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Do you plan to go canoeing, kayaking, hiking, or climbing? Getting your walkie-talkie all soaked up and unable to function can be frustrating. For such adventures, you need a walkie-talkie that is protected from water.
Besides the waterproof rating, the best waterproof walkie-talkie in 2023 will depend on the range, battery life, and where you intend to use it. Here’s a list of the 10 best waterproof walkie-talkies in 2023.
Before we get right into it, this list isn’t a list that goes from the best waterproof walkie-talkie to the least. So in no particular order, here are your top 10:
| Product Model | Cost ($) | Dimension (inches) | Weight (pound) | Battery life | Range | Waterproof rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola T605 Talkabout | 120.58 | 7.8 x 2.4 x 1.5 | 1.9 | Not given | Up to 35 miles | IP67 |
| COTRE Swan Outdoor Rechargeable Two-Way Radios | 20.99 | 7.8 x 2.4 x 1.5 | Not given | 17 – 20 hrs | Up to 32 miles | IP67 |
| Motorola T600 H20 Talkabout Radio | 98.99 | 7.8 x 2.4 x 1.5 | 1.9 | Up to 9 hrs | Up to 35 miles | Not given |
| RT47V IP67 Rechargeable MURS Two-Way Radio | 42.99 | 8.9 x 2.1 x 1.2 inches | Not given | Up to 120 hrs | 2 miles | IP67 |
| Retevis RT47/467 Waterproof Two-Way Radios | 33.99 | 8.9 x 2.3 x | Not given | Not given | 2 miles | IP67 |
| Retevis RT49P/469P IP67 Floating Portable Walkie Talkie | 58.99 | 8 x 2.4 x 1.5 | 0.3 | 50 hrs | 2 miles | IP67 |
| Gocom G9 Long Range Waterproof Walkie Talkies | 79.99 | 8 x 2.4 x 1.8 | Not given | 24 hrs | Up to 40 miles | IP67 |
| Retevis RT48 Walkie-Talkies Waterproof | 32.99 | 9.5 × 2.6 × 1.5 | 0.62 | Not given | 2 miles | IP67 |
| Midland X-TALKER T31VP Extended Range Two-Way Radios | 49.99 | 5.5 x 2 x 1.2 | 0.24 | 10 hrs | Up to 26 miles | Water-resistant |
| Retevis RT49/469 Walkie Talkies | 42.99 to 45.99 | 10.3 x 9.1 x 4.9 | 1.37 | 12 hrs | 2.5 miles | IP65 |
The Motorola T605 Talkabout walkie-talkie is pricey but a worthy luxury. It has an IP67 rating which means it is waterproof. So you don’t need to worry if it falls into the water. This device floats in water and automatically activates an LED flashlight to help you find it.
The T605 also boasts one of the most extended ranges – 35 miles. Thus, you can communicate over longer distances depending on the terrain.
This two-way radio has 22 channels and 121 privacy codes that lower the risk of interference. In addition, it has other desirable features like the Voice-activated transmission (VOX) feature. VOX allows you to activate the device by talking.
It also has NOAA weather channels to keep you posted on emergency weather updates.
The COTRE outdoor walkie-talkie can confidently be your travel companion as it has most of the needed features. Luckily, it is also budget-friendly. In addition, this walkie-talkie has 22 channels and 121 privacy codes to help you find a non-congested channel in any location.
The COTRE transceiver has an impressive IP67 rating; thus, it is waterproof. Therefore, you can use it without any worries when fishing or kayaking.
It has a floating feature that keeps it afloat when it falls into the water. There’s also a LED light indicator that automatically turns on when the transceiver comes in contact with water.
It also has 20 different call tones and a roger tone that informs the other user that you are done transmitting. Finally, for safety’s sake, there’s an NOAA weather alert feature. With the 6 NOAA channels available, you won’t miss any emergency weather alerts.
The Motorola T600 H20 Talkabout walkie-talkie has an IP67 rating, so it is suitable for water-related adventures. In addition, this FRS/GMRS transceiver has the regular 22 channels and 121 privacy codes for smoother communication.
You don’t need a license to use this walkie-talkie. But, if you intend to use the higher-watt GMRS channels, you will need the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) license.
As for the range of communication, Motorola claims it can cover up to 35 miles — this will vary depending on where you are. However, it doesn’t have a great battery life.
You can use the Motorola T600 hands-free, thanks to the VOX function. Like most waterproof transceivers, it has 11 NOAA channels to update you on the weather.
In case of emergencies, there’s an emergency alert button. It transmits an alert siren to draw the attention of other users.
Here’s a walkie-talkie designed explicitly for outdoor use. The Retevis RT47V MURS radio uses the 5 MURS frequencies on the VHF frequency band. It has 5 channels. With an IP67 rating, this walkie-talkie is excellent for use on the water.
This license-free two-way radio. It’s easy to use, affordable and has excellent features. The Retevis MURS walkie-talkie has a fantastic battery life. It also alerts you when your battery is low and has a battery saver that lengthens your battery life.
You can use this transceiver hands-free using the belt clip. The VOX function makes it possible to activate the radio using your voice. It also has a busy channel lock that locks out other users while you are transmitting.
The time-out timer also extends your battery life by ending your transmission when it goes on for too long. This can happen when the transceiver is malfunctioning.
It’s a bit disappointing that this walkie-talkie doesn’t have a floating feature or an LED backlight. It also doesn’t have an NOAA weather alert.
Retevis RT47 (FRS) and RT467 walkie-talkies have 22 and 16 channels, respectively. This Retevis model has an IP67 rating. Thus, you can use it when hiking, climbing, and kayaking. For professional use, in a construction site or seaport.
The Retevis RT47/647 has a shorter signal range than most walkie-talkies. Still, it should perform well when there’s no obstruction. This feature makes it most suitable to use while on water.
This model has features like low battery alert and auto-power saving mode to save battery when running low. It also has a time-out timer to stop transmission when the transceiver is transmitting too long.
There’s also the hands-free VOX option and a busy channel lockout feature. This lockout feature mutes a channel to prevent others from using it while you are transmitting.
Retevis RT49P/649P floating walkie-talkie is a waterproof walkie-talkie. It has an IP67 rating, making it an excellent choice for water sports. There is also a floating feature. This ensures your two-way radio doesn’t sink if it falls into the water. There’s also a water-activated flashlight to help you find the radio in the water.
This IP67 two-way radio has an NOAA weather alert feature to keep you posted on any emergency weather information.
The Retivis RT49P also has an emergency SOS alarm. You can long press for 3 seconds to activate the SOS emergency alarm. Doing so sends out a distress signal during emergencies.
Another key feature is the dual watch that puts two channels on standby at the same time. Thus, you won’t get to miss any transmission from either channel.
The GOcom G9 long-range walkie-talkie has an IP67 rating. Hence, it is fully submersible for 30 minutes. But you might not need to worry about water drenching it because it has a floating feature. Once it drops into water, it floats, and the LED light activates.
The G9 walkie-talkie has a VOX function that you can use when your hands are busy. There are also 11 available NOAA weather channels. This feature will prevent any weather surprises.
The G9 long-range two-way radio also features an SOS emergency lamp and LED flashlight. Its emergency lamp feature is for night vision and to alert others during emergencies.
Another Retevis waterproof walkie-talkie is the Retevis RT48(FRS) or RT648 (PMR446). It has an IP67 rating which means it is waterproof. In addition, this two-way radio has 121 privacy codes for more explicit transmission.
The Retevis RT48/648 can cover a signal range of 2 miles. Hence, it is best for short-range use. It also has a battery save mode to maximize battery life. Other features include the time-out timer, busy channel lockout, and VOX function.
Unlike most waterproof walkie-talkies on our list, theRT48/648 doesn’t float on water. But its IP rating means it won’t get damaged if it doesn’t stay in the water for more than 30 minutes.
Although the IP rating for the Midland X-talker T31VP isn’t provided, the manufacturer claims that it is water-resistant. It can endure water splashes from any angle but isn’t submersible.
The walkie-talkie range is up to 26 miles in an ideal environment. Thus, you can use it over a long range. Some features accessible through the transceiver are the 22 channels and 38 privacy codes.
While the privacy codes are few, they will still improve communication. You can use the T31VP hands-free for ease. You can even use headphones instead to hold conversations.
The NOAA weather channel is necessary since safety comes first. This walkie-talkie features NOAA weather channels that send in emergency weather alerts.
This Retevis walkie-talkie comes in the RT49 (FRS) and RT649 (PMR446). This Retevis is a short-range transceiver. It has a VOX function so that you can use it for hands-free operation.
The RT49/469 walkie-talkie is not entirely waterproof, as it has an IP65 rating. Thus, you can’t submerge it in water. Regardless, it has other great features. For example, it features 11 NOAA weather channels for emergency weather broadcasts and a flashlight for safety.
It also has a battery meter to update you on your battery percentage so you’d know when to charge. There’s also an automatic power save feature that reduces battery run-time.
This Retevis has a dual standby function that monitors two channels simultaneously. This will ensure you get all calls that come in.
When buying a waterproof walkie-talkie, there are some key features to look out for:
The Ingress protection (IP) rating shows how well a product can withstand solids (like dust) and liquids (like water). The IP rating usually has two digits (IPxx).
The first digit measures protection against solids, while the second measures protection against liquids. Waterproof walkie-talkies are mainly concerned with the waterproof rating, i.e., the second digit.
Waterproof ratings from IPx4 to IP×6 mean the walkie-talkie is water resistant. Two-way radios with an IP rating of IPx7 are waterproof. You can submerge them to about 1 meter for 30 minutes. IPx8 means you can dip them to about 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
When buying a walkie-talkie, you must consider where to use it. For example, it might come in contact with a large body of water rather than water splashes. In that case, you will need a waterproof walkie-talkie. But if you only have to worry about water splashes, a water-resistant transceiver is good enough.
Some waterproof walkie-talkies come with a floating feature that keeps them afloat in water. These transceivers are usually lightweight and slim.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) broadcasts real-time weather information through the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR).
Walkie-talkies that come with the NOAA weather alert feature incorporate the NWR. They will keep you updated on the current weather conditions. And when there’s emergency weather information, they will alert you. This feature helps you prepare ahead.
Knowing the signal range of your walkie-talkie will come in handy when using your two-way radio. If you have to communicate over a long distance, you will need a walkie-talkie with a more extended range. On the other hand, a short-range transceiver might be sufficient if you are communicating with someone nearby.
A dead walkie-talkie can leave you stranded, which can be dangerous in emergencies. Hence, you need to get one with excellent battery life. Also, look out for those with power-saving features and low battery alerts. This will help you prepare ahead for such situations.
While there’s no absolute best waterproof walkie-talkie in 2023, there are some features to look out for. A waterproof walkie-talkie should have a good IP rating. The battery quality should be excellent. The transceiver should also have safety features like an SOS emergency alarm, a flashlight, and an NOAA weather alert feature.
Above all, you must consider your budget and where you intend to use your two-way radio before deciding which to go for.
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