Best Marine Two-Way Radios of 2025

"After extensive research, I chose this marine radio and I’m glad I did. It came with everything needed to start, including a user-friendly manual and a quality charger. I monitored channel 16 and received weather alerts, which were loud and effective. The battery lasted four days with full charge. However, I noticed it lacks GPS/Bluetooth for emergency broadcasting, so if you're boating in larger waters, consider upgrading."

"Despite the negative reviews, my radio works great! The sound is clear with a decent range. It's also waterproof, which is a big plus. Just remember to wipe it down after using it in saltwater. I mostly use it for inland rivers and I've been impressed with its performance so far. I would definitely recommend it."

"I bought this radio for my boat after a breakdown incident. It's compact and loaded with useful features. I really think it's essential to get one before you find yourself needing rescue!"

"I can't express how much I love the Uniden UM385 25-Watt Fixed Mount Marine VHF Radio! It has been a game-changer for my boating adventures. Its dependability is outstanding, and the waterproof IPX4 rating gives me confidence in harsh conditions. The Triple Watch feature is fantastic, letting me monitor the Coast Guard channel while staying alert. Plus, the DSC feature is a lifesaver in emergencies, allowing me to send distress signals easily. The NOAA Weather Alert functionality is invaluable for planning trips and avoiding bad weather. Overall, it's a feature-rich radio that has greatly enhanced my experience on the water."

"I replaced my old radio with this one, and it works great! I appreciate the good reception and sound quality. It's a solid performer at a competitive price, and it does exactly what I need it to do."

"I found that the MMSI number installation was straightforward, and overall, I am quite satisfied with the performance. It operates perfectly under 10A after some initial hiccups."

"I found this radio to be incredible for use around my boat club. It's packed with features and the sound quality is amazing. The battery charges quickly and it's very lightweight and easy to use. For the price, the performance is unbeatable!"

"I usually prefer ICOM radios, but I needed one quickly, and this fit the bill. I love that it floats if it goes overboard. The screen is bright, even in direct sunlight, and the speaker is nice and loud. It has high, medium, and low power ranges. The charging station is a great space-saver. I bought this for my skiff and I'm quite satisfied with it!"

"After my son ordered this radio, I knew I had to get one as well. Upon receiving it, I was just as pleased as he was. We've used it with great success and it meets all our expectations. It's a great product that is easy to use and reasonably priced. Thank you!"

"As a professional mariner, I needed a small light radio for various calls. After previously being disappointed with a Uniden MHS350, I decided to try the MHS75 for just $80. This decision has paid off! The radio has better range, battery life, and controls than my last one. I've had no issues reaching the beach, and the battery lasts all day even with frequent transmissions. It's lightweight and seems well-built!"

"I love this compact radio! The battery life is fantastic, and it picks up signals that other radios miss. The knobs for squelch and volume are a bonus. The only downside is that it doesn't float, so I have to be careful not to drop it in the water. Despite this, I used it for two days of cruising with clear and loud reception—the battery was still at 50% at the end!"

"I bought this radio for my outings on the ocean in Monterey Bay. I felt it was wise to have a radio since I sometimes paddle over a mile from shore. It’s a high-quality radio that has held its charge for over a month. I find it easy to set up and use. Since it’s totally waterproof, it fits perfectly in my Camel Back fanny pack. I also got a 12V charger for home use. Overall, I'm thrilled with my choice!"

"I tested it for a raffle prize, and it works awesome!"

"As a full-time cruiser, I was thrilled with this radio until it got a bit wet and stopped working."

"Having used Standard Horizon handhelds before, this upgraded model has exceeded my expectations with its battery life and ease of use."

"I received my order just in time for my ocean kayaking trip. Setting it up was a breeze—just read the guide and I was ready to go. The triple weather alert feature makes me feel safer on the water. The clip fits perfectly on my PFD, but I learned not to use the included batteries; they drained quickly. I switched them out and now feel secure with this awesome radio."

"I’ve owned my Uniden Atlantis 155 since 2021 and have really appreciated its simplicity. The battery lasts several days, especially when I leave it on Channel 16 and transmit on 1W. I found that charging it with a wall adapter improves the charge, and I just replaced the batteries with high-capacity Ni-MH ones. It’s a solid radio for anyone looking for reliability."

"I bought this radio for a friend who loves sea fishing, and he is quite pleased with it. The quick delivery and clear instructions made it easy to configure and use. It's also waterproof, which is a plus for fishing trips."

"In my small sailboat's cabin, it's clear and easy to use with awesome capabilities. I appreciate the multiple scanning features and the automated digital radio check. I opted for this brand due to its Bluetooth capability. The reception performance has been excellent with an SWR reading of 1.15. I was so impressed that I bought the UMRMIC to use in the cockpit regularly. Given the price point, it's an exceptional value!"

"I purchased this radio to replace my old CB on the boat, and it works perfectly. It's very easy to use, and I would definitely recommend it and buy again!"

"This product is very compact and was really easy for me as a first-time user. I'm glad I made the purchase of this important safety device for my boat!"

"I love the high-quality materials used in this product. It feels sturdy and reliable."

"The attractive design caught my eye immediately, and it performs just as well as it looks."

"While it’s a bit expensive, I believe the durability justifies the price."

“I often go boating in the islands and cross the Gulf Stream. This radio adds a bit of extra safety. When I’m on the island, I can communicate with my dinghy and hail my sons from over two miles away — the clarity is impressive. It does exactly what I need!”

“I initially considered a larger, more complex marine radio with GPS, but I was concerned about battery life during trips. Instead, I chose this compact and affordable marine radio for emergencies and marine forecasts. It fits easily in my PFD pocket, has excellent battery life, and is perfect for my infrequent kayaking trips.”

“I bought this radio to listen to boat traffic at my place on Pensacola Beach, and it works wonderfully. The reception is great from long distances without needing to adjust the squelch. However, I did notice that it eats batteries quickly. I plan to replace the batteries soon, but I would still recommend it!”

"I was looking for a simple, basic, inexpensive VHF marine walkie-talkie for my boat outings. I might not need to use this little radio often, but I’m glad I have it just in case. It’s very basic, which I like, and it does receive NOAA weather channels, which is crucial when you’re out on the water. Although I can’t speak to the battery life or waterproofing, it seems well-sealed and should handle light rain or splashes without issue."

"After a few months of use, the batteries exploded while the radio was stowed. I only used it three times, and it was never submerged in water, which left me confused. Fortunately, the seller reached out after my review, and they sent me a new radio at no cost. I'm pleased they stand by their product, and I hope my situation was just an isolated incident. I never had problems with the radio itself, so perhaps it was just a bad batch of batteries."

"I found this radio to be a great deal for the price! It works perfectly, but I do have a minor complaint about the rechargeable batteries that came with it. They aren’t the best, so I plan to upgrade them soon. Overall, I’m satisfied with my purchase."