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In case of an emergency, a portable weather radio can be a vitally important tool to keep you informed of impending disaster, especially in situations of extreme weather, when the power is liable to spontaneously go out. The best hand crank radios can generate power manually, without electricity or external batteries, but not all hand crank radios are created equally.
Depending on the quality of the radio, for example, the amount of life you get from the hand crank is going to vary wildly, and you’ll want to look for something that can hold a charge for a while so you’re not constantly recharging. The radio must also be able to perform its most basic functions (obviously) which is to pick up weather alerts, and in most cases AM/FM broadcasts as well.
Unlike the most basic weather radios, many self-powered radios include additional emergency features like a built-in flashlight, a USB port to charge your phone, a clock, or emergency alarm. Many also include solar panels or another secondary method of self-charging (effectiveness of these vary as well).
So consider the factors that are most important to you, and where you feel you need to best prepare. Do you need a radio that provides automatic alerts? Are you looking for a particularly bright flashlight? Or is the size of the radio your top priority? No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve rounded up some popular hand crank radios that should keep you well-equipped for any emergency.
