Hand Crank Radios: Why Do You Need One?
If the power goes out in the middle of the storm of the century, are you prepared?
Being able to listen to weather reports and emergency broadcasts during a dangerous situation can mean the difference between life and death.
Our lives are so reliant these days on our devices. A manually charged hand crank radio could be the only thing bringing you life-saving information in an emergency. I’d definitely recommend throwing one in your glove box, a kitchen drawer, your bug out bag, or INCH bag.
Like all survival gear, there are a million options out there when it comes to hand cranked rechargeable radios. From premium hand crank & solar radios with killer specs and quality builds to cheap no-frills emergency radios to toss in the truck, there’s definitely a hand crank radio out there that’s suitable for your needs.
Some hand crank radios are designed specifically for hiking and camping and are lightweight and smaller in size. Other radios are designed to be sturdier and heavier duty and are bigger with larger batteries and crank handles. These are typically more suitable for keeping in homes, bunkers, and cars.
Whichever radio you go for, all the radios I’ve included have AM/FM/NOAA radios, so you’ll be able to hear the seven weather broadcasts on all of them. Most of them have lights, SOS alarms, USB chargers, and headphone jacks, but make sure to take a close look at the specs as each radio’s different.
I’ll outline a few key factors to keep in mind when you’re comparing the different hand crank radios, plus a list of the top 8 hand crank radios on the market today. I’ll give a quick outline of each hand crank radio’s specific features as well as the pros and cons of each.
Key Features of a Hand Crank Emergency Radio
To find the right hand crank radio, take a look at the following key features. Whether it’s battery capacity, charging methods, extra features, size, or weight, hand crank radios vary between models. Keep an eye on each radio’s specs to guarantee you get the right one for you.
AM/FM/NOAA
The emergency radios on this list all have access to AM, FM, and NOAA frequencies. Along with the standard AM and FM frequencies, emergency radios access the NOAA weather radio, which broadcasts on seven frequencies in the VHF.
Most normal pocket radios only access AM/FM, so always check to make sure your emergency hand crank radio can access NOAA frequencies for weather alerts.
Capacity
You’ll see the power capacity of each hand crank radio expressed in mAh, which stands for milliamp Hour. This is a unit that measures the electric power over time and is essentially the energy capacity of a battery.
To keep it simple, the higher the number, the longer the battery life. A higher number means the rechargeable lithium-ion battery can store more energy, so it has a higher capacity.
You’ll see a range of capacities between 1000 – 4000mAh. The more capacity, the more expensive, although the larger the capacity often comes in a larger sized radio.
Charging methods
Most of the radios you’ll see have 3-way charging – a hand crank or turbine, a solar panel, and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. A couple of them have AC adapters for charging as well.
When it comes to hand cranks, the larger, the more effective they are at charging the battery. However, the larger the crank, the larger the radio, and if you’re going for lightweight, you might have to sacrifice efficiency.
Lights
Some hand crank radios come with lights. Often, there will be an LED flashlight. Some of the better models have 2 or 3 lights, including low-level reading lamps, as well as super-bright flashlights and red SOS emergency beacons.
Extra features
Some of the extra features you’ll see on a few of the radios include things like digital displays, which show battery life, time, and frequency. Some even have alarm clocks.
Most of them have USB ports for charging phones and tablets. These are especially key features as most people depend on their phones in emergencies and, if there’s no power, the hand crank radio may be the last port of call for power.
Some radios have headphone jacks so you can listen without disturbing other people. Others even come with ultrasonic dog whistles to alert rescue operations of your location.
Last but not least, keep an eye out for warranties as a few of the radios come with limited warranties, which is a nice extra bonus when it comes to emergency gear.
The 8 Best Hand Crank Radios on the Market
Out of all the hand crank radios out there today (there are hundreds), these eight are the best of the bunch. Some of them are premium hand crank radios full of features with elegant, more portable designs, while others are bigger, bulkier, and less expensive. They’re all hand crank operated, and many of them can also run on solar. Any one of them could end up saving your life in an emergency situation.
You’ll see a decent variety of prices, sizes, and features, and I’m sure one of them is the right hand crank radio for you.
Features:
- AM/FM (digital radio)
- 7 NOAA weather bands
- Alert function broadcasts emergency weather alerts
- Hand crank and solar power charging
- Rechargeable battery
- USB charger with 2600mAh battery
- LED flashlight
The American Red Cross FX3+ Emergency Radio from Eton combines quality with durability, bringing everything you need from an emergency radio. There’s a large ergonomic hand crank to generate power, as well as integrated solar panels for charging the lithium-ion battery.
It weighs in at 14.9 ounces, feels sturdy and well built. The audio quality’s nice and crisp, and a lot cleaner than other radios. A really nice feature is the USB port for charging smartphones and other devices.
The FX3+ has AM/FM/NOAA weather band channels, a clear little blue display screen, and alarm clock. It’s also for an LED flashlight for seeing your way in the dark, and a red flashing beacon for emergency situations.
Another nice feature is the Weather Alert function. When set, the radio automatically broadcasts any emergency weather alerts in your area, keeping you safe and informed. If you want to stay connected in the wild, in an emergency, or just in the backyard, the FX3+ will keep you in the know.
Check price of the American Red Cross FRX3+
- Clear, crisp sound quality
- Reputable company
- Solid customer reviews
- Hand crank and solar power
- Large battery
- Easy-to-use hand turbine
- Emergency weather alert function
- Digital display
- More expensive than some of the less robust options
Features:
- AM/FM/NOAA
- Hand crank and solar panel
- LED flashlight
- 2000mAh power bank
- USB charger
- SOS alarm
FosPower’s Emergency Radio does everything you need for a reasonable price. It comes with a 2000mAh 3.7V lithium-ion battery pack, more than enough emergency power to mobile devices like a phone or tablet in emergencies.
Along with AM, FM, and NOAA frequencies, it has two light sources, a 4 LED reading light and a 1W LED flashlight. It weighs just under 11 ounces and is waterproof up to IPX-3 level. You can power it via hand crank, solar panels, or 3 AAA batteries.
The emergency radio from FosPower is a beautifully built little machine. The hand crank feels sturdy enough to survive the test of time. Plus, it comes with a couple of unique features – like the SOS siren and red emergency beacon – placing it ahead of its competitors.
If you want a little, inexpensive hand-crank radio for hiking and camping trips, the FosPower Emergency Radio has a lot to offer. It feels sturdy enough that it won’t break in your hand at a price point that won’t break your budget.
Check price of the FosPower Emergency Radio
- Large battery
- Well built – feels solid
- Good radio reception
- Siren and red beacon
- 3 power supplies
- No battery charge indicator
- No display screen
- Uses disposable batteries
Features:
- Solar panel
- Hand crank
- Rechargeable battery
- 32 hours operation
- SOS beacon & Emergency flashlight
- AM/FM radio
- NOAA weather alert
- USB charging cable
- Ultrasonic dog whistle
The ER310 from Midland is the cream of the crop when it comes to hand-crank emergency radios. It comes chock full of awesome features in a slick design and bomb-proof casing. If you’re ready to spend a little more, then the ER310 is the emergency radio for you.
Along with the standard AM/FM radio, the NOAA weather alert provides information on severe weather conditions or civil emergency situations. The huge 2600 mAh lithium-ion battery can be recharged via hand crank and solar panel. You can also use AA batteries to power the ER310.
The extra features are really what set the ER310 apart from the rest of the pack. The Midland radio comes with a Cree LED flashlight with 130 lumens, so definitely bright enough to signal for help. The flashlight comes with two brightness settings, low and high. There’s also a SOS beacon setting, which flashes in Morse code.
If there’s a risk of severe weather in your area, the NOAA weather scan will automatically pick ut up and sound an alarm. The ER310 even comes with an ultrasonic dog whistle feature to assist search and rescue teams find you in an emergency.
It weighs a pound and feels super sturdy. With a huge features list as well as a solid, easy-to-use design, the ER310 from Midland easily takes the prize as Best Premium hand-crank radio.
Check price of the Midland ER310
- Awesome features list
- Ultrasonic dog whistle
- NOAA weather alert
- Huge battery
- Solar panel, hand crank, rechargeable battery
- USB cable for charging devices
- SOS beacon
- Pricier than other options
Features:
- 1000mAh power bank
- USB charger for devices
- AM/FM/NOAA radio
- 1W LED flashlight
- Solar, hand crank, and micro USB charging
- 12-month warranty
The MD-088s from RunningSnail slides in at one of the least expensive, but still quality, hand-crank radios. It receives AM/FM/NOAA weather channel like the best of them, and it’ll barely cause a dent in the budget.
The RunningSnail is super light, weighing in at 7.8 ounces. It’s got a respectable 1000mAh power bank, plus a USB cable for charging your phone or tablet. You can charge it three ways – with a micro USB cable, solar panel, and a manual hand crank.
There’s no digital display, but easy-to-use dials to tune between stations. There’s also a 1W long-lasting powerful LED flashlight to help you see in the dark.
While it’s not as ergonomic or robust as some of the more expensive radios, it’ll still get the job done. One of the best features of the RunningSnail is its 12-month warranty. For a low price, efficient hand-crank radio, you can’t go wrong with the RunningSnail MD-088s emergency radio.
Check price of the RunningSnail MD-088S
- Low price
- Lightweight
- Does the job
- Integrated LED flashlight
- 3-way charging
- USB cable
- No digital display
- No headphone jack
- Doesn’t feel as durable
Features:
- 6-way charging
- AM/FM/2-band shortwave/NOAA
- USB charging
- 5-LED reading lamp
- LED flashlight
- Red LED SOS beacon light
- Telescopic antenna
- Impact-resistant and water-resistant
The Kaito KA500 Voyager is a beast. It comes with an industry-leading 6-way charging capability – AC/DC adapter, built-in rechargeable battery, AC adapter, hand cranking, USB charging, and solar panel.
The KA500 Voyager is built like a bomb shelter out of impact-resistant and water-resistant ABS material. The hand crank feels sturdy enough to really exert some force. Even the solar panel feels sturdier than most.
A really nice feature is the seven pre-programmed weather channels numbered from one to seven. Instead of having to guess each time, you can just switch between the NOAA weather stations to find out local information.
It comes with pretty much every feature you could want, including a headphone jack for private listening, a telescopic antenna, an LED light for reading, another for seeing in the dark, and yet another red emergency beacon for being spotted in an emergency.
For the price, it’s a little surprising the KA500 Voyager doesn’t come with a digital display. Instead, it’s got a manual dial. Still, there’s less to go wrong, and the KA500 should last a long time. It’s one of the most durable hand-crank radios out there, but its resilience comes as a price.
Check price of the Kaito KA500 Voyager
- Lots of features
- Well built and durable
- Preprogrammed NOAA channels – no more guessing
- Water-resistant and impact-resistant
- 6-way charging
- Multiple lights – reading, flashlight, and emergency
- Pricier option
- No digital display
Features:
- AM/FM/NOAA
- 4000mAh battery
- 3-mode flashlight
- Battery indicator
- SOS alarm
- 3-way charging
- USB cable
- 12-month warranty
Another solid contender is the MD-090P from Puiuisoul. With a massive replaceable 18650 lithium-ion battery, the MD-090P has an unrivaled battery capacity of 4000mAh. You can charge the batteries three ways – via micro USB cable, solar panel, and hand crank. It’s got one of the biggest hand cranks out there, which makes it a little easier to charge the huge battery pack.
The MD-090P also comes with a super-bright 3-mode flashlight and motion sensor reading lamp. The brightest setting can reach over 10m, while the reading light is dim enough to be comfortable. Plus, there’s a flashing SOS high beam along with loud siren to alert people of your whereabouts.
It weighs just under a pound and is on the larger size. If bulkiness isn’t an issue, then it’s a super solid choice. With a respectable features list, quality build, and reasonable price, the Puiuisoul MD-090P is one of the most popular hand-crank emergency radios out there.
Check price of the Puiuisoul MD-090P
- Huge capacity
- Sturdy and durable
- Extra-large crank handle
- 3-way charging
- 3-mode flashlight
- 12-month warranty
- Big and bulky
- Relatively heavy
- Can get better quality for the price
Features:
- AM/FM/NOAA
- 2000mAh power bank
- 4-way charging
- 6 LED reading light
- 1W flashlight
- SOS alarm with flashing red light
- USB charging
- Headphone jack
The Emergency Radio from RageMoudal was close to making it on top of the list. It’s got a solid features list, including 4-way recharging – USB, hand crank, solar, and AAA batteries, 2000mHa battery capacity, and USB charger for your phone or tablet.
There’s also a 6 LED low-level reading light and a 1W super-bright flashlight, as well as an SOS alarm and flashing red light for emergencies. It weighs in at just over half a pound and is neither the largest nor smallest radios out there, though it would be a little bulky for hiking and camping.
The plastic casing is relatively hard-wearing and is water-resistant to IPX3. If you’re after a rock-solid, no-frills hand-crank radio, then the RageMoudal does everything you need. It’s easy to use and can do whatever the premium radios can at a little less price.
Check price of the RageMoudal Emergency Radio
- 4-way charging
- Easy-to-use
- Headphone jack
- 2 lights plus SOS beacon
- Relatively big and bulky
- Plastic parts
Features:
- AM/FM/NOAA
- 3-way charging
- 1200mHa capacity
- 1W LED flashlight
- SOS alarm
Last but not least, is the nice little pocket-sized emergency radio from IyeHo. It’s one of the cheapest hand-crank radios out there, and if you want one for your glove box or kitchen drawer, then it’s perfect.
It’s got an impact-resistant, water-resistant casing made out of ABS plastic. The hand crank is a decent size, making it easy to charge. There’s a 1W LED flashlight, as well as an SOS alarm for emergencies.
There’s 3-way recharging with the IyeHo radio – hand crank, solar, and rechargeable batteries. The speaker isn’t bad, though the quality isn’t as high as the more expensive radios. You get what you pay for, and if you want something basic and cheap, then the IyeHo is exactly what you need.
Check price of the IyeHo Emergency Radio
- Inexpensive
- Pocket-size
- Easy-to-use
- 3-way charging
- Lower capacity
- Feels relatively cheap
Best Hand Crank Radio for Emergencies: A Buyer’s Guide
Take a look at these key points to keep in mind when you’re buying a hand-crank radio. Whether it’s for hiking and camping, or safety at home, traveling, or at work, answering these questions will guide you towards finding the right hand-crank radio for you.
What’s your hand-crank radio for?
Are you getting this for a hiking and camping trip or is it to throw in your car in case of emergencies. If you think about how you’re actually going to use your emergency hand-crank radio, then it will be easier to decide on the right one.
How much capacity do you need?
If you know you’re going to depend on your hand-crank radio for light, contact, and charging your phone, you might want to get one with more capacity. If it’s just to listen to the radio while you’re out on a fishing trip, then you might not need such a large battery.
Do you want lightweight or heavy-duty?
If you’re going to be carrying an emergency radio up a mountain, then I’d suggest investing in a small, lightweight hand-crank radio. If it’s going to be kept in your garage or your basement in case of power outages at home, then you can sacrifice a little on size and get a larger radio with more capacity.
What extra features do you want?
Think about if you want or need any of the specific extra features some of the radios have. For example, do you want/need a digital display, USB charging port, headphone jack, ultrasonic dog whistle, or warranty? If so, make sure your hand-crank radio comes with that particular feature.
Our Top Posts About Survival Gear
More Information about Survival Gadgets and Electronics
Best Rocket Stove To Buy for Outdoor Adventures
Best Off Grid Generators For Preppers (That Use Fuel)
20 Cool Survival Gadgets You (Literally?) Can’t Live Without
The Best Survival Flashlight: Our 8 Favorite Flashlights for 2020
Best Compass for Survival & Wilderness Navigation 2020
Best Handheld Ham Radio for Survival 2020
The 6 Best Portable Solar Generators for Preppers
The 7 Best Personal Locator Beacons for Wilderness Emergencies 2020
Best Survival Two Way Radios in 2020
The first 72 hours after a disaster are the most critical for survival. Enter your email below to get a checklist of essential items you need in your 72 hour emergency get home bag…
Why You Can Trust Us
Secrets of Survival has been around since 2002 (almost 20 years) and our survival knowledge is the real deal. We were writing and discussing survival and prepping before people even knew what the word “prepping” meant. We also preceded the trendiness of survival media nowadays… for example, we were arround before Bear Grylls filmed his first episode of Man vs Wild.Our contributors and writers over the years have included survival experts of all stripes – including a Green Beret Special Forces Medic, a former Navy SEAL, a leading survival instructor who’s been featured on National Geographic and PBS. Every article is either written or reviewed by someone who is an expert in either survivalism, prepping, or homesteading (or all three) and our goal is to be as practical and educational as possible.
While some of our writers and contributors use pseudonyms in order to protect their privacy (never a bad idea in these times where out of control surveillance is a growing problem), you can trust that everybody who gets to write for us has been vetted for their knowledge and passion when it comes to survival.
Click here to learn more about Secrets of Survival and our writers and contributors.
I appreciate the suggestions on what emergency radios to buy. I wish you would add where they are made. I like to buy usa made items whenever possible so this info is important to me.