Best Handheld Marine Two-Way Radios of 2026
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Handheld Marine Two-Way Radios are essential communication tools for anyone who spends time on the water. Whether you're a professional sailor, a fisherman, or just enjoy boating as a hobby, these radios provide a reliable means of communication in case of emergencies or when you need to stay in touch with other boats or shore-based personnel. They are designed to withstand harsh marine environments and offer features such as waterproofing, long battery life, and easy-to-use controls. Some models even come equipped with GPS and Bluetooth capabilities. With a range of up to several miles, these handheld radios ensure that you can always stay connected while on the water.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Handheld Marine Two-Way Radios
Cobra MR HH350 FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio
The Cobra MR HH350 FLT Handheld Floating VHF Radio is a must-have for marine adventurers who want a reliable communication device for safety on the water. It features a noise-cancelling microphone that blocks background noise, 6 watt VHF for short- and long-range communication, backlit and easy-to-read orange display, and floats in water for easy retrieval. It also has maximum coverage with USA, Canada, and International channels and built-in NOAA Weather radio channel for 24-hour updates on weather conditions and emergencies.
Uniden Atlantis 275 Handheld VHF Marine Radio
The Uniden Atlantis 275 is a submersible floating handheld VHF marine radio that comes with 6 watts of power, an emergency strobe light, and a built-in flashlight feature. This compact radio includes the largest LCD screen in its class, with a paper white backlight display for daytime and red backlight display for nighttime. It is waterproof to IPX8/JIS8 standards and receives all marine radio channels, including all USA, Canada, and international VHF channels, and all NOAA weather channels and alerts. The radio comes with a built-in Lion battery pack, AC & DC charging cables, and charging cradle.
Standard Horizon HX210
The Standard Horizon HX210 VHF Transceiver is a versatile handheld marine radio that is perfect for all your boating needs. It comes with a compact case design and features a high-resolution dot matrix LCD display, making it easy to navigate through the E20 Easy to Operate Menu System. The HX210 is not only waterproof but also floats, ensuring that it remains accessible even if accidentally dropped overboard. Its water-activated emergency strobe light adds an extra layer of safety during emergencies. With selectable output power and the ability to receive weather and FM radio bands, this VHF transceiver offers reliable communication and entertainment options while out on the water. The HX210 also comes with a high-capacity battery and a rapid charger, ensuring that you have power when you need it most.
Standard Horizon HX210 Handheld VHF
The Standard Horizon HX210 Handheld VHF is a compact and waterproof marine radio that has a built-in emergency strobe light, oversized dot matrix display, and an easy-to-use menu system. It can receive all USA, International, and Canadian channels, as well as FM and weather radio bands. The radio also features programmable function keys, a speaker mic jack, and comes with a high-capacity Li-Ion battery and charging cables.
Uniden Atlantis 155 Handheld VHF Marine Radio
The Uniden Atlantis 155 Handheld VHF Marine Radio is a submersible, floating radio with a large, backlit screen and access to all USA, International, and Canadian marine channels, as well as NOAA weather alerts. Its compact size and rechargeable batteries make it convenient to use and its waterproof design ensures it will function even after being submerged. The radio also includes a 3-year warranty.
Uniden UM385BK Marine VHF Radio
The Uniden Marine VHF Radio is designed to keep you safe on the water. Its weather alert feature notifies you instantly when storms are approaching, allowing you to take necessary precautions. With triple watch capabilities, you can monitor multiple channels, ensuring you never miss important communications. The rugged handheld mic lets you transmit messages easily while keeping your eyes on the water. Plus, its waterproof design means you don’t have to worry about damage from splashes or rain, making it a reliable companion for any boating adventure.
Uniden MHS75 Waterproof Handheld VHF Marine Radio
The Uniden MHS75 VHF Handheld Marine Radio has a JIS8 waterproof rating, is submersible for up to 30 minutes at five feet, and features a floating design. It has a 1/2.5/5 watt switchable transmission power, covers all USA, International, and Canadian marine channels, comes preprogrammed with NOAA weather channels, and has instant channel 16/9/triple watch mode.
Retevis RM01P Floating IP67 Marine Radio
The Retevis RM01P Marine Radio is designed to make communication easy and reliable during your marine activities. Its lightweight design lets you handle it comfortably with one hand, perfect for busy port controllers or anyone needing quick, hands-free communication. The radio is IP67 waterproof, so it can survive accidental drops into water or splashes, keeping you connected even in wet conditions. Plus, it floats if it falls into the water, so you won’t lose it easily. With a powerful 1750mAh battery, you can use it continuously for up to 15 hours, ensuring you stay in touch throughout your fishing or kayaking trips.
Retevis RM15 Floating Marine VHF Radio
The Retevis RM15 Marine Radio offers clear communication with its dual-way noise reduction system, which cuts down background noise for both you and the person you’re talking to, making conversations easier even in loud marine settings. Its powerful 6W output ensures reliable communication up to 16 kilometers, perfect for staying connected during boating, fishing, or sailing. The radio's floating design means it won't sink if dropped overboard, and a water-activated alert helps you quickly locate it. Plus, with an IP68 waterproof rating, this radio can handle immersion in water, keeping it safe and durable in harsh marine conditions.
Retevis RM01 Handheld Marine Radio
The Retevis RM01 Handheld Marine Radio is a small and sturdy two-way radio that is waterproof with a strong body shell that can withstand harsh environments at sea. It comes with 88 channel choices, a weather channel, and weather alert to help you get weather information in advance and ensure your safety. Additionally, it has dual watch/tri-watch, which can connect to shore timely and smoothly while facing unexpected situations. You can easily operate and set the functions through a few buttons without using a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are hand held marine radios good?
Today's handheld radios can save time searching for boating friends, ease communications in port, and keep you apprised of threatening weather conditions. Most important, in the case of an emergency, some can continuously broadcast an SOS complete with your GPS coordinates beginning at the touch of a button.
2. Do you need a Licence for a handheld VHF radio?
You must have a separate Ship Portable Radio Licence for each hand held VHF DSC radio. This is because each individual radio is given a separate identity. ... So, it cannot be covered by a normal Ship Radio Licence, as this does not impose any territorial restrictions.
During our handheld marine two-way radio research, we found 24 handheld marine two-way radio products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 50,159 customer reviews through our big data system to write the handheld marine two-way radios list. We found that most customers choose handheld marine two-way radios with an average price of $202.53.
The handheld marine two-way radios are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of handheld marine two-way radios, including COBRA, Uniden, STANDARD HORIZON, Standard Motor Products, Retevis. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.