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Best Walkie Talkies to Stay in Contact

Published Mar 30th, 2020 10:54AM EDT

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You’ve probably seen old pictures of people connecting two paper cups with a piece of string and talking through it or you may have done it yourself. While it’s not the best method out there for communication, it underlies how we are all trying to stay in touch. Cell phones have made it easier to keep tabs on people, but not everyone likes to talk on the phone. There are plenty of people who would much rather text if possible. But when it comes to outdoor activities, especially camping or hiking, cell phone service isn’t always available. In those instances, you need to find a way to stay connected. Walkie talkies have always been useful for moments like this. Medical professionals, law enforcement, and emergency services use walkie talkies to be able to reach people quickly. Why shouldn’t you trust them? You can use walkie talkies many different ways, including playing fun games like hide and seek or on vacation or a trip to the beach. We’ve highlighted our favorite sets to help make your decision easier if you’re looking to stay connected. Here are our choices for the best walkie talkie sets.

Best Four-Pack

You don’t always only have two people who want to be radioing into each other. With more devices for more people, the Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece is a solid option. Each one only measures just over 4.5″ in height, making them easy to carry and store. Each one weighs 6.3 ounces, so people of any age can hold them. They are water-resistant and come with a removable belt clip, in case you want to clip it on as you’re moving. There are 16 pre-programmed channels, with each radio having identical frequencies per channel. You have the option of programming any of the 50 CTCSS tones or 105 of the CDCSS tones on each channel. They all have 1000mAh rechargeable Li-ion batteries and charging docks, while the built-in speakers provide high quality audio. This set of four has a range of up to five miles with no obstructions. You’ll also receive earpieces that allow for hands-free usage.

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Most Channels

Keeping channels open for clear communication is important for many uses of walkie talkies, which is why the Midland – LXT630VP3 36 Channel FRS Two-Way Radio should be a strong consideration. This features 36 Family Radio Service channels, along with a channel scan, so you can hear where the activity is. With little or no obstruction, this can extend up to a 30 mile range for communication. You can even use silent operation to turn off all tones if you prefer. This automatically scans 10 available weather band channels and locks onto the strongest to alert you of any severe weather, perfect for use out in the wilderness. You can power this set of two by three AAA batteries or through a rechargeable pack.

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Most Versatile

There isn’t a need to bring both a flashlight and a walkie talkie on a nighttime walk. So get the eSynic Rechargeable Walkie Talkies so you don’t have to. This two-pack of two-way radios provides you with a little over a mile and a half of range for usage between the two radios. The channel switch has 16 programmed channels to swap through and this whole thing can be charged with a USB. It has a built-in flashlight that can illuminate your surroundings in the dark. You can use this for up to 6-8 hours continuously on a full charge and there is a built-in emergency alarm function for added security and protection. There are mic jacks and it is made of rubber with a non-slip design that makes it easier to hold. This set is backed by an 18-month warranty.

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Best Three-Pack

Not many offer the option of getting three, so if that’s the number you’re looking for, opt for the Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio 3-Pack. You’ll get three radios, three belt clips, and one user guide to tell you how it all works. These are bright blue, to make them easier to find when you need to. Each radio has a range of up to 16 miles and 22 channels to help you reach your family and friends. With three AAA batteries, these can last up to 18 hours and it comes with a flashing indicator when the batteries are running low. It has an auto squelch feature as well as a keypad tone and a one call tone.

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Best Value

For a solid set that won’t set you back a lot, the Topsung Walkie Talkies are a cost-effective choice. There are a lot of built-in functions for this set, including squelch, monitor, memory, scan, and power saving. There are 22 main channels and 121 private codes and the set is palm-sized to make carrying them easy. The LCD screen has a backlight that makes it simpler to read. It comes with a belt clip with lanyard holes and an earpiece you can wear to make communicating a breeze.

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Chris Hachey Commerce Editor

Chris Hachey is Senior Commerce Editor for BGR. With over a decade of editing and journalism experience, plus thousands of hours of product testing and research, he has helped millions of consumers find the best products and deals to fit their lifestyles.

When he's not searching for top deals, he's likely watching his favorite sports teams or walking around his hometown with his wife and his dog.