You could be fooled into thinking that because we all have smartphones, walkie-talkies are no longer necessary, but this is not the truth. Aside from working in areas where there are no phone lines, radios have long-lasting batteries, better and clear transmitters, and are sturdier than phones.
If youâre on a tight budget but still want to get the best walkie-talkies, even if itâs at a low cost, youâve come to the right place. We have selected the top 5 best walkie-talkies for you. Continue reading to learn more and select whatâs best for your needs.
Â
5 best Walkie Talkies under $100
#1 Motorola T800
This first walkie-talkie that we will show you is very simple to use. It is truly one of the best cheap radios because of its long battery life, which can last up to 14 hours. The Motorola T800 is water-resistant. This makes sure it can endure a certain kind of splashing water youâd get during kayaking and when itâs the rainy season, snowy, etc.
The T800 has an excellent design. This not only looks fantastic, but also it serves a purpose. An even more great feature is the secret display, which only glows when youâre using the walkie-talkie. When it came to sound, this was very clear and often static-free. You can understand fully what your companion was speaking.
The T800 can be used as a standard push-to-talk walkie-talkie. However, the Walkabout App has the potential to significantly improve this device. With this app, you can install maps, share places, and send texts. A further great feature of the app is that it extends the phoneâs range, which comes in handy when youâre off the network.
Specifications
- Brand: Motorola
- Range: 35 miles
- Power output: 0.5-2 watts
- Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS/GMRS)
- Battery: NiMH Rechargeable Batteries or 3 AA Alkaline Batteries
- Size: 7.52 x 2.2 x 1.28 inches
- Weight: 0.47 lb (with batteries)
- Waterproof: yes (IPx4)
- License needed: yes, if GMRS channels will be used (FCC license)
Pros of the Motorola T800
- very nice functionality in the app
- straightforward to use
- battery life up to 14 hours
- weatherproof â it easily withstands the kind of water splashing
- good looking and functional design
- pretty clear and mostly static-free sound
Main Plus:
The Motorola Talkabout app provides a variety of communication options in addition to push-to-talk. This model is compatible among all GMRS and FRS radios and allows you to easily sync your radio with other radios. This walkie-talkie isnât just a great deal for the price, but itâs also a great device in general that can come in useful when youâre out and around.
Cons of the Motorola T800
- range and quality of communication going down in a place with many obstructions
- NiMH batteries require 11 hours of charging time
Â
#2 DEWALT DXFRS220
The DeWalt DXFRS220 is a solid second option. It is wearable, which makes it easy to use and travel. Users can interact without continuing to carry the device. Simply clip it to your belt, press the button and youâre prepared to just go, speak, and listen.
The DeWalt DXFRS220, which runs on the FRS platform, is ideal for both home and company use. The use of such a device provides communication within your company at a cheap cost.
Using a Li-polymer battery, it has a battery life of up to 10 hours. This is also waterproof and shock resistant in case it falls on the floor or into water. It also has a Roger Beep Tone, which implies that now the user from the other end has finished speaking, and it is your turn to speak.
Donât begin to obtain this long-range signal each moment because it could be affected by factors such as landscape or other weather changes. You have a total of 22 networks to choose from.
Specifications
- Brand: DeWalt
- Range: up to 100,000 sq. ft.
- Power output: 1 watt
- Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS)
- Battery: Built-in Li-polymer battery
- Size: 2.39 x 2.36 x 1.19 inches
- Weight: 0.30 lb
- Waterproof: yes (IPX4)
- License needed: no, FRS only
Pros of the Dewalt DXFRS220
- Cheap
- Compact and lightweight
- Waterproof
- Wearable
- Anti-slip design
- License-free
Main Feature:
If you are looking for something portable and versatile, the DeWalt DXFRS220 is well worth the price. You can take it wherever you want. Since the belt clip is bonded, you can keep your hands occupied with other activities while still communicating. Simply press a button to speak without trying to remove it.
Cons of the Dewalt DXFRS220
- Cannot use alkaline batteries
- Since it is a built-in battery, you cannot change batteries immediately and have to wait for it to charge.
Â
#3 Motorola T460
The tough build pays off big time. With a weatherproof and sturdy casing, you wonât have to protect the device or hide away whenever the climate turns bad. Theyâre designed to take a heavy toll, and so far theyâve performed admirably.
The battery performance is satisfactory. We were able to use the walkies for slightly more than the displayed 26 hours on included batteries. In the case of an emergency, additional AA batteries could burst. Push-to-Talk has two levels that allow for battery conserving with local communication systems and an extra increase when the signal begins to cut out. The batteries can be charged via USB or a charging station.
This radio also has noise filtration, which is a great feature. Motorola Solutionsâ radios, which also have this feature, make sure continuous communication. Also included is an emergency alert, which sends an 8-second warning tone to both users. It has a designed LED flashlight, which is a helpful aspect that makes night-time journeys easier and offers safety during emergencies or power failures.
Specifications
- Brand: Motorola
- Range: 35 miles
- Power output: 2 watts
- Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS/GMRS)
- Battery: NiMH rechargeable battery or 3 AA Alkaline batteries
- Size: 7.54 x 2.26 x 1.37 inches
- Weight: 0.43 lb
- Waterproof: yes (IP54)
- License needed: yes, Â if GMRS channels will be used (FCC license)
Pros of the Motorola T460
- Batteries can last up to 26 hours, according to Motorola.
- The Motorola T460 has a lot of helpful features.
- It has a functional design with a low weight.
- Everyone can use it due to its easy setup.
Main Plus:
The Motorola Talkabout T460 is a top candidate for a long-lasting walkie-talkie that isnât too expensive. With its intuitive design and lightweight, it can be used by anyone. Including the hands-free feature is an added bonus. Its greatest strengths are convenience and capabilities, with a variety of alert systems and tones to choose from.
Cons of the Motorola T460
- The range depends highly on the circumstances.
- The icons and buttons on the walkie-talkie may take some getting used to.
Â
#4 Midland GXT1050VP4
The Midland offers sharp, good communication and comes with an unmatchable 3 years warranty. The Whisper component allows people to communicate quietly while still being heard, and clear calling skills enable you to notify one individual in a team without disturbing the others.
Since this radio has ten different call alert systems, you can always tell who is calling you. We liked the climate scan feature as well as the SOS sounders in the event of an emergency on the Midland GXT1050VP4.
In the form of extreme weather, the weather warning gets locked onto the regional climate channel and sends out a signal, offering you enough time to seek shelter. When combined with the SOS buzzing, the device always prioritizes your safeness. Due to the general hand-free setting, you would be able to interact with your group even if you were really busy ice skating or riding a motorcycle.
The Midland was obviously intended with outdoor sports in mind. With five animal calls, such as turkey and cheetah, and a quiet mode that disables all sounds, this truly has also been designed with hunters in mind.
Specifications
- Brand: Midland
- Range: 36 miles
- Power output: 5 watts
- Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS/GMRS)
- Battery: NiMH rechargeable battery or 4 AA Alkaline batteries
- Size: 7.9 x 2.5 x 1.8 inches
- Weight: 0.3 lb
- Waterproof: yes (JIS4)
- License needed: yes, Â if GMRS channels will be used (FCC license)
Pros of the Midland GXT1050VP4
- Waterproof/Splash resistant (JIS-4)
- High quality
- Plenty of channels available
- Plenty of unique features
- Considerable communication range
Main Plus:
Midland GXT1050VP4 is unquestionably useful. A two-way radio is jam-packed with convenient and useful features; itâs something you may want to make communication quick and easy. The audio is crisp and clear, making for a better overall experience. Also, having 50 cable channels is a big deal, as it allows you to easily learn about actual alerts all over you.
But when it comes to its price, it is a little pricey, but the functionalities and build quality are well worth it. This is still an excellent option of outdoor broadcast, with a wide range of details that help it be useful for a wide range of recreational activities.
Cons of the Midland GXT1050VP4
- Physical obstructions may disrupt the communication range
- Not submersible
- Charging takes too long
Â
#5 Midland T71VP3
This Midland T71VP3 is another low-cost walkie-talkie that will meet your requirements. This is ideal if you are going on an outdoor activity with your friends. It has a long-range, covering 38 miles in an open field. It also has a feature that tells you what kind of weather to expect that day. It has an alarm that will notify you if there is inclement weather.
This device has a hands-free feature, which is ideal if you donât want to touch the device frequently while doing something. If you donât want to be disturbed, you can also silence it. This has a high and low power setting that can help you save battery life on your device.
Provided its features, it is ideal for outdoor activities like fishing and hiking, as well as interior use. Since itâs an FRS radio, anyone can use it without even a license. Furthermore, you donât have to be concerned about battery power, as it could last nearly a day.
Specifications
- Brand: Midland
- Range: 38 miles
- Power output: 1.5 watts
- Frequency ranges: 462-467 MHz (FRS)
- Battery: rechargeable batteries or 3 AA Alkaline batteries
- Size: 6.1 x 2.6 x 1.4 inches
- Weight: 0.39 lb
- Waterproof: no, but water-resistant
- License needed: no (exclusive for FRS use only)
Pros of the Midland X-Talker T71VP3
- It is simple to use.
- The Midland X-Talker T71VP3 has a battery lifetime of 15 hours.
- Its audio quality is excellent.
- The handset is water-resistant (with no IP rating).
- In perfect terrain and climate conditions, the range can be up to 38 miles.
- It can be used as a handheld walkie-talkie for both indoor and outdoor activities.
Main Plus:
The Midland T71VP3 is an incredible deal due to its simple but effective features. Itâs everything youâd want in a basic walkie-talkie without compromising quality. Its strongest asset is its battery life, which allows people to use it for long periods of time without disruptions. It also includes a 3-year warranty.
Cons of the Midland T71VP3
- The GMRS channels are not available.
- It has less functionality as compared to other radios.
- The T71VP3 is not ideal to be used under extreme events and weather conditions.
How to choose the best Walkie Talkie under $100
Â
Range
This merely means how far apart the radio pairs could be and still effectively communicate. It suffices to say that relatively long radios are the better choice when it comes to range. When youâre out in the woods with family and friends, the ability to converse all over long distances can mean the difference between success and failure. The ability to effectively communicate over such long distances provides another level of safety.
Throughout many cases, walkie-talkie producers will define the maximum distance walkies can interact with others when there are no barriers among them, including in building environments. A walkie-talkie with just an 8-mile range only had a scope of 3-4 miles. Think about getting a device with a longer range if you really need a device for something specific. The majority of two-way radios will have a scope of 20-50 miles.
Â
Battery
Your radio could have all the cutting-edge technology, enjoyable, and amazing features in the world, but it wonât matter if it doesnât remain powered on long enough for you to explore these intriguing add-ons. It is critical that when searching for a new radio, you look for one that has a long â lasting battery. There may be occasions when you are off-grid and being unable to charge your device; in these cases, you need your radio to be able to remain on as long as possible.
As the need to maintain your radio, some major corporations have invested in alternative energy sources such as solar energy. The finest walkie-talkies must have a tightly closed pocket where water cannot enter.
It is critical to understand the approximate time of utilization on the radio systems you intend to purchase so that you can determine whether you will have to bring extra batteries. The batteryâs charge is typically estimated to be 90 percent standby time, 5 percent receiving time, and 5 percent transfer rate.
Â
Durability
Such tools are approximately the size of a cell phone and also can slip right from your hands; therefore, they must be built to be durable. The quality and reliability will, to a great extent, determine how long you can use these radios. Several more people utilize their walkies in difficult terrains, which necessitates that they are made to survive the stress and strain that constant use can cause.
The best walkies typically have non-slip textures and, in some cases, are water-resistant and shockproof, allowing you to get much use out of your radio.
Â
Frequency
Whenever it comes to selecting a frequency for your broadcast, users have two options: UHF or VHF. We are constantly asked, âWhat really is the distinction between UHF and VHF?ââ. UHF is an abbreviation for ultra-high frequency, and this is one of the transmitting bands on which radios telecast. It has advantages and disadvantages, with the advantages far outweighing the disadvantages. This has a shorter wavelength, enabling it to enter steel and concrete more effectively.
In contrast, VHF refers to a very high frequency. It broadcasts on frequencies ranging from 30MHz to 300MHz. This is most praised using it outdoors, which is why it is for use by seaborne and air transport companies. If you do have an outdoor event or must do some job in the field, radios with this frequency method are the best choice.
Read more about it here:Â VHF vs UHF Radio â Which one should I use?
Â
Features
When purchasing a two-way radio, it is critical to look for extra features, including a hands-free device, headphones, as well as other associated equipment. Several gadgets also include security codes and noise-canceling capabilities. If youâre going hunting, you must get a radio with a resonance feature. Furthermore, you should avoid accidentally pressing the speak button by selecting a radio with something like a touchpad lock or a keypad notification.
Are Walkie-Talkies under $100 worth the Money?
Many people purchase walkie-talkies with the attitude of âonly in case.â These small devices bring peace of mind since they can continue to function while other methods of communication mess up.
Once cell computers and phones struggle throughout a national calamity or an exterior mishap, they can give existence messages. All of us who enjoy the occasional car trip could really benefit greatly from a decent walkie-talkie.
So, to answer the question, the answer is definitely yes! We need a walkie-talkie, and if youâre on a tight budget, you can buy one of our recommended walkie-talkies for under $100. This is a very useful device not only for emergencies but also for our fun outdoor activities. If we can always carry our phones with us, we can keep this device in our house, car, or anywhere else for safety and communication.
Conclusion â The 5 best Walkie Talkies under $100
A walkie-talkie can refer to a variety of things, so itâs crucial to know whatever youâre speaking about before purchasing a set of radios and pressing the push-to-talk tab for the first time. First, above all, you must ensure that the radios you purchase are capable of performing the functions you require. Second, make certain that you will not waste your money and that even though it is at a low price, it is still a quality-wise product.
Â
