Best Shortwave Radios – For Daily Use and Emergency Application

Last Updated on May 25, 2023 by Waino Miller

Portable Shortwave Radios for No Net Connection Place

You and your friends are planning to camp out over the weekends. You have all the necessary supplies and food you need. What about some music? You will surely need a good shortwave radio with you. Since you will be staying outdoors then it will certainly help to have this kind of device.

You will find different brands and kinds of shortwave radios on the market today. There are reviews about them that will help you choose the best one that will suit your needs and preferences. It is a must that you choose the right one.

With this, we have decided to make our reviews. We have gathered the best shortwave radios to buy in the market today. Make sure to consider our recommendations today.

Our 3 Top Picks

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Kaito KA500 5-way

Brand - Kaito

Color - Yellow

Frequency - 108 MHz

Hardware Interface USB

Item Weight 1.48 pounds

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PRUNUS J-160 Radio

Brand - PRUNUS

Color - Red

Speaker Output Power 3 Watts

Hardware Interface USB

Item Weight 383 Grams

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Deluxe NOAA Emergency Radio

Brand - Midland

Color - Gray

Display Type LCD

Frequency 162.55 MHz

Item Weight 0.5 Pounds

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List of the Best Shortwave Radios

1. Kaito KA500 5-way Powered Solar Power

Are you having a campout over the weekends with your buddies? Then you need a good shortwave radio with you. The Kaito KA500 5-way Powered Solar Power is known for its amazing features such as 6-way powered portable emergency radio with hand crank generator, solar panel, compartment for 3 AA batteries (not included), 5V USB input, 5V AC/DC input with a wall power adapter (sold separately), and built-in NiMH replaceable and rechargeable battery pack.

It also has other features like a 2-band shortwave and 7 pre-programmed NOAA weather channels for entertainment, sports, talk shows, breaking news around the world, and 24/7 real-time weather forecast.

Conclusion: It is a must that you have this kind of device with you to keep updated. We highly recommend this product for its built-in NiMH replaceable and rechargeable battery pack. Though it has a small problem, you will still find it truly powerful with its other features. We have also written a complete guide about the best CB radios.

2. PRUNUS J-160 Transistor AM FM Radio Small Portable Retro Radio

This retro-style radio is guaranteed to spark some interesting conversations. The good news is though, that even with its retro style, it is still modernized with Bluetooth, a rechargeable battery, and more. The battery on this radio can run for about three hours on a single charge at full volume. When used at lower volumes, it can easily last 8-10-hours. It is small and portable, ideal for taking with you or leaving at home. It measures only 5.1 x 2.7 x 3.5 inches and weighs less than a pound.

As to how it sounds, true to form it can connect through AM/FM/SW to capture signals easily. It has a circular tuning window to make it easy to set your favorite stations. This also gives it an even more impressive retro style. There is a copper, retractable antenna to give you stability when it comes to signal strength. If you prefer, you can also use Flash Drive and TV cards, MP3 players, Aux, and Bluetooth to get this thing to play music. It is equipped with a 3W built-in magnetic speaker to provide deep bass and smooth treble.

Conclusion: This radio has too cool a style to not be impressed by it! It is cute, it is retro, and it promises to be enjoyable to listen to. We like the turn dials, we like the look, and we enjoy all the play options that it provides. It has a decent sound for the type of radio that it is and a size that can go with you anywhere. If you like retro, we definitely hope you will give it a look.

3. Retekess V115 Portable AM FM Radio with Shortwave Radio

You will find different kinds of shortwave radios in the market today. The Retekess V115 Portable AM FM Radio has powerful features you will surely love. It has V115 transistor radio bass sound with MIC recording and line-in recording radio recording etc 3 recording modes and simple 64kbps; quality 96kbps; super 128kbps 3 recording quality, and Am FM radio with the MP3 player speaker by 3.5mm AUX input and also can be used as a loudspeaker by USB cable.

It has other features like Built-in three languages Chinese English Spanish; 9k/10k for AM tuning increment; the package does not include an adaptor; just includes a USB cable; you can charge the radio from a computer or connect a phone adapter.

Conclusion: Choosing the right shortwave radio can be quite tricky especially if you have no idea about it. The Retekess V115 Portable AM FM Radio is highly recommended for its Built-in three languages Chinese English Spanish features. Though it has a small issue, you will surely still love its other offered features and all.

4. Midland-WR120, NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio

Since you will be staying outdoors, you must keep yourself updated especially when it comes to weather updates. The Midland – WR120, NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio has powerful features that you will find useful. It has 7 available weather (WX) band channels with flood, tornado, thunderstorm, civil danger warnings, and more. It also has locks on to your county’s NOAA weather radio signal requiring minimal programming from the user.

Moreover, it has other features like a compact alert monitor that display emergency advisories in 3 languages: English, Spanish, and French and a built-in clock features an alarm with a snooze button.

Conclusion: Make sure that you always keep yourself updated when it comes to emergencies and such when outdoors. With this, we recommend this device for its 7 available weather (WX) band channels with flood, tornado, thunderstorm, civil danger warnings, and more. It may have a small issue but you will still be able to enjoy its other offered features at all times.

5. Eton – Elite Executive Skywave Radio

If you are planning to stay outdoors then make sure that you have the right kind of shortwave radio with you. The Eton – Elite Executive AM, FM, and Shortwave have features you will find truly useful such as a Lighted LCD Display, Rotary Volume Knob, Stereo Headphone Jack, Sleep Timer and 700 Memory Presets, Direct Entry Keypad, Autoscan Tuning, Signal Meter.

It also runs approx. 60-70 hrs. at moderate volume on (2) AA batteries (not included) or can be powered by an optional AC adapter and includes Earbuds, Carry Case, and Fold-out Back stand. 1-Year Warranty.

Conclusion: You don’t have to worry about traveling outdoors if you have the right equipment with you such as this device. We highly recommend this product for its AM/FM/Shortwave/Weather/Airband Travel Clock Radio with Alarm features. It may have a minor issue but it is nothing as compared to its features.

6. Tecsun PL880 Portable Longwave & Shortwave Radio

Traveling outdoors needs a lot of extra care especially when it comes to your safety. It will help a lot to have the right equipment with you. The Tecsun PL880 Portable Digital PLL Dual Conversion AM/FM, Longwave & Shortwave Radio with SSB (Single Side Band) Reception will provide the features you need. It has Full range coverage including AM/FM, Longwave & Shortwave with Single Side Band, and PLL synthesized digital dual conversion receiver with unparalleled sensitivity and selectivity.

It also has 4 & 5 selectable bandwidth filters on AM and SSB respectively plus a single Side Band receiver with a 10 Hz tuning step, a 24-hour alarm clock plus sleep timer from 0-120 minutes, and is powered by one single 18650 Li-ion rechargeable battery with built-in charger, battery included.

Conclusion: You no longer have to worry about your safety if you have all the right supplies with you. To keep posted about the weather and such, make sure that you consider this device. We recommend it for its 4 & 5 selectable bandwidth filters on AM and SSB respectively plus a single Side Band receiver with a 10 Hz tuning step. It may have a minor problem but you will still find this device truly valuable.

7. C. Crane CC Skywave SSB Shortwave Radio

Staying outdoors, especially when camping out with your friends should be taken with extra care. With this, you need a high-quality and reliable shortwave radio with you. The C. Crane CC Skywave SSB AM, FM, Shortwave is known for its digitally tuned multi-band receiver with superior sensitivity and selectivity enhanced by multiple bandwidth settings as well as selectable fast or fine-tuning on all bands. It also has other features like direct frequency entry, auto scan, and store, 400 memories. 10 aviation memories can be scanned for activity and clock with 12/24-hour format, alarm, rotary volume, and tuning knob. This device has a Lighted LCD, Stereo headphone jack, and fold-out back stand. High-quality CC Buds Earphones, faux leather radio carry case, and 23’ portable Shortwave reel antenna included.

Conclusion: You don’t have to worry about staying outdoors when you have all the right supplies with you. With this, we recommend this shortwave radio especially for its direct frequency entry, auto scan, and storage, of 400 memories. 10 aviation memories can be scanned for activity. You might find a small issue with this device but still, you will be able to enjoy its other features.

8. Midland-WR400, Deluxe NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Shortwave Radios

Are you going to camp out this weekend? Then better equip yourself right. The Midland – WR400, Deluxe NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio scan through 7 available weather (WX) band channels with flood, tornado, thunderstorm, civil danger warnings, and more. It automatically locks on to your county’s NOAA weather radio signal requiring minimal programming from the user and has a 90 dB siren alarm, voice alert, or visual LED flasher.

It also has a built-in clock that features an alarm with a snooze button and an AM/FM Radio with 6 memory channels. Wake up to local weather, AM/FM, or buzz.

Conclusion: It is better to be prepared especially when staying outdoors since you will never know when an emergency will strike. With this device, we recommend that you check it out today. You will find its features truly amazing such as the 90-dB siren alarm, voice alert, or visual LED flasher. You may find a small issue but you will still be able to enjoy its other features with no issues at all.

9. TECSUN PL-380 DSP Shortwave Radios

Are you planning to get a new shortwave radio? The TECSUN PL-380 DSP FM Stereo. MW. SW. LW. World Band PLL Radio Receiver, LCD Display, ETM Function Added has features you will certainly find truly valuable. It has Seven Tuning Mode Selectable, LCD Display Screen,550 Preset Memories, Digital Clock Function With 12/24 Hour Format, a Highly Intelligent On / Off Switch as well as Silicon Labs Si4734 DSP; To Digitalize the Analog MW / FM / SW Broadcasting Signal Base On The Modern Software Technology And Radio Principles.

It has other features like a Light & Snooze Function, Key Lock Function, Built-In Charging System To Charge The Ni-Mh Rechargeable Battery, and Built-In Dc 5v Usb Jack, Earphone Jack.

Conclusion: You don’t have to get those pricey ones when you can have the same features from his device. We recommend this product today for its amazing features which you will surely love. It may have a minor issue but you will find it nothing once you started using this amazing product today.

10. Sangean ATS-909X2 BK AM/FM/LW/SW World Band Receiver Shortwave Radios

There is nothing more fun and exciting than staying outdoors with your friends. With this, make sure that you have the right supplies with you. The Sangean ATS-909X2 BK AM/FM/LW/SW World Band Receiver – Black has features you will certainly enjoy such as 406 Memory Preset Stations with ATS (Auto Tuning System) Auto Scan along with six Tuning Methods: Direct Frequency, Auto Scan, Manual, Memory Recall, Rotary, and Fine Tuning, automatically Search for Strongest Signal Station within SW Station Page, and built-in 42 World Cities Time Plus D.S.T. Device with 2 Editable City Names.

It also has other features like SSB (Single Side Band): USB / LSB 40Hz / Step on Fine Tuning and Squelch Function that can adjust the Receiving Threshold to Eliminate Weak Transmissions and 3 Alarms, wake by Radio or HWS (Humane Wake System) Buzzer, and Adjustable Sleep Timer with Tone Control: (Music / Normal / News).

Conclusion: Staying outdoors should not be a worrisome experience. With this device, we recommend that you check it out today. It may have a small issue but you will still find it truly useful and powerful with its features and all.

Final Conclusion

Make sure that you always keep all your supplies updated especially the ones you always use outdoors. These Best Shortwave Radios will certainly provide you with the features you need.