Best Portable FRS Two-Way Radios in 2022


Are you looking for the best portable FRS two-way radios? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Two-way radios are an essential tool for a variety of activities, from hiking and camping to keeping in touch with family members on a fishing trip. The right two-way radio can make or break your experience, so it’s important to find the right one.

When it comes to portable FRS two-way radios, there are a few key things to look for. First, consider the range of the radio. Depending on your needs, you may want a radio with a longer range, or you may be satisfied with a shorter range. Make sure you understand the range of any radio you are considering.

Next, consider the battery life. FRS radios are typically powered by rechargeable batteries, so it’s important to make sure the radio you purchase has a long battery life. You don’t want to get stuck with a radio that runs out of power quickly.

Finally, look at the features offered by the radio. Some two-way radios come with additional features, such as weather alerts, emergency broadcast, and more. These can be helpful if you plan to use the radio in an emergency situation or if you want to be prepared for bad weather.

Once you’ve considered these key factors, you’re ready to start shopping for the best portable FRS two-way radio. Look for reviews online to find out which radios are most highly rated by users. That way, you can be sure you’re getting the best radio for your needs.

With a little bit of research, you can find the best portable FRS two-way radio for your needs. Make sure to consider range, battery life, and features before making your purchase. With the right radio, you can stay connected no matter where you go.

1. BTECH PC03 FTDI Genuine USB Programming Cable for BTECH, BaoFeng, Kenwood, and AnyTone Radio

BTECH PC03 FTDI Genuine USB Programming Cable for BTECH, BaoFeng, Kenwood, and AnyTone Radio

Informations:

Miklor.com offers practical BaoFeng guides and programming advice.

Compatible with UV-5X3, BF-F8HP, and UV-82HP from BaoFeng.

No driver problems, no need for outdated drivers, simply plug and play

These cables simply function, as opposed to the typical "clone" USB programming cables that are sold on Amazon.

FTDI USB programming cable that is genuine (Only Sold by BaoFengTech - insure BaoFengTech is your selected distributor to guarantee accuracy in receiving what is described)#

Review:

The cable is functional. I've utilized it numerous times to program both of my BaoFeng UV-82HPs. For two reasons, I didn't give it five stars:The advertisement claims that Windows 7 won't require you to load drivers. Not at all true... The chipset in this cable doesn't have drivers for Windows 7. I still needed to download and install drivers, therefore. Although it wasn't an issue for me, it need to have been mentioned in the description. The phrase "you'll never need drivers other than the authentic drivers for authentic FT chips" would have been more truthful, in my opinion. But because it is a genuine cable, it functioned just fine after I loaded the drivers.2. It's crucial to be aware that the volume control's position impacts the upload and download processes on the UV-82HP. When you choose to upload or download, instructions state that you might need to crank the volume up. Two UV-82HPs are mine. I had to crank up the volume all the way to upload or download when I was programming the first of the two. On the other, if I turn the volume up that high, nothing happens and it says the phone connection failed. Before I realized I should attempt a lower volume setting, I spent at least 20 minutes trying to find out why my second radio wouldn't connect with my computer. This is not stated anywhere, but it should. In any case, if you read this, be advised that in order to submit it, you might need to mess with the volume button. I normally turn it on about a third of the way up, and if it doesn't connect, I raise it up a little and try again until it does.

2. Retevis RT22 Two Way Radios Rechargeable Walkie Talkies 16 CH VOX Channel Lock Emergency Alarm 2 Way Radio(10 Pack)

Retevis RT22 Two Way Radios Rechargeable Walkie Talkies 16 CH VOX Channel Lock Emergency Alarm 2 Way Radio(10 Pack)

Informations:

Li-on rechargeable battery life is between 12 and 24 hours; The car's radio, a power bank, and other devices can all be charged by USB.

A better option for use in hospitality, retail, restaurants, event planning, education, photography, health care, and other service industry applications, the 16 preset channels come with preset privacy codes that allow you to minimize unwanted interference from others and reduce potential confusion.

Walkie-talkies that are FCC-certified and don't require a license can utilize the frequency legally without paying a fee; their small size and sleek appearance make them ideal for commercial use.

Rich features on the two-way radio include VOX hands-free, emergency alarm, channel lock, up/down channel changing button, scan, squelch, and others.

Never worry that the lengthy antenna may poke your chin or get stuck in your pocket; do not be fooled by the radio's short antenna and low weight. enhancing effective team communications#

Review:

They were just delivered, but initial reviews and a range test show that they stack up favorably against much more expensive models. They may not be as water- or damage-resistant, but at a price of about one-tenth as much, you can't really consider that a major drawback.If you wish to charge them all at separate locations, this might be a consideration. Of course, if there is another USB source nearby, it doesn't matter. Mine was packaged in pairs with 2 USB charging cables but just one charger per pair. I also received a programming cable, however as I run Linux, the small CD contains only drivers for Windows and MAC. This is not a problem because there is a free, open-source program called CHIRP that can handle several radios that are comparable; all that is required is to make sure the Linux "User" is allowed to utilize the serial and USB ports.The first five channels, which must use the same frequencies, were taken care of by reprogramming the Cobra MicroTalk radios to use no privacy codes because I didn't have time to fiddle with the Cobras. If you have the right cords, I'm sure they can be configured with a lot more radios.UpdateI made a few adjustments using "Chirp," and now these radios are compatible with the Vertex Standard VX-261, Motorola CLS1110 and CLS1410, and Kenwood Protalk. To get at least some channels operating on the other radios, I did not need to make any configuration adjustments. Of course, not everything can be made to function with everything else, but I am able to use these with both other, less expensive UHF walkie talkies and the much more expensive radios we already owned. I needed to modify a few frequencies and privacy codes using Chirp (67 seems common).

3. Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 2 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included

Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 2 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included

Informations:

Each radio comes with a single-earbud style earpiece with a microphone built in and a Push-to-Talk button. The earpiece plug is K-type of 3.5mm plug and 2.5mm plug. When you plug in the earpiece, all sound goes to the earpiece and the radio speaker is silent. The radio has a VOX function. The radio has a high-quality built-in speaker that produces loud and crystal clear sound.

Battery life is determined by transmit time; it lasts between 8 and 96 hours on a single charge depending on how much you transmit. You can charge the battery alone or charge the radio with the battery installed. Each radio comes with a 1500mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery and a charging dock. The charger has an AC wall-wart Type A plug and operates in the 110v-240v range. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to fully charge.

Each radio has a removable belt clip and is small and portable, measuring 4.53 inches in height without the antenna (the antenna's length is 4.3 inches), 1.30 inches in thickness, and 2.36 inches in width. It is also solidly built, water-resistant, easy to use for all ages, and produces 2 Watts of power.

Range is highly dependent on the terrain; up to 5 miles with no obstructions, less in congested areas; great for commercial construction or around the home; suitable for security teams, maintenance teams, construction teams, fire departments, warehouses, factories, kitchen staff, hotels, retail stores, at the school, events communications; roadtrip while driving in different cars; family camping and hunting; on a cruise ship; in mountains;You can add as many as you like, and they all function well together and throughout the globe.

UHF 400-470MHz frequency range; 16 pre-programmed channels; each radio has the same frequency on all 16 channels right out of the box;When you turn the knob to change the channel, a synthetic voice will inform you the channel number; 16 position mechanical rotary switch channel selector;The frequency of the channel can be customized; you can choose from 105 CDCSS tones and 50 CTCSS tones for each channel.#

Review:

My order arrived on schedule. The radios are excellent. In a residential location, I can hear very clearly up to a mile away. The battery life has not been examined.One problem I have is that one of the screws holding the belt clip together is stripped. I'm going to ask a hardware store employee if they can assist me in getting it out. Everything has been fine except from that.I intend to order more as soon as the belt clip crews dilemma is resolved. For my job and a volunteer site, I require these.I purchased the much more expensive Cobra brand, but it falls short of Archell.A belt clip's stripped screw is being fixed by Archell after they reacted to my customer survey within 24 hours of receiving it. And the battery life has been great thus far. I can go nearly a day and a half on one charge with light use.This week, I'm going to place more orders.

4. BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

Informations:

(8W, 4W, 1W), High, Medium, and Low Power Settings; Range of frequencies: 65-108 MHz (Only commercial FM radio reception) VHF: (Rx/Tx) 136–174 MHz. UHF: Broad (Wide) / Narrowband (Narrow) Selectable; 400-520 MHz (Rx/Tx)

Improvements over our Previous Generation UV-5R: New Hardened Durable Radio Shell, 30% Larger Battery, V-85 High Gain Antenna (Twice the Antenna Performance), USA Support, and In-Depth User Guide Included; Double the Output Power (8 watts up from 4 watts output);

The Manufacturer Warranty is only honored by BaoFeng Tech, an authorized BaoFeng distributor in the USA. Warranty claims can only be made at BaoFeng Tech without sending anything to China. To be eligible for the full USA warranty, you must ensure that BaoFeng Tech is your chosen purchasing option when you make a purchase.

Because not everyone is an expert in radios, the BF-F8HP was designed in the USA with a strong emphasis on user friendliness. The new comprehensive manual, which walks you through the features and customization options of the BF-F8HP, is where it all begins. Additionally, the BF-F8HP offers exclusive concierge customer support and warranty assistance. Only a few BaoFeng models, such as the BF-F8HP, UV-82HP, and UV-5X3, offer this concierge service.

For Simpler PC Programming, Use a PC03 FTDI Programming Cable.#

Review:

I'm a newbie ham. I needed a radio that would work just well without costing too much money. Despite an almost ideal pricing, I decided against the UVR5 after much research. There are too many signs of problems. I didn't want to spend $150 on a radio just to discover that I didn't enjoy the activity. In addition, having a radio with a ton of bells and whistles would be a waste if I didn't know what I was doing. I eventually found this radio, which is very compact and inexpensive like the UVR5, but has a little bit more power, range, and functionality. sufficient but not excessive.I couldn't be happier with my decision.I've used it from my home and can reach many repeaters in the area, including ones that are 15 miles away. I have several contacts (and received one lecture on how Baofeng is all things evil... whatever). I've also applied it while driving. I set up repeaters along the roadway and had no trouble making contacts. I've only been able to make one simplex contact so far, but I keep trying.I've discovered that operating and learning the radio is quite simple. Programming it was also simple. Both Chirp and the Baofeng software have been utilized by me. I favor chirping. You might want to do that as well. I did get a larger antenna for it, and it significantly improves the radio.This is a fantastic option for someone looking to get started with amateur radio. I'm currently awaiting the delivery of my Yaesu 8900R so I can put it in the Jeep and continue studying for my General.KC1KCE

5. Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 6 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included

Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 6 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included

Informations:

Review:

I purchased two sets of these radios (for a total of 12) to communicate with a group of people in charge of organizing an event at a location with a square mile-sized footprint, all of whom would be often entering and exiting different buildings. The majority of radio types seem to require a good, unobstructed line of sight for clear communication, but we would hardly ever be anywhere on the site with one. I'm delighted to inform that there was no need for modification because the two sets synchronized properly with one another right out of the box. Regardless of whether people were inside or outside, they communicated crisply and clearly and worked incredibly well together. We utilized the other channels so that small groups could have their own distinct, semi-private chats as needed while leaving the main channel open. This had additional benefits. The radios are well-made and incredibly durable. The radio also provides verbal instructions when you turn it on, when you switch channels, and when the battery needs to be changed—which, given how frequently I used it, lasted quite a while. Although we didn't utilize the offered attachments, I will attach the belt clips before I use them again because they would have been really useful. If you need to communicate with a sizable group and explore a site with plenty of obstacles, such as buildings, I highly recommend these radios. This is a fantastic offer at such a low cost.

6. Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 4 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included

Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios with Earpiece 4 Pack UHF 400-470Mhz Walkie Talkies Li-ion Battery and Charger Included

Informations:

Each radio has a removable belt clip and is small and portable, measuring 4.53 inches in height without the antenna (the antenna's length is 4.3 inches), 1.30 inches in thickness, and 2.36 inches in width. It is also solidly built, water-resistant, easy to use for all ages, and produces 2 Watts of power.

Each radio comes with a single-earbud style earpiece with a microphone built in and a Push-to-Talk button. The earpiece plug is K-type of 3.5mm plug and 2.5mm plug. When you plug in the earpiece, all sound goes to the earpiece and the radio speaker is silent. The radio has a VOX function. The radio has a high-quality built-in speaker that produces loud and crystal clear sound.

Range is highly dependent on the terrain; up to 5 miles with no obstructions, less in congested areas; great for commercial construction or around the home; suitable for security teams, maintenance teams, construction teams, fire departments, warehouses, factories, kitchen staff, hotels, retail stores, at the school, events communications; roadtrip while driving in different cars; family camping and hunting; on a cruise ship; in mountains;You can add as many as you like, and they all function well together and throughout the globe.

UHF 400-470MHz frequency range; 16 pre-programmed channels; each radio has the same frequency on all 16 channels right out of the box;When you turn the knob to change the channel, a synthetic voice will inform you the channel number; 16 position mechanical rotary switch channel selector;The frequency of the channel can be customized; you can choose from 105 CDCSS tones and 50 CTCSS tones for each channel.

Battery life is determined by transmit time; it lasts between 8 and 96 hours on a single charge depending on how much you transmit. You can charge the battery alone or charge the radio with the battery installed. Each radio comes with a 1500mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery and a charging dock. The charger has an AC wall-wart Type A plug and operates in the 110v-240v range. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to fully charge.#

Review:

Purchased the four-pack for our upcoming May trip. Upon arrival, one of the four walkies wasn't working, so I reasoned that my husband should have a look. The seller (Ashley) sent me an email the following day to inquire about my satisfaction with my purchase. Whaaaaat???? Never before had that occurred! Anyway, I proceeded to respond with an email in which I explained why one of the walkies wasn't functioning. The very following day, she sends me another email to let me know that she has just sent me another free two-pack of walkies to replace the broken one! Excellent customer service in my opinion; the kids love the walkies, and we'll see how the cruise goes. Absolutely would suggest!!

7. Retevis RT22 Walkie Talkies Rechargeable Hands Free UHF Channel Lock 2 Way Radios Two-Way Radio(6 Pack) with 6 Way Multi Gang Charger

Retevis RT22 Walkie Talkies Rechargeable Hands Free UHF Channel Lock 2 Way Radios Two-Way Radio(6 Pack) with 6 Way Multi Gang Charger

Informations:

Working outside the box with one another, channel lock to prevent unintentional button changes, emergency alarm to assist you be aware of the danger and notify team members; No need to use a PC to establish the frequency and privacy codes

Features six-way multi-gang chargers with multiple charging protection, overcharge, overvoltage, and short circuit protection, making them safer to use when simultaneously charging a six-pack of two-way radios or batteries.

Real hands-free operation is made possible by the 0–9 level voice activated transmit function. The best audio quality can be obtained by adjusting the level in accordance with the environment.

Fits in the palm of your hand, is lightweight and easy to transport while offering appropriate coverage for a variety of conditions.

The two-way radio is incredibly small and sleek for business use; it has 16 channels and a wealth of capabilities, and its FCC certification ensures that you can use it without a license. not required to pay yearly frequency#

Review:

These two-way radios were purchased for my husband, a PO who wanted a device to utilize out in the field. They were packaged carefully to prevent damage during shipping, and they arrived earlier than expected.They are of a tremendous size, light in weight, and fast charged. My spouse claimed they performed flawlessly and precisely as promised. He is overjoyed.Customer service did need to be contacted, and they responded promptly and courteously. I'd unquestionably employ them once more in the future.

8. BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black)

BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black)

Informations:

Channel Step: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25Khz | Voice Keypad Lock 50 ctcss/104 DCS coder and tone seeking are companding.

Emergency alert: switchable 25Khz/12.5Khz; LED flashlight: high/low RF strength.

Channels: 128 Dual Freq. Display, dual-standby, a/B band independent operation, 50 ctcss and 104 CDCSS dual-band display, high/low TX power selectable: busy Channel lock-out (bclo).

Selectable tri-color background light; 0–9 grade vox; FM radio (65.0Mhz–108.0Mhz); big LCD monitor.#

Review:

I recently got my new radio, and I really like it. My nephew introduced me to ham radios, and he recommended this model for me because it's a pretty cool little radio that's smaller than I anticipated. All I can do right now is listen to it, but it works amazing once you understand what you're doing with it. However, I'll study and, ideally, take my test to earn my license soon after. Completely delighted with the radio, I also ordered the Nagoya NA-771 15.6-inch whip antenna from BaoFeng Tech, which arrived in the mail yesterday and significantly increased my range on repeaters in and around my city. With the antenna that came with the BaoFeng UV-5R radio, I was averaging 6 to 7 kilometers. My range has doubled to between 14 and 16 miles currently. I must give Amazon, KoCo-Go, who provided the radio, and BaoFeng Tech credit for my new Nagoya NA-771 antenna.

9. BaoFeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio with one more 1800mAh UV5R Battery one Hand Mic and one TIDRADIO NA-771 Antenna Baofeng Radio Ham radio

BaoFeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio with one more 1800mAh UV5R Battery one Hand Mic and one TIDRADIO NA-771 Antenna Baofeng Radio Ham radio

Informations:

The top preference of ham radio users and commercial users is a reasonable price. Make touch with your companion or another ham radio user with a baofeng walkie-talkie.

All necessary accessories are already included; additional funds are not required to purchase additional accessories.

Dual-band handhelds with VHF AND UHF have a higher talking frequency. With the help of the display function menu, users may easily adjust the uv5r radio using the keypad. They can also use programme software settings via a computer.

NA-771 of TIDRADIO You may extend your tracking range by using long antenna.

Bluetooth radio As long as there is at least one battery in use and one that is charging, there is no need to worry about running out of power.#

Review:

I recently got my new radio, and I really like it. My nephew introduced me to ham radios, and he recommended this model for me because it's a pretty cool little radio that's smaller than I anticipated. All I can do right now is listen to it, but it works amazing once you understand what you're doing with it. However, I'll study and, ideally, take my test to earn my license soon after. Completely delighted with the radio, I also ordered the Nagoya NA-771 15.6-inch whip antenna from BaoFeng Tech, which arrived in the mail yesterday and significantly increased my range on repeaters in and around my city. With the antenna that came with the BaoFeng UV-5R radio, I was averaging 6 to 7 kilometers. My range has doubled to between 14 and 16 miles currently. I must give Amazon, KoCo-Go, who provided the radio, and BaoFeng Tech credit for my new Nagoya NA-771 antenna.

10. Midland - GXT1000VP4, 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio - Up to 36 Mile Range Walkie Talkie, 142 Privacy Codes, Waterproof, NOAA Weather Scan + Alert (Pair Pack) (Black/Silver)

Midland - GXT1000VP4, 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio - Up to 36 Mile Range Walkie Talkie, 142 Privacy Codes, Waterproof, NOAA Weather Scan + Alert (Pair Pack) (Black/Silver)

Informations:

Review:

I recently got my new radio, and I really like it. My nephew introduced me to ham radios, and he recommended this model for me because it's a pretty cool little radio that's smaller than I anticipated. All I can do right now is listen to it, but it works amazing once you understand what you're doing with it. However, I'll study and, ideally, take my test to earn my license soon after. Completely delighted with the radio, I also ordered the Nagoya NA-771 15.6-inch whip antenna from BaoFeng Tech, which arrived in the mail yesterday and significantly increased my range on repeaters in and around my city. With the antenna that came with the BaoFeng UV-5R radio, I was averaging 6 to 7 kilometers. My range has doubled to between 14 and 16 miles currently. I must give Amazon, KoCo-Go, who provided the radio, and BaoFeng Tech credit for my new Nagoya NA-771 antenna.

About Author

Matt Grabowsky

My name is Matt Grabowsky and for over two decades I have been observing technological and social trends, talking about them and explaining them in an accessible way.