BaoFeng may not be a name familiar to many but they’ve been rising steadily through the ranks of quality walkie-talkie manufacturers in recent years. Their BF-888S is a prime example of how far they’ve come and a fine indication that with a few additional years under their belt we may be talking about them as one of the best walkie-talkie makers out there. These compact walkie-talkies have plenty of range and, considering you get six units in this set, are also extremely affordable. These Midland LXT600VP3 are great for those who don’t take it easy on their gear. These are built to communicate with a range of 30 miles in the mountains, and with a hard plastic design, rugged conditions are not a worry. The Motorola Talkabout series has become the ultimate budget outdoor communication radio line. It’s purpose-built to keep you connected, informed, and secure while exploring the great outdoors. The standout feature of the T265 is its dual power capability. You can use standard AA batteries for up to 29 hours of use or the included rechargeable NiMH 800 mAH batteries with up to 12 hours of power. Family Radio Service falls under the unlicensed banner, meaning it’s free to use so long as your device falls within an ERP (Effective Radiated Power) allowance of a maximum of two watts. In general performance terms, this means you can expect a range of around two kilometers maximum. What is the farthest a walkie talkie can reach? What range you can realistically expect - The only way to tell is to buy the unit and test it yourself, or else let someone else do the work for you (like us) and report what they find. Keep in mind though that your results are unlikely to ever match anyone else’s perfectly. Landscapes are different, so are building density and material, flora, fauna, and weather; all of which can impact performance. Still, if a majority of reputable critics are saying the range is no good, you can probably believe it.

Devices using the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) require a license. However, this license allows for an increase in your ERP (Effective Radiated Power), up to 50 watts (compared to the two allowed for FRS), and the ability to utilize external antennae and repeaters. The layman’s translation? You can expect far greater communication distances with GMRS devices. A: General Mobile Radio Service, or GMRS, is a licensed radio service that uses channels between 462 and 467 MHz aka, the channels we use when working with walkie-talkies, longe range radio, two-way radios, or a CB radio. This is a public frequency for personal use. Sources: UHF has an overall better signal quality compared to VHF and is especially better for use indoors or in cities. Do walkie talkies need line of sight? GMRS walkie-talkies use the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and are designed for long-range or commercial use.

FRS walkie-talkies use the Family Radio Service (FRS) and are designed for short-range, recreational use. Why We Chose It: We feel workplaces will benefit from the ease of charging as well as the lengthy 96-hour battery life. Grab one from the charger and you’re golden.

Why We Chose It: We like that beyond the 35 mile range, there are a number of useful features like a flashlight and vibration notifications. While it is possible, it is unlikely. Walkie-talkies operate on a predetermined frequency that allows them to speak with other devices on the same frequency within a given range. However, if there is another device in the proximity, it can listen and respond if it has access to the band your radios are operating on. These walkie-talkies are ideal for any emergency requiring a long communication line. Midland’s GXT1000VP4 walkie-talkies are capable of a 36-mile range in open areas and include several features designed to help you out in dire circumstances.No doubt this is a splurge item, but it could very well be the outdoors tool that keeps you from getting lost. Aside from being able to communicate up to a 20-mile range, this long range walkie talkie is equipped with GPS navigator and display. This is not only important to help you find your own positioning, but other Rino users can also see your positioning as well. Why We Chose It: You can charge them on the go and we like the SOS signal transmission capabilities that could be a lifesaver. With the T402, Motorola claims a range of 35 miles. As noted earlier, the range will deplete if you are in a crowded or heavily built area. Nevertheless, it is incredibly easy to communicate in open areas. This makes it apt for hiking, camping, and even fishing adventures. And the weatherproof (IP54) nature is the cherry on top. VHF walkie-talkies use frequencies between 136 and 174 MHz, and can cover a long distance with a small amount of power. However, they don't work well with obstacles in the way, so they're best used in open areas with very few obstructions.