Best 2-Way Radios For Hunting [Our Top 9 Recommended]

My top recommended 2-way radio has to be the Midland GXT1050VP4 because it has a range of 36 miles and also has 50 channels. It can also act as a NOAA Weather Alert Radio which will warn you of any upcoming natural disasters.

In this article, you will be presented with more than enough information to choose the right 2-way radio for your hunting needs. To be honest, it does not need to be that hard. I am going to present 9 of the best 2-way radios that you can take with you on that hunting trip that you cannot wait for.

I am also going to delve deeper into aspects such as the maximum range, number of frequency channels, things that you need to know about the price, etc. The radios that I have chosen must at least have a minimum range of 2 miles and also 15 channels. Any radio (or Walky Talky) that has fewer of these two features will not do the job on the hunting field.

You can start with the buying guide below which will give you a better idea on what each feature does.

Let’s go.

Ultimate 2-Way Radio Buying Guide For Hunting

So you came this far and without a doubt need a guiding hand on how to choose the right 2-way radio for hunting purposes. If you are hunting in groups, then it is paramount that you have crystal clear communication with each other.

Communication between hunters is useful for when you want to give a heads up on an approaching buck or if you want someone to talk to get past the long waiting hours. In this section, I am going to cover the price, the range, the communication channels, weather alert and also the handling of these products.

1. How much do the radios cost?

These products are not that expensive, and only one of them has stretched over the $100 mark. And if you think about it, some of these radios are more worth than their actual pricetag. A lot of factors can influence the price such as the voice quality and some of the next features that I will mention.

If you are in to save money and you would like to get your hands on one least expensive options, then you will love the Motorola T100 which is excellent value for the money.

​2. The maximum communications ranges

The maximum communications range is the maximum range in which you can contact a person which has another 2-way radio. It is also important to note that both radios need to have a strong signal for this to work.

I also have mixed feelings about the range because many factors can influence the range of these radios. It is because of these factors that I sometimes take the maximum range provided by manufacturers with a grain of salt.

Factors such as buildings, open water and also trees can limit the range of these devices which ultimately will bring them down. Another factor that can limit the range is the Wattage of the radio. The higher the “W” value, the more potential it has. Some radios are also compatible with receivers which also enhances their range. Here is what you can expect from the distance covered by these radios:

The minimum range can stretch anywhere from 2 miles up to 36 miles in length. If the range is crucial for you, then I would highly recommend the Midland GXT1050VP4 as it has a range of up to 36 miles.

3. The number of channels available

A channel can be referred to as the frequency on which a 2-way radio can communicate. For instance, if a radio has 22 channels, then it means that it can make use of 22 frequencies because frequencies are on which channels operate. Most of the time, you can change the frequency of a channel to connect to another radio. Some radios are limited and need to be connected to your pc to be recalibrated with the use of the downloadable software.

The radios that I have picked can range from 16 up to 128 channels. If you would like to have access to a radio that has up to 128 channels, then I would recommend the Retevis RT-5R.

4. Weather alert can also be useful

Some Walky Talkies will have the ability to connect to weather channels that will give you a heads up on an approaching storm. These weather channels will be calibrated beforehand which means that you do not need to do it yourself. I must also add that your weather channels are also location dependent. Most weather channels will cover all of the areas, but not all of the areas will include the weather channels.

If you do not want to get caught up in a storm, then I will highly advise the Cobra ACXT545 that will make use of 10 NOAA weather channels that will warn you.

5. Do not forget about handling

There is nothing worse than carrying a 2-way radio with your hands the whole time. Some of the radios will have belt clips which enables you to attach the device to your belt. Some radios will also come with earphones that you can connect to the radio. This is my preferred method of using a 2-way radio while hunting because the unnecessary noise can scare away potential game.

#1 Midland GXT1050VP4

Best For: This product is best for hunters that want a superior product that exceeds all of the other radios in the market.

• Editors Rating: 9.7/10 
• Price Range: $$
• Max Range: 36 Miles
• Channels: 50 

The 2-way radio that was my favorite is going to be this product from Midland. This product has a nice camo look to it that will also fit in well within the hunting scene. Do not let looks fool you. This product has a range of 36 miles and even 50 channels that you can use. Compared to some of the other products, this one beats them all considering how cost effective it is.

This radio will vibrate when you receive a call which is great at scaring away the game. It also has 142 privacy codes which keep your conversations private. You will also be updated via the NOAA Weather Alert Radio which will connect you to your local weather channel. You also can send out distress signals with the help of the SOS siren. This product also has more valuable features that truly make this the best on the market.

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#2 Motorola T100

Best For: Great for hunters that want quality, but do not want to pay too much for 2 radios.

• Editors Rating: 7.7/10 
• Price Range: $ 
• Max Range: 16 Miles
• Channels: 22

The Motorola T100 is a great option for hunters that want a functional 2-way radio that will not break the bank. In this package, you will get 2 of these products that you can use. It has a range of up to 16 miles if the area of flat and it also makes use of 22 channels. These 2 features make it ideal for hunting in open areas where you can contact the other team. It also has an alert when the battery is getting low (up to 18 hours battery life) and it is also compatible with all FRS/GMRS 2-way radios. Another great feature is that you can lock the keypad in case you accidentally change your settings.

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#3 Retevis RT-5R

Best For: Best for hunters that want versatility.

• Editors Rating: 8.2/10 
• Price Range: $$
• Max Range: 3.5 Miles
• Channels: 128 

If you are after versatility, then you will love the Retevis RT-5R. This radio is more expensive than the Motorola T100 but is much more versatile. Where other radios make use of only 20 channels, this one can efficiently use 128 channels. The range is a bit low with a 3.5-mile range. However, you can upgrade this range up to 35 miles; you can connect it to a repeater.

What I also liked, is that you will get a small speaker for each radio. Another important note is that you can also switch between 1W and 5W for better range or if you want to save battery power. If you’re going to update your channels, you can reprogram them by downloading the free app onto your computer.

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#4 Cobra ACXT545

Best For: Is best for hunters that want superior range.

• Editors Rating: 9.2/10 
• Price Range: $ 
• Max Range: 28 Miles
• Channels: 22 

If you are into long range calls, then you will love the Cobra ACXT545. This Walky Talky has a range of up to 28 miles which is more than enough to cover some game reserves. It also uses 22 channels for communication purposes. You will be better prepared against a storm because of the 10 NOAA Weather Channels that will warn you. The radio will also vibrate when you receive an incoming call which is more discreet and will not provoke the animals. It also has a built-in flashlight for those emergency situations.

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#5 Proster

Best For: This product is ideal for those that want to save money.

• Editors Rating: 7.5/10 
• Price Range: $ 
• Max Range: 2 Miles
• Channels: 16 

This Walky Talky from Proster is not a bad option for those that want to spend their money on gear other than 2-way radios instead. This radio makes use of 16 channels and has a range of 2 miles. I would have liked this radio to have at least 5 miles but is not bad for the price. You can charge this product with USB ports such as car chargers, laptop or even a phone charger if it is USB. It also makes use of a low battery alarm. It also has a built-in LED flashlight that can be used in the dark. You will even get a compatible earpiece along with the radio that will make it easier if you do not want to hold the receiver against your ear.

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#6 Uniden GMR1635

Best For: Great for people that do not want to spend a ton of money on radios without compromising the quality.

• Editors Rating: 8.6/10 
• Price Range: $ 
• Max Range: 16 Miles
• Channels: 22 

The Uniden GMR1635 is an excellent option for those that want quality but do not want to spend too much money. With a range of 16 miles, you can go hunting with this radio without any problems. You can also make use of 22 channels to connect with more people. You also can scan the area around you for signals from other 2-way radios. When it comes to power, this product makes use of three AAA batteries, and it also has a battery strength indicator. This device also incorporates power saving that will help it last longer.

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#7 Luiton LT-458

Best For: This product is suitable for those individuals that want a cheaper alternative.

• Editors Rating: 7.2/10 
• Price Range: $ 
• Max Range: 3.6 Miles
• Channels: 16 

The Luiton LT-458 is another good option that is not that expensive, but the features are not as good as some products in the same price class. This product makes use of a 3W output that enables it to reach 3.6 miles which are not that far considering some of the other products. This product also has 16 channels which are not bad. What I also like was that it makes use of a voice scrambler that will make your discussions more discreet.

This product will also have a belt clip that makes for comfortable carry. You will even get a nice earpiece for if you do not want to spook the game with the speaker. This radio also makes use of a 1500mAh rechargeable battery. The radio will also warn you when the battery is low which is great if you are dependant on the radio.

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#8 Samcom FPCN10A

Best For: This product is best for those that want good sound quality but is also expensive.

• Editors Rating: 8.8/10 
• Price Range: $$$
• Max Range: 2.5 Miles
• Channels: 20 

If you are after a radio that will give you the highest quality sound, then the Samcom FPCN10A is for you. It has a range of 2.5 miles which is not bad but, I would have liked better. It also incorporates 20 channels, and you also have the function of group chat. You will get an earpiece that will give you a handsfree experience. There is also a belt clip attached to the radio which enables you to carry it by your side. It also has a voice scrambler that will give you more privacy. This product has a 3000mAh rechargeable battery, and it will also warn you when it is low.

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#9 Motorola MD200R

Best For: Best for those that want a good looking and functional radio for hunting.

• Editors Rating: 9.5/10 
• Price Range: $$
• Max Range: 20 Miles
• Channels: 22 

The Motorola MD200R is a very well designed radio with big buttons that make the user experience aspects a breeze. It has a 20-mile range and also 22 channels. This radio also has ten call tones that enable you to switch it up a bit. If you would like a more private conversation, then you can attach your earphones into the earphone port of the radio.

This product also has belt clips for if you do not want to carry it by hand. This product also has a keypad lock so that you do not accidentally change some of your settings. Regarding power, you will get NiMH rechargeable batteries, and you also have the option to use 3 AA batteries that will last for 29 hours. For the rechargeable battery, you will even get a charging adapter.

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2-Way Radio Comparison Table

Product Name	Max Range	Channels	Price
1. Midland GXT1050VP4 (Top Pick)	36 miles	50 channels	$$
2. Motorola T100 (Least Expensive)	16 miles	22 channels	$
3. Retevis RT-5R	3.5 miles	128 channels	$$
4. Cobra ACXT545	28 miles	20 channels	$
5. Proster	2 miles	16 channels	$
6. Uniden GMR1635	16 miles	22 channels	$
7. Luiton LT-458	3.6 miles	16 channels	$
8. Samcom FPCN10A	2.5 miles	20 channels	$$$
9. Motorola MD200R	20 miles	22 channels	$$

Conclusion

After reading this article, you can surely call yourself an expert in 2-way radios by now. If you can choose 1 of these radios, which one will it be?

Please comment below and share with us which ones was your favorite and why. Also, if you want to enhance your hunting experience with electronics please visit this page.