The Best Walkie-Talkies of 2024

For such a small radio, the Midland X-Talker T51VP3 ($50) radios held surprisingly tough in our worst-case scenario range tests, and at just $50 for a pair, are a downright steal for anyone looking to snag a set on the cheap.

Midland has chops as a brand, and while the larger GXT1000 was one of the higher performers in our testing, these little apples don’t fall far from the tree. Easily fitting into your palm, the X-Talker T51s take up little real estate, and we appreciated that while using them for climbing commands and trekking far where bulkier radios would have been a pain.

Transmission distance is about middle of the pack, with diminishing quality at around the 3-mile mark in our torture test, and 4 miles in our best-case scenario. The smaller overall antenna likely plays a role here, so don’t plan on a booming transmission range. For closer communications, however, we found little fault with these radios and they provided good clarity throughout.

These walkies are dual fuel, taking both standard AAA cells as well as the included 700 mAh rechargeable battery packs. Our testers appreciated that the radios can be charged on both the included bases, as well as through a micro-USB port on the side of the units — slick. While overall battery life won’t be the most impressive (these are the smallest radios in our testing) we could squeeze out a full day of use.

At $50 for a set of two, the X-Talker T51VP3 supports a number of features that even more expensive radios leave off, such as NOAA weather tuning, on-device USB charging, and voice activation (VOX). For the money, it’s tough to do much better than this.

The Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 ($190) has an earned keep in the world of backcountry skiing, and after a season or so of use both inbounds and out, we’re liable to agree. Comprised of a base unit and handheld mic/speaker combo, the BC Link is meant to be used primarily shoulder-mounted, with the radio body tucked away in your ski pack.

This configuration is excellent for ski touring, and makes for quick and easy prompts. All day-to-day configuration is done through the hand mic, which manages both speaker volume and channel selection. A burly alligator clip on the back of this mic holds fast to pack straps.

BCA goes with a unique choice here in offering six labeled channels, which often include a privacy tone and seem to be chosen based on the most commonly used in ski user groups (the classic 4-20 only confirms this for us). You can modify these channels, but know that everyone using these radios will have to do the same to ensure communications go through.

The integral hand mic does have some downsides, the largest of which is that the radio body itself can’t be used solo as it lacks a mic or speaker. We also have heard from ski partners that the volume and channel dials can bump out of place while riding, leading to missed communications when they could be critical.

The transmission range on the BC Link 2.0 wasn’t stellar in our testing — eking out a 3-mile range in the best-case scenario and losing the thread at around mile 2.5 in the desert. While these results aren’t on par with the best radios we tested, we find that the specific use case of backcountry skiing doesn’t demand extraordinary distances, and skiing in close pitches is typical.

Compared to the Mountain Lab Scout 2W and Oxbow Renegade X, it’s downright tough to parse which radio is best for the backcountry ski/sledneck crowd, but we’re comfortable with the following: If you spend more time on your snow machine than on foot, the Oxbow is the go-to.

For those who want occasional handheld radio ability — the Scout. And if your radio will live in your backcountry pack all season, it’s tough to go wrong with the BC Link 2.0.

While a handful of other walkies in our line-up are waterproof, it’s tough to do better than the Cobra ACXT1035R FLT ($120) before jumping up to a full-on marine VHF radio. This unit is not only IP67 waterproof, but adds on water-savvy functionality such as a “burp” feature that can clear water from the speaker grill if the handheld does go in the drink, and — it floats.

About the highest-end walkie-talkie from Cobra, these handhelds get the full suite of tech, including a tri-watch (monitors three separate channels at once), NOAA weather frequencies, and a unique ‘Rewind-Say-Again’ function that replays the transmission you most recently received. Pretty slick, if you ask us.

We used the Cobras to scout a desert cayoneering run in Joshua Tree, where water immersion was mandatory, and they performed excellently — the integrated LED light even came in clutch for fiddling with an anchor deep in the canyon.

The $120 entry fee is a bit much compared to the rest of our recommended walkies, but when you consider that you get two radios for the price, these Cobra radios are downright affordable. Our only other quibble is that the radio is a bit chunky in the hand, which is likely due to ensuring it’s buoyant enough to float. Thankfully the weight doesn’t track, and these walkies are fairly light.

If you’re padding more whitewater than blue, the Rocky Talkie 5W radio may be more up your alley — our creek freaks were all over these radios for scouting heavy water, and praised their bungee tethers and alligator clips for the rough stuff. But for a lightweight option that floats and sports water-savvy functionality, the ACXT1035R FLT is where it’s at.

Bumping up majorly in functionality, but only asking a little more from its operator, the Rocky Talkie 5-Watt Radio ($180) is a GMRS walkie-talkie that takes everything we loved about the Mountain Radio and juices it up — piling on a full 5W of power and swaddling the whole thing in a waterproof shell. This is your radio for poor-weather exploits. 

As a GMRS (that’s ‘General Mobile Radio Service’) radio, you’ll need to obtain a license from the FCC to operate this walkie, but for only $35 and good for 10 years, it’s a low bar to clear to jump up to a much higher level of communications. GMRS radios operate across the same frequencies as FRS radios, but have access to more than double the output, meaning your transmissions go further.

With a larger footprint than the original Rocky Talkie, the 5W version has more room to play with, adding in a larger 1,800 mAh battery, NOAA weather frequency reception, and an IP67 waterproof build that mates with an optional handheld mic through an M3-style connector. These upgrades undoubtedly make this a more capable radio.

While we loved the Mountain Radio for drier sports like rock climbing and hiking, the 5-Watt excels in sports such as backcountry skiing, paddling, and mountaineering, and we put the added range to use. In our best-case scenario testing, these radios were able to be heard up to 9 miles away. These radios also now come with a second longer antenna, and the ability to change these out is unique to GMRS radios.

Obviously, the price tag of $180 (that’s $15 more than last we checked) per radio stings a bit, but compared to other GMRS radios on the market, this is about the going rate. With the rugged build and accessory hand mic available, this radio more than tips the scales.

If you need something a bit cheaper, however, the Midland GXT1000 is a GMRS rig that’ll get your signal out (though not to repeaters, however, as it doesn’t support duplex functionality).

Don’t let the need for a license spook you — after using the 5-Watt Radio on Alaska ice climbing trips, Colorado elk hunts, and Pacific Northwest packrafting runs, we’re confident it’s worth it.

Fair warning: The Baofeng BF-F8HP ($65) has no easy learning curve, nor is it a radio that can be used without becoming an amateur radio operator — but for those who want to open up a whole different universe of ability for outdoors comms, this is the radio to step up to.

As an amateur radio, an FCC license is the only way to legally operate this radio, but the advanced ability the BF-F8HP offers up is well worth it. At 8 W of max output, this radio far and away outperformed every other walkie-talkie in our testing, and that’s only in radio-to-radio (or simplex) mode. Because these radios can access repeater towers (ground-based antennas that amplify your signal), your range can instead be measured in hundreds of miles.

Menu navigation isn’t as streamlined as other amateur radios such as ICOM or Yaseu, and some second-party companies even sell laminated cheat sheets to get you through the labyrinth. It usually takes our senior tester about a day of using this radio again before it all comes back. Baofeng does sell a programming cord for use with this radio, and we highly recommend purchasing that with your handheld for far easier setup. 

Technically a dual-band radio, the BF-F8HP operates on both the VHF and UHF frequencies, as well as tossing in an AM/FM radio receiver. The dirty secret with these radios is that while they can operate on the FRS frequencies, they aren’t FCC-certified as such, and we can’t recommend that you use them that way.

But used correctly, you could even communicate worldwide with these radios and the right know-how. Know that battery life at the full-tilt 8W output won’t last as long as the lower power outputs (1 and 5 watts), so meter your usage to just enough to get your signal out.

While there’s some legwork to do to use the BF-F8HP, serious radio users shouldn’t be dissuaded by the need to pass the test (our licensed tester memorized the question pool in eighth grade, and promises you can, too). In serious situations, a radio like this can communicate with SAR helicopters, call out of deep backcountry outposts, and will always have more juice than FRS and GMRS radios.

Like the Rocky Talkie 5-Watt, the Midland GXT1000 ($90) is a GMRS radio, but we again find the performance on this walkie-talkie well worth the licensing hassle. Performing just behind the 5-Watt in all of our range tests, these radios stretch your transmission abilities and host several features that make them competitive.

At $45 per radio, the GXT1000 is actually one of the more affordable in our line-up, and for the money you get a good bit for it. The radio supports all of the typical GMRS channels, and a unique ‘group mode’ that allows you to send transmissions to single parties as opposed to the entire frequency. This is a bit challenging to use, but handy nonetheless.

This radio isn’t the toughest in terms of durability and is only rated as JIS-4 splash-resistant. Safe to safe, this one is best kept dry. However, our hiking and backpacking testing with it proved it to hold up well in dry conditions, and we wouldn’t stress much if we got caught in a passing shower with it.

Unfortunately, while the GXT1000 is a GMRS radio it isn’t set up to be used with GMRS repeaters, which limits the functionality of going with such a radio. While few may actually take the time to use them, repeaters can greatly boost your signal output, and leaving off the ability feels like an oversight. For this reason, we tend to recommend the Rocky Talkie over the Midland for most folks.

Only a few functional differences separate this from the Rocky Talkie 5-Watt, however, and if the more traditional style and button layout is more to your liking, the GXT1000 might be the GMRS radio for you.

Right off the bat, we’ll say that this radio gives the BCA Link 2.0 a run for its money every day of the week, and there are even a few circumstances we actually prefer the Mountain Lab Gear Scout 2W Radio ($149). For anyone looking for a walkie-talkie to use while backcountry skiing, this radio is one to strongly consider.

Composed of a base unit and handheld mic, the Scout works in much the same way, tucking away the radio itself while operating remotely. While the BCA Link 2.0 hand mic is feature-rich, the Mountain Lab version is pretty spartan and only supports a push-to-talk button.

This might be a boon to those annoyed with the occasional channel change on BCA radios, but it does mean you’ll have to rifle around for the radio should you need to migrate frequencies during your ski tour.

That said, you can use the Scout radio on its own, which, in our opinion, makes up for the hassle. This versatility means you can choose to go handheld or not, and that can be a benefit when you decide to ditch packs for a quick side mission. 

Rounding out the Scout is NOAA weather reception, a built-in flashlight (with water-activated flashing), and a speaker that is just dang loud — one of the loudest in our review. This is especially handy when toggling on the SOS function, which transmits an alert on your current frequency as well as audibly from the radio.

In terms of issues with the Scout, we found little, though we could be convinced to complain about the extended boot time turning on the radio (noticeably longer than others we tested). The radio is also among those that shield switching the channel behind a ‘menu’ button press, which while we understand is better for accidental changes, takes a minute to get to.

If your backcountry radio needs change often, the Scout 2W Radio can be a good option. We tend to think that the BCA Link 2.0 is a better all-around option for most folks, but the ability to go with just the radio or add on the handheld mic will make the difference between this and the BCA for many.

Simplified for more all-around use compared to its base+hand mic cousin, the Backcountry Access BC Link Mini ($100) is easy to use with large glove-friendly buttons, and has a number of smart mounting options that make this radio keen for plenty of activities even outside skiing.

The smaller form factor was undoubtedly appreciated by our testers, and the rubberized exterior is reminiscent of the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio — taking bumps and bruises with no problem. A dial on the top of the radio functions to both turn it on and as the volume cranks — a multi-functionality that keeps clutter down. 

One of the unique choices on the Link Mini is that it constantly operates in a dual monitoring mode, with channel A and channel B receiving simultaneously. Typically, this feature can be handy for checking in on two separate groups, but because you’re unable to mute the second channel, erroneous transmissions can overlap until you pivot to another channel. Annoying, to say the least.

Mounting options on the Link Mini, however, are anything but, and range from a standard belt clip to a special webbing clip that interfaces with pack webbing for a super low-profile fit. We typically aren’t stoked on loose holding belt clips, so this option was refreshing.

Tucking away a middle-of-the-road 1800 mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery, we were able to get decent run time out of the Link Mini, and while the range wasn’t the best we don’t weigh this heavily against the Mini, as skiing communications is typically pretty tight.

If you’re already invested in the BCA radio universe, the BC Link Mini is a great option for bulking out a fleet of radios. It’s also a great little handheld for skiing.

Sledders, this is your radio. The Oxbow Renegade X ($180) is dialed in down to the snow-shedding speaker cover, and has a handful of other smart features that make it ideal for communicating with other snowmobilers or even while backcountry skiing.

The big deal on this walkie-talkie is the Bluetooth integration, which allows you to tap in a helmet headset for audio in and out and connect the optional wireless handlebar button to trigger the push-to-talk functionality. We feared that this would be finicky, but Oxbow has obviously done their homework here, and connections are simple to make.

Riding on your shoulder strap, the Renegade X is ready for all-day riding, and the included shoulder strap mount is burly in every sense of the word (there are literally blunted teeth keeping this in place). Adding to that is the ‘FrogzSkin’ membrane covering the speaker on the radio, which prevents snow and ice from accumulating. Smart. 

When testing this radio in British Columbia’s Selkirk Range while heli-skiing this winter, the Oxbow came in loud and clear as we coordinated with our ski guide for additional laps. The choice to go lithium-ion with the battery was smart to fend off drop-off in the cold, and our testers had no problem getting a full weekend of use out of the Renegade. You can even snag another battery for just $36.

While the Renegade X is meant to ride on your pack straps, we did wish more than once for a remote hand mic set-up similar to the Rocky Talkie 5-Watt or BCA Link 2.0. The small footprint of the radio means it tucks into jacket pockets easily enough, however, and the pros far outweigh the cons on the snow-ready walkie.

While the Motorola Talkabout T600 ($130) didn’t score the highest in our testing, it still has plenty going for it, and as a fully waterproof (and floating) radio, there are plenty of uses we can drum up.

An excellent alternative to the Cobra ACXT1035R FLT, the T600 hits many of the same water-friendly metrics, including an IP67 waterproof rating, a floating design, and even something the Cobra doesn’t offer: a water-activated flashlight that comes on should your radio take a dive.

In our testing, transmission range wasn’t the hottest on these radios, with the best case being 4 miles and the worst case being 2 to 3. The reason is found deep in the user manual for the radios: the T600 only transmits at 1.5 W on high, not the maximum 2 W allowed on the FRS band. While this seems small, the real-world performance laid bare how important that half a watt is.

The included rechargeable battery pack is only 800 mAh, which was the smallest in our testing. Thankfully, the T600 will also run on AA batteries, which bumps up operating time from around 8 hours to almost a full day. For most, even a good 8 hours is enough when you aren’t far from a charger, but another radio may better fit the bill for extended trips.

We tested these radios by loaning them to a local trail crew, who used them to manage communications across a few miles of work site and while felling trees — no small ask. Across the board, they reported clear transmissions and little static, even in denser brush. For $65 per radio, the Talkabout T600 is one of the more affordable options in our lineup, and while we think the Midland X-Talker is a better budget radio for most, these are still a great value.