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Testing, testing, do you copy? Our experts have spent years testing walkie talkies across mountains, lakes, cities, deserts, and forests to find the best options available today. We've researched dozens of radios, ultimately buying 9 of the top models to put through our rigorous and comprehensive testing process. We challenged each radio to perform in a variety of environments, from ski mountaineering on remote glaciers to mountain biking through complex canyons, discovering our favorite options for various applications. From range and clarity to weather resistance and durability, we objectively scored each model in five metrics to help you find your next walkie talkie for your outdoors pursuits.
Whether you're voyaging into the backcountry in winter or are embarking on a backpacking trip, being able to communicate is key. Our expert team of athletes and guides have also tested the best handheld GPS units for backcountry navigation and the best satellite messengers for sending out an SOS call or tracking progress on the trail.
Editor's Note: We updated this review to include new models and re-test old favorites on July 9, 2024.
The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio is a top performer across the board, offering impressive utility across several outdoor sports. We took a pair of Mountain Radios on several climbs, hikes, and ski tours across numerous mountain ranges, and loved how easy these were to use. This walkie talkie also includes a fully-rated carabiner and a leash for stress-free pack/harness attachment whether you're on a cliff or on the trail. The Mountain Radio maintained excellent clarity throughout testing, even in obstruction-riddled environments that muddied other models' communications. The rechargeable lithium battery was dependable, even in colder climates, and lasted for multiple days. The range of this option was also top-notch, especially when considering it's a Family Radio Service (FRS) model. The Mountain Radio is worthy of your consideration if you're seeking a lightweight do-it-all option that won't break your back or your wallet.
The mic of the Mountain Radio picks up a lot of background noise, which, due to its excellent clarity, can easily be transmitted along with your message. If you're dragging a sled full of gear or have a bunch of climbing gear clanking around your shoulder, it may lead to more noisy communications. Also, while this radio is splashproof, it isn't waterproof/submersible, so if you need a water-tight option, take a look at the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt. Despite a few considerations, the Mountain Radio is a phenomenal option for most outdoor adventurers, as long as you aren't planning to dunk it in a river or lake.
If you're on the hunt for a straightforward and affordable two-way radio, the Midland X-Talker T10 gets the job done. It's lightweight and compact, fits easily in a daypack or even a standard pocket, and has a battery life that's among the best we have tested. Unlike most walkie-talkies at this price point, the T10 is water-resistant. It survived a water hose shower and a rainy adventure in our tests. The X-Talker T10's rugged case and antenna design lead us to believe they can withstand use and abuse. The clip that will hold the radio onto a backpack's shoulder strap isn't the best, but it works.
The X-Talker T10 has a limited range compared to the best options in the test, which is common among the smaller, less expensive units we've reviewed. It maxed out at one mile in our line-of-sight range tests. When we tested it with undulating terrain and obstructions, the range dropped to about three-quarters of a mile. This is not the radio we recommend when reliable communication is critical, and we'd recommend something like the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio if you're willing to stretch your budget to get great performance. But, if you need a simple and inexpensive option that anyone can learn to use quickly, this is an excellent option.
The Rocky Talkie 5 Watt is a high-powered GMRS radio loaded with features and waterproof construction, making this an incredibly robust walkie. After Rocky Talkie first released their celebrated mountain radio, a higher-powered sequel has long been wanted by the mountain athlete and guide community — at long last, it has arrived. This model offers an IP67 rating, meaning it can be fully submerged up to 1 meter, making it a fantastic option for whitewater kayakers, rafters, or fishers. This radio has the power to transmit approximately 20-30% further than its 2-watt cousin, the Mountain Radio, in minor or major obstructions. The battery life of the 5 Watt is also impressive, and we didn't have to recharge this radio for a week-long ski expedition, though we turned the radios off at night. This model also boasts access to 11 weather channels and 8 repeater channels, offering fantastic range when one can utilize a repeater. This radio is well-deserving of your hard-earned cash if you need a do-it-all walkie talkie that can handle a rough existence.
Since the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt is a GMRS radio, you'll need to acquire a $35 license from the FCC to use it, though this license also works for your immediate family. While getting this license is a fairly quick and easy process, it may be cumbersome if you are using a pair of these radios with several different friends/adventure partners since anyone using the 5-watt, outside of your immediate family, will also need a license. We recommend taking a look at this blog from Rocky Talkie that easily guides one through the licensing process. At 9.44 oz, this radio is also a bit on the heavier side, and we'd steer you towards a lighter walkie, such as the Backcountry Access BC Link Mini, which is a license-free FRS. At the end of the day, this high-powered 5 Watt radio is a phenomenal option as long as its weight and licensing aren't dealbreakers.
This walkie can handle most outdoors adventures, even the pack attachment is reliable.
The Backcountry Access BC Link Mini boasts great packability without compromising on performance. This radio easily fits in a jacket pocket or backpack lid yet also offers some of the best clarity we've seen in testing. Even with minor obstructions, this radio transmitted clearly until its range limit was reached, keeping our testers from hardly ever asking to repeat a message. This option is a simpler (and far lighter) version of the classic BC Link 2.0 from BCA, and we thoroughly appreciated how easy it was to use. With an IP55 rating, this option can handle a water jet spray from any direction and is dust-protected, which will be more than adequate for most uses besides white water boating. If you're looking for a light, durable, and simple radio for non-water sports, keep this at the top of your list.
The Backcountry Access BC Link Mini has a large mic button, and while it makes it easy to key with gloves on, it protrudes from the radio body, making it easier to accidentally press in your pocket or backpack. Also, the belt/pack clip that's included with the radio is made of lightweight plastic, so be sure to utilize the leash that also comes with it in case the walkie gets detached from your belt or pack. If you're looking for a more secure clip, the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt offers a steel clip that's confidence-inspiring. Lastly, this model monitors two channels at all times, making it potentially noisy depending on the channel traffic. While we appreciate this feature, we wish BCA would have created a means to be only on one channel. At the end of the day, this walkie talkie is worthy of your consideration for most outdoor sports and offers great performance in a lightweight package.
6.75" x 2.75" x 1.5" Body;
3.5" x 2.25" x 1.6" Mic; 26" cord
Battery Capacity
2,300 mAh
Battery Type
Lithium Ion
The Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 is built for outdoor enthusiasts and excels at its intended task. Backcountry Access keeps things simple but includes enough extra features to help you adjust to almost any condition. The main body of the radio stashes nicely in a backpack, and the extended smart mic works wonderfully with a sturdy clip and an ergonomic design. The BC Link 2.0 displayed an impressive range across steep landscapes and during a blizzard, and the rechargeable batteries have a generously long life (though not the longest in the test). The radio also stands up well to dust and water, staving off any signs of wear after returning from several trips in harsh mountain conditions. One of our favorite features offered by this model is the dial on the microphone unit that allows you to change channels without even looking at it – even with gloves on.
Our main gripe with this radio is its heft. It's the largest and heaviest model in the test, mainly because it includes a radio and a separate microphone attached by a cord. It's best to have a bag or large pocket to carry the main radio and something to clip the microphone to — we recommend the shoulder strap of a backpack. (We appreciate that this setup makes the Link 2.0 one of the easiest models to hear). If you like the idea of a small and lightweight, check out BCA's smaller cousin, the BC Link Mini. While the unit does seem sturdy, we've scratched the display on one of our units, and the small plastic hook that levers the cord connection in place seems like an obvious weak point. We avoid it by detaching the mic as rarely as possible. Overall, we think this is an excellent option if you're already carrying a pack and don't mind the extra bulk and expense.
The Motorola T600 is a solid choice for anyone who wants a radio for water-based activities. It boasts the best waterproof rating of the bunch and backs up its manufacturer's claims beautifully. We placed it under a meter of water for half an hour, and it survived unscathed. And luckily, it's unlikely that you'll ever accidentally repeat this test because the T600 floats. The walkie talkie also performs well in our unobstructed range test. It maintained communication for 6 miles along a super straight, flat road, making it ideal for a long-distance conversation on the water.
This radio's main selling point is its waterproof housing, making it an easy choice for a sea kayaker or paddleboarder. You'll pay for it, though, and the extra protection adds heft and bulk. If you don't expect to drop your radio in the water and need one that can withstand the odd slash or light rain shower, most of the options we tested will work. Many are smaller, lighter, and less expensive. If you spend all your time on the water and don't want to worry about sinking a radio, we recommend the T600. For those that are in the market for a bare-bones, affordable walkie talkie, you can't go wrong with the Midland X-Talker T10.
The BaoFeng BF-F8HP amateur/ham radio is one of the most capable radios in our lineup, though it requires aham radio operator license to use legally in the US. If you have or are willing to get the license, the BaoFeng may become your favorite portable two-way radio. Using a longer antenna and 8 watts of power, the BF-F8HP has two to three times the range of the other radios in the test. It transmits further and works better in hilly terrain and foul weather. Its rechargeable battery life is also among the best tested. You can purchase multiple accessories for this radio, including a cable that will let you program it with your computer instead of futzing with the unit itself.
With great power comes responsibility. You must understand local regulations every time you use a radio that's higher powered than an FRS to avoid fines or penalties. For example, where we tested the BF-F8HP, only licensed amateur radio operators can use it and only on amateur radio bands. You must walk a tightrope between taking advantage of this unit's extensive power and programmability and staying within legal guidelines to avoid breaking FCC rules. If you're not prepared to put in the time to learn how to properly use the radio and earn the license, this isn't the right one for you. This radio is for technically inclined users who are willing to get licensed to get the best range and flexibility for their specific needs. If you want an easy-to-use set of walkie talkies for family adventures, the Motorola T600 does the trick and is waterproof.
When it comes to range and clarity, the capabilities of the Baofeng BF-F8HP are simply unmatched. That's why it requires a license to operate in the US.
Credit: William Gray Grandy
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We extensively tested these walkies talkies against five key performance metrics.
Why Trust GearLab
After researching over 50 walkie-talkies, we purchased 9 models to put through our rigorous and comprehensive testing. We spent over 350 hours in the field on hikes, climbs, ski tours, expeditions, bike rides, and paddles. These walkies survived the scorching heat of the desert and the arctic temps of Alaska, and some even made it through river trips. We tested every radio's range in real-world settings, which included everything from dense forests to rolling hills. We ensured that no stone was left unturned to better help you make an informed decision.
Our walkie talkie testing is divided across five different metrics:
Range and Clarity (30% of overall score weighting)
Ease of Use (25% weighting)
Weather Resistance and Durability (15% weighting)
Battery Life (15% weighting)
Weight and Size (15% weighting)
This review is led by IFMGA Mountain Guide Zach Lovell and professional ski patroller Gray Grandy. Zach utilizes radios year-round, from ski expeditions in Alaska to summertime alpine climbs in the lower 48. Whether on a rock climb or a hike, Zach's walkie talkie use is essential to his day-to-day job, and he thoroughly loves testing gear. Gray uses radios exhaustively as a professional ski patroller and has been rumored to use the PTT button to talk in his sleep. He is known to offer unsolicited tirades on the importance of effective communication as a tool for safety and efficiency in high-risk environments. He is a SPRAT Level II rope access technician, an EMT, and holds a Professional Level Avalanche 1 certification and a California Explosives Blaster's license. Our other tester, Clark Tate, is a certified Maine sea kayak guide who uses marine band radios for work and FRS radios to communicate with climbing and ski partners in the mountains.
On the technical aspects of these radios, GearLab experts Michelle Powell and David Wise lent their expertise as professional gear testers and writers. Michelle is experienced in developing electronic equipment tests, and David has maintained an active ham radio operator license for over a decade.
Range testing in a heavy Sierra Nevada snowstorm. We took these radios out in the conditions you go out in!
The Motorolla T600 is rated IP 67, which makes it waterproof up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
The BCA Link is rated to take a spray of water and keep on talking, which is just what it did.
How to Choose a Walkie Talkie
Before making a walkie talkie purchase, it's crucial to consider what type of radio is best for you and your needs. We've summarized the key points from our buying advice article below.
Which Type of Radio is Best for You?
There are 3 main types of radio that make up the majority of the walkie talkie/handheld radio market: FRS, GMRS, and Amateur/HAM. It's important to understand the differences between each option so you can find the right radio for your next outdoors adventure.
Family Radio Service (FRS)
For many outdoors sports, a Family Radio Service (FRS) radio will be the best option. They are very easy to use and don't require a license. Just take the walkie out of the box, charge it or put the batteries in, and go outside. Their range is adequate for most uses, especially considering most recreationalists will be communicating with another member of their same group.
FRS radios are simple, highly effective for many outdoors sports.
Credit: Zach Lovell
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
If you need a higher powered option, a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) walkie is worth your consideration. These require a test-free $35 license from the FCC that is valid for a decade and can be used by your immediate family. GMRS options typically have greater range than FRS, especially considering they offer access to repeaters, though this generally comes at the cost of weighing more. If you decide to purchase these walkies, remember that your backcountry partners also all need to technically get a license unless they're your immediate family.
GRMS Radios are the higher powered cousin to FRS.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Amateur/HAM
The most complex handheld radio is an amateur/HAM option. These require a $35 license from the FCC, but unlike GMRS licensing, you'll need to take a test. These high-powered radios have the best range of any walkie type and have the most features/capabilities, but they require a great amount of time to learn and to set up. Amateur radios aren't channelized and have a very wide range of frequencies, allowing one to communicate internationally, though we suggest programming your radio to pre-set channels for ease of use in the field. Most recreationalists don't need the power of a HAM model, but radio enthusiasts will love this option.
Analysis and Test Results
We chose an array of radios that varied from entry-level models best for family camping trips to performance-focused options designed for more serious wilderness travel. We judge these walkie talkies based on their performance in the field and during quantitative lab testing.
Many walkie talkies on the market today are Family Radio Service (FRS) radios, which don't require a license. For many users, this type of radio will easily meet their needs and is generally the type of radio we'd recommend for close proximity use. Any radio that has more power than an FRS will require a license from the FCC. Always check the type of radio you're purchasing and whether or not you'll need a license to operate it.
What's the Best Value?
We've found that radios are no different than any other product category: you get what you pay for. However, you can match your needs to the right radio, and those demanding less from their radio may be able to spend less as well. For higher performing options, there are some discrepancies in cost, but generally one can expect to pay more for models that have more features.
The least expensive options, including the Cobra ACXT145 and Midland X-Talker T10, have fewer useful features and a below-average range. On the other hand, they're small and affordable. If you don't need days of battery life, units that can withstand extreme weather, or need to communicate much further than a half mile, these could work. And a huge benefit of these radios is that they are sold in pairs, unlike some of the high-end walkie talkies, which are sold individually.
The X-Talker fit nicely in our hand and worked fairly well considering its small size and reasonable price.
Credit: Caroline Miller
As models increase in price, their range and clarity often increase as well. They also tend to be larger and heavier because they need more battery power to send those powerful transmissions. The Rocky Talkie 5 Watt, while pricey, is worth the investment for avid users based on the increased range, decent clarity, ease of use, and impressive battery life.
The X-Talker 36 is a good looking middle ground between the small inexpensive models and the larger, powerful models for significantly more money.
Credit: William Grandy
Range and Clarity
Transmitting a clear message across a distance too far to yell is the whole point of a radio, so the range and clarity metric is heavily weighted in our scoring. We focused our testing of this metric on real-world outdoors applications, aiming for backcountry environments rather than urban areas for more representative results. While some users may demand extremely far line-of-sight distances from their radios, most outdoorsy people will need to find a radio that performs well in shorter distances in a variety of circumstances. Each pair of radios was tested in the same wilderness settings, investigating range variance with minor obstructions, such as trees, to major obstructions, such as a hill or mountain feature between two radios. We also took note of line of sight ranges across field testing. We took detailed notes along the way regarding clarity, recording when each product's communications began to get fuzzy.
How far can a radio transmit? It depends. The maximum range a radio has will greatly depend on your environment. Even with a powered walkie, the range can be impressively high if there is a clear line of sight and minimal interference- this can sometimes be over 30 miles. We focused on range tests that didn't have perfect conditions so our findings would be more realistic for your next outdoor outing. We suggest selecting a radio with decent range even when the transmitting scenario isn't ideal, rather than focusing on the manufacturer's reported maximum range.
Range
The BaoFeng BF-F8HP and the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt offered the best range of any radio in our lineup. Outside of the fact that both of these radios can utilize repeaters, they also offer more power, with the BaoFeng pushing 8 watts and the Rocky Talkie offering, as the name implies, 5 watts of power. These radios performed very well in both major and minor obstructions testing, with the Baofeng beating out the 5 watt overall.
The BaoFeng BF-F8HP requires a Technician License issued by the FCC in the United States.
For FRS radios, the BCA BC Link Mini was among our favorites, offering 4.6 miles of range in our minor obstructions test, and 1.1 miles of range for major obstructions.
For such a simple and weight-friendly radio, we were very impressed by the clarity and range of the BCA Link Mini.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The next best models for this portion of our assessment were the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio, Motorola T600 and BCA Link 2.0. These FRS radios boasted ranges of 2.2 to 2.6 miles in forested rolling hills.
Range tests put all of the radios head to head in real life radio calls. While none of them got anywhere near their claimed maximum range, clear winners did emerge.
Credit: Caroline Miller
The Midland GXT1000VP4 had a much shorter range and is best for close proximity use under 1 mile.
Clarity
The Baofeng, once again, was the clear champion for this assessment. With 8 watts of power, this model was the easiest to hear across snowy hills and forests. Even as we progressed to major obstructions, such as a mountain feature or prominent hill, this radio offered excellent clarity until its range was tapped out.
With this extremely powerful BaoFeng model, you can transmit across much larger distances than most consumer-grade radios. However, with great power comes great complexity. A license is required to transmit with this model.
Credit: Caroline Miller
The other clear standouts regarding clarity are the Backcountry Access BC Link Mini, Rockie Talkie Mountain Radio, and the Rockie Talkie 5 Watt. These models were among the top performers in the hilly forests and offered more intelligible transmissions for greater distances.
On land, we think there are better options available. On water, though, the Motorola T600 is a great call.
The BC Link 2.0, Rocky Talkies, and Motorola T801 radios all communicated from this ridge to basecamp a mile away. But only the Rockys worked well when the group was clustered like this.
The BCA BC Link 2.0 performed admirably in a near white-out, beating out almost all of the competition in our storm range testing.
Ease of Use
You buy walkie talkies to make your life easier, not more frustrating, so we put great stock in how easy these radios are to use. We considered how difficult they were to set up and how intuitive they were to operate in the field. The BC Link 2.0 and BCA BC Link Mini radios have a well-designed interface. We weren't able to find all the functions without the manual, but we got close, and we appreciate that it's easy to operate while wearing gloves.
The Link 2.0's extendable microphone has a large and easy-to-address push-to-talk (PTT) button and lets you make calls, change channels, and adjust the volume quickly, usually without needing to unclip the radio. A dial on the mic allows you to set and toggle between six preset channels, which are labeled A-F. While we appreciate the convenience, the lock function, which keeps you from accidentally switching settings, doesn't freeze it. And we worried that we might jump channels unintentionally. Still, we consider the BC Link 2.0 to be a user-friendly and powerful little radio.
The external microphone is a defining characteristic of the BCA Link 2.0 radio. It keeps all the basic adjustments and indicators at your fingertips. It fits nicely in hand and the orange rubber PTT button is easy to find without looking. Volume and privacy channels are easy to access and manipulate as well.
Credit: Gray Grandy
The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio and Rockie Talkie 5 Watt are other easy-to-use options. Their manuals offer a cheat sheet explaining every button, and that's all you need to have them up and running. While each button accesses multiple functions, they are well-labeled, and we find it fairly easy to remember how to navigate this radio. The 5 Watt version offers more features, including access to repeaters and NOAA weather channels, but that didn't add complexity to the radio's functionality.
The streamlined Rocky Talkies don't have many buttons so they have multiple uses. Their clear labels make them relatively easy to navigate.
Credit: Clark Tate
The budget models are all relatively easy to operate since they lack any extra features. The Midland X-Talker T10 offers the most features in this price range. This option is capable of accessing NOAA weather channels, has keypad locks, and offers privacy codes to eliminate interference on any channel that you and your partner(s) are using. The other radios in this price range have some combination of these features, but not all.
The BaoFeng BF-F8HP takes complexity to another level. After you get that ham operator license to use it legally, you've got to learn how to use it. The radio has so many settings that it takes time, internet research, and patience to decipher. One of our testers created a cheat sheet for himself and his backcountry companions (including licensed operators) to avoid pressing the wrong buttons and rendering the radios inoperable. It's easier to set up if you link it to your computer, but that requires buying an additional cord.
We do like how easy the power/volume knob is to use and the A/B button that allows us to quickly toggle between two channels. The screen display is informative, and once you get the hang of the settings menu, it is less of a bear to use. This is not a radio you can grab and learn on the go, even if you're familiar with walkie-talkies.
The BF-F8HP had a nice solid casing and a good display that lights up when you need it. Of all models we tested, it is the most complex and requires a greater understanding to utilize and operate.
Credit: Gray Grandy
Weather Resistance and Durability
We used these radios in a range of stormy weather but only tested waterproof qualities directly (i.e., by spraying them down with a hose or submersion) when a manufacturer claimed that the unit is waterproof or water resistant. Since Motorola claims that the T600 is waterproof to a depth of one meter, we left it under 3 feet of water for half an hour. It emerged unscathed. Not all of the walkie talkies advertise weather resistance, but those that do live up to the manufacturers' claims in our tests. This also includes the IP67 rated Rocky Talkie 5 Watt, which offers the same waterproofness as the Motorola, though it doesn't float.
The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio and BC Link 2.0 are rated to IP56, which means that they can withstand a high-pressure stream of water from any direction. They both survived our confirmation test. The BCA BC Link Mini has an IP55 rating, which is similar to the IP56 rating, but can't handle as high of water pressure. The Midland radios are water-resistant but offer no warranty support for water damage, and Midland doesn't define the extent of their resistance.
While many radios offer weather resistance, it is important to determine your priorities. The BCA Link Mini is lighter but has less weatherproofing than the heavier Rocky Talkie 5 Watt.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Most of us are buying walkie talkies for outdoor adventures, which are hard on equipment. We expect these radios will be dropped onto rocks at some point and shoved into tight backpacks with dirty socks regularly. They need to be able to take it since radio failure can cause critical logistical and safety issues. We took the radios along on our adventures for months to expose them to a range of environments and abuse and scoured customer reviews to uncover any common problems that we didn't encounter in-field testing. All the radios made it through testing without any components breaking, but some have obvious weak points or show more wear and tear than the rest.
While Midland will not support a warranty claim for water damage, their claim that the X-Talker is water-resistant was upheld when we got it wet in our tests.
Credit: Gray Grandy
The simple and compact Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio has little to break, and we confirmed its rough-and-tumble reputation. The radios with more water resistance also were more robust in general. The Motorola T600 was burly enough to survive a lot of knocking around. The BC Link 2.0 is also sturdy. The antenna feels stout and inspires confidence. The only possible weak point we can see is the plastic hook at the top of the cord connection port. It's easy to put pressure on it to leverage the cord in place, and we could see it failing.
The T600 in in its natural habitat with a PFD and water shoes.
Credit: Gray Grandy
Battery Life
A radio with dead batteries is useless weight. To prevent this, we systematically tested the battery life of each model in the field, in cold weather, and in the lab, determining each radio's total transmit time. We also field-tested the number of days each radio could last, transmitting during the day and turning them off at night.
In testing, the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt had the longest battery life of any radio in our lineup. In field testing, we confirmed the manufacturer's claims of 4-6 days of battery life and didn't need to recharge this radio for over a week when the radio usage was lighter.
The Rocky Talkies did an impressive job of holding their charge during a weeklong winter camping trip.
Credit: Jacob Holmes
The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio required less frequent charging on our winter camping trip, making them a great choice for cold climates, thanks to their rechargeable lithium batteries. The battery life indicators on the Mountain Radio and BC Link 2.0 were accurate during testing, informing us that the units would soon run out of power.
The walkie-talkies we examined use either lithium-ion, NiMH, or alkaline batteries or a combination of rechargeable and alkaline batteries.
We like the ability to charge the Cobra with a micro USB cord.
Credit: Gray Grandy
Notably, the Midland X-Talker T10 performed nearly as well as the BC Link 2.0. Unfortunately, its battery indicator fluctuates constantly. It's more confusing than useful, displaying strong battery life in standby mode but dropping with every transmission. The BaoFeng BF-F8HP posted respectable results (over 17 hours) considering its higher power use. Its large lithium-ion battery does its job well.
The waterproof T600 had a nice rubber seal around the battery compartment, and could take regular AA batteries in place of the supplied battery pack. The battery compartment door was held firmly in place with two screws.
The lithium ion battery pack on the BF-F8HP clipped firmly in and was easy to remove. While you can't use regular batteries in this radio, you can buy extra Li-ion battery packs so one can be charging while one is in use.
Only the Midland X-Talker and Motorola Talkabout are not rechargeable. Our testers prefer models that can be recharged since batteries can be expensive.
Perhaps best of all, the MotorolaT600, Cobra, and Midland GXT run on batteries and can be recharged. This offers a lot of flexibility if you're traveling in the backcountry and need to maintain a charge.
The BC Link 2.0 radio is a great option if you're wearing a backpack.
Credit: Clark Tate
Weight and Size
The Cobra and Midland X-Talker T10 are the smallest and lightest options in our review, both weighing less than 4 oz. It's easy to forget that we're carrying them even during light and fast activities like climbing or trail running, but they have limited range.
In the lightweight category, the BCA BC Link Mini was among the best-performing FRS options, with excellent range and clarity outperforming its modest 6.0 oz weight. The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio is another option to consider at 6.7 ounces and have one of the best ranges of the FRS options in the test.
At 6 oz, the BCA Link Mini can easily be taken for most adventures.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Midland GXT and Baofeng both weigh a little over 7 ounces, which is easy to carry for most outings. The waterproof casing that protects the Motorola T600 adds slightly more weight, coming in at 8.4 ounces.
At 11 ounces, The BCA BC Link 2.0 is the heftiest of the bunch in both size and weight, mainly due to its two-piece design. Since it splits the weight between the mic and the receiver, you don't notice the weight, especially if you're carrying a pack. The external microphone is small and comfortable on your backpack shoulder strap. The radio's body fits in the smaller pockets of any backpack or even in a jacket pocket. Yes, it is bigger and heavier than the rest, but we never noticed the weight.
Whichever radio you ultimately reach for, we hope this review helps you arrive at the best purchase decision for your needs.
Credit: Caroline Miller
Conclusion
Good radios can be important additions to your backcountry kit. Effective communication can avoid frustration and keep your team safe. To be helpful though, they have to stand up to the rigors of long days and harsh environments. We hope the rigorous tests our team of professional and recreational radio users performed will help you decide which ones are worth their weight and expense for your next outing.
