The 7 Best Walkie Talkies of 2025

Best Overall

Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio

The Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio excels in various outdoor activities, proving user-friendly during climbs, hikes, and ski tours across multiple ranges. It features a sturdy carabiner and leash for easy attachment, and its 2W power ensures clear communication despite obstructions. “I was amazed at how crisp the sound stayed even with trees and rocks in the way,” our lead tester remarked during testing. This lightweight, versatile radio is a strong contender with a reliable rechargeable battery lasting days even in cold conditions and an impressive range for an FRS model.

Watts	2W
Measured Weight (Single Radio, with Batteries)	6.7 oz
Dimensions Body Only	6.5" x 2.5" x 1.6"
Battery Capacity	1550 mAh
Battery Type	Lithium Ion

The Mountain Radio's mic captures background noise, sometimes too clearly. Your clanking gear can disrupt communication. As our tester writes in our review, “I noticed almost every rustle got picked up. This is not a deal breaker, but it is noticeable.” Though splashproof, it's not submersible; for a waterproof option with better range, consider the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt, which requires an FCC license. Still, if submersion isn't a concern, the Mountain Radio suits most adventurers. While the price is in line with other top-performing models, you can save a lot of money with the Motorola T600 if you can accept a slightly lower range and battery.

Read more: Rocky Talkie review

Best Bang for the Buck

Midland X-Talker T10

Want a straightforward and affordable two-way radio? Get the Midland X-Talker T10. 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've tested. Unlike most walkie-talkies at this price point, the T10 is water-resistant. “I was impressed when it kept working after a soaking from the hose,” our tester noted during testing. The X-Talker T10's rugged case and antenna design lead us to believe it can withstand use and abuse. The clip holding the radio onto a backpack's shoulder strap isn't the best, but it works.

Watts	Not listed
Measured Weight (Single Radio, with Batteries)	3.9 oz
Dimensions Body Only	2" x 1" x 3.5"
Battery Capacity	1,000 mAh
Battery Type	AAA

The X-Talker T10 has a shorter range than top models, typical for smaller, cheaper units, reaching one mile in line-of-sight tests and three-quarters with terrain obstructions. “I could still hear my partner, but it got fuzzy with hills in the way,” our tester remarked. When reliable communication is critical, we'd recommend something like the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio if you're willing to stretch your budget. But if you need a simple and inexpensive option that anyone can learn to use quickly, this is an excellent choice.

Read more: Midland X-Talker T10 review

Best Durable Radio

Rocky Talkie 5 Watt

The Rocky Talkie 5 Watt, a high-powered GMRS radio that boasts waterproof IP67 construction, enduring submersion up to 1 meter. After the acclaimed Mountain Radio, this sequel meets the demands of mountain athletes and guides. “I couldn't believe how clear it stayed at pretty massive distances,” our tester marveled. It transmits 20-30% farther than its 2-watt sibling through obstructions, with battery life lasting a week-long ski trip (off at night). With 11 weather and 8 repeater channels, it excels with repeaters. This rugged, versatile walkie-talkie justifies its cost.

Watts	5W
Measured Weight (Single Radio, with Batteries)	9.5 oz
Dimensions Body Only	4.05" x 2.44" x 3.4"
Battery Capacity	1800 mAh
Battery Type	Lithium Ion

The Rocky Talkie 5 Watt, a GMRS radio, requires a $35 FCC license. Your immediate family can also use this license, but non-family users need their own license. This complicates group use. “I found the licensing simple enough,” our tester noted after following Rocky Talkie's blog guide. At 9.44 oz, it's heavier than the license-free Backcountry Access BC Link Mini. This powerful 5-watt radio excels if weight and licensing aren't issues.

Read more: Rocky Talkie 5 Watt review

Best Lightweight Radio

Backcountry Access BC Link Mini

The Backcountry Access BC Link Mini boasts great packability without compromising performance. Our tester noted, “This radio easily fits in my jacket pocket yet offers some of the best clarity I've seen. The weight to performance ratio is hard to beat.” This radio transmitted clearly to its range limit despite minor obstructions, rarely requiring message repeats. A simpler, lighter version of BCA's BC Link 2.0, it's user-friendly and boasts an IP55 rating, which means it is dust protected and resistant to water jets from any direction. Translation: It's sufficient for most uses except whitewater boating. This is a top contender for a light, durable, simple radio for non-water sports.

Watts	2W
Measured Weight (Single Radio, with Batteries)	6.0 oz
Dimensions Body Only	6.25" x 2.5" x 1.25"
Battery Capacity	1800 mAh
Battery Type	Lithium Ion

The Backcountry Access BC Link Mini features a large, glove-friendly mic button that protrudes, risking accidental presses in a pocket or pack. Unlike the sturdy steel clip on the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt, its lightweight plastic clip needs the included leash for security. “I love monitoring two channels at once,” one tester said, “but it can get noisy with heavy traffic—we wish there were a single-channel option.” Dual-channel aside, this lightweight walkie-talkie delivers solid performance for most outdoor sports.

Read more: Backcountry Access BC Link Mini review

Best For Backcountry Excursions

Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0

The Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 keeps things simple but includes enough extra features to help you adjust to almost any condition. The radio's main body stashes nicely in a backpack, and the extended smart mic works wonderfully with a sturdy clip and an ergonomic design. Our tester noted, “It gave me impressive range across steep landscapes and even during a blizzard. The rechargeable batteries have a generously long life (though they were not the best in my 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. A favorite feature is that the dial on the microphone lets you change channels without looking at it – even with gloves on.

Watts	2W
Measured Weight (Single Radio, with Batteries)	11.0 oz
Dimensions Body Only	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

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. This is an excellent option if you're already carrying a pack and don't mind the extra bulk and expense.

Read more: Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 review

Best for Water Use

Motorola T600

The Motorola T600 is a solid choice for anyone who wants a radio for water-based activities. It boasts the best waterproof rating and beautifully backs up its manufacturer's claims. 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. This 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.

Watts	.5W, 2W
Measured Weight (Single Radio, with Batteries)	8.4 oz
Dimensions Body Only	2.4" x 1.5" x 4.9"
Battery Capacity	800 mAh
Battery Type	NiMH, Alkaline AA

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; the extra protection adds heft and bulk. Most of our tested options will work 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. 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 in the market for a bare-bones, affordable walkie-talkie, you can't go wrong with the Midland X-Talker T10.

Read more: Motorola T600 review

Best for Licensed Ham Radio Operators

BaoFeng BF-F8HP

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. The BaoFeng may become your favorite portable two-way radio if you want to get the license. 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.

Watts	1W, 4W, 8W
Measured Weight (Single Radio, with Batteries)	7.8 oz
Dimensions Body Only	2" x 1.2" x 3.7"
Battery Capacity	2,000 mAh
Battery Type	Lithium Ion

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, when we tested the BF-F8HP, only licensed amateur radio operators could 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 use the radio and earn the license properly, this isn't the right one for you. This radio is for technically inclined users willing to get licensed to get the best range and flexibility for their needs. If you want an easy-to-use set of walkie talkies for family adventures, the Motorola T600 does the trick and is waterproof.

Read more: BaoFeng BF-F8HP review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	73	Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio Best Overall	$110
	72	Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Best Durable Radio	$180
	69	Backcountry Access BC Link Mini Best Lightweight Radio	$100
	62	Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 Best For Backcountry Excursions	$190
	59	Motorola T600 Best for Water Use	$135
	54	BaoFeng BF-F8HP Best for Licensed Ham Radio Operators	$65
	53	Midland X-Talker T10 Best Bang for the Buck	$38
	47	Midland GXT1000VP4 Two Way	$90
	42	Cobra ACXT145	$35

Why Trust GearLab

After researching over 50 walkie-talkies, we purchased nine models for 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 no stone was left unturned to 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 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.

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. Below, we've summarized the key points from our buying advice article.

Which Type of Radio is Best for You?

Three main radio types comprise most of the walkie talkie/handheld radio market: FRS, GMRS, and Amateur/HAM. It's important to understand the differences between each option to find the right radio for your next outdoor adventure.

Family Radio Service (FRS)

A Family Radio Service (FRS) radio will be the best option for many outdoor sports. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.