeat mode."
#26
GME
4.0
(2)
"I would buy the tx3500 and if you wanted to save money but the omricon equivalent."
"GME and Uniden are usually the go-to brands."
#27
Motorola
5.0
(1)
"Durable and rugged, suitable for field exercises."
#28
Oxbow
5.0
(1)
"Have been flawless for me and they have really good range."
#29
Flex Radio
5.0
(1)
"Designed to be used remotely either by their proprietary tablet thing or by an app."
#30
ICOM
5.0
(1)
"I recommend looking at the ICOM 7100. It does d-star, SSB, AM, FM on 70cm, 2m, 6m, and HF."
#31
Sporty’s
5.0
(1)
"Sporty’s PJ2+ is pretty popular because it has built in headset jacks"
#32
Onyx
5.0
(1)
"Oh boy Here I go recommending the all mighty Onyx Plus again."
#33
H3
5.0
(1)
"If you're looking for something under ~40 bucks the H3 is probably your best bet."
#34
Sportys
5.0
(1)
"I recommend the sportys pj2+. That's what I have in my flight bag."
#35
5.0
(1)
"We have a google home mini that plays Spotify playlists."
#36
Crutchfield
5.0
(1)
"Crutchfield, crutchfield, crutchfield. Order from them and it comes with instructions customized to your vehicle."
#37
AM-FM Radio
5.0
(1)
"Everyone should have a decent portable AM-FM radio that takes common batteries."
#38
Yoto
5.0
(1)
"Get a Yoto!! r/yotoplayer"
#39
Rocky Talkie
5.0
(1)
"Rocky Talkie 5w GMRS handheld. One benefit is that it's very easy to set up without connecting to a computer."
#40
Midland
4.0
(1)
"Rechargeable, IP44, easy to use, good audio."
#41
BTECH
4.0
(1)
"It's pricy but it does so many other things."
#42
Retevis
4.0
(1)
"Comes with NiMH batteries, but accepts AA alkaline batteries as well."
#43
TD
4.0
(1)
"The TD-H3 is a great inexpensive radio."
#44
Sihuadon
4.0
(1)
"My friend suggested me to buy a Sihuadon R108 it’s pretty cheap and easy to use for a novice."
#45
Apple
4.0
(1)
"I have had mine for 3 years and i got a 35$ Apple CarPlay radio from eBay and it works fine."
#46
UV-5R
4.0
(1)
"UV 5R for short range comms. Cheap and effective."
#47
Jooki
4.0
(1)
"The Jooki seems best suited for what you're looking for."
#48
eBay
4.0
(1)
"I got a cheap one off eBay, more for the retro look but for £12 I can't complain."
#49
Eonon
4.0
(1)
"Check out the Eonon VWA12S head unit."
#50
Blaupunkt
4.0
(1)
"I have the Blaupunkt Valencia model for period looks but also affordability."
#51
Jumper
4.0
(1)
"I recommend Jumper T20."
#52
Smiley
4.0
(1)
"A Smiley Super Stick 465 is a great great antenna!"
#53
Bearcat
3.0
(1)
"It works well in the field."
#54
Literadio
3.0
(1)
"But a Literadio would work."
#55
HGLRC
3.0
(1)
"HGLRC makes a budget radio."
#56
Oricom
3.0
(1)
"I installed an Oricom kit something like this and am very happy with it."
#57
Sonos
3.0
(1)
"It's not perfect sound, but it's easy to charge in the car and easy to remove."
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