Recommended for Emergency Communication Kit
When the mobile network or power goes down you still need two things: a way to receive official information, and a way to reach the people around you. UK networks can fail in a power cut, and the switch to digital landlines means cordless home phones stop working without electricity.
Our picks cover both jobs — a wind-up and solar radio to pick up BBC local radio and Met Office warnings without mains power, licence-free two-way radios to keep a group in contact over short range, and a loud pealess whistle as a simple, battery-free way to attract attention.
A wind-up or solar-powered emergency radio keeps you connected to weather warnings, emergency broadcasts, and rescue coordination when the power grid fails. Your lifeline to critical information.
The best emergency radios combine a hand crank dynamo, solar panel, USB charging, and AAA battery backup. This redundancy ensures you can always power the radio regardless of conditions. One minute of cranking should provide at least 15-20 minutes of listening time.
FM covers most UK local and national stations, while AM/Long Wave receives BBC Radio 4 on 198 kHz — the UK's primary emergency broadcast frequency with nationwide coverage. DAB reception is a bonus but draws more power. Ensure the antenna is robust and replaceable.
Many emergency radios include an LED torch and a USB port for charging a mobile phone in emergencies. While phone charging via hand crank is slow, it can provide enough power to send a critical text message or make a brief emergency call.
An IPX3 or higher water-resistance rating is important for UK use. The radio may need to operate in damp conditions, outdoors in rain, or in a flooded environment. A rubberised casing and sealed battery compartment protect the electronics from moisture damage.
Write down your local BBC radio frequencies and keep them with the radio. In an emergency, you do not want to be scanning through static trying to find a station. BBC Radio 4 on 198 LW provides nationwide emergency coverage and should be your first port of call.
Hand-crank dynamos work but are tiring over extended use. Keep rechargeable AAA batteries with the radio as a backup, and if your model has a solar panel, position it in a window during daylight hours to maintain charge passively. Use the crank as a last resort, not the primary power source.
Batteries left inside a stored radio can leak and corrode the contacts, rendering the radio useless when you need it most. Remove batteries during storage and keep them in a separate sealed bag alongside the radio. Test the radio every six months.
A hand-crank and solar radio with a built-in torch and USB charging, so you stay informed with no mains power. A core item for staying updated during a prolonged outage.
A licence-free PMR446 radio set from a trusted brand — simple, light and ideal for keeping a family or group in contact off-grid.
A loud pealess safety whistle whose sound carries far further than the human voice. A tiny, effortless way to signal for help and attract rescue.