From multi-pitch climbing commands to calling your drop in the backcountry, a solid set of walkie-talkies can be the difference between a good copy and a garbled transmission. After surveying the field and winnowing down to the most promising, we’ve gathered and tested 11 of the best walkies available.
We field-tested these handhelds over months of multi-sport use, challenging them while whitewater rafting the rivers of the Pacific Northwest, hiking across Joshua Tree National Park, and hailing our ride while heli-skiing in the Canadian Rockies. We tested the overall range across both desert basins and tight backcountry trees and ran batteries dead flat to figure total power consumption.
When the dust settled, the following squawk-boxes were left standing as the most worthy of the bunch. From small units to check on your kiddos to radios that require a license to operate fully, read on for our review to help you hone in on the best for your use.
If you’re looking at getting your first set of walkie-talkies, consider checking out our in-depth Buyer’s Guide and Comparison Chart sections, which get into the radio nitty gritty. And for any lingering questions, the FAQ has got you covered. Copy that?
The Best Walkie-Talkies of 2024
- Best Overall Walkie-Talkie: Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio
- Best Budget Walkie-Talkie: Midland X-Talker T51VP3
- Best Backcountry Walkie-Talkie: Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0
- Best Waterproof Walkie-Talkie: Cobra ACXT1035R FLT
- Best GMRS Walkie-Talkie: Rocky Talkie 5-Watt Radio
- Best Advanced Walkie-Talkie: Baofeng BF-F8HP
Walkie-Talkie Comparison Chart
How We Tested Walkie-Talkies
If you’ve had a walkie-talkie or two, you’re probably familiar with the almost comical ranges they purport to achieve, and it’s this type of fluff we aimed to cut through in our testing. As little pieces of tech, walkies can tuck a lot of functionality under the hood, and unraveling all that took us to reaches of radio-nerdery we aren’t sure we can return from now.
Our walkie-talkie testing is led by Nick Belcaster, a licensed amateur radio operator and multi-sport enthusiast from the Pacific Northwest. His radio usage spans from calling off-belay on long alpine multi-pitch climbs to hailing other radio enthusiasts on peaks in the Cascades (he’s even talked to the astronauts on the Space Station).
In a previous role, he has managed fleets of handheld radios for a national mountain guiding operation, and programmed handhelds for hailing bushplanes on Denali. His expertise is compounded by a team of multisport GearJunkies who took to the four corners to test these radios on backpacking, climbing, paddling, and even heli-skiing trips.
The best walkie-talkies on the market are tools, not toys, and our testing aimed to challenge their performance in both best- and worst-case scenarios. To test overall range and transmission clarity, we transmitted across both the broad lowlands of Puget Sound and the tortured landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. Our testing in Washington yielded a test with all things going for the radios, while our challenge down south cranked the dial and went for broke on difficulty.
We also tested these radios on their battery life, running them all flat and noting total operating times, and challenged them to operate right out of the freezer, and after baking in the sun all afternoon. Beyond all of our measurements and regimented testing, we also took these radios out into the wide world for a good old-fashioned thrashing.
From deep Alaskan ice hunting to class 4 rapids in the Pacific Northwest, we totted these radios out into the sticks and used them to keep in contact with our partners. Each has the scratches to prove it, and each one earned its spot in our lineup. As new walkies hit the market, we’ll fold them into our coverage and test them all the same.
Testing History
For our initial slate of walkie-talkie testing, we researched and identified 11 of the most popular radios with leading specifications and feature sets. We aimed to capture the broadest selection of the market and focused our efforts mainly on FRS radios, with a few GMRS radios thrown in for comparison, as well as a true handheld amateur radio to see what the big dogs can do.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Walkie-Talkie
Without looking under the hood, it can be tough to tell what you’re really getting with a walkie-talkie — many look the part but perform wildly different from their counterparts. And when bringing them along on high-stakes adventures, that can actually matter.
But with some know-how, your next set of walkies will not only last longer, but will also operate more dependably and keep you keyed in on the important things. Consider the following when choosing your next radio, as well as what exactly your backcountry communication needs are. We also have guides on the Best Satellite Messengers and even the Best Satellite Phones, should you really need to get the message out.
Radio Classes and Frequencies
Overwhelmingly, most people, most of the time, are best served by a Family Radio Service, or FRS, radio. Carved out of the radio band plan in the 90s, this segment of the airwaves is offered up as license-free and available to any and all who wish to jump on and gab. The 462 and 467 MHz range is channelized, meaning channel 1 on your radio is the same as everyone else’s.
With the exception of the Rocky Talkie 5-Watt Radio, Midland GXT100, and the Baofeng BF-F8HP, all of the walkies in our testing are FRS band radios with 22 channels to choose from. Channels 1-7 and 15-22 transmit at 2 watts of output, while the middle frequencies are limited to 0.5 watts.
GMRS, or General Mobile Radio Service, radios are the next step up in ability and operate on the same 22 channels that FRS radios do, as well as eight additional channels between these. The biggest difference between the two is the operating power, which can be as high as 50 watts on a GMRS radio but is more typically 5 watts.
Because of this added power, you’ll be able to beam further afield with a GMRS radio, but will also need an FCC license to do so. Luckily, there’s no test to complete, and the $35 fee is good for 10 years — and extends to family members. A radio like the Rocky Talkie 5-Watt will outperform an FRS radio any day of the week.
Finally, amateur or ‘ham’ radios make use of a different slice of the radio waves, and require a license and call sign to operate legally. Only the Baofeng BF-F8HP in our testing qualifies as this type of radio, but the abilities you gain access to are well worth it for some. At 8-watts maximum power, a radio like this is working with a lot more engine to get your signal out. This is the radio our lead tester, Nick Belcaster, uses when traveling deep in the backcountry.
Privacy Codes
Best thought of as an added lock and key, privacy codes allow radio operators to cut down on cross traffic, and can be very effective when used in an area where many are using walkie-talkies. These come in two different flavors, though you most often won’t see them identified as such, and more often will be denoted as privacy codes, interference eliminator codes, or subcodes.
CTCSS codes are sub-audible tones that piggyback on the transmissions from your radio, and if any radio listening is also listening for that specific code, it’ll allow the transmission through. There are 38 commonly used CTCSS codes, and adding one to your frequency choice not only applies the tone to your transmissions, but also adds a filter to your receiver to listen for the same code.
DCS codes are a little different, and transmit a digital bitstream that accomplishes the same function as CTCSS codes. As we mentioned earlier, many FRS radios dumb down this information, and many simply change from CTCSS to DCS between the 38th and 39th privacy codes. Functionally, there is little difference in choosing either.
It’s important to note that the ‘privacy’ offered by privacy codes only extends to those who don’t stumble upon your unique combination of frequency and code, and that those who aren’t using a privacy code but the same frequency will still be able to hear your transmissions.
Transmission Power and Range
First things first, let’s settle something here: The max ranges given for most radios are going to be the best-case scenario possible — from mountain top to mountain top. With nothing deflecting or impeding the signal, even lowly walkie-talkies can beam across 20-30-mile expanses.
The reality of actual use, however, can be markedly different, and depend on a number of different factors. The first is out of our control, and that is terrain. Trees, mountains, and especially hills and depressions all have a strong impact on transmission range (even strong solar flares can impact some radios). The best option for combatting this is to get as prominent as you’re able to. Even a hundred vertical feet can make a tangible difference.
The second major factor affecting range is equipment, and luckily we do have control over some of this. First off, choosing the appropriate radio for the job will get you far. FRS radios are good for short to mid-range distances, GMRS radios for solid mid-ranges, and amateur radios for long-range transmissions.
Transmitting with the maximum allowed output for your radio will also significantly boost your signal. On FRS radios, that’s 0.5 W or 2 W, depending on the channel. GMRS radios can output up to 50 W but typically top out at around five on handheld radios. Some radios, like the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio, will display whether or not the channel you are using is a high or low transmission power channel, which can make it easy.
In our own testing, we aimed to look at the best- and worst-case scenarios to get the full picture. To test the full transmission distance we could squeeze out of these radios, we conducted range testing along an open county road in flat country, ensuring nothing was limiting these walkies. For a better idea of real-world results, we also tested among the boulder piles of Joshua Tree National Park, where results were greatly foreshortened.
Radio Operation
While using a walkie-talkie doesn’t require much of the etiquette of amateur radio (or the fun slang of CB), there are some handy tips for making your transmissions count the first time.
First off, choose a channel that doesn’t already have traffic. For close-quarters comms, you’re probably fine going with one of the 0.5-watt channels in the middle of the FRS band (8-14), but if range is going to be an issue, stick with the full-power channels of 1-7 or 15-22.
Consider if a privacy code would help cut down on cross-talk, and if a specific channel is warranted: Some localities are experimenting with standardizing recommended channels for different recreation zones.
Then, practice a radio check. This entails putting a small distance between users and checking for a good copy. Doing this before it counts is a surefire way to hedge against mishaps when your buddy thought you said channel 4 instead of 5.
Because some radios have some latency when transmitting, pause for a moment or two before beginning to speak. This will ensure your full message isn’t cut short. Some radios tag on a transmission tone at the end of any message, meaning your recipient should know when you’re done talking and they’re clear to respond.
If transmissions aren’t coming through the clearest, consider using the following language to ensure your message is understood:
- Answering ‘affirmative’ or ‘negative’ are much more distinct terms compared to a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
- Finishing your transmission with a ‘clear’ lets others know your message is complete.
- When answering to confirm you heard a message, a ‘copy’ is sufficient.
When transmissions are especially garbled, relay important words in a phonetic alphabet like the NATO alphabet at a slow pace and ask for confirmation.
Battery Life and Charging
Your walkie-talkie is only as good as long as it has a charge, and there can be a pretty big spread in battery capacities, as well as discharge rates. The smallest battery in our testing was the 800 mAH rechargeable found in the Motorola T600, which we found averaged around 8 hours of casual use before needing to be recharged.
Above that was the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio (1,550 mAh), Oxbow Renegade (1,700 mAh), Midland X-Talker TV51 and GXT1000 (1,700 mAh), and Rocky Talkie 5-Watt (1,800 mAh). All of these radios put out a respectable amount of playtime, averaging around a day to two of usage.
Rocky Talkie must use some special battery-conserving tech, as they both outlasted even some of the larger battery radios, including the BCA Link Mini (1,800 mAH) and Baofeng BF-F8HP (2,000 mAh). Beyond that, the BCA Link 2.0 stretches the life to up to a claimed 80 hours, followed by the Mountain Lab Scout (2,500 mAh) and Cobra ACXT1035R FLT(3,000 mAh) — both supremely long-lasting radios.
We reserved a special place for radios that can operate with either a rechargeable battery pack or traditional batteries — as this is an excellent way to squeeze even more time out of your radio. The Cobra ACX, Mountain Lab Scout, Midland GXT1000 and X-Talker, Motorola T600, and Baofeng BF-F8HP (with optional battery pack) can all do this, and, for example, the Motorola T600 can squeeze out 8 hours on rechargeables, but 23 on AA batteries.
For those rechargeable radios, we gave preference for those that incorporated a forward-thinking USB-C charging port over the dated Micro-USB. Battery life indicators across the walkies ranged from simple three-bar icons to the percentages that flash during boot-up on both the Rocky Talkies. If you’re planning on being remote and off the cord for an extended period of time, it’s not a bad bet to take along a portable power bank to keep your walkies topped off.
Durability and Waterproofing
As outdoor equipment, you better believe we put these radios through the wringer, and rightfully so: a walkie-talkie that can’t handle being used outside isn’t worth much.
Any radio that claimed to be IP-rated as waterproof got both the hose and the whitewater treatment, being doused in both a steady stream of water while buttons were being pushed, as well as being strapped to our PFDs and run through a gauntlet of rapids.
The Rocky Talkie 5-Watt, Cobra ACXT1035R FLT, Mountain Lab Scout, and Motorola T600 all claim IP67 waterproofing with immersion in 3 feet of water up to 30 minutes, so we chucked them in a bucket to prove it.
Some radios, like the Rocky Talkie Mountain and 5-Watt, offer an optional handheld mic that is fully waterproof, meaning you can tuck the base unit away from the elements and use the radio without concern. Other radios aren’t quite waterproof, like the IP56 splashproof Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio or Oxbow Renegade X, which will take light precip, but no dunking.
Durability is also a function of impact resistance, and our climbing editor has literally bashed FRS radios to pieces during some ascents. Rubberized cases like on the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio soak up damage like this, and included tethers keep fumbles from becoming full-blown falls.
Environmental factors such as temperature can also impact long-term performance, with a distinct difference between lithium-ion batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH cells are more susceptible to temperature swings). For example, the lithium-ion powered Oxbow Renegade X lasts a good bit longer at low temperatures than the Cobra ACXT1035R FLT, even though they have the same battery capacity.
Price
As with most things, you get what you pay for when it comes to walkie-talkies. Thankfully, a proliferation of cheap tech has made even budget walkies perfectly serviceable for day-to-day use, but there are a few things to keep in mind as the price goes up.
Budget walkie-talkies, such as the Midland X-Talker T51 and GXT1000,typically slide in around $25-40 per radio and are sold in two packs, meaning you’re already set up for team communications. These radios often won’t be as physically durable (both lack waterproof ratings), but even these radios come fleshed out with a number of features, such as VOX and dual frequency monitoring.
The Baofeng BF-F8HP is a bit of an outlier in this range, as it’s a much higher-powered and featured radio for $65, but you’ll have to deal with a less user-friendly interface. Moving up from here, mid-tier radios such as the Cobra ACXT1035R FLT($60 per), Motorola T600 ($65 per), BCA Link Mini ($99 per), and Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio ($110 per) get you a more robust radio, often with a full waterproof rating and more features such as NOAA weather reception.
Premium radios, such as the Mountain Lab Scout ($150 per), Rocky Talkie 5-Watt ($165), Oxbow Renegade X ($180 per), and BCA Link 2.0 ($190 per), offer the full suite of functionalities. These can include integrated hand mics, Bluetooth integration, or full 5W power outputs.
