In this guide, we’ll look at the best long-range walkie-talkies & two-way radios.
We’ve compared range, signal, durability, and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Is The Best Long Range Walkie Talkie & Two Way Radio?
More Detailed Long Range Walkie Talkie & Two Way Radio Reviews
Midland - GXT1000VP4 Two-Way Radio
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Midland - GXT1000VP4 Two-Way Radio Review
First up for the best long-range walkie-talkie, we’ve got the Midland GXT1000VPA which comes in a pack of two or three, and in three different color options.
These long-range walkie-talkies are seriously advanced. They have 50 channels along with a scan to check for activity, as well as a 36-mile range. The JIS4 Waterproof Protection prevents any splashing water from damaging the walkie-talkie, and the exterior is durable and sturdy.
In terms of communication, this Midland model is the best long-range walkie-talkie on the market. It’s equipped with eVOX with 9 sensitivity levels for an easy hands-free operation. It also has 142 privacy codes which give you a choice of 3,124 channels and clear, crisp sound.
Finally, these long-range walkie-talkies have an NOAA weather scan and alert to keep you safe and warn you of any severe incoming weather. It scans through 10 available channels and finds the strongest weather channel, sounding an alarm if there is any risk.
If you’re looking for a long-range walkie-talkie on the market – the Midland GXT1000VPA is the clear winner!
Specifications:
- Range: 36 miles
- Channels: 50
- Power: Dual
- Waterproof: Yes
- Weather Alerts: Yes
- Weight: 3.05lbs
Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio
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Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio Review
These Motorola Solutions walkie talkies are a brilliant choice for anyone who wants a walkie talkie with the potential to connect to other FRS/GMRS radios. The Motorola T100 Talkabout is a professional standard walkie talkie with over 20 radio channels to choose from.
I particularly liked that you can clip the walkie talkie to your top using the clip on the back of the device. The walkie-talkies are very lightweight and weigh less than half a pound, which means they won’t weigh you down or feel uncomfortable.
Specifications:
- Weighs 0.25 Pounds
- 22 channels
- Communicates with other FRS/GMRS radios
- Requires three AAA batteries to function
Midland - LXT600VP3 Two-Way Radio
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Midland - LXT600VP3 Two-Way Radio Review
Another model from Midland and it’s the turn of the LXT600VP3 which comes in a 3-pack of long-range walkie-talkies and a choice of yellow and black, or solid black.
These two-way long-range walkie-talkies have a range of 30 miles and 121 privacy codes. This gives you up to 2,662 channels to choose from.
Like most Midland radios, this one has an NOAA weather scan alert to keep you safe in more extreme climates. This will sound an alarm to indicate extreme weather in your area.
These long-range walkie-talkies are exceptionally easy to use. Each has 3 levels of eVOX to give you hands-free operation, and large buttons so you can use them even in gloves. It has 5 different call alerts, a roger beep, and a battery life extender to make it even easier.
If you’re looking for the best long-range walkie-talkie for hiking or skiing, that’s also excellent value for money – look no further than the LXT600VP3!
Specifications:
- Range: 30 miles
- Channels: 36
- Power: Dual
- Waterproof: No
- Weather Alerts: Yes
- Weight: 2.05lbs
BaoFeng BF-F8HP Two-Way Radio
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BaoFeng BF-F8HP Two-Way Radio Review
The BaoFeng BF-F8HP may not look high-tech, but its performance suggests otherwise. Firstly, the is one of the best long-range walkie-talkies for durability. It has a hardened durable radio shell and comes with 3 power settings, high, medium, or low.
This device was designed with ease of use in mind. It comes with an in-depth user manual to help even the most technologically challenged, and the customer support team is on hand for any problems you may have. This device also has a long-lasting battery life of up to 24 hours, while the built-in flashlight and FM radio make your experience more enjoyable.
Finally, this BaoFeng radio has a high-gain antenna for an even clearer signal and a tri-color display. It comes with a 2000mAh battery included, as well as a belt clip and hand strap for ease of use.
If you’re looking for a long-range walkie-talkie for durability that’s packed full of features – the BaoFeng BF-F8HP is the one for you!
Specifications:
- Range: Up to 30 miles
- Channels: 128
- Power: 8W
- Waterproof: No
- Weather Alerts: No
- Weight: 10.1 ounces
Retevis H-777 Walkie Talkies for Adults
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Retevis H-777 Walkie Talkies for Adults Review
The Retevis H-777 rechargeable walkie talkies are very professional with an ergonomic design. You will only have to charge the devices for two or three hours for the walkie talkies to be fully charged, and once the battery is full, you can use the walkie talkies for up to eight hours before the battery runs out.
Users are particularly impressed with the new and improved style and design. The walkie talkies are easy to carry, the battery is reliable, and the antenna is very strong. These features are very important and affect the ease of use of the product, so as you can imagine, most customers were incredibly impressed with the upgrades.
Specifications:
- Radio alarm function
- LED flashlights
- 16 channels
- Long-term continuous use
- Works out of the box
- It takes two to three hours to charge
- The battery lasts up to eight hours
- 72 hours standby mode
Retevis RT45 Walkie Talkies
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Retevis RT45 Walkie Talkies Review
The Retevis RT45 walkie talkies are great long-range walkie talkies and two-way radios. If you are looking for a high-quality walkie talkie for camping or hiking then this sure is a big contender.
These walkie talkies are license-free two-way radio, which means that they do not violate any federal laws or interfere with police channels in use. As well as being 100% legal, these devices are dustproof, shockproof, and anti-drop proof, making them very long-lasting and durable.
Last but not least, the Retevis walkie talkies come with three rechargeable walkie talkies, and you also have the option of using them with regular AAA batteries. This feature sets these two-way radios apart from the rest as you can always make sure your talker is in full working order.
Specifications:
- 22 channels
- Weather alert
- Clear and smooth communication
- Three rechargeable batteries included
- Supports regular batteries
- LED torch
- Easy to use
GOCOM G9
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GOCOM G9 Review
This walkie talkie has an amazing 32 miles connection distance, which allows you to communicate with others without worrying about losing signal. The walkie talkies are waterproof and have been approved and certified by the FCC too.
You can get NOAA weather alerts and enjoy 22 talk channels with this radio, so you are always connected while out on an expedition. This is a great walkie talkie to take with you on hiking trips and long walks in areas where there isn’t a good phone signal.
Specifications:
- 32-mile range
- 22 channels
- IP67 Waterproof
- SOS emergency lamp & LED flashlight
- Floats on water
How to Choose The Best Long Range Walkie Talkie
Different walkie-talkies are designed for different things. A walkie-talkie designed for a bouncer in a buzzing city nightclub will have very different features to the family-friendly device needed for your weekend hiking trip! So, knowing what features to opt for is essential if you want to find the best long-range walkie-talkie for you.
What Range Can I Expect?
Of course, range is the first thing many people look for when trying to find the best long-range walkie-talkie. Keep in mind that what you see online about the range of a walkie-talkie may be totally different from your own experience. While someone may have managed to achieve a range of 50 miles, landscapes vary, and if you’re somewhere mountainous, with lots of buildings, or even using your device in bad weather, you will get a far shorter range than this.
Bear in mind also that the range most manufacturers say their long-range walkie-talkies can reach is in optimum conditions. While 50 miles may seem like a huge range, this will be in exceptionally clear landscapes and not likely to be the same range you will achieve.
How Important Are Different Channels?
Avoiding interference is only possible if you have enough channels. While privacy channels aren’t particularly important for a group hike, they are a nice extra feature to have.
What Power Options Do I Need?
Most of the best long-range walkie-talkies are dual-powered, meaning they are powered by a rechargeable battery as well as standard alkaline batteries. This is probably the safest option, as you’re unlikely to have a total power loss in the middle of the day. The power output is measured in watts and determines the range, signal strength, and quality of the audio. High power devices will cost more.
How Important is Waterproofing?
Waterproof two-way radios are essential if you are going to be hiking in bad weather or wet conditions. Bear in mind that waterproof doesn’t mean submersible, it generally just means splashproof. Submersible walkie-talkies can be purchased. If you’re hiking in a dry climate, waterproofing isn’t a necessary feature.
How Important Weather Forecast Alerts?
A must-have safety feature for many hikers, weather forecast alerts will scan weather channels, and sound alerts for any incoming severe weather. While checking the weather forecast is always advised before you head out, the weather in the mountains or out at sea can change in an instant so this is a fantastic safety feature.
What Weight Should I Consider
If you are hiking for a long period of time, you want something lightweight. Nowadays, there’s a number of very lightweight walkie-talkies that are both durable and waterproof. As well as lightweight, try to buy long-range walkie-talkies that are comfortable to hold and have a wrist or belt strap.
VOX – Hands-Free Voice Commands
VOX allows you to use your walkie-talkie hands-free which can be great in an emergency. Not all of the best walkie-talkies will have these and it’s more of a novelty feature, but if you think you might need a hands-free operation at some point this is a great add-on.
Out of Range Alert
Out-of-range alert features can also help keep you safe. It’s fairly self-explanatory, this feature will alert you if the other radio goes out of range. When it’s back in range, you will receive a confirmation alert. This is great if it’s important you don’t lose communication with the other radio.
The best long-range walkie-talkies are not necessarily the best looking or the most advanced. While they may be a far cry from our trusty smartphones, walkie-talkies are durable, sturdy, and provide a clear method of communication, making them ideal for emergencies.
Remember to take the range with a pinch of salt, and test them for yourself in the environment you’ll be using them in. Other features like a flashlight and color display will add to the price tag but will help make the device more user-friendly.
Top Tip: Check out this page containing guidelines and general information by the Federal Communications Commissions for radio devices here.
FAQ
Q: Can walkie talkies be traced?
A: Yes they can due to the fact that they work as both a transmitter and receiver.
Q: Can walkie talkies pick up police radio alerts?
A: Regular walkie talkies will not be able to pick up police signals.
Q: Can walkie talkies pick up other walkie talkie signals?
A: Yes, most walkie talkies can pick up other radio transmissions and communicate with devices in the area.
Q: Are walkie talkies safe to use?
A: Yes, walkie talkies are completely safe to operate.
Q: Can walkie talkies be hacked?
A: Yes, walkie talkies can be hacked and children may talk to strangers through their walkie talkies.
Q: How far can a walkie talkie reach?
A: Walkie talkies can reach one another up to 25 miles or higher.