Radios reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 167 Reddit reviews across 32 subreddits and 44 posts to rank the best Radios brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/amateurradio, r/gmrs, r/CherokeeXJ, r/preppers, r/overlanding. Top-rated brands include Yaesu (4.8/5), Baofeng (4.1/5), Midland (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews167
Subreddits32
Posts44
Brands63
Products66
167 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Yaesu
4.8
(17)
"The 891 is a 100w radio...I have one and it is very useful as a portable station."
"The FT891 is far and away the best of the lot."
"Of course the FT891."
"Came here to suggest ft-891."
"The 891 is a great starter that can serve as a base station, mobile, and pack radio."
"891 is my vote. Fairly versatile and will hold you over to the next radios."
"Many consider it the workhorse for POTA (Parks on the Air) operations."
"I think an FT-891 would simultaneously give you a transportable solution."
"Ft-891 for sure. I have a g90 ic705 and the ft-891."
"I love both. The 891 is a better radio."
#2
Baofeng
4.1
(17)
"I also have the UV-9G. It's a great radio! I bought two more for my family! This one is probably the best for the money."
"These things are cheap and rad and technically illegal to use without a HAM license."
"Baofeng. And no, you don't need the dang license."
"For my primary handhelds I'm rocking the newish Baofeng 8w dual-band radios."
"BAOFENG UV-5G (UV-5X) GMRS Radio - have been happy with ours. Inexpensive and solid."
"UV-5G+ is another good option. I have one of those, and it is a good radio. It is IP67, as has been pointed out. And it works well."
"Baofeng UV9G is IP67 rated. Out of box it may or may not transmit on channel 15, but there is an update to fix it."
"I have 2 sets of GMRS radios - Baofeng when I want to play around and learn things and Rocky Talkie 5W when I hit the outdoors."
"Baofeng"
"The TCAs (depending on the model) are a fancy Boafeng and they do 90% of the same thing."
#3
Midland
4.4
(12)
"Midland is generally regarded as the gold standard for NOAA weather radios."
"Midland replaced my older model with the newer one for free."
"In my opinion, the Midland ER310 is the best Emergency Weather Radio and should be in every US Home."
"That's the one I have, and it woke me from a dead sleep at 4:30 on 2/28 with enough time to get to the basement."
"Definitely recommend a weather radio. I bought that same Midland WR120 a while back and sort of thought it was dumb at the time..."
"You can add this to put under your pillow too."
"Https://midlandusa.com/collections/offroad/products/mxt275-micromobile-two-way-radio"
"Get some handheld gmrs radios. I trust the Midland brand ones. They will last forever and are fairly inexpensive."
"Any of the ones at bestbuy midland / cobra / motorola should be fine."
"We love our Midland Radio. Our version plugs into the wall and functions as an alarm clock. It also has a battery backup which is great for peace of mind."
#4
Xiegu
4.3
(9)
"Love the G90 - great way to start and leave budget for upgrades."
"Go for the G90. It was my first radio. I contacted Latvia from Central California in a 20m tuned dipole."
"Their g90 rocks and it's 20w"
"I got the G90 as my first HF rig, but soon after I went for the FT-710."
"Instead of the 6100, you might want to consider the G-90, which is 20w versus 10w."
"That said, the G90 is a pretty complete package with an excellent tuner built in."
"I'm partial to the g90 just because of the tuner."
"The Xiegu G90 is a really sweet HF rig."
"The Xiegu G90 is a really sweet HF rig. Low cost, 20w."
#5
BTECH
4.3
(7)
"Look into the btech gmrs pro and the bt speaker Mic. Both are waterproof... Works unbelievably well."
"GMRS-V2 is the best budget GMRS radio IMO - its receiver is close to Wouxun which is far capable more than for anything else on your list."
"The btech v2 5watt ht is the one for you-me as well-keep it simple like me!!"
"I ended up going with a pair of BTECH GMRS-V2 radios for under $70."
"The BTECH GMRS-PRO is advertised as a IP67 submersible radio. It gets good reviews on Amazon and from YouTube reviewers."
"The Wouxun radios are way too expensive for me and my level of interest right now, but I could swing for the BTECH GMRS-V2."
"I have the GMRS V2. It’s a good radio. But I haven’t exercised its water resistance."
#6
Icom
4.6
(5)
"I would throw the ic7300 out there. badass radio. super fun and easy to use."
"Instead, get an Icom IC-7300 or Yaesu FT-991a, or FT-891."
"Just get the Icom 7300. Best for the buck and best for resale and the best looking radio out there."
"Our local team uses Icom radios. Depending on which model, they may or may not be cheaper than Kenwood."
"Icom R-6 fits your requirements"
#7
Rocky Talkies
4.8
(4)
"I would say durability. I have beat the shit out of my rocky talkies and they continue to work as good as the day I bought them."
"Can’t recommend Rocky Talkies enough. I’ve used them bikepacking, backpacking, climbing, and paddling."
"For radios, to communicate with your own hiking party within a few miles range go with Rocky Talkies."
"Rocky talkies or whatever they’re called"
#8
Kenwood
4.3
(4)
"What sets the Kenwood units apart is that they've had a sensible UI for decades."
"I ended up sending it back and purchased an $800 KENWOOD unit to resolve the issue."
"Happy with my Kenwood. 5000 series."
"I also have a late 70's early 80's Kenwood R-1000. Great radio."
#9
Motorola
4.0
(4)
"Can someone therefore please recommend some good PMR446/Digital PMR446 radios?"
"Motorola makes some nice waterproof, floating FRS radios."
"Motorola FRS radios are good and affordable."
"We use Motorola BPR40s. They're not super cheap but they're simple and rugged."
#10
Makita
3.0
(5)
"I’ve had the latest makita radio for last 3 yrs , it has an equaliser setting so bass can go down to -6 much better"
"I agree with you about the lack of bass/treble control, it's the only thing I don't like about mine."
"Got a Makita radio and find it to bassy with no options to turn the bass down ,great for big jobs but not so much working in a house with people in"
"The Makita radio sound quality is terrible. Agree with other poster. Way too bassy and muffled."
"It's really made me regret buying mine ,I listen to a lot of talk radio and the bass makes it so hard to hear sometimes,great for just music though"
#11
Retevis
3.8
(4)
"Retevis RT27V MURS radios."
"Retevis RT27V MURS radios."
"They're inexpensive, small, lightweight, and come pre-programmed with the same 16 channels."
"I’ve used the retevis RT 22 in the past but I had an issue with the volume."
#12
Crutchfield
4.7
(3)
"They have model specific instructions and you can have them do all the soldering for the harness."
"If you shop on crutchfield, they will send a premade wiring harness for you."
"They have portable android auto/ Apple carplay units that plug into a 12v source."
#13
Vertex
4.7
(3)
"They make fantastic GMRS radios."
"They make fantastic GMRS radios."
"You can get 450-512mhz Vertex 230s for cheap."
#14
Sangean
4.0
(3)
"Sangean ATS-909X2"
"Sangean ATS-909X2. Read my detailed answer here"
"Sangean ATS-909X2 for the best portable multiband with shortwave."
#15
PMR446
4.0
(3)
"Buy an analogue pmr446 each (whatever brand you choose usually based on price) and trial it."
"PMR446 is the way to go for the kind of thing you describe, licence free."
"You should be looking for PMR446 compliant radios."
#16
Uniden
4.0
(3)
"Uniden BC125AT"
"The most common I've seen is the Uniden BC125AT."
"FM Clock radio, analog scanner, and NOAA wx with alert."
#17
AnyTone
4.0
(3)
"Any of the newer anytones with the NR noise reduction filter are hard to beat dollar for dollar."
"I much prefer the AnyTone Ares II and the AnyTone 5555 Plus/N and their variants."
"I much prefer the AnyTone Ares II and the AnyTone 5555 Plus/N and their variants."
#18
Weather Radio
5.0
(2)
"I’ve had a wx radio for years and it’s great. Depending on your location, consider programming it not just for your county but for the county or counties adjacent as well."
"Remember - Sirens are not designed to be heard inside. Every home should have a weather radio."
#19
Joying
5.0
(2)
"I run a 9" Joying that I'm very happy with."
"Joying 8.8 or 8.9."
#20
Dewalt
4.5
(2)
"The dewalt is king, followed very closely by the new makita."
"I've got a dab dewalt radio but the makita definitely has more oomph."
#21
CB Radio
4.5
(2)
"The only thing that was working for people to call for help was CB radio!"
"CB radios, easy to operate, provide local and regional coverage."
#22
BCA
4.5
(2)
"The bcas win hands down for me."
"I have a pair of BCA BCLink radios that I started carrying for backcountry skiing."
#23
Garmin
4.5
(2)
"Garmin in reach is the way to go."
"Garmin rhino also acts as a 2 way radio"
#24
GMRS
4.0
(2)
"Second GMRS. They are repeater capable which will vastly expand your range if there are repeaters near you."
"Get your GMRS license. If you install a mobile and a 1/4 wave whip antenna for GMRS, you'll be able to talk much further than trying to use portables inside the car."
#25
Atoto
4.0
(2)
"I have an Atoto in my ‘99 XJ and love it (for the most part)."
"If you don't want to drop a lot go for the atoto from Amazon."
#26
Tecsun
4.0
(2)
"It's hard to beat the Tecsun PL-330 for the price."
"Tecsun PL-330 small portable."
#27
Pioneer
4.0
(2)
"Avoid cheap 1din android radios from AliExpress. Get either this (if you don't listen to Spotify) or like pioneer"
"I installed a single din pioneer radio in mine."
#28
MURS
4.0
(2)
"If you want to use FRS radios, get something like the BF-88A or BF-88ST Pro."
"Find something more appropriate like MURS radios which don’t require a license."
#29
Radioddity
4.0
(2)
"Get a GMRS license ($35 for 10 years, no test required) and pick up some Radioddity GM-30s ($20)."
"Raddiodity qt40 is my mobile. I like them both for different reasons."
#30
Alpine
4.0
(2)
"I went with a marketplace alpine cde 183bt it’s an older model but it works great with my iPhone."
"I bought a CarPlay one but switched back because the audio wasn’t as good as my alpine."
#31
Jensen
4.0
(2)
"If you are looking for something Bluetooth and cheap I put these in a couple vehicles and enjoy them for the price."
"I’m a fan of the Heavy Duty Jensen truck radios with blue tooth."
#32
Sony
3.5
(2)
"I like my Sony single din in mine. Just a simple single din, but you can change the backlight on the buttons to a different color."
"Not a terrible unit, but I wish it had a simple on/off - volume control knob."
#33
Cardo
5.0
(1)
"Cardo outdoor. Basically creates a mesh Network of up to 3 mi and you can be speaking to each other through the helmet you are wearing if you're biking or skiing."
#34
Saregama
5.0
(1)
"He liked it a lot firstly due to the built in songs then the FM radio"
#35
Rocky
5.0
(1)
"I love my 5 watt Rocky, I'd recommend it every day and twice on Sunday."
#36
VRN-76
5.0
(1)
"The vrn-76 is quite nice. I have it. Love the durability and color choices."
#37
Anytone
5.0
(1)
"The Anytone 878UVII is a great unit with dual band capability."
#38
Rocky Talkie
5.0
(1)
"Rocky Talkie is an easy recommendation here."
#39
Qodosen
5.0
(1)
"I was blown away by its performance and sound."
#40
VHF
5.0
(1)
"VHF, very high frequency radios, with a channel 16 emergency alert button that goes straight to coast guard"
#41
X6100
5.0
(1)
"You can't beat the X6100 in terms of convenience."
#42
Elecraft K3/K4
5.0
(1)
"Elecraft K3 or K4 with an external display."
#43
Baofeng UV-5R
5.0
(1)
"Baofeng UV-5R is fantastic."
#44
Radio Shack
4.0
(1)
"The Radio Shack DX-398 is the rebranded Sangean ATS-909."
#45
Cobra
4.0
(1)
"I have some Cobra ones, a bit chunky butv100% waterproof, usb chargable if needed, can get earpieces, generally really good."
#46
Reecom
4.0
(1)
"Replaced that with a Reecom and no more signal issues."
#47
TID
4.0
(1)
"For around $400 combined you can get 2 mobile units like RT95 and 2 hand held units like TID radio H3."
#48
Baofeng and TID
4.0
(1)
"Baofeng or TID radio"
#49
SDR
4.0
(1)
"If all you want to do is listen, then look into getting a SDR radio."
#50
UV
4.0
(1)
"For better construction I would look at UV9R, BF-F8HP, UV-17R"
#51
XTS
4.0
(1)
"For $400 I’d get an XTS, got one for sale pm if you’re interested."
#52
JVC
4.0
(1)
"Before I could afford car parts I did have a JVC I was happy with though."
#53
TIDRadio
4.0
(1)
"Handsets can be bought quite cheaply with units such as TIDRadio H3 having good."
#54
BF-88A
4.0
(1)
"If you want to use FRS radios, get something like the BF-88A or BF-88ST Pro."
#55
Boss
4.0
(1)
"I went with the boss."
#56
Continental
4.0
(1)
"I like the Continental single din. Looks period correct and has bluetooth."
#57
Blaupunkt
4.0
(1)
"If you don‘t necessarily need Apple CarPlay, you might want to take a look at the Blaupunkt Hamburg SQM 23."
#58
TX-500
4.0
(1)
"Checkout TX-500 http://lab599.com/"
#59
Hiby
4.0
(1)
"The Hiby M300 dap has radio on it."
#60
AT-878
4.0
(1)
"At-878's are a good fit right at your price point."
#61
AMEX
4.0
(1)
"But the AMEX radios are great."
#62
Amazon
4.0
(1)
"They are usb rechargeable and have a weather radio which is nice."
#63
Yatour
4.0
(1)
"I'd go with the best original head unit you can find a put a yatour in the CD-changer port."
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