Best Avalanche Beacons & Transceivers of 2025

Jason Kiser Avatar
Jason Kiser
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2025

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Avalanche beacons and transceivers are essential pieces of equipment for anyone who ventures into the backcountry during the winter months. These devices are designed to help locate and rescue people who have been buried in an avalanche. Avalanche beacons emit a signal that can be picked up by a transceiver, allowing rescuers to pinpoint the location of the buried person. Transceivers can also be used to locate other members of a group in the event of a separation. These devices are an important tool for anyone who spends time in the mountains during the winter, and can help save lives in the event of an emergency.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Backcountry Access Tracker S Avalanche Transceiver Cover #TOP 1
Backcountry Access Tracker S Avalanche Transceiver
ftb score rating icon 9.8
BLACK DIAMOND Bd Recon X Beacon Cover #TOP 2
BLACK DIAMOND Bd Recon X Beacon
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Beacon Cover #TOP 3
Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Beacon
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Avalanche Beacons & Transceivers

#TOP 1

Backcountry Access Tracker S Avalanche Transceiver

BCA
C1712001010
One Size
Backcountry Access Tracker S Avalanche Transceiver Cover
BCA Backcountry Access Tracker S Avalanche Transceiver

The Backcountry Access Tracker S Avalanche Transceiver is an essential tool for avalanche safety. With a frequency of 457 kHz, it has a maximum range of 55 meters and a search step width of 50 meters. It has a battery life of at least 1 hour in search mode after 200 hours in transmit mode.

What We Like
Essential tool for avalanche safety
Maximum range of 55 meters
Battery life of at least 1 hour in search mode
#TOP 2

BLACK DIAMOND Bd Recon X Beacon

BD151012
NO COLOR
All Sizes
BLACK DIAMOND Bd Recon X Beacon Cover
Black Diamond BD Recon X Bluetooth Avalanche Beacon Transceiver for Ski, Snowboard, Sled, Backcountry, Moutaineering

BLACK DIAMOND Avalanche Beacon is a top-tier tool designed for swift and precise searches during avalanches. With a 60-meter circular search range, three antennas, and 400-hour battery life, this beacon ensures an extensive and efficient search area. Its soft touch housing enhances ergonomics, providing better handling in critical situations. The Mark function allows for managing multiple burial scenarios, while interference protection in search and send modes ensures reliable performance. Additionally, it comes with a lightweight harness-style carrying pouch for easy portability.

What We Like
Premium Design
Extended Search Range
Long Battery Life
#TOP 3

Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Beacon

2710-00150-1015
gray
One Size
Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Beacon Cover
Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Beacon

The Mammut Barryvox Avalanche Beacon offers an effective digital search strip width of 70 meters and a digital receiving range of 70 meters. It has a circular receiving field which provides almost identical receiving range for X and Y antennas. The display has background lighting and is very easy to read even when wearing polarized glasses. Additionally, the beacon features acoustic search guidance which helps the rescuer to visually search the avalanche field.

What We Like
Offers a wide digital search strip width of 70 meters
Features a circular receiving field that provides an identical range for X and Y antennas
Has a well-lit display which is easy to read even when wearing polarized glasses
#TOP 4

SnowBigDeal Backcountry Access BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon + Rescue Snow Probe Package

SnowBigDeal
Tracker3 + Probe
SnowBigDeal Backcountry Access BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon + Rescue Snow Probe Package Cover
SnowBigDeal Bundle Backcountry Access BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon Avalanche Transceiver + 240cm Avalanche Rescue Snow Probe Avy Package for Backcountry ski + Snowmobile

The SnowBigDeal Backcountry Access BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon + Rescue Snow Probe Package is a must-have for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. This package includes the BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon/Transceiver with three-antennae digital functionality, easy-to-use multiple-burial signal suppression, and an upgraded design from the Tracker 2. Additionally, it includes a 240 or 270 centimeter avalanche rescue probe to pinpoint the exact location of a victim under the snow. The package also comes with a beacon harness, batteries, and instructions.

What We Like
Includes a high-quality BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon/Transceiver with upgraded design from the Tracker 2
Comes with a 240 or 270 centimeter avalanche rescue probe to pinpoint the exact location of a victim under the snow
Easy-to-use multiple-burial signal suppression and three-antennae digital functionality
#TOP 5

Backcountry Access Tracker3+ Avalanche Transceiver

BCA
C2012006010
Black
Backcountry Access Tracker3+ Avalanche Transceiver Cover
BCA Backcountry Access Tracker3+ Avalanche Transceiver

The Backcountry Access Tracker3+ Avalanche Transceiver is a 3-antenna digital transceiver that offers multiple burial indicator and auto revert mode. Additionally, the product comes with a harness and batteries. This avalanche beacon and transceiver is an excellent tool for users who are going on outdoor adventures, particularly in areas prone to avalanches. With this product, users can quickly locate and rescue their companions in the event of an accident.

What We Like
3-antenna digital transceiver
Multiple burial indicator
Auto revert mode
#TOP 6

BLACK DIAMOND Bd Guide Bt Beacon

Black Diamond
Multi
One Size
BLACK DIAMOND Bd Guide Bt Beacon Cover
Black Diamond BD Guide Bluetooth Avalanche Beacon Transceiver for Ski, Snowboard, Sled, Backcountry, Mountaineering

The BD Guide Beacon by BLACK DIAMOND is designed with soft-touch contact points for better handling. Its Bluetooth feature enables you to adjust settings, update software, and enhance performance effortlessly. With three antennas offering a 60-Meter Circular range, you can cover a wider search area symmetrically. The mark and scan function allows for efficient handling of multiple burial scenarios. Additionally, the Digital Signal Processor helps detect beacons emitting drifted signals, ensuring a comprehensive search experience.

What We Like
Ergonomic Design
Bluetooth Functionality
Extended Search Range
#TOP 7

SnowBigDeal BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon Bundle

SnowBigDeal
BCB-30000-SBD-010-012-010
10 Foot SBD Probe
SnowBigDeal BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon Bundle Cover
SnowBigDeal BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon + SBD 10 Foot American Probe 10 Foot SBD Probe

This bundle contains the BCA Tracker 3 Avalanche Beacon/Transceiver, SBD 10 Foot American Aluminum Avalanche Probe, body harness, and batteries. The beacon is easy to use and comes with a body harness for convenience. The SBD 10 Foot American Aluminum Avalanche Probe is durable and easy to assemble. This bundle is perfect for those looking to stay safe while backcountry skiing or snowboarding.

What We Like
Includes durable and easy-to-assemble SBD 10 Foot American Aluminum Avalanche Probe
Beacon comes with a body harness for convenience
Easy to use
#TOP 8

Mammut Barryvox Pro Light

Mammut
Usa/Canada/Nz
One Size
Mammut Barryvox Pro Light Cover
Mammut Barryvox Package Pro Light

The Mammut Barryvox Light is a reliable avalanche beacon designed for safety in snowy conditions. It features three antennas that enhance signal reception, ensuring you can locate and be located quickly in emergencies. With a digital range of 70 meters, you can effectively search for buried individuals over a significant distance. The beacon uses three AAA batteries, offering an impressive 300 hours of battery life in send mode, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power during your adventures. Additionally, its shovel blade is made from anodized aluminum, providing durability and strength for digging in tough conditions.

What We Like
Three antennas for better signals
70-meter digital range
Long battery life
Durable aluminum shovel blade
#TOP 9

Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon

2710-00140
gray
One Size
Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon Cover
Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon

The Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon is designed to help you detect and locate someone who is buried in snow. It has a digital search strip width of 70 meters and digital receiving range of 70 meters, as well as an extended search range with an analog bandwidth of up to 95 meters and a strip width of 100 meters. The circular receiving field ensures almost identical ranges for X and Y antennas. The beacon is lithium-enabled, meaning it works with lithium batteries that have a longer battery life, are more stable in low temperatures, and have less risk of leakage.

What We Like
Digital search strip width of 70 meters
Digital receiving range of 70 meters
Extended analog search range of up to 95 meters
Lithium-enabled, offering longer battery life and more stability in low temperatures
#TOP 10

Ortovox Diract Voice Rescue Set

Ortovox
2975600001
One Color
One Size
Ortovox Diract Voice Rescue Set Cover
Ortovox Rescue Set Diract Voice Light I Shovel, Probe & Snow Avalanche Transceiver Rescue Bundle

The Ortovox Diract Voice Set is designed for winter athletes and backcountry adventurers seeking a lightweight emergency kit. It features a compact avalanche transceiver with voice navigation, helping you quickly locate a buried companion in emergencies. The included Shovel Pro Light is easy to assemble and provides excellent grip, ensuring efficient digging when it matters most. Additionally, the Alu 240 Light Probe is extremely lightweight and can be set up in seconds, making it ideal for those who prioritize portability without sacrificing performance. This set combines intuitive design and essential tools to enhance your safety in the backcountry.

What We Like
Lightweight and portable
Intuitive voice navigation
Quick assembly shovel
Rapid setup probe
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between an avalanche beacon and transceiver?

An avalanche beacon, sometimes called an avalanche transceiver, is an electronic device that emits a steady radio signal used to locate buried victims in the aftermath of an avalanche.

2. What does an avalanche transceiver do?

An electronic device worn on the body to aide in quickly finding buried avalanche victims. Also called an avalanche beacon, it has the ability to send and receive a 457khz radio signal.

3. Which avalanche beacon is best?

The 8 Best Avalanche Beacons of 2022. Mammut Barryvox.Black Diamond Guide BT.BCA Tracker 4.BCA Tracker S.Arva Evo5.Mammut Barryvox S.Ortovox 3+Pieps Micro.

4. Is a transceiver a beacon?

The Beacon. Any beacon (aka transceiver) made after 1986 transmits a signal at 457 kHz, so any beacon you buy these days works with any other beacon. No matter how many features your beacon has, it still transmits in the same way. In the simplest terms, the beacon transmits a radiating circular signal.

Editor's Notes

During our avalanche beacons & transceiver research, we found 24 avalanche beacons & transceiver products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,345 customer reviews through our big data system to write the avalanche beacons & transceivers list. We found that most customers choose avalanche beacons & transceivers with an average price of $372.43.

The avalanche beacons & transceivers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of avalanche beacons & transceivers, including BCA, BLACK DIAMOND, Mammut, SnowBigDeal, Ortovox. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 110 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Jason Kiser Avatar

Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.