Emergency radio: which one to choose
Reviewed on
In a long blackout, the radio is how official instructions reach you: every country includes it in its list. What matters is that it works without a plug.
What to look for
- It should run on several power sources: batteries, hand crank and sun. If one fails, there's another.
- FM and AM: in a major emergency some stations only broadcast on one band.
- It should charge your phone over USB, even a little: in an emergency every minute of battery counts.
- A built-in flashlight and a size that fits in the go bag.
Our picks
- Solar and hand-crank emergency radioFor home and the go bag: batteries, hand crank, solar, flashlight and USB output. FM/AM with no batteries: it charges from the sun or by hand, and doubles as a flashlight and charger.
Tip: Test it when you buy it and once a year: the crank and the panel charge slowly, so it's better to know how much before you need it.
Products reviewed on November 15, 2026.