Are you trying to find handheld radio scanner among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling handheld radio scanner on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 25 hours of research and did 24 handheld radio scanner tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best handheld radio scanner you can buy today
- 144-148Mhz/420-450Mhz TX/RX. Full Band 136-660MHZ Scanning Receive
- Color LCD display
- Dual band, dual display, dual standby.
- Frequency Measurement to copy one frequency from other radios
- Storage Channel : 999
- Sold as 1 Each.
- Black. Form factor: Vehicle mount. Temporary lockout. Close call RF capture technology.
- 300 channels. 100 ch/sec scan speed (max). Search lockouts. Package contents: Bearcat base/mobile scanner with narrowband compatibility, AC adapter, DC adapter, antenna.
- Analog reception type. Narrowband compatible. Public safety scanner. Dimensions: 2"(H) x 5"(W) x 6"(D).
- Display: Orange backlit LCD. Preprogrammed service search. Frequency coverage. Warranty: 1 year/90 days.
- 💦[Extend DIY CH] UV-9G has set 31-54 CH as DIY repeater channels except for the common 23-30 CH. So you have a total of 4 groups of repeating frequencies to set different CTCSS/DCS as well as reduce the interruptions. Have fun with your team!
- 💦[GMRS Version] New upgraded version of UV-9R / GT-3WP. UV-9G has 30 GMRS pre-programmed channels & 11 NOAA channels with weather radio scanning and receiving function. UV-9G is ready to go, right out of the box even outdoors. FCC ID: 2AJGM-P52UV (Part 95E & Part 15B Certificated). VHF & UHF receiver. Compatible with all BAOFENG FRS/GMRS radios.
- 💦[IP67 Waterproof] Compared to older models, the UV-9G has better water and dust resistance. This GMRS radio can be submerged in 3 feet/1 meters deep water for 30 minutes without any damage. Better quality but lower cost.
- 💦[Long Range for Adults] No GMRS repeater is required and the range can be up to 5 miles with obstacles. It can catch a further-ranging signal with a GMRS repeater. UV-9G six way charger is recommended when multiple radios or batteries need to be charged.
- 💦[Programming Cable Included] UV-9G comes with a BAOFENG original programming cable (328 Moto- Jack). You can ham it up via keypad manual or PC (Just ask to send the software). The bright flashlight and tri-color LCD display provides a clear look in the dark.
- 💦[NOAA Weather Scanning] No cellular signals in adventures? UV-9G can stand by 24/7, receive instant weather report from NOAA channels, and keep you informed. The NOAA function requires only a little power from the 1800mAh battery. Besides, it’s with VOX hands-free calling function.
- Frequency Range: 144-148MHz, 420-450MHz. Please kindly know that UV-5R would not transmit without this frequency range.
- 128 Channels 50 CTCSS and 104 CDCSS Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display, Dual-Standby, A/B band independent operation, High/Low TX power selectable: Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)
- High/Low TX power selectable: Busy channel lock-out(BCLO),128 Channels 50 CTCSS and 104 CDCSS Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display, Dual-Standby, A/B band independent operation, Keypad Lock. Voice companding: 50 CTCSS/ 104 DCS coder & tone searching, Tri-color background light selectable: 0-9 grades VOX selectable. Large LCD Display, Emergency Alert: 12.5KHz Switchable, LED Flashlight: High/Low RF Power Switchable, Support manually program. Easy to program via PC. Support CHIRP quick programming
- Tri-color background light selectable: 0-9 grades VOX selectable. Large LCD Display
- Emergency Alert: 25KHz/12. 5KHz Switchable, LED Flashlight: Hight /Low RF Power Switchable
- ✔️Buy safety with Mirkit! We have been selling ham radios since 2012, and we make a three steps quality control system in Baofeng manufacturing. Only high quality tested parts. 1-year 100% USA Warranty. 60 days refund. Friendly customer support, which allows you to have the best available local support for any issue that may arise. Bonus: Lanyard for your ham radio and Channel-list for free! (Channel-list by request)
- ✔️ 3rd Generation UV-5R MK5: 8 Watt Max Power, new durable shell with soft touch effect, high gain long antenna 7`` and 3 modes power settings (8W, 4W, 1W).
- ✔️ Baofeng UV-5R MK5 perfect to use for: private security, public service, hospitals, bars, restaurants, military, paramilitary, corporate security
- ✔️ FCC Part 15 Part 97 Certified. VHF/UHF 144-148 mhz / 420-450mhz.
- ✔️ Extra Bonus: A link for a special baofeng programming software + firmware mirkit-channelist will be provided on request for Free
- -F1: 50-76MHz (RX only) FM: 76-108MHz( FM RADIO RX only) F2:108-135.9750MHz(AM Air Band RX only) F3: 136-173.975MHz (TX and RX both) F4: 174-349.975MHz ( Rx only) F5: 350-399.975MHz (RX only) F6: 400-469.975MHz (TX and RX both) F7: 470-600.000MHz( RX only)
- -NOAA Weather Alert VHF UHF dual band
- -The radio comes with a 1600mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery pack and can be charged via TYPE C and desktop cradle.
- -package:RT-590 Radio Body x1 Li-ion Battery Pack x1 Dual Band Antenna x1 Belt Clip x1 ENG Manual x1 Desktop Charger x1 Handstrap x1
- -10 Channels America NOAA weather forecast / -Built-in high light Torch / -200 Memory Channels
- ✅[TD-H8 Ham Radio Handheld] TIDRADIO TD-H8 ham radio features 10 watt output power, 2500mAh rechargeable battery and incredible large color screen. Most importantly, TD-H8 is taking the lead of wireless programming, allow user to customized the radio thoroughly via phone--odmaster (free from the limitation of PC and programming cable, dedicated to providing a better outdoor experience for US ham radio users.), also can programme in Chirp and CPS.
- ✅[Real 10 Watt Power] The handheld two way radio is a dual band ham radio with TWO POWER TUBES. Such special design allows it to transmit consistently at a relatively high output power as much as possible across the frequency range, provides you a longer communication range when compared with usual 5watt/8watt/10watt radios.
- ✅[Customize Radio on Your Phone] No TIDRADIO wireless programmer needed, No computer Needed, No driver Needed, No Need to bother about which programming cable to use. Only H8 Radio and odmaster software,The new build-in wireless programming module allows you to manage your 2 way radio directly on your phone anywhere anytime.
- ✅[Multiple Feature in One APP] Load your phone with Odmaster. Odmaster have multiple features like Channel editing, Nearby repeater search&Import, Radio Configs Save/Share, all these can be access on your mobile easily. We also provide free APP updates and features upgrade, no need to purchase another radio.
- ✅[2500mAh Battery] Rechargeable 2500 mAh Li-ion Battery, larger capacity when compare with regular baofeng walkie talkies 1800 mAh Battery. Bigger battery supports 12 Hours continuous use, 60 Hours standby. The power save function can further extend your 10 watt ham radio up time.
- ✅[LCD Large Screen] Bigger screen, better color, better detail. Compare with traditional baofeng radio screens like baofeng uv-5r, baofeng bf-f8, baofeng ar-152, and baofeng uv-82, TD-H8's screen can display the current output power and has larger text to show the channel information, giving you a better visual experience than usual portable ham radio.
- ✅[Multiple Radio Function] TD-H8 features multiple functions like other handheld ham radio : Dual Band, Dual Watch, NOAA Weather Mode, Disply Sync, CTCSS/DCS, Scanning, VOX, Remote/Site Alarm......
- ✅[What's in the box] TD-H8 walkie-talkie, 2500mAh Battery, Charge base, Belt Clip, User Manual. We provide 60-day hassle-free replacement service and professional technicians to help solve your problems.
- Wide Communication Range: With GC-5 amateur radio, you can communicate with both UHF and VHF dual bands. Stay informed with NOAA weather channels and FM reception. Switch between 12.5K or 25K wide band/narrow band for enhanced communication options. With 999 memory channels, never miss a beat.
- Clear and Private Conversation: Ensure crystal-clear communication with 104 DCS and 50 CTCSS codes. Stay connected hands-free with the 1-9 VOX feature and minimize background noise with the 0-5 squelch level setting.
- Cross-band Receiving and Transmitting: TX: 144-148MHz and 420-450MHz, and RX: 136-174MHz and 400-519.995MHz. Switch between two bands effortlessly with A/B band independent operation and monitor two frequencies simultaneously with dual-band and display functionality.
- User-friendly Design: Easily navigate settings on the 1.8" color display and use the full-featured keypad for one-touch frequency/channel mode switching, and current band switching. What’s more, GC-5 can realize fast frequency copy, and customize DTMF settings by pressing the '#' key.
- Essential Emergency Equipment: Stay prepared with an 1800mAh big capacity battery, LED flashlight, and dual alarm system - local and broadcast alarms. Local alarm emits loud sound, broadcast alarm transmits siren or coded signals for critical alerts.
- Disclaime: No License is required to purchase this radio, nor to Monitor (listen) to the many Amateur (Ham) Radio frequencies. However, an FCC License is required to Transmit (Talk) on Amateur Radio Frequencies in the USA.
- ✅[2nd Gen TD-H8 Ham Radio Handheld] This handheld two way radio features 10 watt output power, 2500mAh rechargeable battery and incredible 1.77 inches large color screen. And most importantly, TD-H8 is taking the lead of wireless programming, allow user to customized the radio thoroughly via phone, free from the limitation of PC and programming cable, dedicated to providing a better outdoor experience for US ham radio enthusias.
- ✅[Real 10 Watt Power] TIDRADIO TD-H8 2nd Gen is a dual band ham radio with TWO POWER TUBES. Such special design allows it to transmit consistently at a relatively high output power as much as possible across the frequency range, provides you a longer communication range when compared with usual 5watt/8watt/10watt radios.
- ✅[Mobile Programming and allows for Linking to Repeater Lists] No TIDRADIO wireless programmer needed, no computer needed, no driver needed, no need to bother about which programming cable to use. The new build-in wireless programming module allows you to manage your 2 way radio directly on your phone anywhere anytime.And you can link up to a nearby Repeater listing through the APP on your phone!
- ✅[Multiple Feature in One APP] Load your phone with Odmaster. Odmaster have multiple features like Channel editing, Nearby repeater search&Import, Radio Configs Save/Share, all these can be access on your mobile easily. We also provide free APP updates and features upgrade, no need to purchase another radio.
- ✅[2500mAh Battery] Rechargeable 2500 mAh Li-ion Battery, larger capacity when compare with regular baofeng walkie talkies 1800 mAh Battery. Bigger battery supports 12 Hours continuous use, 60 Hours standby. The power save function can further extend your 10 watt ham radio up time.
- ✅[LCD Large Color Screen] Bigger screen, better color, better detail. Compare with traditional baofeng radio screens like baofeng uv-5r, baofeng bf-f8, baofeng ar-152, and baofeng uv-82, TD-H8's screen can display the current output power and has larger text to show the channel information, giving you a better visual experience than usual portable ham radio.
- ✅[Multiple Radio Function] TD-H8 features multiple functions like other handheld ham radio : Dual Band, Dual Watch, NOAA Weather Mode, Disply Sync, CTCSS/DCS, Scanning, VOX, Remote/Site Alarm......
- ✅[What's in the box] TD-H8 2nd Gen Ham Radio, 2500mAh Battery, Charge base, Belt Clip, User Manual. We provide 60-day hassle-free replacement service and professional technicians to help solve your problems.
- ✅[After-service] After purchasing TD-H8, you can not only enjoy our return and exchange services, but also receive software updates from us. Please let us know immediately if you encounter any issues during use.
- 【1】This article is ideal for short-distance communication. It is simple, economical and practical.
- 【2】High/ Mid/Low Power ,Dual band / dual display / dual standby,AUTO Keypad Lock.
- 【3】 FCC ID: 2AJGM-UV5R
- 【4】1800mAh Battery,128 groups of storage channels
- 【5】Worry-free after-sales service：We provide Programmable PC software，We also provide 30 days no reason to Warranty.
How to choose a good handheld radio scanner
Does the idea of finding a fantastic handheld radio scanner make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in handheld radio scanner. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top handheld radio scanner products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top handheld radio scanner on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top handheld radio scanner brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top handheld radio scanner based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the handheld radio scanner were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good handheld radio scanner, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your handheld radio scanner.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting handheld radio scanner for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our handheld radio scanner. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what handheld radio scanner should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on handheld radio scanner.
