I’m Kayla. I grew up with a radio on the kitchen counter and one in my backpack. I still keep a small one in my coat pocket. I use radios for chores, storms, ball games, and long drives. And yes, I’ve used every radio I mention here—some for years, some for a season, all in real life. For a lab-tested overview of the latest portable, Bluetooth, and emergency models, see The Best Radios We Tested (2024): Portable, Bluetooth, for Emergencies | WIRED.
If you’re curious about the full process behind my evaluations, I wrote up a longer field journal in this deep-dive on trying a bunch of radios so you don’t have to.
You know what? Radios feel simple. But there are a lot of types. Each one shines in a different moment. Let me explain, and I’ll tell you little wins and little headaches along the way.
If you want one shop that lets you browse everything from tiny AM/FM pocket sets to rugged weather units, Airtronics lays it all out in a clean, spec-forward catalog.
Tiny Pocket AM/FM: the walk-anywhere buddy
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Sony ICF-P26
This little guy lives in my dog-walking bag. It runs on two AA batteries and just goes and goes. I’ve gotten over three weeks from one set, with 30–40 minutes a day. The tuning wheel is a bit touchy with cold fingers, but the LED tuning light helps. The speaker is small, sure, but it’s clear enough for talk radio. The wrist strap is flimsy; I replaced mine with paracord. Still love it. -
C. Crane CC Pocket
When I want presets and weather, I grab this one. I clip it to my hoodie when I mow. AM performance is great for its size, and it pulls in distant FM stations better than you’d expect. The backlight is bright at night—almost too bright—but you can tap it quick. Headphones sound warm and full. It also does NOAA weather, which is handy when clouds roll in.
What I use them for: walks, little league games, coffee breaks, and in the garage with the door open.
Need even more pocket-size inspiration? The 5 Best Portable Radios 2025 | AM/FM Radios | Popular Mechanics rounds up standout AM/FM models with quick pros and cons.
Tabletop Radios: kitchen comfort, warm sound
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Tivoli Audio Model One
I keep mine on a kitchen shelf. The big tuning knob feels buttery, and the wood cabinet gives the sound a warm glow. It’s mono, but it fills a small room. There are no presets, which drives me nuts when I swap between jazz and news. Pricey, too. But each time I make pancakes on Sunday, I end up turning this one on. It just makes the room feel kind. -
Sangean WR-11
Same cozy vibe, a bit more budget friendly. The tone is smooth, and it holds a station well. My only gripe? The dial light is a tad dim at dusk. But the on/off volume knob clicks so clean, and it looks nice without yelling for attention.
Looking for a vintage or gently used tabletop unit and you’re anywhere near Montebello? Local classifieds can be gold mines—sites like Bedpage Montebello classifieds keep a running feed of second-hand electronics, so you can spot deals on radios, message sellers quickly, and even arrange same-day pickups to make sure the tuner and speaker sound right before handing over cash.
What they’re good at: background music while cooking, late-night AM talk, rainy-day tea time.
If you’re the type who happily pays for the richer wood cabinet of a Tivoli because it simply feels more “premium,” you might appreciate seeing how that same luxury-first philosophy plays out beyond radios. Luxy is a dating app built for high-income singles where a curated membership process, upfront cost breakdowns, and concierge-style perks aim to make swiping feel more like stepping into a private lounge—check the review for the full rundown on whether the exclusivity fee is worth it.
Emergency + Weather: the lights-are-out hero
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Eton FRX5-BT (hand-crank, solar, Bluetooth)
We lost power for 12 hours during a thunderstorm last spring. This radio earned its keep. I cranked it for five minutes and got about 15 minutes of play time. The flashlight is bright, and the weather alerts are loud enough to wake me. The solar panel trickle-charges on the porch. Downsides: cranking gets old fast, and the power bank can top up a phone only a little. But it kept us calm. -
Midland WR120 (NOAA alert desktop)
This lives by my bed. It uses S.A.M.E. codes, which means it warns me only for my county. The weekly test tone is shrill—yes, on purpose. It saved our weekend trip once by shouting at 5 a.m. about a flash flood watch. Setup took ten minutes.
When I reach for them: storms, camping, basement shelter time, quick phone charge in a pinch.
Shortwave: late-night world tour
- Tecsun PL-660
I use this when I can’t sleep. I pull the antenna up, turn off the kitchen LEDs (they create a buzz), and scan. I’ve heard Radio Havana, BBC relays, and ham voices on sideband at night. There’s an “air band” too—I’ve caught local tower chatter before sunrise. This radio has a learning curve. The buttons are many, and the noise from home lights is real. But when it’s quiet and the ionosphere is kind, it feels like magic.
Good for: travel, power cuts, curious ears. Tip: a simple clip-on wire antenna helps.
Boombox Style: old-school chores machine
- Sony CFD-S70 (CD/cassette/AM/FM)
I keep it in the laundry room. Buttons are big, the handle is sturdy, and it runs on batteries or wall power. The sound is fine—more clear than deep—but it cuts through dryer rumble. The cassette deck works, and yes, I still have mixtapes. Plastic feels a bit cheap, but it takes a beating and keeps going.
Use case: garage sales, yard work, kids’ rooms, dance breaks while folding towels.
Internet Radio: streams without the laptop mess
- Grace Digital Mondo Elite
I use this on my desk for news streams and niche stations. The color screen is simple, presets are easy, and the remote app actually works. Setup took me five minutes on Wi-Fi. The catch? No internet, no radio. Also, some stations move behind apps or change feeds, so once in a while you’ll re-save favorites. Sound is fuller than a phone, not as rich as big speakers—good balance.
Perfect when: you want a huge station list, but don’t want your phone tethered all day.
Handheld Ham Radios: talk back, not just listen
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Yaesu FT-60R
I used this at a charity run as a volunteer. It’s solid, with clean audio and strong battery life. We hit the local repeater, and coverage was rock steady. It feels chunky, but in a good way. The menu system is old-school, yet reliable once you learn it. You need a ham license to transmit. Listening is fine without one. -
Baofeng UV-5R
Yes, I own it. Yes, it’s cheap. It works, but the audio is harsh and the receiver can get swamped around strong signals. It’s a “be careful” radio: learn the rules, and don’t use it for GMRS unless it’s approved (this model isn’t). I keep mine as a backup with a longer antenna, and it’s great for scanner-style listening.
When I grab them: events, storms, community nets. Note: get a license; you’ll learn a ton.
For an even closer look at my day-to-day carry and the rigs that made the cut, check out the handheld ham radio I grab first (and four others I actually use).
Family Walkie-Talkies (FRS/GMRS): quick team talk
- Midland GXT1000
We used a pair on a fall hike and at a corn maze. Range was one mile in the woods, which is normal. The belt clips are strong, and the weather shortcut is nice. On open ground, you’ll get more distance; in a city, less. With a GMRS license, you can use higher power and repeaters on some channels. If you keep it simple, FRS channels work without a license.
Great for: road trips with two cars, festivals, keeping track of kids at the park.
Scanners: listening to the air and rails
- Uniden Bearcat BC125AT
I bring this to air shows. It locks onto air band fast, and the audio is crisp. I’ve also used it to hear trains call signals near our crossing. Programming takes patience, and it doesn’t handle digital trunked systems. But for air, marine, and analog stuff, it’s light and fun. A