$14 Emergency Radio with Solar and Hand-Crank: Must-Have for Survival Kits
FEMA recommends it, and this cheap radio actually works when the grid fails.
ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes reviewed a generic $14 emergency radio available on Amazon. Despite its low price, the device packs AM/FM, NOAA weather alerts, solar panel, hand-crank generator, USB-C input, and a built-in power bank for charging phones. The radio delivers clear reception and a loud speaker, with enough battery life for extended use. However, the hand crank requires significant effort—minutes of cranking yields only a few minutes of listening, and the power bank is strictly a last resort for emergency calls. FEMA recommends such radios for disaster preparedness, especially during power outages, wildfires, and storms.
In an era of 5G and satellites, AM/FM radio remains crucial—87% of people tune in weekly, and it’s the primary in-car entertainment. The author added this radio to his survival kit after recent UK power outages and wildfires. While the hand crank is inefficient, the solar panel and USB-C charging offer more practical recharging. For $14, this device is a no-brainer addition to any emergency kit: it works, it’s rugged, and it covers all necessary bands. The main trade-offs are the lack of an earphone jack and slow manual charging, but for the price, it’s an excellent insurance policy.
- Costs only $14 and includes AM/FM, NOAA weather band, solar panel, and hand crank.
- ZDNET review finds great reception and loud speaker, but hand cranking is slow.
- Features USB-C charging and a power bank (last resort) for charging devices.
Why It Matters
Emergency radio is essential for outages; this $14 option is affordable and functional.