When developing any emergency preparation plan for you and your family, emergency communications should be paramount.
Here’s the thing:
In the event of a natural disaster or other type of emergency you may not be able to rely on cellular communication to keep in touch with each other.
This guide describes the best long range walkie talkies currently on the market.
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)—We will always give you our top recommendation at the beginning of our guides for those folks that just want to get to business without reading through the full guide. Our top choice for the best long range walkie talkie is the Midland GTX1000VP4. The combination of signal output power and water resistance makes the GTX1000VP4 an outstanding choice to have on hand during any type of emergency requiring the use of radio communications.
What is a Walkie Talkie?
The term “walkie talkie” is a nickname given to a type of two way radio transceiver that is held in the hand. Walkie Talkies were first used as a communication device by troops during World War II.
After the war these small handheld radios became more widely used by emergency responders and public safety personnel.
Today handheld two way radios or walkie talkies are widely used by anyone that has the need for mobile two way radio communications.
Best Long Range Walkie Talkies for 2019
| Walkie Talkie | Range | Battery Life | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland - GXT1000VP4 | 36 miles (5 effective) | 11 Hours |   |
| Midland LXT630VP3 | 30 miles (5 effective) | 12 hours |   |
| Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range | 5 miles (no obstructions) 1 mile effective | 8-96 hours depending on usage |   |
| Ansoko Long Range Walkie Talkies | 3 miles (no obstructions) 0.6 miles effective | 8-12 hours |   |
| ESYNiC Walkie Talkies | 3 miles effective | 8-9 hours |   |
How Does a Walkie Talkie Work?
Walkie Talkies are a handheld two way transceiver radio, which means it is capable of both receiving and sending radio messages.
This is different from a radio receiver (like and FM radio) that allows you to hear radio signals, but doesn’t allow you to broadcast your own.
Walkie talkies are great for communications devices during an emergency situation because they don’t rely on a cellphone network to operate. They use radio waves.
The Pros of Walkie Talkies
One of the main advantages of walkie talkies is that they are lightweight and not extremely expensive to buy. There are a wide range of manufacturers and models available with a multitude of features.
Another thing to keep in mind is that they do not rely on cellphone networks to operate so walkie talkies have a lot more versatility allowing them to operate in remote areas where cell phone signals are not available.
The Cons of Walkie Talkies
One of the main drawbacks to walkie talkies are that they are prone to radio interference and are limited to use at a relatively short distance.
The best long range walkie talkies are effective up to 2-3 square miles. If a longer range of radio communications is required you would want to look at citizen’s band (CB) radios or ham radios, though a license is required to utilize a ham radio.
It is important to note that while walkie talkies are usually marketed with a usable range this is referring to use in the most ideal situation for communications.
The distance is referring to use in a flat open area with no interference and no obstructions such as trees and buildings. If you plan to use walkie talkies in an urban environment you can expect a usable distance that is much less than what the radio is rated for.
When looking for the right long range walkie talkies for your situation you will want to consider the following features:
- Transmit Power Output
- Effective Range of Use
- Water Resistance
- Will it only work with the included rechargeable battery or can you use household batteries if you don’t have access to power
- Number of handsets required
TOP PICK – Midland GTX1000VP4 36 mile Range, 50 Channels
This pair of Midland walkie talkies boast a long range of use at 36 miles. This, again, will be much less in reality as this range is with the best atmospheric conditions and little to no obstructions. These radios are splash resistant making them great for outdoor use.
These radios come programmed with 124 privacy codes to help ensure your communications lines are secure. Communications security (COMSEC) is always important, but even more so in an emergency type scenario. These 124 privacy codes allow the user access to up to 3,124 possible channel options to block other conversations or avoid detection by other users.
Another great feature of this radio is the addition of NOAA weather scan and alert functions. The radio will automatically cycle through 10 available weather band channels and lock in on the strongest signal so you can receive up to date weather information and alerts. NCOAA weather alert will alert you with an alarm if a risk of severe weather is present in the area.
These radios make a great choice for emergency preparations due to the ability to use AA batteries in addition to the rechargeable battery pack supplied. The Midland GTX100VP4 is among the best long range walkie talkies on the market today due to its high power output. If you are in the need for more than two handsets you can also find them sold in a 6 handset pack here.
Runner Up – Midland lxt630vp3 30 Mile Range
Midland also produces the 2nd best option on our list. The LXT630VP3 come with 36 pre-programmed channels for use and 121 CTCSS privacy codes for a whopping 2,662 channel options to avoid interference.
These Midland radios are rated for 30 miles of use though the effective range is dependent on the conditions and terrain you are using these radios in.
Another fantastic feature is that these radios are also weather radios and include NOAA weather scan and alert. This function will automatically scan 10 NOAA weather frequencies and you will be alerted if there is a weather emergency advisory for your geographic area.
With a long range of use, dual power options, and weatherproof design these radios are a top choice for your emergency bug out bag.
Family Option – Arcshell Rechargable Long Range Two Way Radio
This set of radios is a great communication option for the whole family. The set comes with 4 radios so everyone can have their own handset and stay connected. Each handset has a 2 watt power output and is small enough to be used by people of all ages.
These radios come with 16 pre-programmed channels and 155 privacy tones to keep communications secure. The main drawback to these radios is that they are only usable with the rechargeable battery so if you are planning to use for emergency preparations they are not the best option unless you will have access to emergency power.
The internal battery only takes 2.5 hours to receive a full charge and has a battery life of 8-96 hours depending on the amount of transmitting time used. The usable range of these radios is up to 5 miles with no obstructions. You can expect more like 1 mile of usable range. These radios are a solid option if you want to get a good set of radios for the whole family on a budget.
Large Group Option – Ansoko Long Range Radio
These radios are sold in a 6 handset pack for those who require more handsets for a larger group or family. The Ansoko Long Range boasts a strong output power of 2 watts which gives them a 3 mile effective range of use in ideal open conditions, or 0.6 miles in a built up area with tall buildings.
Rugged and lightweight these radios are suitable for use outdoors. These radios only weigh 5.5 ounces including the battery and antenna. They even come with a built in LED flashlight for use in a dark environment which is a nice touch. They have a 16 channel memory bank which is really all the channel options you need.
To aid in your communications security these handhelds come programmed with 105 encryption tones to keep your communications between you and the desired recipient. The battery life of these radios will last about 8-12 hours under continuous usage and will last longer if used less. The main drawback to these radios is that you must have electricity to charge the battery. This is not an issue if you have access to a generator for emergency use, but is something to consider if you don’t.
Budget option – ESYNiC Long Range Walkie Talkies
This offering by ESYNiC is a great option on a budget. For the price these units really can’t be beat. These radios come with 16 channels of use which allows you to switch around to find a channel with the least interference. One impressive feature is the effective range of use for these 0.5 watt handsets. Even with such a low power output these walkie talkies are still effective up to 3 miles.
The ESYNiC handsets come with 50 pre-programmed security tones allowing for secure communications. The long life batteries on these units allow for continuous use of 8-9 hours and considerably more time if used less. These units also come equipped with an LED torch light which is a great addition if using these handsets in the dark.
While these are certainly not packed with as many features as the other handsets on this list, these are the best option if you are on a budget or just want to get a set of long range walkie talkies for occasional use.
Conclusion
There are a multitude of long range walkie talkies on the market, but these 5 are the best you can get your hands on. Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers include a statement of expected range that is far greater than the actual effective range. This can be a bit confusing for the consumer when they go to try out their walkie talkies and find they actually get much less range out of them.
Keep in mind that most long range walkie talkies are really effective up to about 3 miles and you won’t be let down. It is also important to keep the terrain and type of usage in mind when purchasing your walkie talkies so you make the right choice for your scenario.
If you are looking for two way radios with a longer range than these walkie talkies you will want to look at either CB radios or consider getting a ham radio license.
