Midland
Best overall (Wirecutter pick)
Midland ER310 Emergency Radio
Hand-crank, solar, and battery radio that also charges your phone.
$70–$80Check price at Midland
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Communication
Best Emergency & NOAA Weather Radios
Your lifeline to alerts when the internet and cell towers go quiet — hand-crank and solar.
Your lifeline to alerts when the internet and cell towers go quiet — hand-crank and solar.
Below are the options we would actually put in our own home — what to get, what to skip, and who each one is for. This is one every family should have squared away first.
Our picks
What we'd actually buy
C. Crane
Best reception
C. Crane CC Skywave SSB
Premium reception for AM/FM/shortwave when you want real information.
$90–$170Check price at C. Crane
Eton
Best value
Eton American Red Cross FRX3+
A dependable crank/solar weather radio at a friendlier price.
Where it matters