When you are planning to have a day out boating, paddle boarding, or kayaking with your buddies, you will need a reliable communication chain. Nothing is suitable enough for this situation, like a pair of the best waterproof walkie talkies.
Above all, the waterproof two-way radios that you will be picking must support long-range communication. So yes, you want the best out there, but you don’t know how to go about it. That is where we step it.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the best waterproof walkie-talkies you should consider purchasing.
Let’s get down to business;
Top 6 Best Long Range Waterproof Walkie Talkies
If you are in search of waterproof walkie talkies to cover your long-range communication while cruising the waters, here are the top 6 models you should consider purchasing;
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1. Midland – GXT1000VP4, 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio
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Our first competitor is this pair of walkie talkies that come with 50 General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) channels. Best of all, there is a channel scan that lets you check for activity amongst the channels.
The radios come with JIS4 waterproof protection that guards them against the splashing water. In other words, these walkie talkies are splash resistant.
Besides that, the radios come with 142 DCS/CTCSS privacy codes that offer you a maximum of 3,124 channel options to block other conversations. In turn, this will let you maintain a private communication channel.
Now, in terms of the range of these radios, you can be sure of enjoying a comfortable 8-mile coverage in open waters. We loved that it comes with an Easy Voice and Sound Activation Transmission (eVOX) along with nine sensitivity levels. This way, you can easily talk through the radio hands-free.
Do you want to know about the weather forecast and any warnings of harsh conditions? Simply tune in to the 10 available NOAA weather channels. There is an automatic weather scan that will browse the weather channels and lock onto the strongest channel. This is definitely one of the best battery powered walkie talkies.
What We Loved
- Long-range coverage
- Comes with 142 privacy codes for keeping conversations private
- Weather Scan feature finds the strongest weather channel and locks on to it
- The battery can last up to 11 hours
- You can use AA battery for emergencies
What Could Be Better
- Navigating the menu can be challenging
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2. Retevis RT81 2 Way Radios Long Range Waterproof Heavy Duty Walkie Talkies
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What we will highlight first in this Retevis RT81 review is the unique DMR technology, along with the non-slip effect of the radio.
Also, this is not just a waterproof 2-way radio, but it is also dustproof. It has been made to work comfortably on both dusty and wet conditions. If you don’t want to hold it in your hand when communicating through it, you can easily enjoy the VOX function.
The new materials design of this water-resistant walkie talkie helps to offer clear sound delivery while eliminating any sound distortion and static noise interference. On the other hand, the non-slip design will keep the radio in your hand even when your hands are wet.
You can enjoy one-on-one or a group call in a digital mode. The best part is that there is a 4-bit password standard encryption and a 32-bit password enhanced encryption that offers you safer private calls. If you are looking for the top encrypted walkie talkies, this one should be among your top picks.
No need to worry about the battery running out because this radio comes with an 8 to 12-hour continuous use support. Plus, the strong shell keeps it strong as you use it in harsh conditions. In standard operation, the radio offers you coverage of up to 4.5 miles.
What We Loved
- Sturdy and non-slip design
- DMR technology enhances sound clarity while reducing interference
- Easy to carry with attached sling
- Long-lasting battery
- Offers support calls with password standard encryption
- Easy to operate
What Could Be Better
- It might drain the battery fast if in heavy use
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3. STANDARD HORIZON HX870 Floating 6W Handheld VHF with Internal GPS
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If you prefer going for the heavy-duty walkie talkies out there, this one would be a good fit for you. It is one of the best outdoor walkie talkies because it has some top features such as noise cancellation.
But that’s not all. We would also consider this amongst the best marine walkie talkies since it comes with a submersible IPX8 waterproof rating. This means you can get in water up to 1.5m, and the radio will still function perfectly. Furthermore, it is a waterproof floating radio, so you won’t have to worry about it getting lost in the water.
You will get 66 channel WAAS GPS receiver, 70 channel Class “D” DSC, and it allows you to store 10 of your favorite channels. If there will be a harsh weather condition later in the day, the NOAA weather channel with a weather alert is there for you.
In terms of battery life, this one only manages 3 hours on a full charge. So, you might want to have some emergency batteries if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. The oversized full dot matrix display helps you have an easy time controlling it.
What We Loved
- It’s a floating radio
- Rugged construction
- Completely waterproof up to 1.5m
- Comes with a USB data port
- Features a GPS receiver
- Preprogrammed with standard maritime channels
What Could Be Better
- The battery life could be better
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4. Cobra MRHH350FLT Floating VHF Long Range Marine Radio
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Here is another top walkie talkie that easily floats on water. It is also completely waterproof as it can comfortably work even when submerged in water.
This would be among the top waterproof walkie talkies for kayaking since it comes with an orange core for easy retrieval in case it falls off the kayak. Featuring a JIS7 waterproof rating, this radio can survive up to 1m deep in water.
It comes with watt output options of 1, 3, and 6 watts, which then allow you to communicate in a short or long-range. The Tri-Watch allows you to monitor three channels at a go.
You also get 3-channel maps that let you navigate around the US, Canada, and other international waters. The best part is that you get unlimited memory to make a channel recall.
Also onboard are 10NOAA weather channels that allow you to know of any harsh condition forthcoming.
This stands among the best budget walkie talkies as it offers you a lot at a decent price.
What We Loved
- Small walkie talkie with an ergonomic design
- Unlimited memory scan
- Features an instant channel16 and 9 for emergencies
- Floats on water
- Value for money
- Easy to use
- You can access three maps at a go
What Could Be Better
- Not the best pick for using on land
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5. Motorola MS350R 35-Mile Talkabout Waterproof 2-Way Radio
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Out of the multiple Motorola waterproof walkie talkies out there, this unit stands among the toppers. Being one of the best emergency walkie talkies, thanks to its durable battery life.
First off, this radio offers you coverage of up to 35 miles, which is very reliable. You also get 22 channels, along with 8 repeater channels. The best part is that each of the channels comes with 121 privacy codes.
You get two radios with this purchase, and they happen to be one of the most expensive walkie talkies on the market. Luckily, it offers you IP-67 waterproof protection against water splashes and dust. You don’t want to drop it in water.
We also think that these two radios stand among the durable walkie talkies with their rugged construction. They are the best choice for using in the extreme outdoors. The radio comes with the Family Radio Service (FRS) and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) frequencies that offer you a blend of channels.
What We Loved
- Sleek and contemporary look
- Long-range coverage
- Comes with privacy codes
- Durable battery life
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Rugged construction makes it ideal for extreme outdoors
What Could Be Better
- It doesn’t come cheaply
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6. COBRA CXT1045R-FLT-CAMO 37 Mi Waterproof Floating 2Way Radios
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Last but not least, we have this unit from Cobra, which happens to be one of the best walkie talkies for hiking. It comes with long-range coverage and floats easily on the water to prevent it from getting lost.
Still, this stands among the best inexpensive walkie talkies. You get 2662 channel combo when the 22 channels onboard are combined with the 121 privacy codes. This radio also offers you 10 NOAA weather channels and an alert to let you know of those harsh conditions.
Also onboard is the Rewind Say Again feature that allows you to replay missed radio calls and record the last 20 seconds of incoming audio automatically. This way, you can always recall every important info. The radio comes with a floating design and an orange core that allows you to easily retrieve it in case you drop it in water.
Even when the radio is fully submerged in water, it will still function without getting damaged.
What We Loved
- Rugged construction
- Floating design to prevent it from dropping in the water
- Completely waterproof
- Comes at a friendly price tag
- Perfect choice for hikers
- It records the previous 20 seconds of communications automatically
- Comes with an inbuilt LED flashlight
What Could Be Better
- The thick waterproofing might make the sound less audible
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FEATURES TO LOOK FOR BEFORE BUYING
Now, those are our best waterproof walkie talkie reviews. Which one would you be going for? Do you want the cheap waterproof walkie talkies, or are you willing to spend that extra dollar?
Well, you should consider some factors before you choose a specific walkie talkie.
Here are the things you should look out for;
Range
How far can the radio cover when communicating with your friends? This depends on what you prefer and the waters that you will be cruising. Nevertheless, you must ensure that you choose a radio with a decent range. If you will be kayaking and cruising the waters, consider going for one that has a range of around 8 miles or so.
Waterproof Rating
As you explore the best waterproof handheld radios, it is important to consider the waterproof rating. Do you want one that is splash-proof or submersible? Look in detail the IP and JIS rating and understand the exact kind of exposure that the radio can tolerate.
Weather Channels and Alerts
You also need to consider the NOAA weather channels and alerts of the radio. This is mandatory if you will be getting a waterproof radio. These NOAA channels will inform you of the forthcoming weather conditions, and the alerts will keep you posted in case of a harsh condition like storms.
This way, you can be sure of staying safe as you cruise across the waters.
Floating or Not?
Not every waterproof walkie talkie will float on water. Some of them are heavy and can easily sink in the water if you happen to drop it accidentally. Here you should consider the one that you wish to have. But we advise you to go for a floating waterproof walkie talkie if you will be cruising deep waters.
GPS/Compass
If you are looking for the best waterproof two way radio, it is important to consider how you will be using it. Be it that you will be hiking or boating with the radio, you should consider one with a GPS or compass feature.
The GPS feature will tell you the exact location that you are in, while the compass will show you the direction that you are facing. These two features help you not get lost.
Warranty
Nobody wants to purchase a waterproof walkie talkie that doesn’t come with an assurance of it serving them for a long time. Even if it comes with the highest waterproof rating, it is important to consider one that will last for a long time.
In this case, ensure that the 2-way radio comes with a lengthy warranty from the manufacturer. Ideally, it should have a warranty cover of two or more years. However, a one-year warranty isn’t that bad either.
Squelch and VOX
The VOX feature on the radio allows you to enjoy hands-free operation. On the other hand, squelch is a feature that enhances sound quality by cutting down the background noise and other interference.
Other features to consider include a Rewind function to replay the missed information or anything you didn’t understand. Some radios also come with an inbuilt LED flashlight.
Don’t forget to consider the brand and the price of the waterproof 2-way radio.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the range of a walkie talkie?
Most walkie talkies out there come with a range of anywhere between 20 and 50 miles. So, you should choose the one that suits you best.
- How far can a two-way radio reach?
If you get a radio with an 8-mile range, it will offer you coverage of about 3 to 4 miles. Ideally, go for a higher range for it to offer you enough coverage.
- Which is better UHF or VHF walkie talkie?
For indoor use, UHF (Ultra High Frequency) radios are the best option since they have a shorter and better wavelength for penetrating through concrete and steel. But for outdoor use, the VHF (Very High Frequencies) will be the best pick since they cover more distance with less power.
- How long do walkie talkie batteries last?
That depends on the walkie talkie that you choose and how frequent you will be using the walkie talkie. Generally, most walkie talkie’s batteries last for around 18 to 24 months.
- Can you use different walkie talkies together?
Yes, you can. But you will have to tune in to the same frequency for the walkie talkies to communicate with each other.
- Are BaoFeng radios illegal?
Yes, they are illegal to use. Baofeng UV-5R and UV-92 don’t have a Part 95 certification. That’s why they are not authorized for use in GMRS and FRS.
- Do I need a license for a walkie talkie?
You will only need an FCC license if you are using a 2-way radio labeled FRS/GMRS or GMRS.
- How far will a 5-watt VHF radio transmit?
A 5-watt VHF radio can transmit signals between 4.5miles to 6 miles in flat open terrain.
Final Words
For now, we are confident that you can step out there and choose from the best long-range waterproof walkie talkies that match your needs and preferences accordingly.
Always ensure that you go through the walkie talkie ratings in detail to be sure of choosing the perfect unit.