The best walkie-talkies vary on what you’ll be using them for and who uses them. You may be looking for a high-powered and long-range set for when you are out in the wild. Do you want to have some fun talking with the kids over short distances? Maybe you’re just looking for bare-bones walkie-talkies for your work site. Whatever you need them for, our curated list will have something for you.
Midland GXT1000VP4
Best Overall
Midland has been making two-way radios for decades, and yet it still finds new ways to innovate. Case in point, the GXT1000VP4 features 50 channels, 142 privacy codes, and an impressive 36-mile range. This set comes with bright, backlit LCD screens that are easy to read in the dark and a whisper mode for communicating in situations where staying quiet may be a priority. These walkie-talkies are also rugged, waterproof, and come with rechargeable battery packs that can keep them operating for hours at a time.
Beyond their basic functionality, the GXT1000VP4 walkie-talkies are designed for use in emergencies. These devices are equipped with an SOS siren that can alert others when urgent help is needed and have a built-in NOAA weather alert radio to keep users informed of changing weather conditions.
Why we love it:
- 36-mile range to cover a wide area
- Have nine sensitivity levels for hands-free operation
- Built-in weather alert keeps you updated on the climate
Something to consider:
Only works in distances within a mile or so when used in highly obstructed areas such as the city.
Motorola T100 Series Talkabout
Best Value
Sometimes, you don’t need all the built-in frills and features that some advanced walkie-talkie sets have. When you need a straightforward radio set that does the job, the Motorola T100 Series Talkabout radios have you covered. They’re an excellent choice for several reasons, not the least of which is a decent range. This set lets you communicate over a theoretical range of up to 16 miles, but we found they work best when you are a few miles away.
These two-way radios also offer good sound quality, an easy-to-read LCD screen, call tones, and 22 channels — all of which are bundled in a small construction, making these walkie-talkies easy to handle. Best of all, they are effortless to use and have a keypad lock to prevent anyone in the group from accidentally changing the settings. As for battery life, the T100 two-way radio allows for up to 18 hours of use when used with alkaline batteries. Most importantly, these walkie-talkies won’t break the bank.
Why we love it:
- Compact size and easy to use, making them suitable for children
- 18 hours of battery life for long hours of communication
- Both radios have clips, enabling you to put on your belt for faster accessibility
Something to consider:
Does not feature privacy codes, so there is a chance that you may be sharing a channel with other people.
BaoFeng BF-F8HP
Best Long Range
If you are looking for power, look no further than the Baofeng BF-F8HP. The F8HP is an upgraded version of BaoFeng’s popular UV-5R radio, which created the market for low-cost, high-powered radios. The new BF-F8HP boasts a whopping 8-Watt power compared to the 2-Watt or less of most FRS radios.
With power comes complexity, and the Baofeng BF-F8HP is not your average, easy-to-use walkie-talkie. It is a full-fledged ham radio with the ability to broadcast on the public FRS channels. Some people purchase these radios to use unlicensed on FRS bands because they want a rugged, durable radio. Ham radio enthusiasts appreciate the versatility of a radio that can transmit on FRS and GMRS and ham radio bands. If you want to use the full power and features of the F8HP, you need to obtain a ham radio license or a GMRS license, or both.
Why we love it:
- Has a high-powered battery to keep it operational longer
- Comes with an earpiece for hands-free operation
- Durable construction, so you can use it even on extreme adventures
Something to consider:
The volume knob is quite loose, making it prone to accidental shifting.
DEWALT DXFRS800 Heavy Duty Walkie Talkies
Most Durable
When you’re out camping in the woods or working in a rough and rowdy job site, you need walkie-talkies that can toughen it out with you. DEWALT’s DXFRS800 walkie-talkies are the prime choice for durable radios. Their anti-slip design keeps them locked in place while you’re talking, and even if they do slip, their shock-resistant construction keeps them safe from drops of two meters. The IP67 waterproofing also makes them safe to use near bodies of water. The walkie-talkies can survive dips of up to 30-minutes in meter-deep water, which means that any lesser splash won’t instantly fry their systems.
These walkie-talkies’ hardware isn’t the only reason that makes them suitable for job sites. The built-in headphone jack allows you to use the walkie-talkies hands-free. Plugin your headset, and you’re good to go; no need to press anything either, as the radios are voice-activated. Their range extends up to 300,000 square feet in all directions, giving you and your team clear lines of communication over a vast area. This range makes it perfect for camping trips out in the woods or long drives so that everyone can stay connected. With 22 preset channels that come with privacy codes, you’ll always have a private radio channel without any interference from strangers.
Why we love it:
- 360-degree swivel holster allows you to rotate them in any direction
- The dustproof design keeps them clean and prevents muck build-up
- Efficient battery usage to prolong its operational use
Something to consider:
Its VOX feature is not suitable to be used all the time as it may transmit private conversations over the radio.
MOICO Walkie Talkies
Best with Lights
When it comes to packing light, having multifunctional devices like these walkie-talkies from MOICO can never be understated. These radios come with the usual features that you would expect. They have the standard privacy settings with multiple channel customizations to keep your lines clear from unwanted listeners. They also have a decent communication range of 5 miles on open fields, making them suitable for hiking trips or even a day out in town to keep in touch with the people in your group.
What makes these walkie-talkies stand out is their integrated flashlight function. In a pinch, these walkie-talkies will provide a steady source of light as well as a means of communication to keep you grounded during emergencies. The backlit LCD screens are also handy for low-light situations. They let you know pertinent information like battery health, signal, and radio channels with a simple glance. You can even operate these radios without using your hands through its voice-activated communication feature.
Why we love it:
- Three sensitivity levels on the voice-activated transmission
- Compact design, so you can easily carry and store them anywhere
- 2178 channel and privacy code combinations offer you a range of secured communication lines
Something to consider:
The batteries for this product are sold separately.
When it comes to communicating with your family or your team, dependability is critical. Picking the right walkie-talkies for you will depend on how you need to use them, who will be using them, and how long you’ll be using them. Range ability, length of charge, and ease of use are all factors you’ll want to consider before taking the plunge on your next walkie-talkie set.
Is it illegal to use walkie-talkies?
Most walkie-talkies are for public use, especially ones that utilize the FRS or Family Radio Service channels. However, you have to watch out for radios that function with GMRS or General Mobile Radio Service channels. Tapping onto GMRS channels with said walkie-talkies requires special licenses that you need to get from the FCC. The good news is that the licenses aren’t tricky to acquire and will only cost you a few bucks.
How many walkie-talkies can be on the same channel?
The beauty of walkie-talkies is there’s no limit on how many radios can tap into one channel. This neat feature makes walkie-talkies great for large groups as they can easily communicate with each other without any hassle. However, remember that only one person can speak within a single channel, making communication difficult if everyone wants to say something.
Can different walkie-talkies communicate?
Theoretically, different walkie-talkies can communicate with each other. The only thing that they need to be in sync with is the radio channel. But, of course, if you’re using a walkie-talkie with a privacy code, you can keep out strangers within the same radio channel from tapping into your communication lines. And, having the same walkie-talkies provides a more cohesive system as everyone will be operating within the same scopes.
About the author
Rusty Davis has been a tech lover for as long as he can remember. From the early days of gaming consoles to the introduction of smartphones, portable computers, and more, he’s always wanted to get his hands on the latest and greatest. He has years upon years of experience reviewing and testing everything from phone cases to smartwatches, the latest phones and tablets to gaming computers, and even desks. If it’s a piece of tech or tech-adjacent, he’s interested in how it works and who it works best for. He’s now here sharing all of his knowledge with you to help you make the best decision for yourself.
Why you should trust us
The Digital Trends team prides itself in offering expert product recommendations in ways that everyone can understand. Our team of experts is constantly using and reviewing the latest and greatest consumer tech, smart home gadgets, televisions, and so much more to offer insights to help guide your purchasing decision. We have vigorously tested thousands of different products across these categories, and we’ve distilled our lists to bring you the best of the best. If we feel a product does not live up to our expectations, it doesn’t make the list. We are humans though, and realize that not every recommended product will be perfect for everyone, so we do our best to call out important features that may impact your choices. Below our top picks we’ve included additional product information to ensure that you are making the right choice for your unique needs.
The products in this guide have been carefully curated by our team of experts and enthusiasts who understand the value and quality needed for the best options.
