We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Tech Essentials The 7 Best Walkie Talkies of 2024 Stay in contact with these reliable, long-lasting walkie talkies. By Maggie Slepian Maggie Slepian Maggie Slepian is a full-time writer in the outdoor world with a decade of gear-testing experience Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 16, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsTips for Buying Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski Walkie talkies — those beeping plastic toys you used to talk to your friends from neighboring tree forts — aren’t just for kids. They’re an important communication tool for hikers, campers, anyone communicating between vehicles, and for backcountry users who frequently find themselves out of cell reception. “Many of our customers engage in activities where the walkie talkie also serves as a critical safety tool,” Bryce Jones, communications professional and President/Co-founder of Rocky Talkie, says. “For example, [these are used for] sharing critical information with your partners while backcountry skiing with snow and avalanche dangers, or with your climbing partner to tell them ‘on and off belay' or ‘loose rock.'” The difference between outdoor walkie talkies and the versions from childhood is higher quality construction, better battery life, and much longer range. Jones also says to look for durability and ease of use when choosing your walkie talkie, and that “falling short on any one of them will make the radio far less functional for backcountry communication that you can rely on.” Our Top Picks Best Overall: Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio at Rockytalkie.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Day-use: Cobra RX680 Waterproof Walkie Talkies at Amazon ($100) Jump to Review Best Budget: X-talker T10 Wallkie-talkie at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Long-range: Midland GXT1000VP4 at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Most Durable: Dewalt DXFRS800 2 Watt Heavy-duty Walkie-talkies at Home Depot ($150) Jump to Review Best Battery Life: Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 Radio at REI ($190) Jump to Review Best Waterproof: Motorola T600 Talkabout Radio at REI ($130) Jump to Review Best Overall Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio PHOTO: Rocky Talkie View on Rockytalkie.com Why We Love It They are designed for backcountry use with a long-lasting battery and extensive range. What to Consider They don’t have access to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) channels. Rocky Talkie’s entire focus is on backcountry radios, and the Mountain Radio has the winning combo of clear communication, long range, and solid construction that stands up to multiple heavy-use backcountry seasons. This is a reliable two-way radio for backcountry users in that it functions in a range of terrain that can hinder other walkie talkie communication, such as steep hillsides and low-lying valleys. The battery life is also impressive, and works well for multi-day outings where charging isn’t always possible. We appreciate this radio for cold-weather outings like ice climbing, snowmobiling, or backcountry skiing, as the removable, cold-resistant, lithium-ion battery lasts longer in cold weather than other similar models, and the body is highly water-resistant and durable. The Mountain Radio has a line-of-sight range of up to 35 miles, and up to 5 miles in mountainous terrain. The Details: 35-mile range | 6.1 ounces | Up to 120 hours of battery | Water-resistant Best for Day-use Cobra RX680 Waterproof Walkie Talkies PHOTO: Amazon $90 at Amazon $90 at Walmart $100 at Home Depot Why We Love It They feature an easy-to-use interface and 10 NOAA channels. What to Consider The signal may not hold up in mountainous areas. A combination of long range capability (38 miles for line-of-sight), durability, waterproofing, extensive channels, and nearly a full day of battery life gives these walkie talkies high marks for general backcountry use, though we wouldn’t take them on multi-day trips. They have 60 channels to choose from, large soft-touch buttons that are easy to manipulate even when wearing gloves or mittens, and a durable body that can withstand drops and moderate moisture. These radios connect to NOAA for weather alerts, and have a user-friendly interface that takes just a few minutes to learn. The line-of-sight communication is impressive, but you may lose connection in extremely hilly or mountainous areas. The Details: 38-mile range | 10 ounces | Up to 18 hours of battery | Water-resistant Best Budget X-talker T10 Wallkie-talkie PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon $30 at REI $30 at Walmart Why We Love It They have an impressive battery life and NOAA connectivity for a reasonable price. What to Consider It can lose connection quickly in obstructed terrain. For users looking for a basic walkie talkie set and who don’t have long-range connectivity needs, this is the way to go. Midland makes some of the most reliable emergency weather radios on the market, and these affordable walkie talkies are compact, lightweight, and have an impressive feature set for the value. They are water-resistant with a simple interface and feature durable connections for the clip and antenna. They include a 20-mile line-of-sight range, but those heading into mountainous areas may want to test these in advance to ensure connectivity. You may have a shorter range during inclement weather or around variable terrain. . The Details: 20-mile range | 2.7 ounces | Up to 20 hours of battery | Water-resistant The 7 Best Emergency Radios of 2023 Best Long-range Midland GXT1000VP4 PHOTO: Best Buy $80 at Amazon $90 at REI $70 at Walmart Why We Love It They feature reliable long-range performance in a variety of terrain and conditions. What to Consider The battery life isn’t as robust as other models. This higher-tier offering from Midland has a sophisticated interface that includes different modes for battery saving and an impressive range in a variety of conditions and terrains. With a line-of-sight range of 36 miles and less issues with interference than other models, this is a good choice for backcountry use or off-roading in hilly or mountainous terrain. The battery lasts up to ten hours, so if you’re expecting to use this for an overnight trip, you may want to pack a portable charger. The set also receives NOAA broadcasts, and has a higher weatherproofing rating than similar models. The Details: 36-mile range | 4.8 ounces | Up to 10 hours of battery | Water-resistant Most Durable Dewalt DXFRS800 2 Watt Heavy-duty Walkie-talkies PHOTO: Amazon $150 at Home Depot Why We Love It Shock-resistance and waterproofing makes these ideal for high-impact usage. What to Consider The attachment clip could be more robust. Waterproof, dust-proof, and shock-resistant up to a 2-meter drop, this beefy set of walkie talkies can handle use anywhere from a construction site to a climbing route. It has a full IP67 waterproof rating, so we’d also feel comfortable taking it out kayaking or even on a jet ski. Each unit weighs less than 8 ounces, and has a bright screen and just three simple buttons that are easy to use while wearing gloves or other hand protection. These work well around buildings and urban areas as well as hills or wooded terrain, and would be a great option for off-roading or other motorized exploration. The Details: 35-mile range | 7.5 ounces | Up to 18 hours of battery | Waterproof Best Battery Life Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0 Radio PHOTO: Amazon $190 at REI $190 at backcountry.com Why We Love It They’re reliable in steep terrain and inclement weather with a long-lasting battery. What to Consider The cable connector from the mic to the radio body is a weak point. At a glance, this radio is more complicated than other walkie talkies on this list, but the design allows for mostly hands-free communication, ideal for skiers who don’t want to fumble with extra gear or be forced to take off their gloves. The main body of the radio sits in your pack, with an attached mic that clips to a shoulder strap or jacket collar for easy use. This walkie talkie has a wildly long battery life of up to 80 hours in use and 400 hours in standby mode, plus it stands up to the cold better than many other designs, making it a great pick for backcountry skiing. The separate mic design as well as the impressive communication in steep terrain and inclement weather, which often hinders the range of other radios, also make it a wise choice for backcountry ski tours. The Details: 40-mile range | 11 ounces | Up to 400 hours of battery | Water-resistant The 16 Best Travel Safety Products of 2024 Best Waterproof Motorola T600 Talkabout Radio PHOTO: Amazon $130 at REI Why We Love It It has reliable waterproofing for on-water use, plus it floats. What to Consider It’s best for use across unobstructed areas. For flat-water kayakers, canoers, jet skiers, wakeboarders, and SUP fans, this waterproof walkie talkie set allows you to communicate with partners across the lake or with drivers of other vessels. Not only is this radio entirely waterproof, it also floats, so you don’t have to worry about it sinking to the bottom of the lake (or ocean) if you lose your grip. They’re designed to turn upright when they hit the water, and they have a built-in LED light to make them even easier to find. The Talkabout T600 has two battery options — use the rechargeable battery for nine hours, or use three AAA batteries for up to 23 hours on standby mode. This unit is best for unobstructed use, so you may not want to take them into steep hills or other rolling terrain. The Details: 35-mile range | 12 ounces | Up to 23 hours of battery | Waterproof Tips for Buying a Walkie Talkies Prioritize battery life Aside from range, battery life is one of the most important components to a walkie talkie — a dead radio is just useless pack weight. Like other communication devices, walkie talkies have varying projected battery life for different uses. Even if a unit claims to have 30 hours of battery life per charge, that estimate will be significantly shortened during outings with high active use. If you’ll be in the backcountry or somewhere without a chance to change the battery or recharge, look for a walkie talkie with around 20 hours of battery life on standby, and it doesn’t hurt to pack spare batteries or a way to charge your radio in the dock. Think about your needs and intended use When shopping for a walkie talkie, consider when you’ll be using it. If you’ll be out in rain or snow, consider a walkie talkie with a high level of water-resistance (bonus points for full waterproofing), and if you’ll be using it out on the water, a waterproof unit is pretty non-negotiable. For extended trips, make sure the unit has a long battery life. If you’ll be in hilly or mountainous terrain, look for a unit that specifically mentions reliable communication in those terrains. Carefully consider range and clarity Actually hearing your companion over the speaker is another critical component of a good walkie talkie. A walkie talkie’s range and clarity will be impacted in obstructed or mountainous terrain, so before bringing them out, where they’ll be your only communication tool, give them a good test in urban areas or in hilly frontcountry to test the range and clarity of the mic and speakers. If they don’t work for what you need, it’s better to replace them with a different model than to go into the backcountry with low-quality sound and shortened communication range. Frequently Asked Questions Is there a difference between a two-way radio and a walkie talkie? “A walkie talkie is a specific subset of two-way radios that are hand-held and compact,” Jones says. “If the radio is portable and you can walk and talk at the same time, it’s a walkie talkie.” Examples of two-way radios not considered walkie talkies are radios in emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances, and also the stationary radios located at base stations. How do walkie talkies work? Walkie talkies work by capturing speech in the microphone and adding it to the radio frequency your radio is tuned to. That frequency is transmitted via the antenna. The walkie talkie on the receiving end picks up the transmission using its antenna, deciphers your voice from the radio signal, and produces sound through a speaker. How much should I spend on a walkie talkie? You can get a casual walkie talkie set for less than $40, but the most reliable, high-end models with clear communication, extended range, and NOAA channels can reach several hundred dollars per set. Be sure the walkie talkie you invest in includes all of the features you need like waterproofing, durability, and range. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Maggie Slepian is an avid hiker, backpacker, trail runner, and backcountry adventurer with more than a decade of professional gear testing experience. She has tested and reviewed travel and safety gear during extended backcountry trips, and a Garmin InReach helped facilitate a backcountry evacuation during a cross-country bike trip in Wyoming. For this article, Maggie talked to Bryce Jones, a communication professional and co-founder/president of Rocky Talkie. The 6 Best Rechargeable Flashlights, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit