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Do you remember the days when you used to marvel at your parents’ walkie talkies? Us too. Walkie talkies aren’t just for children. In fact, walkie talkies are one of the best tools for communication.
If you are looking into buying some walkie talkies, you need to be careful. Many walkie talkies are made very poorly today. To ensure that the walkie talkie you select is effective, we took it upon ourselves to review the best options on the market today.
After looking at 24 products over 18 hours, as well as considering 1235 customer reviews, we have finally found the best walkie talkie in Canada in 2023.
From our research, we found that the Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios is the best walkie talkie because it provides communication over long distance, is 2 way, and comes with any features.
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Walkie Talkie Comparative Table
| Product | Summary | Rating | Price | |
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TOP PICK
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Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios
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8.9/10 | See price on Best Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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UPGRADE PICK
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8.6/10 | See price on Amazon |
|
FOR KIDS
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|
|
8.4/10 | See price on Amazon |
|
BUDGET PICK
|
Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio
|
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8.4/10 | See price on Amazon |
Our Pick for The Best Walkie Talkie
Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios Review
The Best Overall
Midland
The Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios provide many channels and privacy codes, as well as along transmission and reception range, providing ample communication. Although these walkie talkies are expensive, their features are highly useful, making them perfect for frequent and serious users.
Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios Video Review
What We Think of the Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios
If you want the best overall walkie talkie, we recommend the Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios. These walkie talkies are two-way radios that include 36 channels and 121 privacy codes. They have a 38 mile transmission range, allowing contact over long distances.
The radio also comes with a channel scan function. This makes it super easy to find live channel. The two-way radio also includes integrated weather alert and weather scan technology, allowing you to stay safe from the elements.
As if these walkie talkies could not get any better, they also include two belt clips, rechargeable battery packs, a desktop charger, a wall adapter, and a USB charging cable. All of these tools allow the walkie talkie to stay really functional and useful for both users.
Bought this specifically for a trip out west but have found myself using it with my buddies on camping trips more often than our cb’s. Very quite operation. Range is good. Voice is crisp and clear. Functions are fairly easy once you learn the proper ways to use them.
Jason 3113
The most obvious downside of this walkie talkie is that it is on the expensive side. If you are on a tight budget, this is not the option for you. Granted, there are more expensive walkie talkies on the market, but there are many less expensive options too.
Another potential downside is that all of the additional features can make it a bit difficult to use. Once you get over the learning curve, it is rather simple or straightforward, but it can be difficult for beginners.
Still, this is the best overall walkie talkie pair because its specs are highly useful and effective, making them the perfect tool for serious users. Even though the price is a bit expensive, it is fair considering everything it comes with. We recommend these walkie talkies to anyone.
Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios Specifications
- Manufacturer: Midland
- Range: 38 miles
- Number of Channels: 36 channels
- Battery: Rechargeable battery
- Weight: Not listed
Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Highly functional
- Long distance
- Many channels
- Additional features and tools
Cons
- Expensive
- Difficult to for beginners
Our Final Opinion About the Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.7 Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.7 Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Overall, the Midland X-TALKER 2-Way Radios are the best choice for serious users. They come with many channels, features, and a long range, making them perfect for a number of scenarios. Just be prepared to pay a bit more and anticipate a learning curve.
Our Upgrade Pick for a Walkie Talkie
Motorola T605 Talkabout Review
The All-Inclusive Pick
Motorola
The Motorola T605 Talkabout comes with everything you need from a walkie talkie set. This includes a wide range, waterproof design, many channels, and multi-radio compatibility. It is expensive, but it is certainly worth it for intense users.
Motorola T605 Talkabout Video Review
What We Think of the Motorola T605 Talkabout
If you need an upgraded pick, we recommend the Motorola T605 Talkabout. We have named this our all inclusive pick because it comes with everything you would need from a walkie talkie set.
This bundle includes a 35 mile range, waterproof radio, a built-in flashlight, weather updates, 23 channels, and 121 privacy codes. Not to mention, it comes with all chargers and anything else you would need to keep the walkie talkie in working order.
Something we really find unique about this walkie talkie is that it has multi-radio compatibility. You will be able to communicate with any other FRS or GMRS radio, no matter what brand the radio is. The other radio must be on the same channel and privacy code.
We also like that you can use this walkie talkie set on land or sea. Because of its waterproof design, it is fully safe to bring aboard a boat, which is something really useful if you are a full time outdoorsman.
This is a really great radio. I highly recommend it. I like the extra features that it comes with, especially the carrying case. This is a great find, and you won’t find another radio like it with all the goodies that came with it. I highly recommend.
Medlock
Like our best overall pick, the biggest downside of this option is that it is really expensive. Granted, this walkie talkie comes with everything you need and is highly useful, making the price fully fair for what you pay for. It might be out of many people’s price range.
Another downside we found about these walkie talkies is the battery. Many users noted that the battery life is way too short for a walkie talkie of this caliber. This is something you need to keep in mind if you anticipate using this for serious tasks.
Nevertheless, the Motorola T605 Talkabout is our all inclusive pig because it comes with everything you would need, whether you want to use it on land or sea. Expect to pay extra and bring extra batteries along the way, though.
Motorola T605 Talkabout Specifications
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Range: 35 miles
- Number of Channels: 23 channels
- Battery: Rechargeable battery
- Weight: 0.54 pounds
Motorola T605 Talkabout Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- All inclusive bundle
- Suitable for land and sea
- Long distance
- Many channels
Cons
Cons
- Expensive
- Short battery life
Our Final Opinion About the Motorola T605 Talkabout
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.4 Effectiveness 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price:4.1]
The Motorola T605 Talkabout is our upgrade pick because it comes with everything you would need in a walkie talkie set of this caliber. Because it comes with so many features, it is expensive, but it certainly can help you out in a pinch.
Our Kids Pick for a Walkie Talkie
Kids Talks Toys Review
The Kiddy Pick
Kids Talks
The Kids Talks Toys is a child friendly walkie talkie set that includes three walkies. The design is designed to be compact, easy to use, and include channel locks to keep your children safe and entertained in the outdoors.
What We Think of the Kids Talks Toys
If you have a child that can’t seem to get off their phone, why not give them walkie talkies instead? Walkie talkies will create a fun game that connects them to their technological addictions while still getting them outside.
The Kids Talks Toys is the best option for kids because they are affordable yet designed with children in mind. In each set comes three walkies, ensuring all your kids have a walkie of their own. Each walkie is compact and portable, making it fit to easy inside your child’s hands.
The screen includes an LCD setup, helping your kids not strain their eyes during the day. It also comes with a built-in torch so that your children can play with it outside at night as well. As for the channels, it comes with 22, but you can lock individual channels to ensure your child’s safety.
I like that you could lockout controls so that your kids can’t change the settings when they’re pressing buttons. It has an excellent range and more functions than any child would ever need. I recommend.
Carlos F.
To ensure that your kids don’t wander off, it only has a range of up to three miles in an open field. In residential areas, it will only work between ½ mile and one mile. This will keep your children close to home while they are still exploring.
The biggest downside of this model is that it doesn’t come with any instructions. This can make it difficult to use and set up, even for experienced users. You will need to figure out how to use it and then teach your children the same.
Another issue is that the plastic isn’t very durable. This means that the walkies can break rather easily. This is an especially large drawback for toys designed for children, who are more likely to roughhouse with them.
Because of the features like the channel lock and lightweight design, though, the Kids Talks Toys are the best walkie talkie for children. They will allow your kids the joy of using walkie talkies while still giving you peace of mind for your child’s safety.
Kids Talks Toys Specifications
- Manufacturer: SK Supker
- Range: 3 miles
- Number of Channels: 22 channels
- Battery: AAA batteries (3)
- Weight: 0.57 pounds
Kids Talks Toys Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- 3 per pack
- Channel and setting locking features
- Affordable
Cons
- Does not come with instructions
- Easy to break
Our Final Opinion About the Kids Talks Toys
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.2 Effectiveness 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price:4.7]
The Kids Talks Toys are a great choice of walkie talkies for your children. They provide all of the fun of walkie talkies but the same parental controls of many advanced phones and tablets. This allows your children to play and have fun without risking your sanity.
Our Budget Pick for a Walkie Talkie
Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio Review
The Value Pick
Motorola
The Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio is a highly effective set of three walkie talkies that comes with a really impressive range, channel amount, and additional features, especially considering how affordable this set is.
Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio Video Review
What We Think of The Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio
If you’re on a tight budget, it can be difficult to find walkie talkies worth your time. If you need good walkie talkies but don’t have a lot of money to spend on them, we recommend the Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio.
This walkie talkie set comes with three talkies in total. Each talkie comes with a 16 mile range, 22 channels, and additional features. For example, it includes an LCD battery meter, battery saving feature, and flashing low battery alert.
All these features are paired with a really low price range. Many of these features are not all that different from our top pick and upgraded pick, yet this one is priced half as much as the others. For this reason, it is a really great value pick in that it is affordable yet still comes with great features.
This is exactly what I was looking for. It is perfect for me and my children. I’ve been using it for a month. My children use it to talk to the other neighborhood kids and there is quite a large distance before losing signals. This is exactly what I wanted.
MH
The fact that this set comes with three walkie talkies is especially impressive. Many other walkie sets only come with two, but this one comes with three and is still more affordable. This makes it an ideal choice if you need more than two walkies on a budget.
Of course, there are a few drawbacks to this walkie talkie. Most notably, the layout and setup isn’t very intuitive. Multiple users noted that the menu screen isn’t laid out in the way of other walkie talkies.
Another issue is the battery life. Many users noted that it was nowhere near as long as other walkie talkies, forcing them to change out the batteries more frequently than they would like. Plus, the range is much shorter.
Despite these drawbacks, the Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio is our favorite budget pick. The fact it comes with three walkies, all of which come with great features, while still being more affordable than other walkie talkies make it a great value pick.
Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio Specifications
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Range: 16 miles
- Number of Channels: 22 channels
- Battery: AAA batteries
- Weight: 0.25 pounds
Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Highly affordable
- 3 per pack
- Great distance and features for the price
Cons
- Nonintuitive menu
- Short battery life
Our Final Opinion About the Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.4 Effectiveness 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.3 Price:4.8]
The Motorola T100TP Talkabout Radio is a great choice if you are on a budget. It offers three walkie talkies with great features all at an affordable price. Though the menu is not very intuitive, and the battery life is short, it still is one of the best picks for its value.
Alternative Products to Consider
Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio Review
The Sleek Pick
Motorola
The Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio is highly attractive yet offers phenomenal walkie talkie features. This allows you to communicate in style, all while remaining safe in the outdoors.
Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio Video Review
What We Think of the Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio
Many walkie talkies are clunky and ugly looking. If you want a walkie talkie that is highly efficient yet sleek looking, the Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio is for you. This pair of two-way walkie talkies are highly attractive, functional, and affordable.
Because this is our sleek pic, let’s start with its appearance. The antenna, sides, and tops of the walkie talkie are gray. The front is white. This creates a much more attractive appearance than the traditional walkie talkie.
On top of being attractive, it is also highly functional. It has a distance of up to 25 miles, 22 channels, 121 privacy codes, channel scanner, weather alert service, and more. It even includes multi-radio compatibility, allowing you to communicate with anyone using another FRS or GMRS radio on your channel.
I purchased this for work. It is easy to set up and feels good in my hand. The sound is good too. The packaging was OK and felt cheap, but it did not affect the quality of the device. I would recommend this if you need a solid walkie talkie at a great price point.
Ramli P.
In addition to being both attractive and functional, it is highly affordable. This walkie talkie is one of the most affordable on this list, despite its superior features and appearance.
Because this is an alternative pick, there must be a reason why we ranked it lower than some of the other options. Most notably, the range is not very impressive. Although it says it has a distance of up to 25 miles, it does not handle interference as well as other options. This makes it less useful in many settings.
It also does not have as long of a battery life. The maximum battery life is 10 hours using rechargeable batteries. It also claims to have a battery life of 29 hours using AA batteries, but most users claimed that this was a over estimate.
Even though these are notable drawbacks, it is still very difficult to find a walkie talkie that is this attractive and functional. Not to mention, it is highly affordable, making it a great alternative pick for those looking for an attractive model.
Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio Specifications
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Range: 25 miles
- Number of Channels: 22 channels
- Battery: Rechargeable batteries or AA batteries
- Weight: 0.4 pounds
Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Sleek looking
- Affordable
- Good functions and features
Cons
- Does not transmit well through interference
- Short battery life
Our Final Opinion About the Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.4 Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.3 Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price:4.6]
The Motorola T260 Talkabout Radio is a great choice if you want a sleek looking walkie talkie. The sleek appearance is matched with pretty impressive functions. Just don’t expect for it to work well when there is a lot of interference.
Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios Review
The 4-Pack Pick
Retevis
The Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios comes with four walkie talkies per pack, which is much more than any other option on this list. This makes it perfect for people who need multiple walkie talkies at one time.
Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios Video Review
What We Think of the Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios
Most walkie talkies come in pairs or trios. Very few come in four per pack. The Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios is one such walkie talkie pack that comes with four. This makes it a perfect choice if you have multiple kids or crew members in need of walkie talkies.
Each walkie talkie offers two-way transmission with great sound quality. It features 22 channels and a distance range of 25 miles without interference. The walkie talkies also include a built-in flashlight, call tones, and more.
More so, the walkie talkies are really attractive. In many ways, they look like our sleek pick, though the appearance is slightly different. The walkie talkies are pretty affordable. Given that there are four in the pack, this is a much more economic choice than purchasing two sets of pairs.
This is a great find. I used it on a family cruise. It helped keep everyone in contact. I didn’t have any issue with the range.
Rhonda
The biggest drawback of the Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios is the distance range. Much like our sleek pick, it claims to have a range of about 25 miles, but it does not work very well with interference. This makes it a poor choice for city purposes.
It also isn’t very durable. Multiple users noted that it breaks after a couple usage. This is never anything you want from a walkie talkie since walkie talkies need to be there when you most need them.
If you need four walkie talkies at an affordable price, though, you will be hard pressed to find one option as great as the Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios. Each radio comes with pretty impressive features and an affordable prize, making it tough to beat.
Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios Specifications
- Manufacturer: Retevis
- Range: 25 miles
- Number of Channels: 22 channels
- Battery: AA batteries
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- 4 per pack
- Attractive looking
- Affordable
- Suitable specs and features
Cons
- Does not work well with a lot of interference
- Does not last very long
Our Final Opinion About the Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.2 Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.3 Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
The Retevis RT45 Two-way Radios is a great choice if you need four walkie talkies at one time. These four walkies are pretty impressive in terms of specs, and they are very attractive. With that being said, they don’t have a great range and can break prematurely.
Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio Review
The Battery Pick
Motorola
The Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio has an extra long battery life that is much more impressive than many other options on this list. You can either use rechargeable batteries for 12 hours or AA batteries for 29 hours.
Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio Video Review
What We Think of the Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio
Many walkie talkies on this list had the critique of having a short battery life. The same cannot be said for the Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio. This walkie talkie set, which includes three talkies, can be charged using NiMH rechargeable batteries or AA batteries.
If you use the rechargeable options, this can last 12 hours, which is about 2 hours more than other walkie talkies using the same batteries. When using AA batteries, it can work for up to 29 hours. Many other walkie talkies claimed 29 hours, but they don’t actually hold up for as long.
In addition to the long battery life, these walkie talkies have 22 channels, 121 privacy codes, scanning feature, customizable call tones, and more. It is even compatible with other FRS or GMRS radios. All of these features make the walkie talkies highly useful.
Our employees love these walkie talkies. We used them to replace their old ones. They seem to survive being dropped on concrete floors. They have great clarity of sound and are easy to use. I highly recommend them.
Steve M.
We like the affordability of these walkie talkies too. Even though there are three in the pack, their price is much more affordable than you would expect from walkie talkies of this caliber.
Given that this is the last walkie talkie on our list, there are some obvious downsides. Most notably, it only has a distance of 20 miles without any interference. Add in interference, and this walkie talkie does not work very well. This range is actually really poor.
Additionally, this walkie talkie doesn’t add much except for good battery life. Other than that, it is pretty standard and doesn’t add anything special.
Still, we recommend the Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio because the battery life is much longer than other options. This can save you from having to recharge or buy new batteries as frequently.
Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio Specifications
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Range: 20 miles
- Number of Channels: 22 channels
- Battery: NiMH rechargeable batteries or AA batteries
- Weight: 0.4 pounds
Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Long battery life
- 3 per pack
- Suitable specs and features
Cons
Cons
- Short range
- Nothing special about these talkies
Our Final Opinion About the Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.2 Effectiveness 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Price:4.6]
The Motorola T200 Talkabout Radio is a great choice for the battery life. Other than the extended battery life, this walkie talkie doesn’t bring much to the table in comparison to the other options on our list.
Why Should You Trust Us?
All the recommendations we make on The Good Choice are the result of many hours of research, comparisons, analysis of consumer reviews and, if necessary, expert feedbacks. The products we recommend here are the ones that will best perform their daily tasks, passing all security, reliability and efficiency tests while having an appealing price-quality ratio for everyone.
What are our criteria for judging the products reviewed and selected by The Good Choice?
- Quality: Does the product have a solid construction? Will it be reliable over time? Does it have a good warranty?
- Efficiency: Is the product efficient in its task or do you need to give it some help? Is it for example powerful, fast, quiet?
- Usability: Is the product easy to handle, easy to use and maintain?
- Price: Is the price of the product and/or accessories and/or spare parts reasonable compared to the rest of the market?
In addition to these main criteria, we then establish a list of specific criteria for each product category, detailed a little further down in this article.
In the end, the products we recommend are the ones we would want to buy, and the ones we would also choose for our friends and family.
Things to Know Before Buying a Walkie Talkie
How do walkie talkies work?
Even though walkie talkies seem a bit magical to children, they use pretty basic technology. Essentially, walkie talkies work as small radios. By radio, we mean a device that can transmit and receive radio signals.
Whenever you talk into a walkie talkie, a microphone within the device picks up your voice. Your voice is encoded onto a radio frequency, which is then transmitted using the antenna.
The other walkie talkie will receive this transmission using its antenna. It will then decode the voice from your signal and be sent out through the speaker. This allows the other person to hear you and talk back in the same manner.
What are the benefits of using a walkie talkie?
Walkie talkies allow you instant communication with people within range. It is especially great in major emergencies because you don’t have to dial or try to find a connection. This makes it suitable for many situations, including outdoor use and emergencies.
Plus, walkie talkies are really affordable. The walkie talkies themselves are cheap, and you don’t have to worry about contracts or subscriptions. All you have to worry about is the walkie talkie themselves and the battery.
What are the limitations of using a walkie talkie?
Although walkie talkies are really advantageous, they come with limitations. For example, the terrain you are in can affect the transmission distance whenever you use it outdoors. Items such as metal can further reduce the transmission distance.
Clarity of sound can also be an issue if you are traveling over a large distance. Not to mention, certain walkie talkies only have one-way communication, whereas some channel frequencies are illegal in certain countries.
How to Properly Choose Your Walkie Talkie
Buying a walkie talkie can be a really confusing process. Unless you are highly knowledgeable about radio and frequency talk, it can be tough to know exactly what you are purchasing. If you don’t know what you are purchasing, you may choose the wrong walkie talkie for your needs.
So that you can find the best walkie talkie for you, we have come up with this buying guide to make the process a bit easier. More specifically, there are five factors you need to consider in order to choose the right walkie talkie. Let’s look closely at each one of these factors.
VHF vs. UHF
The very first factor you need to look at is whether you want a VHF or UHF walkie talkie. VHF stands for very high frequency, whereas UHF stands for ultra high frequency. VHF radios will operate between 126 and 175 MHz. On the other hand, uhf radios can operate between 400 and 512 MHz.
If this range means nothing to you, don’t worry. You should opt for an UHF talkie if you need a more versatile option. They can penetrate through walls, allowing them to offer more connection even through interference. VHF walkies work great over long distances when there isn’t a lot of interference.
Distance
The next factor you need to consider is the distance that walkie talkies can communicate with one another. The distance can come in a range, and the top of the range will typically tell you how far the walkie talkies can communicate when there is no interference.
For example, many two-way radios have a distance range between 20 and 50 miles. This means that the walkie talkies can travel a distance of at most 50 miles with no interference.
Unfortunately, the distance can be difficult to calculate because of interference. A walkie talkie that claims to travel 8 miles may only have coverage of about 4 miles in practice. you must keep this in mind when using walkie talkies outdoors.
Channels
Another factor you need to consider when selecting a walkie talkie is the channel. Channels are what allow walkie talkies to send radio frequencies to other walkie talkies. There are many channels available, but not all channels are legal in every country. It’s important to know which channels are not legal so that you don’t use them.
If you need a walkie talkie for safety purposes, it is a good idea to select an option with many channels. Having many channels allows you to communicate much easier. The more channels a walkie talkie is suitable with, the more expensive it will be.
Additional Features
Additional features can make a walkie talkie more usable, but it can make it more expensive too. It’s important to look for additional features that you know you will use without wasting too much money in the process.
It’s a great idea to select a walkie talkie with income alerts, channel savers, talk confirmation, and potentially a backlit LCD screen. You may also want to look for hands free gear, a jack for a microphone and speaker, and more.
Battery Life
Finally, the last factor you need to look at is the battery type and battery life. Batteries are what allow the walkie talkies to work. If your walkie talkie dies, it will be completely useless.
Cheaper walkie talkies often work with AA or AAA batteries. More professional walkie talkies will include a lithium ion battery, nickel metal hydride battery, or nickel cadmium battery. These batteries will be more effective and long lasting.
It’s important to check out the estimated lifespan of your walkie talkie batteries. You don’t want to go out using your walkie talkie right before it dies. Battery life is often estimated to be around 90% of the standby time, 5% of the reception time, and 5% of the transmission time.
We do our best to provide you with a comparative guide of walkie talkies allowing you to choose the best product possible. If we are missing information or new models, do not hesitate to leave a comment below or to send us a message.
