Best Walkie Talkies 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Walkie talkies are perfect for staying connected when cell service is spotty, whether you're out on a hike, coordinating a big event or giving the kids a good excuse to play outdoors. The best walkie talkies offer long range, a rugged build and solid battery life, ensuring a clear line of communication whenever you need it. After putting the most popular and common models to the test, we found that the best walkie talkies available today are Midland’s X-Talker T71VP3—they stand out for their excellent audio quality, affordability and a strong range of up to 38 miles.

The best walkie talkies make it easy to stay in touch when cell service is spotty.

Other walkie talkies that scored high marks include Rocky Talkies—a durable two-way radio designed for the outdoors—as well as the Midland T10X3M X-Talker (easy to use and perfect for kids). Below, we’ve rounded up seven of the best walkie talkies for your communication needs.

Amazon

Weight: 0.5 pounds | Range: 38 miles | Number of channels: 36 | Water resistant: Yes

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The Midland X-Talker T71VP3 is our favorite go-to walkie talkie for three reasons. First, it's quite affordable, at less than $100 for a pair. Second, we found them easy-to-use—so much so that my Steven John's young kids found them super easy to operate both at home and on a camping trip. And third, after multiple outings and more than a few drops and falls, they worked like new.

These walkie talkies make it easy to switch channels, scan for NOAA weather information and even use hands-free with in eVOX mode (which automatically detects talking and begins transmission), which allows for safer use while driving or riding a bike. And if you’re concerned about privacy, you can enlist up to 121 different privacy codes that keep your conversation locked between your walkie talkie and the others at the same setting.

Finally, in our experience (along with many other customers), the X-Talker T71VP3s have limited range in a dense urban environment, often failing to transmit clearly even over a space of a few city blocks where the buildings are tall and the streets busy. But in the woods (and in the burbs), they work like a charm.

Amazon

Weight: 0.25 pounds | Range: 16 miles | Number of channels: 22 | Water resistant: Yes

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While there’s nothing exceptional about the M880 walkie talkies from Topsung, there’s also nothing much wrong with them either, and at this low price, that is rather exceptional in and of itself. These walkies feature the same 22 channels and 121 privacy codes of many pricier units, along with hands-free and silent mode functionality, and they’re water resistant and drop tested for durability.

The M880's interface is easy to navigate, so even younger users or people without much walkie talkie experience can use them competently out of the box. Just note that they have the shortest maximum range of any of the models featured in this guide, so if you need to communicate over significant distances, then you probably need to try a different set in this list.

Rocky Talkie

Weight: 0.25 pounds | Range: 25 miles | Number of channels: 128 | Water resistant: Splash proof

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The Rocky Talkie was clearly designed and built by people intimately familiar with the outdoors. And the wildest parts of the outdoors, at that, like peaks, valleys, forests and rivers. Weighing a mere 0.25 pounds, it’s not only rugged enough to withstand drops and dings, but also capable of operating in temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The miniature profile is easy to use even when you’re wearing gloves or hanging off the side of a cliff, and it’s one of the only walkie talkies a true adventurer would clip to his or her pack. And we mean clipped: Rocky Talkies feature a built-in carabiner that safely secures the device to a pack, climbing harness or belt, ensuring it won't get lost in the snow or fall down onto your climbing buddy’s head as he belays you. With a 25-mile range under perfect conditions, these walkies stay connected for up to a mile or so in heavily-wooded mountains.

Sentiments aside, this is expensive hardware—a single Rocky Talkie costs $110, and in Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta's experience, you don't need to spend nearly that much for reliable communication. He brings a set of Rocky Talkies along to communicate while backcountry skiing and although they perform well on the same side of the mountain, the range isn't as reliable over small ridges. Still, the housing is bombproof and if you need a more reliable signal, Rocky Talkie has since released a new 5-watt radio with better battery life and a max range of 35 miles.

Cobra Electronics US

Weight: 0.35 pounds | Range: 37 miles | Number of channels: 22 | Water resistant: Waterproof

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The Cobra ACXT1035R FLT walkie talkies may have a mouthful of a name, but it’s worth noting that the “FLT” part stands for “float.” These are 100% waterproof walkie talkies that can be fully submerged in water without worry—they even expel water from the speakers with a “burp” function. Steven John has trusted Cobra walkies on multiple paddling trips, and because of their reliable water resistance, they’re a great choice for kayakers, rafters, anglers, boaters and all other aquatic types.

The ACXT1035R FLTs have 22 channels, 121 privacy codes and a solid 37-mile range. (And you can count on that range in the conditions where these walkies are optimal—namely open water where obstructions are few and far between.)

While the fair number of buttons adds up to a slight learning curve, there are also some unique features you’ll appreciate once mastered. Like a Rewind-Say-Again tool that lets you play back the last 20 seconds of any incoming audio. There are also NOAA weather alerts and stored channels and privacy code combinations.

Walmart

Weight: 0.6 pounds | Range: 20 miles | Number of channels: 22 | Water resistant: Yes

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Don’t let the bright colors and low price point fool you. These are reliable walkie talkies designed for kids, but they’re not toys. Sure, they can be used that way, but they’re also reliable two-way radios with a 20-mile range in optimal conditions, multiple channels, weather alerts and other features you’d expect to find in “adult” walkie talkies. There are 38 privacy codes to choose from and while the 20-mile range is shorter than the reach of pricier hardware, these really are reliable walkie talkies, and we can say that from firsthand experience.

The bright colors make them harder to lose than more earth-toned devices, and the fact that there are three different colors in a pack makes it easier to assign a walkie talkie to a kid. And the easy operation ensures kids can use them without running into high-tech complications.

Amazon

Weight: 1.9 pounds | Range: 300 miles | Number of channels: 1000 | Water resistant: Yes

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If you’re going deep into the backwoods on foot, far afield in a vehicle or prepping at home for worst-case scenarios, then this is the walkie talkie for you. Or, technically, it’s the radio transceiver for you—the Yaesu FT-60R Dual Band is in fact a small ham radio. And as such, you’re supposed to obtain a license to operate it. (That's pretty easy to get, however.)

Recommended by expert outdoorsman Joe Bassett, founder of Valiant Outfitters, this is a serious piece of hardware suited to serious expeditions. He says: “The Yaesu FT-60R is capable of communicating on all VHF/UHF services (but please operate outside of ham frequencies in emergencies only) and I’ve experienced days of battery life with my FT-60R. Yaesu doesn’t list an IPX rating for the FT-60R but mine has been kicked, dropped, splashed and even grabbed and temporarily stolen by a crow all without missing a beat.”

Weighing almost two pounds and measuring 8.6 inches in height, it’s actually not that little as far as walkie talkies go, but if you want to enjoy a communication range that can reach hundreds of miles in optimal conditions and dozens of miles in less-than-ideal terrain, this is your pick.

Milo

Weight: 0.15 pounds | Range: 0.33 miles | Number of channels: N/A | Water resistant: Waterproof

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Let's be clear right from the start: the Milo Action Communicator isn’t actually a walk talkie in that it doesn't use radio waves to send audio signals. Instead, this is a powerful device that uses a secure mesh radio network. That means there’s never any interference from cell signals or radio waves because the pairing creates a closed loop between up to six devices. A set of communicators can remain connected and stay in touch at distances of one third of a mile, often working well beyond that. The lightweight and hands-free device clips onto the strap of a backpack, armband, bike mount and beyond, none of which require you to push a button to talk. Simply speak up and the Milo hears you, relaying your voice to others in your group.

The battery lasts for up to 24 hours on a full charge, so you can keep in contact for an entire day of adventures, and wind and background noise reduction technology keeps the communication clear in all conditions. Perfect for groups of skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, climbers and more, it's a great choice for those in close proximity to one another.

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John and Vigliotta tested a variety of walkie talkies in varying terrain, from the suburban backyard to the backcountry. Here are the criteria they considered during testing:

Your walkie talkies may be just for fun, or they may be lifesaving tools. Given their versatility, it’s worth considering the many features that differentiate one pair from the next.

Most walkie talkies cannot transmit and receive signals at their stated maximum range except for in ideal conditions, like open plains or open water. It’s important to keep this in mind as you shop for the perfect set. Allen Baler, CEO and co-founder of 4Patriots says: “Walkie talkies come in various ranges, from short-range models for close-quarters communication to long-range models for more extensive coverage. This flexibility makes them versatile for different situations.” Most of the units featured here should work well up to around 20 miles except in urban conditions or mountainous regions, with the lower-priced models offering less range.

“Many walkie talkies have impressive battery life, making them suitable for extended outdoor trips or protracted emergency situations,” Baler says. “Some models even support multiple power sources, including rechargeable batteries and solar charging.” That said, there’s also a place for disposable batteries here, as they can be swapped out in mere seconds, so consider walkie talkies that operate using those—many model use both rechargeable and disposable batteries.

A tough walkie talkie is a good walkie talkie. Joe Bassett, founder of Valiant Outfitters says he expects his walkies to endure drops, splashes, bumps and temperature highs and lows without any loss in efficacy. We’ve included nothing but tough hardware on our rundown, but note that a few of the units, like the Rocky Talkie and the Yaesu FT-60R, are next-level tough.

Most of the walkie talkies featured here have 22 channels and 121 privacy codes. (Some have more, some fewer, but that’s the standard.) All have volume controls. All have LCD screens. Other features to look for, according to Baler, include: “SOS signals, built-in emergency sirens and compatibility with emergency channels.” You can also consider things like hands-free use and audio playback.

A walkie talkie’s range, also known as its coverage distance, is influenced by factors such as terrain, obstacles and the specific radio frequency used. In optimal conditions with no obstructions, many high-powered walkie talkies can communicate up to 30 miles apart. However, in real-world scenarios with buildings, trees or other obstacles, the effective range is considerably shorter. For these reasons, you should consider the practical limitations of walkie talkies and choose models suitable for your intended use and the likely operating environment.

The U.S. military employs a range of communication equipment, including advanced tactical radios, to ensure secure and reliable communication in various operational environments. These radios are designed to meet strict military standards for durability, clear communication and interference resistance. Brands such as Harris Corporation (now L3Harris) and Thales have been suppliers of military communication systems.

It depends on the type of walkie-talkie or two-way radio you are using. For Family Radio Service (FRS) devices that you can buy from any department or hardware store (including most of the models in this guide), no license is required. However, higher-power GMRS radios that have a longer range and can access frequencies that FRS radios cannot do require a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).