Best walkie talkie UK
Which is the best walkie talkie in 2024?
VIEW OFFERBest of 2024: Find the right walkie talkie in the UK
When it comes to staying in touch with others in areas without mobile phone signal, there is no device better than a walkie talkie. This useful communication device has found plenty of use over the years, from military operations to children’s games, and remains a great tool for staying in touch when you’re out and about. However, with so many different types of best walkie talkies to choose from, it can be difficult to find a quality device that meets all of your requirements. Here’s everything you need to know to find a great walkie talkie:
The 10 best walkie talkies in the UK (November 2024)
The bestseller list compares walkie talkies from multiple brands
- Simplicity: Simple push-to-talk operation, just set the channel and press PTT key.
- Ergonomics: Lightweight, fits comfortably in hands, easy for both adults and kids.
- Range: Ensures up to 5km wireless communication, perfect for long-distance use.
- Usability: Suitable for both adults and children.
- Battery: Comes with a 1500mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and USB charger.
- Range: Works best with other BF-88E on the same channel.
- Simplicity: Easy to use with simple channel selection and push-to-talk button.
- Hands-free: VOX function allows for hands-free communication.
- Range: Long range connected, communicate over extended distances.
- Simplicity: Easy operation; just turn on, switch channels, and start talking.
- Battery: 1500mAh rechargeable battery ensures extended usage and offers low battery warning.
- Range: Connect over long distances with 16 selectable memory channels.
- Battery: Lasts 8 to 96 hours per charge, depending on usage.
- Range: Up to 5 miles unobstructed, varies with terrain.
- Power: Increased to 2W, ensuring stronger and clearer communication.
- Durability: Child-friendly, easy-to-use design with 1.2m drop resistance.
- Range: Communicate over a 3km distance outdoors with 8 main channels and sub-channels.
- Clarity: Clear voice, stable signals with CTCSS & VOX functions.
- Battery: Comes with a rechargeable 1500mAh Li-ion battery for prolonged usage.
- Durability: Built-in LED flashlight for nighttime use and robust build for various applications.
- Range: Long-range connection ensures reliable communication over extended distances.
- Usability: Simple interface and design make it perfect for kids aged 3 and above.
- Range: Up to 5km in open areas for reliable communication.
- Battery: 1200mAh rechargeable battery ensures long standby times for extended use.
- Channels: 16 available channels for coordinating multiple teams.
- Sound: Each walkie talkie has an earpiece and built-in microphone.
- Range: Provides you with a stable signal.
- Battery: 1100mAh Li-ion battery lasts 8-12 hours; convenient USB charging.
- Range: High-quality antenna provides a stable signal over a greater distance.
- Simplicity: Just turn to the same channel and talk—instant communication.
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- Read the definitive walkie talkie buying guide
- View the walkie talkie picks and see how they rank in the top list
walkie talkie buying guide
Do you want to buy a good walkie talkie? This is all you need to know.
A short explanation: What are walkie talkies?
A walkie talkie is a type of two-way radio transceiver designed for hand-held use. It utilises wide-powered radiofrequency to send and receive audio transmissions, including conversations, while being much more portable than a mobile or cell phone. Lightweight and fairly small, walkie talkies usually have a built-in loudspeaker and antenna and are available in many different designs.
What are the benefits of good walkie talkies?
The best walkie talkies work without mobile phones, making them a great option for anyone who needs to quickly communicate over short distances with others. There are many situations where this is useful, including hunting, airsoft games, outdoor recreation, various professional capacities, and from security teams. As you can see, there are plenty of great uses for a set of walkie talkies, so it is worth picking up a quality set if you find yourself needing to use them.
How to choose the best walkie talkie in 2024?
Choosing the best walkie talkie depends entirely on the individual, but this is often difficult when there are simply too many options to choose from. To make things easier, consider some of the following before you buy a two way radio:
- Number of Handsets: Singles and pairs are the most common type of walkie talkie that you can buy, with the single coming with one handset and the pair including two handsets. Pairs are obviously great for two people, such as hunting or hiking, while single walkie talkies are a good choice for using people need to communicate with different people. For example, if you’re taking your family on a camping trip then a single handset with sufficient, but if you’re coordinating a group of builders then you may need multiple pairs.
- Range: The best walkie talkies come with an outstanding range which is perfect for long distance communication. This is necessary in many instances, say if you’re going hill walking in the peak district with a group of friends then you’ll want a good few miles range on the device. Longer ranges are also recommended for more serious activities, such as climbing, skiing, etc. where ensuring contact over several miles is quite important.
- Intended Use: What you plan on using the two radio for will help determine the best type for your needs. For example, if you’re going on a fun family road trip, then the range doesn’t have to be particularly high, but it will need to be used to entertain the kids. In this case, a PMR446 walkie talkie may be a good option. This is a common walkie talkie that utilizes eight different channels, although more channels will allow for better connectivity in busy areas without mobile reception. For hikes, safaris, long-distance driving, wide-range frequencies will be a better choice, as too will licensed walkie talkies that have further coverage.
Which types of walkie talkies are available to buy in the UK?
Walkie talkies are categorised by the number of bands they operate with, with most being available in one of the following:
- One Band: These walkie talkie operate using a single frequency band. This means one radio band is used, with the most common example being UHF (ultra-high frequency). A UHF one band walkie talkie operate at the same frequency but on different channels, with these being great for use in built-up areas because the frequency moves around and isn’t hindered by interference or thick surfaces.
- Two Bands: A two band walkie talkie operates using two radio bands, with most being available in a combination of UHF and VHF (very high frequency). With two bands walkie talkies can get both UHF walkie talkies and VHF walkie talkies in a single device, although they will need to operate using a different frequency.
- HF, VHF & UHF Walkie Talkies: These walkie talkies operate using three different bands, with each one providing their own pros and cons. Of the most common types of walkie talkies, they can be either a one band or two band device.