Best Handheld CB Radios of 2026

"As someone who’s been into radios for decades, I picked up this model for a cross-country road trip. The radio itself is very solid, well-built, and offers plenty of features, including reliable weather channels. During regular days, I found CB channels mostly inactive, but in a major winter storm, Channel 9 became extremely active and invaluable for emergencies. For everyday use, CB may be quiet, but in emergencies, this radio absolutely proves its worth."

"After thorough hands-on testing with this handheld CB, I found it to be an easy-to-operate, reliable tool for emergency communication. The manual is well-written and the radio performed admirably in battery tests—offering about 28 hours of listening on NiMH batteries. I also appreciated the fast, detailed support from Cobra’s team when I needed technical info. For my family, this is an optimal investment for local communication needs."

"I've bought two of these radios, and they are well made with everything functioning as expected, especially the NOAA weather channel. My only minor issue is with the squelch control, which sometimes acts up and needs adjusting, but overall, the radios consistently transmit and receive signals well. I’d rate it four stars for that small quirk."

"I've tried different handheld CB radios and after some research, chose this model. It works above factory specs, especially with a 51-inch telescoping antenna. For emergencies, it's a great value at $59. I absolutely recommend it for anyone needing a solid CB radio."

"After using this handheld CB for years, I found that upgrading the antenna is essential for better range. The radio itself is reliable, but the included 'rubber duck' antenna limits performance. Investing in a better antenna boosts its usefulness by miles."

"I bought this for use on trail runs and for lending to friends. It's been reliable for short-range communication and easy to power with rechargeable batteries. My only small gripe is the lack of channel memory and limited transmit range from inside a vehicle, but for the price and intended use, it’s a solid choice."

"As someone who regularly uses handheld CB radios at work, I can say the President Randy II stands out for its compact size, solid feel, and impressive feature set. The automatic squelch control and AM/FM capability make it a joy to use, and with upgraded antennas, I've reached up to 7 miles in range. The battery easily lasts over 12 hours when just monitoring, though it drains faster if you talk a lot. Overall, it's the best value I've found in a handheld CB radio."

"Working in Traffic Control as a Flagger, I depend on a reliable radio. The President Randy II is lightweight, lasts an entire shift, and has a clearer FM band with fewer users. Even though the battery pack isn't field-replaceable and the speaker/mic is proprietary, these are minor compared to the radio's performance. My co-workers are also switching to this model because it simply outperforms other brands, especially on long days."

"I’m really happy with how this radio performs. The rechargeable battery holds up well and, paired with a tactical antenna, the range is excellent. I can easily get about two days of normal use on a single charge. Simply put, it’s a fantastic handheld CB radio."

"I found this radio super easy to set up and move between my vehicles. The versatile power options—being able to use alkaline or Ni-Cad batteries—make it very convenient, and I appreciate that it can function as a standalone walkie-talkie. Just make sure you have an external antenna for the best performance."

"This CB radio is a nicely designed, portable system with several ways to connect and power up. As a handheld, the range and sound are about average, and I really like the variety of battery packs. The battery eliminator for car and base use is a plus, though with the supplied antenna, the range is only fair compared to FRS or GMRS radios."

"I was honestly baffled by the battery case design—it's unlike anything I've ever seen. It needs either 8 rechargeable or 6 alkaline batteries, each in their own fragile plastic case, and figuring out the parts was a challenge. The antenna is about the only familiar-feeling part. If you're looking for simplicity, this might not be it."

"After finally managing to install the metal plate, I found it works just fine and fits my Midland MXT575 mic. The magnetic hold is strong and the plate is sturdy, but I did have trouble with the installation—the small screw snapped off, which damaged my replacement mic. Still, it performed well once installed on my original mic."

"Although this mount is very expensive for just a magnet, it ultimately worked to get my radio microphone set up. I was a bit puzzled by the design choice of putting a ball on it, since I had to buy extra adapters to make it fit my GPS bracket. In the end, it does the job, but I wish it was more straightforward and affordable."

"I decided to get back into CB radio with this Midland, and I'm glad I did. It came with everything as advertised, and I found it easy to set up as a base station, mobile, or handheld. The sound is clear and the radio picks up weather bands too. I was able to chat with someone 7 miles away using a mobile antenna, and the radio worked great during a snowstorm commute. Overall, I'm very satisfied and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and reliable CB radio experience."

"I picked up this radio for a road trip and appreciate its versatility and compatibility with AA batteries and 12V power. The handheld antenna works for short-range and weather updates, while a magnetic mobile antenna improves range. While I did run into an issue with the rechargeable battery pack not working with certain brands, Midland's customer service was responsive and helpful, and with a minor modification, everything now works perfectly. The radio's quality and support make it a solid choice."

"The radio is simple to use and has all the essential controls. I purchased rechargeable batteries and a better antenna for improved signal. After fixing a minor contact issue, everything works fine. I recommend this product for its ease of use and reliability."

"I really appreciate the ease of use and crystal clear audio on this CB. When I switched from the portable antenna to the magnetic roof antenna, the communication range improved significantly, even in hilly terrain. For portable needs, this is a solid choice—just stick with the roof antenna when you can."

"The radio quality is excellent, and I’m able to reach over a mile in the city. The battery lasts a long time, even though it takes nine AAs. My only gripe is the cheap, flimsy belt clip, which could use an upgrade."

"This unit is outstanding for use in the wilderness—I get about 2 miles of range out there and a half mile in the city, which matches my expectations for my area. The sound is clear and the battery life is great."

"I’m impressed by the versatile functionality—being able to switch between GMRS and HAM modes at startup is a significant plus for me. The screen is sharp and easy to read, and I find that it performs exactly as expected."

"When I tested the radio, I noticed the FM transmission comes through loud and clear, but the AM is a bit quieter than I’d like. I wish there was a way to boost the AM modulation further. That said, the adapter for external antennas is useful, even though it needs another connector to fit standard CB antennas."

"As far as reception goes, I can pick up signals from miles away, but the transmit range is fairly limited—it doesn’t reach as far as my other radios. For listening, though, it works well, especially considering how compact it is."

"I've purchased a lot of radios, but what stands out here is the wide range of accessories and antennas included. The main radio works just like my other Baofengs, but this one has a distinctive blue trim that I really like. The battery charges with USB-C, and the package includes adaptors for different setups. I did notice the speaker mic is pretty much unusable—my contacts said I was completely muffled—so don't buy it for the mic. Otherwise, the antennas perform well, especially the longer MaxTalker one. Overall, it's a solid radio package with useful extras."

"As someone preparing for emergencies, I picked up this two-pack for my disaster kit. I'm not radio licensed, so I mainly got them for listening to weather alerts and FM radio. The radios were easy to set up and charge, and the included accessories were a nice bonus. I found the NOAA weather channel access especially useful. For emergency preparedness, I think these are a great value, especially since the price dropped after I bought them!"

"I've been programming radios for years, and I really appreciate the reliable performance and range of these units. However, I have to mention that FCC regulations now prohibit transmitting on both HAM and GMRS frequencies with the same device. While the radio itself works well, buyers should be aware of the legal limitations for dual-service radios. My advice is to use radios certified for either HAM or GMRS, not both."