Are you trying to find vhf radios 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 vhf radios 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 28 hours of research and did 55 vhf radios 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 vhf radios you can buy today
- Affordable Ultra Compact Class D Fixed Mount VHF Radio. Meets ITU-R M493-13 Class D DSC (Digital Selective Calling). Replaces older Eclipse+ and Eclipse DSC Models
- Radio controls on the Microphone. E2O Easy to Operate Icon/Menu System. Oversized Full dot matrix display (31 mm x 55 mm). Built in Separate Receiver for CH70 (Receiving DSC Calls)
- DSC test call and Auto DSC channel change selection. GPS position and Time Shown on a Full-dot Matrix Display when Connected to a GPS Receiver. NMEA In and Output Connections to a Compatible GPS Chart Plotter
- Programmable soft keys. Automatically poll the GPS position of up to 4 ships using DSC. Submersible IPX8 waterproof rating (1.5M or 4.92 feet for 30 minutes)
- All USA/International and Canadian Marine Channels. Preset key used to recall up to 10 favorite channels. NOAA weather channel selection with Weather Alert. Programmable Scan, Priority Scan, and Dual Watch
- Bluetooth and GPS - Keep your phone safe and dry by making calls directly from your radio with added Bluetooth capabilities. With built-in GPS receiver, see your GPS coordinates on screen and automatically send your exact location with DSC calls.
- Replay Missed Calls – The rewind-say-again feature automatically records the last 20 seconds of incoming transmissions, optimal in noisy conditions to make sure you never miss important information from you boat.
- Maximum Coverage – Allows operation of channels in the US, Canada, and internationally at 1, 3, or 6 watts with for short and long range communication, and access to NOAA weather channels, and instant Channel 16 access for emergencies.
- Clear Communication – Burp Feature vibrates the water out of the speaker grill and improves speaker performance, while weather alerts with an audible tone and visual alarm warn you real-time if threatening weather is nearby.
- Everything You Need – This Cobra Handheld Marine Radio comes ready to use with the included drop-in battery charger, AC charger, 12V DC charger, LiON battery pack, antenna, owner’s manual, spring loaded belt clip, and wrist strap.
- AquaQuake draining function
- Built-in Class D DSC with a CH70 dedicated receiver
- Common NMEA interface for external GPS/NAV connection
- Tag scan and favorite channel functions
- Dual/tri-watch function for monitoring CH16 and/or call channel
- The Uniden MHS338BT is a rugged handheld Marine radio that is rated IPX8 submersible and designed to float. Water activated emergency strobe light and flashlight. Drop-in charging cradle and Li-ion rechargeable battery. Automatic Backlight Switching, white for daylight, amber for night. Integrated GPS, NOAA weather alerts and FM radio, it’s easy to stay connected and alert.
- Full 6 WATT TRANSMIT POWER- Transmits at full power to ensure maximum range. High/LO power level select lets you boost the transmitter power from 1.0W to 2.5W to 6.0W for added transmission distance. GPS (Favorite Position mode). Lets you save your current position as well as manually enter other positions. You can save positions into a directory to return to them as desired.
- BLUETOOTH WIRELESSS - It is also Bluetooth-capable so you can use Uniden's smartphone app (iOS and Android) to set up the radio and to text message other VHF text message capable radios. You can also enter other information such as DSC directory information.
- WATER ACTIVATED EMERGENCY STROBE LIGHT & MOB - Strobe light and distress feature automatically activates when in water. MOB (Man Overboard). Lets you lock onto the current position when a Man Overboard situation occurs. Water-activated automatic MOB is also featured.
- EASY-TO-READ, BACKLIT LCD SCREEN - Large, orange backlit LCD screen displays easy-to-read text messages. Backlight Level (Off + 8 steps). Noise Canceling for both received and transmitted audio. Compass Display. Lets you determine the way you want the radio to display your course - by showing your course and direction or by showing location on a northsouth-east-west display. Automatically auto-plots to a received DSC distress call.
- This radio complies with International Class D DSC standards for handheld GPS/VHF marine transceivers. Dual and Triple Watch operation. These different watch modes let you monitor up to two Coast Guard Distress/Hailing channels and one weather channel along with one regular marine channel.
- The Atlantis 275 comes with 6 Watts of Big-Ocean Power in a compact Submersible Floating Handheld VHF Marine Radio, and even includes an Emergency Strobe Light and built-in Flashlight Feature.
- With the Largest LCD screen in its class 25mm (h) x 40mm (w), and Paper White Backlight display for Day Time and Red Backlight display for Night Time, it’s the radio you won’t leave shore without.
- Built to throw in your pocket or tuck away on deck, its compact size is never far away when you need to stay in touch the most.
- It Floats, meets the toughest Waterproof standards IPX8 / JIS8, and even clears its speaker of water after being submerged. 6 Watt Transmit Power, with User selectable 6W, 2.5W, or 1W Transmit power.
- Receives all Marine Radio Channels, including all USA, Canada, and International Marine VHF channels (includes the new 4-digit channels and Canadian “B” channels) and receives all NOAA Weather Channels and Alerts.
- Includes Built-in Lion battery pack, AC & DC charging cables, and charging cradle. 3 Year Warranty and Full 3 year Waterproof Warranty.
- How can we help? Uniden’s Customer Support site is designed to conveniently walk you through product setup and troubleshooting.
- Package length: 8.89 cm
- Package width: 22.86 cm
- Package height: 24.384 cm
- Product Type: TWO WAY RADIO
- 【Power Output】 High-8W /Medium-5W /Low-2W Power Switchable.
- 【BaoFeng UV5R】 FCC ID: 2AJGM-UV5R, Transmit frequency range: VHF 144-148MHz and UHF 420-450MHz; Receive frequency range: VHF 136-174 MHz and UHF 400-480 MHz.
- 【Programming Cable】The programmable radio supports Keyboard, PC, and CHIRP programming, The package comes with a CD disk that includes the programming APP, which makes programming easier.
- 【Multi-function radio】128 channels, 50 CTCSS tones, 104 DCS, scan function, busy channel lock-out(BCLO), OFFSET(frequency offset for repeater access), VOX hands-free function, TOT, Squelch Adjustment, LED flashlight and alarm function for emergencies. It has analog and digital intermediate frequencies, option for repeaters achieves long range comminications.
- 【Warranty】30-day hassle-free return and lifetime customer service. Feel free to contact us through the Amazon message if you encounter any issues, our support team is always there to help.
- Submersible, rugged, reliable—say Hello to the Mariner’s most faithful companion.
- Completely submersible design is equipped to handle the weather and the waves, while remaining your fail-proof lifeline to the information and communication that keeps you safe at Sea.
- All USA/International/Canadian Marine channels, including the new 4-Digit, and the Canadian “b” channels.
- 3 year water protection warranty
- Memory channel scan, Triple/Dual watch, 1 Watt/25 Watt transmit power, digital selective calling and position send and request
How to choose a good vhf radios
Does the idea of finding a fantastic vhf radios 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 vhf radios. 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 vhf radios 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 vhf radios 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 vhf radios 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 vhf radios 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 vhf radios 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 vhf radios, 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 vhf radios.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting vhf radios 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 vhf radios. 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 vhf radios 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 vhf radios.
