We love to camp, but we also love to have a camping radio when we go most of the time. It’s nice to have the local weather forecast or be able to listen to the football or even just play some music at the site.
We love our Dewalt radio, but we are going to share some other options in this post as well.
What to Look For in a Camping Radio
Is it AM/FM?
If you are wanting to use your camping radio to pick up local weather stations, it will need to be AM/FM. This is the only way you can get the forecast or even listen to the game. Chances are if you are too far off the grid to pick up am/fm, you probably won’t be able to get your phone to Bluetooth anything because you won’t have service.
AM/FM will most likely be your best bet. Sometimes, it could be hard to pick up radio stations but this might be a risk you take with camping off the grid.
Does it Resist the Elements?
If you are planning to use your radio outdoors, which camping is outside, you will want a weather-resistant radio. With the weather being unpredictable, you never know what you might run into. There aren’t a ton of waterproof options but weather resistance is optional.
Is it Easy to Pack?
Is the radio small enough to pack in your backpack for a hike or will it need to stay at base camp? Having a portable, lightweight radio is a great choice for camping. Most campers are already limited on space after we pack all the necessities.
How is the Quality?
Is the sound good? This is something you will want to think about when choosing the right radio for your trip. It will make enjoying the music better if your camping radio has great sound.
Our Top Pick (the one we use)
1. Dewalt DCR028B
This radio is a little pricy but we love it! It’s heavy-duty and can be either cordless or corded. It’s Bluetooth, AM/FM, or has an auxiliary port. The Bluetooth works up to 100 feet away (we haven’t tested this far). It’s durable, with its roll cage and antenna slot for storage to help keep it from being broken.
It can run for 12 hours off of a fully charged DeWalt battery. It also has a USB port to charge your phone. We love that it’s so rugged and is water-resistant so we don’t have to stress the elements on our trips.
2. FosPower Weather Radio
This radio is not expensive but packs a big punch for the price. It is solar, battery, or hand crank to give you options when you are off the grid.
It’s jam-packed with emergency features!!
- Solar, Battery or Hand Crank
- SOS Alarm
- Motion Setting
- Flashlight
- NOAA Emergency Broadcast Access
It’s small in size making it easy to store or pack. You can listen to the AM/FM radio or know that if the weather takes a turn, you will get an emergency broadcast. It has multiple power sources, even a 4000 mAh power bank.
You get 33 hours of radio listening and 20 hours as a reading lamp.
3. Panasonic Portable AM/FM
This little radio gets great reception!! It is powered by a cord or 4 AA batteries. The only downside is that it’s not weather resistant but it’s small in size and makes up for it in reception capabilities!
It has a large display and a large tuner knob to help you get the right stations.
4. Kaito KA500 Voyager
This radio is powered in 6 different ways. It has a hand crank, battery, solar, 5V USB, 5V wall adapter, and a built-in rechargeable battery pack. It is AM/FM with the NOAA weather and real-time weather forecasting.
This radio was featured on the Today Show as a radio everyone should keep in their car or home in case of an emergency. It’s also certified by the NOAA.
The Voyager is impact and weather resistant so you don’t have to worry about drops or water messing it up.
5. DeWalt 20V MAX
This radio is compact but packed with all the necessities. This Bluetooth speaker is tough and produces high-quality sound. Stream your favorite music or podcasts from your Bluetooth-equipped mobile device from up to 100 ft. away. You can also plug devices directly in with the auxiliary input.
Charge your phone through the day with an integrated USB charging port. Stand your mobile phone in the slot of the built-in carry handle, or underneath. Enjoy rich stereo sound with extended bass from dual 3 in. speakers.
Its rugged design includes a metal grille and impact-resistant housing. Power the Jobsite Bluetooth® Speaker with DEWALT 12V MAX, 20V MAX, or FLEXVOLT batteries, all sold separately. Includes universal AC cord as well.
Conclusion
We hope you are able to pick the perfect camping radio from the ones we have highlighted that will both suit your needs and stay within your budget. Even though our pick was one of the higher-priced ones, we know we got a great radio that will last for years to come. Not only do we use it for camping, but we also keep it and use it around the house and our shop.
If you have any other favorites you have found, leave them below in the comments. We would love to hear.
