Best GMRS Radios for Two-Way Communication
When you need more than a walkie-talkie but don’t have time for amateur radio, a GMRS radio could fit the bill. You’ll need a license to operate it on GMRS channels or FRS over two watts, but those are now inexpensive and less restrictive in the US. With the ability to hit repeaters and transmit with more power, you can use powerful radios once only common with businesses and the military. There are plenty of brands, models, and types of radios to consider.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best GMRS radios, compared them, and now the results are in: the overall best, an upgrade option, and a vehicle solution. If you need to keep in contact or stay informed, one of our picks is your mid-distance solution.
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Best GMRS Radio
Rocky Talkie GMRS
Easy to Use, Tough, and High Quality
Compact, durable casing with exceptional battery life gives us the most robust GMRS radio on the market.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Also available to buy at Amazon.
72
OVERALL SCORE
With a ton of GMRS/FRS channels and a whopping 35-mile open-area transmission radius, this radio will help you stay connected reliably. Rocky Talkie has been stepping up the handheld transceiver game with rugged outdoor casings (IP67 waterproof) and a massive 5+ day battery life.
Specs
- Included: 1 handheld IP67 GMRS radio (2 radio pair discounted at $330*)
- Channels: 30 GMRS/FRS, 10 NOAA
- Output: 7.4V, 5W output
- Battery: 1800mAh battery, charging cord
- Size: 1.3″ D x 2.5″ W x 4″ H (without antenna)
- Weight: 9.1 ounces
The quality is apparent from the study metal clip to the waterproof charging port. The shatterproof screen and waterproof but tactile buttons are easy to navigate and operate. It doesn’t require any programming, which is a plus since it’s ready to go right out of the box.
If you are looking for tough, easy-to-use, and reliable full-featured GMRS radios, the Rocky Talkie 5W GMRS Radio is the best option.
Budget GMRS Radios
Baofeng UV-5G Pro
Inexpensive, FCC-compliant, and Effective
Very similar to the flagship UV-5R Baofeng radio, this can hit GMRS receivers with the channels pre-programmed.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
46
OVERALL SCORE
Baofeng leads the pack of value radios, and this is their best GMRS radio in that it comes pre-programmed and FCC-compliant. Other repeater-capable radios have lower transmission wattage, don’t have the GMRS channels pre-programmed, or cost twice as much.
Specs
- Included: 1 handheld GMRS radio, antenna, charging cradle
- Channels: 22 GMRS, 8 repeater (pre-programmed), 11 NOAA, 220 UHF/VHF scan
- Output: 7.4V, 3-5W
- Battery: 1800mAh battery
- Size: 1.2″ D x 2.1″ W x 3.7″ H (without antenna)
- Weight: 6 ounces
It’s essentially the same as the Ham coveted UV-5R, just configured differently. Most of the UV-5R accessories work with this one, including antennas, batteries (check the correct wattage), and cases. Because it’s the same as the UV-5R platform, it does have plenty of useless buttons and features that make it less intuitive to use, one of its main drawbacks as a GMRS radio.
A GMRS radio can be as easy to use as an FRS walkie-talkie when it is set up properly. Luckily, it is pre-programmed and can be used right out of the box. It’s not as easy to use as the other models I suggest, but you can’t beat the price for a reliable radio.
With an unbeatable price and powerful transmission ready right out of the box, it’s easy to see why the Baofeng UV-5G Pro GMRS Radio tops the budget options.
Vehicle GMRS Radio
Midland MXT575
Powerful, Long-Distance, and Trusted
With the maximum legal wattage for GMRS, this is the premier radio for your vehicle or home base.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
50
OVERALL SCORE
With similar models pushing only 15W transmissions, this is the top model with a whopping 50W output for the best distance you can get in a stand-alone GMRS radio. It can hit plenty of repeaters from far away with the pre-programmed channels and included antenna. Plus, it is ready to mount and wire into any vehicle.
Specs
- Included: Mountable GMRS radio, microphone with magnet mount, antenna
- Channels: 15 GMRS, 9 repeater (pre-programmed), 11 NOAA
- Output: 50W output
- Size: 5.5″ W x 7″ D x 1.5″ H
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
If you plan on using it in place, you’ll need a desktop power station. If you find yourself committing that much to an in-place radio solution, it is probably worthwhile to switch over to amateur radio. Desktop ham radio setups are expensive, but creating a high-power stationary GMRS setup approaches the price of used or lower-end amateur radio equipment. Check out our ham radio guide for more information.
If you are looking for a communication option for your vehicle, the Midland MXT575 MicroMobile GMRS Radio is the best GMRS option with the most power.
Comparison Table
| GMRS Radio | Pick | Price* | Type | Output | Weight | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Talkie GMRS | Best Overall | $180 | HHT | 5W | 9.1 oz | Rugged durability |
| Baofeng UV-5G Pro | Beginner | $29 | HHT | 3W | 6.0 oz | Low price |
| Midland MXT575 | Vehicle | $399 | Mount | 50W | 48.2 oz | High power |
| Baofeng GM21 | $26 | HHT | 3W | 8.7 oz | Inexpensive | |
| Retevis RB26 | $28 | HHT | 3W | 7.3 oz | Low price | |
| Radioddity GM-30 | $31 | HHT | 5W | 16.0 oz | High-gain antenna | |
| Baofeng UV-9G | $33 | HHT | 4W | 8.1 oz | IP67 rating | |
| Midland GXT1000VP4 | $37 | HHT | 5W | 7.4 oz | Short-distance use | |
| Retevis Ailunce HA1G | $45 | HHT | 3W | 9.2 oz | IP67 rating | |
| BTECH GMRS-V2 | $64 | HHT | 5W | 8.0 oz | Channel count | |
| Rugged Radios GMR2+ | $75 | HHT | 5W | 15.2 oz | High-visibility colors | |
| Retevis RA25 | $104 | Mount | 20W | 15.9 oz | Long-distance transmission | |
| Btech GMRS-PRO | $155 | HHT | 5W | 11.4 oz | App programmable | |
| Midland MXT275 | $160 | Mount | 15W | 39.5 oz | Easy installation | |
| Wouxun KG-UV9GX | $180 | HHT | 5W | 8.8 oz | Informative screen | |
| Midland GXT67 PRO | $199 | HHT | 5W | 9.6 oz | Intuitive controls | |
| BTECH GMRS-50V2 | $219 | Mount | 50W | 28.0 oz | Long-range transmission |
The Radios We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several brands of GMRS radios that we compared: Baofeng, Midland, Retevis, Radioddity, Btech, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a GMRS setup you trust, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can try to get it in the next roundup and see if it will beat out our top picks.
What to Look For
The best GMRS radios have a few features to look for. We weighted these to develop metrics to compare the various models.
- Value
- Power/Range – 30% of overall score weight
- Ease of Use – 20% weight
- Size/Weight – 25% weight
- Durability – 25% weight
When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect radio for your specific situation. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the models that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a radio shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. They come in a wide range of prices that mostly depend on the output power and features.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, even when it comes to communication. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
*Price per radio at the time of the latest review.
GRMS radios have a few versatile options to consider, including monitoring other bands (UHF, weather, etc) and having accessories available (hands-free, extended batteries, cradles, etc). Many of these options also play into the cost of the radio.
You can’t expect a GMRS radio to be as versatile as a Ham radio, but it can still hit that sweet spot above the basic walkie-talkie for longer distances and less-crowded transmission channels.
Power & Range
The power (measured in wattage) and the effective range are related, but don’t tell the whole story. Typically, GMRS radios have higher power since they aren’t as limited on the FRS bands to just 2 watts. This can help them reach up to 50 miles out on their own, depending on the terrain.
Another boost to their range is that they can hit repeaters. This can help them jump even longer distances with chained repeaters.
Ease of Use
Programming a radio isn’t always easy. Pre-programmed channels and intuitive controls can go a long way for typical GMRS users, since we don’t have any training or tests with amateur radio.
The closer a GMRS radio can operate to an FRS walkie-talkie out of the box, the easier it’ll be for everyone in your family to use. You’ll also want to be able to key the transmit button easily with and without gloves on. Hands-free accessories can make them easier to use and free up your hands as well.
Size & Weight
Desktop and vehicle radios can weigh a few pounds, which can be a burden if you have to carry them any distance.
Handhelds have been trimmed down to several ounces, though, and can easily fit in a day bag. You can also get handheld mounts for convenient storage at home and in your truck.
Durability
You don’t want your radio to bust open when you drop it, not work in cold temperatures, or get fried when it gets a little rain on it. Vehicle and base stations don’t worry as much about durability because they aren’t meant to be going through wear and tear, but it’s still nice when they aren’t fragile.
Waterproof ratings set some models apart from others. Our top pick has IP67 and a rugged casing that lets it shrug off water and dirt with ease.
GMRS vs. FRS, CB, & Ham
GMRS, FRS, CB, Ham – there are many options when it comes to communicating with radio setups, and they are more different than just the frequency/amplitude bands they rely on.
GMRS bridges the gap between FRS and HAM, and unlike CB, allows you to stay with frequency modulation. Although a license is needed, the lack of a test makes it immediately accessible since the price of the license was recently slashed, and you can pick one up online.
Get a 10-year license for $35 by signing up at the FCC site by creating an account, requesting an FRN number, and linking the two: FCC Cores Registration.
Next, visit the license manager, logging in with your FRN, click ‘apply for new license’, and select ZA – General Mobile Radio (GMRS): FCC License Manager.
After filling in your name and address info plus answering several questions, you’ll be sent back to the Cores website for payment.
Once your payment goes through, you wait for email confirmation and double-check your info in the license search: Universal Licensing System (ULS).
As soon as it shows up, congrats- you’re licensed for 10 years!
Who Needs GMRS Radios?
GMRS radios are improved FRS radios (walkie-talkies), in that they have higher power output, broader frequency range, and can hit repeaters for higher transmission distance.
You do need to get a license to operate a GMRS radio, but it does not require a test like amateur radio (HAM).
GMRS radios are a solid communication option for these kits:
They can hit the ‘sweet spot’ between a traditional walkie-talkie and a full amateur radio setup.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources and References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best GMRS radios are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Worley, G. (1983). Wilderness Communications. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. Volume 22. Issue 3. Pages 262 – 269. (Source)
Price, K. (2006). Communication Systems for Emergency Operations. Defense Technical Information Center: South Carolina State Guard. (Source)
Stagner, C., et al. (2012). Locating Noncooperative Radio Receivers Using Wideband Stimulated Emissions. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. Volume 62. Issue 3. Pages 667 – 674. (Source)
The Final Word
While texting is a solid plan when emergencies and disasters strike, you should be prepared with alternate methods of communication. GMRS radios can be one of those alternate methods that can keep you connected in an emergency.
Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:
- The Best Survival Walkie-Talkie for Emergencies
- How Will You Communicate in an Emergency?
- Home Survival Kit List | 53 Essentials
We presented quite a lot of information, but as always, if you have any questions, let us know, and we would be happy to help. Our testing found the Rocky Talkie 5W GRMS Radios to be the best solution given their value, power/range, ease of use, size/weight, and versatility.
Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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Excellent information and well written. I found the power/range rating table, with the 15 different models, to be very useful. Would it be possible for you to publish your rating tables for ease of use, size/weight, and durability for the 15 different models like you did on the power/range table? Thank you so much for the wonderful information and work that you put into your website!
Sorry. Could you only publish my first name or my first name and first letter of my last name. Thank you again.
i am looking for a decent AA/AAA GMRS handheld radio. All the ones I have found so far are rechargeable only.
The only one I’m aware of is the 6xAA shell for the Baofeng (currently $9)
I have a 12v brick that will recharge or even if the battery in the radio is dead will still allow the battery to power on
Well TruePrepper you don’t impress me much. “All of the UV-5R accessories work with this one including the antennas”. WRONG!
Maybe TruePrepper can find someone that properly does research.
Dude. You know you can also be kind when trying to correct someone. Especially someone who means well and is providing free information online. …you got what you paid for. Don’t need to be an ass.
Sean, Do you know and would you publish manufacturing source nation locations?
For example, I prefer to purchase USA made items, however I checked on the Midland vehicle radio at Midland’s website and I was unable to locate product manufacturing location. Other than a solar or man-made EMP, not that these are hardened, but I’d prefer my radio not be turned off by another.
I own some Midland products, but they tend to stretch the truth these days when they talk about wattage output, range and features. Actual tests do not validate or align with their claims, but you run into similar issues with Cobra and even Motorola, these days.
It is very hard to know who is telling you the truth these days.
Overall this has a high rating on Amazon, but some of the comment ratings on Amazon list these potential issues:
1. Realistic max of 34 watts, not 50 watts.
2. Issues in splitting DCS channels (separate channels for transmit and receive).
3. Repeater function issues when talking with people who use other brands of radios (clipping, losing and dropping parts of the conversation)
4. Gets really hot – “needs a cooling fan”
5. Breakage and reliability issues with integrated mic,
6. Need a manual to program privacy codes – not easily programmable in the field without a manual
7. No antenna or mounting plate included
8. Literally a Chinese unit rebranded as Midland USA and marked up in price
9. Other brands have features this one does not.
FYI – My comment above is on the Midland MXT575, but the comments about how Midland, Motorola and Cobra, as well as other manufacturers tend to exaggerate wattage output, range, and other aspects of both their handheld mobile and base station radios is, in my opinion, still valid. Caveat emptor before your buy. There are also a lot of companies that outsource manufacturing to China and overseas.
I have a GMRS rig, but nothing is better than Amateur Radio. Studying for the dead-simple Amateur Radio Technician Class takes only one weekend. To qualify for an Amateur Radio General Class license, maybe three more weekends should do the trick. Generals can transmit on all Amateur Radio bands, including the very important shortwave frequencies, making worldwide operation routine. With a General Class license, it’s common to operate from mountain tops with very lightweight and low-level transmitting power. The Summits on the Air (SOTA) program is lots of fun. The main advantage of qualifying for the top-ranking Amateur Extra Class license is that it will enhance qualifying for admission and scholarships at elite colleges. I have two Ivy League degrees and a PhD, but I was never a stellar student.
73,
Bruce Prior N7RR
I have a couple issues with this.
This review didn’t mention spurious emissions at all. Cheap Chinese radios are infamous for claiming to meet FCC requirements but failing miserably when tested on a scope. And did you measure PEP, or simply trust the manufacturer’s rating?
GMRS does technically allow use of repeaters, true, but how many GMRS repeaters are there in your city? I live in a large city and I can count the open GMRS repeaters on one hand. Meanwhile, there are at least many dozens (and possibly hundreds) of open amateur repeaters. This reflects the number of users, too: you can sit on a GMRS channel all week and not hear a peep. Unless you plan to start your own GMRS club and operate your own repeater, the range advantage here is mostly theoretical.
I fear articles like this are creating a group of people who will buy FRS/GMRS radios and put them in the closet and never practice with them, and in a SHTF situation everybody pulls them out and discovers that 22 channels (1/3 of them a measly 0.5 watts) isn’t very many at all, and that simply having a radio isn’t like 911 and doesn’t actually provide a service, when you don’t know who’s on the other end and don’t have a system in place.
If you’re going to the effort to set up an emergency preparedness system, you may as well take the (short, multiple-choice!) amateur test and get a radio system that’s actually used. And if not, simply having an FRS/GMRS radio in your kit is likely a waste of money. We’ve got plenty of data: when disasters occur, hams get the message out. I have yet to hear of any successful use of FRS/GMRS in a real emergency.