Best Walkie Talkies in the UK

The Motorola Talkabout T82 is a professional package that, needless to say, amateurs can use as well, but most will find these radios a little excessive. Of course, there's nothing excessive about the integrated LED torch letting you read maps at night and see into bags and backpacks. There's also nothing excessive about the segmented LED screen presenting information in a concise and accessible fashion.

Is 20 call tone alert options necessary? Not quite, but the option is a welcome addition nonetheless. The 'welcome addition' list also includes a keypad lock, keypad tone, and the silent mode that uses vibration alerts. Even as professional walkie talkies go, this package is pretty robust, with the IPX4 enclosure protecting them from the elements and making sure that the radios can withstand the harshest conditions.

We can discuss easy pairing that enables quick and simple group call set-up. We can also discuss the respectable battery life lasting up to 18 hours. We can talk about the multiple emergency features and the functions that even more affordable models seldom come without. But even without mentioning these details, you can tell that the Motorola Talkabout T82 is cut from a different cloth. Setting aside the janky headsets, the 4 radios that come with this package are virtually flawless.

The eSynic Long-Range Rechargeable Walkie Talkies come with fewer frills than the radios' competition and we can get behind this approach. Plus, it is not like this package is basic. No, not even close.

To begin with, the CTCSS/DCS function is excellent at reducing noise. The embedded LED flashlight is pretty bright, illuminating the way even at night with no ambient light to speak of. The VOX (voice-activated transmission) is also great in its own right, liberating the hands so that you can communicate without pushing the PTT button. There's a low battery alarm that will notify you when the battery is about to die. There's also a power-saving function that will make sure the battery does not die within the first 10 hours.

You can choose between Chinese and English voice prompt, which is not necessarily the feature that most users in the US will appreciate but we're glad it is there nonetheless. We're also glad that these walkie talkies are PC software programmable especially since the instructions that are shipped with the box are inaccurate at times, so relying on them 100% is not the smartest decision you can make.

Apart from that, purchasing the eSynic Long-Range Rechargeable Walkie Talkies will prove to be a pretty smart decision, and we're not even talking the set's affordable price into account.

The Retevis RT24 has its flaws but considering what it offers and the price tag that it comes with, we couldn't really avoid adding this one to our list. Since it doesn't have a brand like Motorola behind it, this device offers practically every single function out there, a good chunk of which is usually reserved for some of the most expensive models.

But first, with its thickened alloy metal middle frame design, this thing doesn't just effectively dissipate heat but also makes the walkie talkie particularly drop-resistant. Even if it happens to fall from a really high place, there's very little chance it'll receive any substantial damage.

One thing that we really like is a larger-than-average PTT (push-to-talk) button. You'd think it doesn't make a world of difference but being able to comfortably and confidently press the button while wearing gloves can be a game changer.

In addition to the usual features, the model incorporates a low battery alert, so you won't be caught off-guard in a nasty predicament with a dead battery. On top of that, there's a power-saving function that will allow you to extend the battery life. Using the squelch level feature, you'll be able to control the background noise and enjoy a high-fidelity sound without the usual radio noise. Finally, there's the busy channel lock, a feature that will prevent you from transmitting a signal as long as you're receiving another signal.

Long story short, the Retevis RT24 gives you most of the functions of high-end walkie talkie but without the price tag that usually comes with them. It's a practical unit that is equally suitable for professionals and amateurs. Its rugged exterior makes the model perfect for excursions to tough environments. Plus, it comes with headphones, so you won't have to buy those separately.

The Motorola Tlkr T92 H2O is a portable two-way radio, which is ideal for even the wildest and most extreme adventures. You can stay in touch with each other at a distance of up to 10 km in the open field or terrain.

The communication range, however, will decline in the presence of various obstructions (for instance, if you are using it in town). We believe, its most important advantage is its increased protection from various weather conditions. Don't hesitate to use it even in the pouring rain. Should your radio accidentally fall in the water, it won't drown, but will peacefully float on the water surface face up and wait for the rescue!

This walkie talkie can withstand continuous submersion for up to 30 minutes. Besides, it will take no effort to find and retrieve the device, as an emergency flashlight will be activated as soon as it comes in contact with water. If suddenly your journey continued till night, with integrated white and red LEDs, you can easily read a map or chart, light your way or explore the location while preserving your night vision.

With this walkie talkie, you may enjoy your escape to the wilderness with absolute confidence. The emergency alert feature will allow you to instantly warn other members of your team of impending danger or a predicament you may have confronted. You can activate the alert button to transmit the alert siren or, alternatively, use the whistle belt clip in less extreme situations.

If you are contemplating an extended travel trip or adventure, no worries, even on rechargeable batteries the gadget will be powered for up to 16 hours of continuous use. You may safely continue your camping, trekking, or hiking trip if you take along three spare AA batteries (which will last for another 23 hours).

The Olywiz HTD818 comes from a low-end angle. With this product, the idea is delivering and ensuring the bare necessities and the most essential features, whilst keeping the price as low as possible. The good news is that, today, even basic walkie talkies are anything but basic.

Not unlike its more premium relatives, this package enables monitoring transmissions. In the same vein, both radios come equipped with a TOT (Transmit Time Optional) function. Because they're usually reserved for emergency situations, these walkie talkies also support CTCSS/DCS privacy codes, so you can relay information in a secure fashion. Again, both units come outfitted with 16 memory channels, which is more than most people need these days anyway.

What's a little more interesting is that they're also outfitted with voice prompt function, letting you communicate and fiddle with the radio's settings hands-free. Of course, 'the interesting part' comes from the fact that budget walkie talkies seldom come with this feature on-board.

Apart from that, we're working with the usual package, including an automatic energy-saving feature, low battery alert, and scan function. The battery life is not great (usually giving up at the 8-hour mark) and the communication range is middling (up to 3 kilometres). Nevertheless, at this price point, very few models come close to the Olywiz HTD818.