We have already had a look at the best hand-crank generators earlier. Here, we have a list of the best hand-crank radios for emergencies. It is quite essential for an outdoor enthusiast or an adventurist to own an emergency radio. If it is a crank-powered one, it should be rather awesome as you can just crank its liver for emergency power.
Several brands offer cool NOAA emergency crank radios. Besides the crank livers, they typically feature small solar cells as another source of alternative power. Still, a hand-crank is the most reliable alternative power source as it can help you generate power notwithstanding any requirements like sunlight.
An emergency radio normally comes with a range of additional features. They may include an AM/FM radio, USB phone charger, flashlight, torchlight, SOS alarm, and more, depending on the brand and model. Having a variety of features incorporated into a single device, you will be lucky to get a more versatile emergency radio.
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The Best Hand-Crank Radios for Emergencies
As you see, we have a wide range of hand-crank emergency radios on the market today. Many brands avail a great number of models, and the same brands have different products. Hence, if you are looking at buying a hand-crank radio, you should have an idea about the overall market.
One key thing is that the radio you choose should offer a range of additional features and facilities that can make your outdoor life easier. We have a collection of the best crank radios below. The list will hopefully help you find the best hand-crank radio to make your outdoor life more amazing.
1. Kaito KA500 Voyager Solar Radio
Why Should You Buy
- Complete Emergency Radio With All Important Channels.
- Six-Way Charging, Including Hand-Crank and Solar Panels.
- Emergency Mobile Battery Charger with USB Output.
- Telescopic Antenna Extending up to 14.5-In for Better Results.
- Made of Premium Impact-Resistant and Waterproof ABS.
- Quality Built-In Speaker With Loud and Crispy Sound.
We would like to start the list with a Kaito emergency radio. Kaito is a top vendor of unique electronic gadgets. And it was the company that integrated solar panels and dynamo into a radio set for the first time. We have the brand’s much-touted KA500 Voyager solar radio here. It is available in multiple shades.
The KA500 Voyager radio is an ideal pick for both emergencies and at home. As an emergency readiness tool, you have it equipped with solar and dynamo powering options. Apart from that, it also has got three other powering options. They are AA batteries (not included), a USB port, and AC/DC inlet to connect to a wall socket.
Moreover, it highlights complete coverage of FM, AM, NOAA, and 2-band shortwave channels. So, in the wild, you could enjoy access to a lot of content, including entertainment, news, weather updates, forecast, and a lot more. Check out the link above for its latest price and explore all the color variants of the product.
By the way, apart from a radio, it also features a mobile battery charger. So, you could use the stored power in its battery to juice up your handsets in an emergency via the built-in 5V USB port. Also, you could charge other handhelds like MP3 players, cameras, GPS units, and more.
The radio is made of high-quality impact-resistant ABS plastic for increased durability. The hand crank is solid and durable. Meanwhile, you could flip the built-in solar panel up to 180 degrees to attract as much as sunlight possible. Overall, the Kaito is one of the best hand-crank radios for campers and preppers alike.
2. RunningSnail Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio
Why Should You Buy
- Compact and Handy Emergency Hand-Crank Radio.
- Four-Way Charging, Including Hand-Crank and Solar Cells.
- AM/FM and NOAA Weather Emergency Radio.
- Powerful 4000mAh Lithium Battery Inside.
- USB Phone Charger and LED Torchlight.
- Large LCD Screen for System Information Monitoring.
Here is another great crank weather radio. This is from RunningSnail and is very popular among campers and peppers. It has got a four-way charging method. That is, apart from the crank and solar, it runs on a micro USB cable and AAA batteries. So, it is an ideal emergency preparedness tool you could take anywhere easily.
The gadget integrates AM/FM and NOAA weather radio. Thus, it could bring you the latest climate updates as well as weather alerts in the area you are isolated in the wild or in an emergency situation. Well, the radio could run up to 10 hours on full recharge.
The RunningSnail hand-crank emergency radio sports an LED torchlight. It could offer bright light to help you meet a power blackout. The included 4000mAh lithium battery will power the battery smartly and help the overall radio work pretty long hours. Thus, you will never be left in the darkness.
Moreover, like all similar emergency radios, it also highlights a USB phone charging point. So you could keep your phones and other important gadgets without dying in a critical situation. Just plug in your gadgets to the radio and get some extra juice to run them for a little more time.
Above all, the handy and compact emergency radio has got a big LCD screen. That is meant to show different system information, including battery charge status. The radio, by the way, comes with an Aux cable to easily connect it to your car or other music systems.
3. Rocam Emergency Hand Crank Portable Radio
Why Should You Buy
- Compact, Handy, and Ultra-Portable Emergency Crank Radio.
- Five-Way Powering Options, Including Crank and Solar.
- AM/FM/SW/NOAA Emergency Radio with Great Reception.
- Built-in 2000mAh Battery for USB Phone Charging.
- IPX3 Waterproof and ABS Plastic for Increased Durability.
- 3-Watt Flashlight and 6 LED Reading Light.
Here is another cool product on our list of best hand-crank radios. The Rocam is a 5-way powered portable crank radio with a built-in solar panel. Plus, you could run the radio on a DC input, USB port, or AAA batteries if you don’t want to use the crank and solar panel.
The radio packs up a 2000mAh lithium battery. That is what makes it a reliable USB phone charger. So, in case of an emergency, you could depend on the radio to juice up your handsets or other USB gadgets for survival. The included speaker is of high quality.
When it comes to the channels, it offers a wide range of band receptions, including AM, FM, NOAA, shortwave, and more. Moreover, it carries a big telescopic antenna of up to 10.3 inches for increased signal reception even in tough climates. It has as many as seven weather channels pre-programmed for easy and quick access.
Finally, it integrates a bright 3W flashlight to help you stay safe in the wild or in an emergency. There is also a 6 LED reading light, which, as per its maker, is quite brighter than similar radios on the market. The emergency radio, by the way, is made of highly durable plastic and other materials for better durability.
The compact radio has just the size of an iPhone X, making it amazingly portable and handy. It comes with a carry strap as well as a hang buckle so that you could easily deal with it in the wild. Made with an IPX3 water-resistant outer case, you could take it anywhere unworriedly for camping, backpacking, and more.
4. Eton American Red Cross Hand-Crank Radio
Why Should You Buy
- Hand-Crank Emergency Radio in a Unique Design.
- Multi-Powered and Multi-Function Emergency Radio.
- Hand-Crank and Solar Panel Included for Alternative Power.
- AM/FM, and 7 NOAA/Environment Canada Weather Bands.
- 2600mAh Battery Included with USB Phone Charging Option.
- Long-Lasting LED Flashlight and LED Warning Beacon.
- Small and Lightweight Hand-Crank Radio.
Here is another brilliant all-purpose emergency radio from the famous brand, Eton. It is a special design called Eton American Red Cross FRX3. This small and lightweight radio will certainly equip you with the necessities to help survive an emergency situation. It is, in fact, a multi-powered and multi-function emergency radio.
Thanks to its hand-crank and solar power sources, you could stay prepared all the time. It features an advanced Alert function that makes it automatically broadcast emergency alerts in your locality. Just keep the Eton radio charged with the crank turbine or solar panel; you are ready to face any emergency.
Specs-wise, the Eton is an AM/FAM radio. And it is capable of receiving all seven NOAA/Environment Canada weather bands. At the same time, it could double as a phone charger. The integrated 2600mAh battery along with a USB output port helps juice up your phones and other gadgets in an emergency situation.
Meanwhile, like all similar emergency radios, it features a long-lasting LED flashlight and one red LED flashing beacon. That is how it turns out to be one of the best emergency hand-crank radios on the market today. As you see in the image above, it is a very handy device that you could take anywhere comfortably.
Eton has been availing of multiple variants of this emergency radio. They include a low-end variant of this model, called FRX3. Also, there are FRX5 and FRX5-BT, which is a Bluetooth-based radio for emergency preppers. The Eton is, in fact, one of the famous vendors of such emergency radios and other gadgets.
5. Eton Scorpion II Emergency Radio
Why Should You Buy
- Rugged and Waterproof Emergency Crank Radio.
- Highly Portable and Compact Emergency Radio.
- AM/FM/NOAA Weather Bands.
- Digital Tuner and Display.
- Phone Charger Via the Included USB Port.
- 800mAh Rechargeable Lithium Battery Inside.
- Bright LED Flashlight to Light Up Life Off-the-Grid.
Here, we have yet another cool Eton radio. Called Scorpion II, it is a rugged and ultra-portable digital radio with hand-crank and solar charging options. Thanks to an internal rechargeable lithium battery, you could embark on an outing with a fully charged emergency radio and then rely on alternative sources on the go.
The radio could receive AM/FM and NOAA weather bands. With a digital tuner and display, you could manage the channels perfectly to enjoy access to real-time news and weather updates.
At the same time, the Eton is also a phone charger. Well, the 800mAh internal battery makes it a USB phone charger. Through the built-in 5V -1A USB outlet, you could recharge your phone, tablet, GPS units, and other small gadgets in an emergency. Yes, you no longer need to carry a separate power bank for power.
By the way, as said above, it is a rugged and splash-proof radio. Made with durable and solid materials, you could take the radio on your adventures in full confidence. The IPX4 waterproof device will surely work nicely outdoors. And there is also a bright LED flashlight to help light up your camping trails or tents at night.
6. Kaito KA340 Emergency Lantern and Radio
Why Should You Buy
- High Sensitivity AM/FM, SW, NOAA Weather Bands.
- 5-Way Powering Options, Including Hand-Crank and Solar.
- Built-In Li-Ion 2300mAh Rechargeable Battery.
- Brighter 8-LED Camping Lantern and 5-LED Flashlight.
- MP3 Player with SD Card Reading Option up to 32G.
- Wireless Bluetooth Streaming for Loud and Clear Tone.
- Built-In Microphone for Bluetooth Voice Function.
- 5V USB Mobile Phone Charger.
Next on our list of the best hand-crank radios, we have yet another cool Kaito product. Branded as Kaito KA340, it is an emergency camping lantern plus an emergency radio. It is a five-way powered device that has hand-crank and solar powering options other than AA batteries, USB input, and AC outlet.
The radio offers comprehensive broadcasting coverage. That includes local AM/FM, SW, and NOAA weather channels that could bring to you the latest news and climate alerts. The built-in camping lantern is a bright 8-LED unit and it also has a long-lasting 5-LED flashlight.
Coming to storage, the Eton radio has a built-in li-ion 2,300mAh unit. That is enough to provide you with 16 hours of lighting and around 20 hours of radio playtime. At the same time, thanks to the USB output port, it could recharge your handsets and other USB devices in an emergency.
Above all, the radio highlights a wireless streaming feature. That is, you could stream your favorite music from your phone, tablet, computer, or other sources to the radio and listen to it in a rather loud and clear tune. The radio also supports a micro-SD memory card, by the way.
Overall, you get a really awesome emergency radio plus a lantern. It will be a nice pick for all types of travelers, campers, and hikers. The sturdy and strong build really makes it a worthy piece of emergency gear. In the meantime, you could also use it in your households for emergency needs.
7. PPLEE Emergency Hand-Crank Radio
Why Should You Buy
- Ideal Hand-Crank Emergency Radio with Solar Cells.
- 5-Way Powered Ultra-Portable Emergency Radio.
- Rechargeable 2000mAh 18650 Li-ion Battery.
- USB Phone Charging via the Included USB Port.
- 7-Pre-programmed NOAA Weather Scan with AM/FM and SW.
- Built-In Loud SOS Alarm for Emergency Warnings.
- Bright Flashlight and 6-LED Reading Lamp.
We have another great hand-crank and solar emergency radio on our list. It is from a small-time maker, PPLEE. Of course, though not from a major brand, the product is a much-appreciated model. Spec-wise, it is indeed a typical emergency radio with multiple powering options and band stations.
Well, the PPLEE emergency radio is a 5-way powered ultra-portable unit. Apart from the hand-crank and solar options, it features the regular USB, AAA battery, and 2000mAh AC power bank options. The package doesn’t include AAA batteries, which you need to buy separately.
Meanwhile, the emergency hand-crank radio highlights seven pre-programmed NOAA weather bands with the local AM/FM and shortwave channels. These channels are indeed quite enough to bring you live updates and alerts on the weather. And make you safe from floods, tornados, storms, and other natural calamities.
Further, the emergency radio sports a bright flashlight and a reading lamp. The included 6 LED reading lamp is sufficient to ensure bright lighting for you to refer to a book or map in the darkness. Meanwhile, the flashlight helps light up your camping trails and tents.
By the way, like all similar products, it also integrates an option for USB charging of your gadgets and phones. The included 2000mAh lithium battery will power up your handsets in an emergency through the included USB port. Overall, you are really getting one of the best hand-crank and solar emergency radios for survival.
8. Vondior Hand-Crank Emergency Radio
Why Should You Buy
- Ultimate Lifeline Emergency Survival Radio.
- 4000mAh Battery Pack for Long Runtime.
- USB Phone Charging with Multiple Output Ports.
- Practical Survival Tool with Multiple Life-Saving Functions.
- Compact and Handy Radio with a Stylish Profile.
The next product on our list is from Vondior. It is yet another full-fledged NOAA weather radio with a variety of life-saving functions. With its handy size, you can use it conveniently during emergencies, hurricanes, long-hour blackouts, and outdoor adventures.
Like all similar products, Vondior is also more than a battery-powered emergency radio. You have it with multiple lighting features such as a personal light, flashlight, and an SOS alarm light. All these functions are powered by its 4000mAh battery.
When it comes to the radio, it can give you access to up to seven NOAA radio stations. That is indeed a cool way to make sure you get the latest updates on the weather and other climatic conditions and save your life.
It has a size of 8 x 3.8 x 3 inches and it weighs 1.2 lbs. Its stylish orange and black shade gives a great look.
Final Thoughts
That has been our take on the best hand-crank radios. As you know, we have a big collection of similar emergency radios that feature hand-crank and solar powering options. It would be better to say that all the emergency radios feature these powering options other than regular USB, AA, and AC options.
We have just covered a few of the best emergency radios. All the key brands in the segment offer multiple variants of the radios. Some brands also offer the same model in a number of shades. Anyway, our list will hopefully help you find the best hand-crank emergency radio on the market.
Vahid Vee is a full-time blogger who is highly passionate about off-grid and sustainable power systems and is an expert at researching and exploring new topics, checking facts, and presenting things in simple language. As an avid observer of the global off-grid power and battery market, he is really excited to share with you the latest trends, fresh products, and other developments in the markets. #Contact Email @ veevahid@gmail.com – LinkedIn – Full blog profile.
