This is not a comprehensive list of all walkie-talkies we’ve considered. We have removed any models that no longer meet our criteria or that have been discontinued.FRS radiosOur testers particularly liked the Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 Radio on hikes. Its design, with the speaker and microphone connected to the broadcasting core by a springy cable, was especially convenient for clipping to a backpack strap and a belt. But almost all of the handsets we tested had plugs for similar accessories (albeit at an additional cost), and the BC Link 2.0 Radio didn’t perform as well as either of our picks in our range testing. This was also the most expensive FRS pair we tested.The Cobra ACXT345 set was one of the worst performers in our range test and had disappointing battery life. Pair that with cheap-feeling build quality and an annoying control layout, and it’s a hard set to recommend.The DeWalt DXFRS800 set performed second-best in our range tests, and the radios are quite sturdy with an IP67 rating and a dense, rubberized exterior. But our testers were annoyed to find that the push-to-talk button is on the face of the radio, so you have to hold it differently than most other walkie-talkies; in addition, you have to remove the belt clip every time you want to use its charging cradle. These small annoyances were enough for us to recommend the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio set instead.The Midland LXT630VP3 walkie-talkies were poor performers in our range testing, though they worked well within a half-mile radius. They also had the worst battery life.The Motorola Talkabout T265 pair was one of the worst performers in our range tests, providing a garbled transmission with lots of static at around a half mile and dropping out completely after a mile in the city test. It also was the second model to die in our standby battery test.The small Motorola Talkabout T270 radio also performed poorly in our range tests, though it had better battery life than its T265 cousin.In our range tests, the Motorola Talkabout T475 set was just an average performer. It has a number of extra features, including an integrated flashlight, an automatic pairing button, and a vibrating alert when called. But we rarely used those features, and this particular Motorola radio had a habit of turning itself on when it was in a bag. That could mean a higher likelihood of its dying on you, right when you need it.GMRS radiosThe Baofeng UV-5G is a smaller and more compact version of the GM-15 Pro we recommend. This radio has a similar interface and is even more affordable, but it didn’t do nearly as well in our range tests. Most folks would be better off spending a little extra money for the added range. The Cobra Trailblazer 250, 450, and 500 were all disappointing in our range tests, being among the first to reach their limits in every test. And while they have a simple interface that most people will have an easy time getting used to, they are programmable only via a computer connection. The Radioddity GM-30 is a rebranded version of one of our picks, the Baofeng GM-15 Pro. It performs identically when using the same antenna, but the Baofeng version is slightly cheaper and comes with a longer antenna in the box, giving you more flexibility. The Tidradio TD-H3 is a tiny handheld radio that performed well in our testing. It has a lot of useful features and is straightforward to program. If you continue pursuing radio as a hobby, it can also be unlocked to function as a HAM radio (though you’d need to get your amateur radio license to operate it this way). We like the idea of having room to grow into the hobby, but we think most beginners don’t need the added complication, and they could run into issues with accidentally transmitting on HAM frequencies. This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.
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