Best Options At A Glance
📻 Comparison of the Best Walkie Talkies
The table below provides a quick comparison of the best walkie talkies, making it easier to compare their maximum range, weight and key features.
| 📻 Model | 📡 Max Range | ⚖️ Weight | 📏 Dimensions | ⭐ Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maylawn Long Range Walkie Talkies | 5 km | 640 g | 17 × 5.5 × 3 cm | VOX Hands-Free Mode |
| Retevis RT24 | 3 km | 830 g | 5.7 × 3.7 × 11.5 cm | Licence-Free PMR446 & VOX |
| Motorola T82 Extreme | 10 km | 967 g | 46 × 14.5 × 8.4 cm | IPX4 Water Resistance |
| Retevis RT27 | 4.8 km | 465 g | 8.7 × 15 × 26.7 cm | 6-Way Charging Station |
| Gaswei G1Pro+ | 5 km | 190 g | 3.8 × 6 × 17.8 cm | IP67 Waterproofing & 24-Hour Battery |
Product Summaries
Maylawn Walkie Talkies Long Range Two Way Radios
- Brand - Maylawn
- Dimensions - 17 × 5.5 × 3 cm
- Weight - 640 g
- Distance - 5km
- Special Feature - 5 km Range & VOX Hands-Free Mode
Firstly we have the reasonably priced Maylawn Walkie Talkies Long Range Two Way Radios. It’s currently selling for £26/$34 on Amazon.
Offering a maximum stated range of up to 5km, the Maylawn Walkie Talkies provide 16 channels for straightforward two-way communication. DCS and CTCSS noise reduction are included to help maintain clearer voice transmission, although actual range will depend heavily on buildings, terrain and other obstructions.
Each radio comes with a 1500mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, providing around 8–12 hours of continuous use according to the manufacturer. USB charging is included, alongside earpieces for situations where more discreet communication is useful.
VOX provides hands-free voice activation without needing to press the push-to-talk button for every transmission. Other practical features include a built-in LED torch and battery-saving functionality, while the compact design makes the radios easy to carry during hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.
Overall, they’re an affordable pair of walkie talkies for general outdoor activities and everyday communication, combining rechargeable batteries, 16 channels and VOX functionality. The claimed 5km maximum range is best treated as an ideal-conditions figure, with considerably shorter distances likely in built-up areas.
Buy the Maylawn Walkie Talkies Long Range Two Way Radios from Amazon for only £26/$34:
Retevis RT24 Professional Walkie Talkies/Two Way Radios
- Brand - Retevis
- Dimensions - 5.7 × 3.7 × 11.5 cm
- Weight - 830 g
- Max Range - 3 km
- Special Feature - Licence-Free PMR446 & VOX Hands-Free Mode
Next we have the Retevis RT24 Professional Walkie Talkies/Two Way Radios. It’s currently selling for £33/$44 on Amazon.
Using the licence-free PMR446 frequency, the Retevis RT24 provides 16 channels for straightforward two-way communication around the UK and Europe. The radios are designed to work together out of the box, requiring users simply to select the same channel before communicating.
Each radio uses an 1100mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, with a stated operating time of around 8–12 hours. USB charging makes them convenient for longer days away from home, while the supplied earpieces provide another option for work or more discreet communication.
VOX functionality enables hands-free transmission, while the built-in scan function can search available channels for activity. Retevis also emphasises clear, loud audio and a high-quality antenna designed to maintain a stable signal over longer distances.
Overall, the RT24 is a practical option for work, events and general outdoor communication, particularly if you want straightforward PMR446 radios without licensing requirements. The combination of rechargeable batteries, VOX, 16 channels and included earpieces provides a useful feature set for the price.
Buy the Retevis RT24 Professional Walkie Talkies/Two Way Radios from Amazon for only £33/$44:
Motorola T82 Extreme Walkie Talkies Twin Pack
- Brand - Motorola
- Dimensions - 46 x 14.5 x 8.4 cm
- Weight - 967 g
- Max Range - 10km
- Special Feature - IPX4 Water Resistance & Up to 10 km Range
Another great option is the Motorola T82 Extreme Walkie Talkies Twin Pack. It’s currently selling for £75/$99 on Amazon.
Offering a stated range of up to 10km, the Motorola T82 Extreme is a licence-free PMR446 two-way radio designed for outdoor activities and more demanding environments. The actual communication distance will depend considerably on terrain, buildings and surrounding conditions.
An IPX4 water-resistant design provides protection against splashing water, making the radios better suited to hiking, camping and unpredictable weather than basic indoor-focused models. They’re also compatible with other PMR446 radios for greater flexibility when communicating in larger groups.
Practical features include a vibrate alert and integrated torch, while USB charging provides a convenient way to keep the radios powered. The twin pack also includes two earpieces, lanyards and a carry case for storing and transporting the complete set.
Overall, the T82 Extreme is a strong option for outdoor use where durability and communication range are priorities. Its combination of IPX4 protection, licence-free PMR446 operation and useful accessories makes it a more capable alternative to basic walkie talkies.
Buy the Motorola T82 Extreme Walkie Talkies Twin Pack from Amazon for only £75/$99:
Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkies Long Range Two Way Radios
- Brand - Retevis
- Dimensions - 8.7 x 15 x 26.7 cm
- Weight - 465 g
- Max Range - 4.8 km
- Special Feature - 6-Way Charging Station & Rugged Design
Next we have the Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkies Long Range Two Way Radios. It’s currently selling for £130/$172 on Amazon.
Designed for group and professional communication, the Retevis RT27 pack includes six PMR446 walkie talkies that can be used licence-free in the UK and Europe. Each radio can be set to the same channel for straightforward communication across a larger team.
A major advantage of this pack is the six-way charging station, allowing all six radios to be charged together rather than requiring separate chargers. This makes the set particularly practical for workplaces, schools, security teams and events where several radios are used regularly.
The radios feature rugged housings intended to withstand frequent use, alongside belt clips for convenient carrying. VOX functionality also enables hands-free communication when users need to keep their hands available for other tasks.
Overall, the RT27 is particularly well suited to businesses and larger groups that need several radios operating together. The combination of six rechargeable radios, licence-free PMR446 operation and a single multi-radio charging station makes it considerably more practical for team use than a standard twin pack.
Buy the Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkies Long Range Two Way Radios from Amazon for only £130/$172:
Gaswei G1Pro+ Walkie Talkies Long Range Radios
- Brand - Gaswei
- Dimensions - 3.8 x 6 x 17.8 cm
- Weight - 190 g
- Max Range - 5 km
- Special Feature - IP67 Waterproofing & 24-Hour Battery Life
Finally we have the Gaswei G1Pro+ Walkie Talkies Long Range Radios. It’s currently selling for £160/$212 on Amazon.
Built for more demanding environments, the Gaswei G1Pro+ combines a rugged IP67 waterproof and dustproof design with shock-resistant construction. The radios are stated to withstand drops of up to two metres, making this four-pack particularly suited to outdoor activities and professional use.
Each radio uses a 1800mAh rechargeable battery, providing a stated runtime of up to 24 hours and up to 100 hours on standby. USB-C charging provides a convenient option when travelling, while the radios offer a claimed maximum range of up to 5km in suitable open conditions.
Beyond standard PMR446 communication, the G1Pro+ includes 16 channels and 121 privacy-code combinations, alongside VOX hands-free operation, SOS alerts and vibration alerts. An FM radio, power-saving mode, keypad lock and headphone support add further versatility for emergency and outdoor use.
Overall, it’s a well-equipped option for outdoor adventures and demanding work environments, particularly where weather resistance and battery life matter. The combination of IP67 protection, long battery life and emergency-focused features also makes it a useful step up from more basic PMR446 radios.
Buy the Gaswei G1Pro+ Walkie Talkies Long Range Radios from Amazon for only £160/$212:
Walkie Talkie Types & What You Actually Get
Walkie talkies vary considerably in their range, durability and communication features. The table below compares the main types and highlights which are best suited to everyday use, outdoor activities and professional communication.
| 📻 Type | 📡 Typical Range | 🔋 Power | ⚡ Key Features | ✅ Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Walkie Talkies | Short–Medium | Rechargeable / Batteries | Simple PTT, Multiple Channels | Family & Casual Use |
| PMR446 Walkie Talkies | Medium | Usually Rechargeable | Licence-Free, Multiple Channels, VOX | General UK Use |
| Long-Range Walkie Talkies | Medium–Long | Rechargeable | Improved Antenna, VOX, Extended Range | Hiking & Outdoor Activities |
| Rugged Walkie Talkies | Medium–Long | Rechargeable | Water Resistance, Durable Housing, SOS | Outdoor & Harsh Conditions |
| Professional Two-Way Radios | Varies | High-Capacity Rechargeable | Multi-Radio Charging, VOX, Team Features | Workplaces & Large Teams |
FAQs
Emergency radios are designed to remain functional in power outages or serious emergency situations.
They can be a massive help when you’re in a pinch, allowing you to call for help or signal others regardless of your access to electricity.
There are a few different types, but the most important factors are charging methods and power consumption over time. The more charging options you have the less likely you are to not be able to power your radio in an emergency. The better your power consumption, the more usage time you have in between charges.
The two most common types of emergency radio are wind up radios and solar powered radios.
As the names would suggest, solar powered radios are powered by the sun and the wind up radios are powered by manual winding.
Manual wind radios are a great choice because they can be wound in any condition, ensuring you’re never left without a way to charge. The downside is that continually winding a radio can be tiring or frustrating, especially if you choose a model with inefficient power usage.
Solar emergency radios can be more convenient because you can charge them just by leaving them in the sun. The drawback here is that if you need charge on a day with limited sunlight, or worse at night, you’re left without a way to charge your radio.
Either choice can be good, but the ideal choice is a hybrid system that has both a winding handle and solar panel. This means you can leave it out to charge automatically on sunny days, and manually wind it if you run out of power at night.
Hand crank radios are one of the most reliable types of emergency radio. While hand cranking may seem tedious, you can always guarantee that you can power your radio – the same can’t be said for alternatives like solar power radios that depend on external factors. That being said, it’s useful to shop for a radio that offers many different charging options (e.g a hand crank radio that also offers solar charging for sunny days).
Thanks for reading our article covering the best walkie talkies/two-way radios.
If you’re preparing for emergencies at home, take a look at our guide on What Should You Do During a Power Cut? for practical steps to stay safe and prepared during an outage.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or queries that you’d like us to take a look at – we’d be happy to help.
