Best Shortwave Portable Radios of 2025
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Shortwave portable radios are a great option for those who need to stay connected while on the go. These radios are compact and portable, making them perfect for outdoor activities like camping or hiking. They are also great for emergency situations when other forms of communication may be down. Shortwave radios can pick up signals from around the world, making them ideal for those who enjoy listening to international news or music. Many models also come equipped with features like weather alerts and digital displays. Overall, shortwave portable radios are a reliable and versatile tool for anyone who needs to stay connected while on the move.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
#TOP 1
9.8
#TOP 2
9.7
#TOP 3
9.5
Top 10 Shortwave Portable Radios
DreamSky Radio Portable AM FM Shortwave
DreamSky Portable Radio is a versatile device with a large speaker that delivers clear and loud sound, making it perfect for listening to music, news, and talk shows. Its strong reception ensures you can enjoy AM, FM, and shortwave radio stations with ease. The analog dials are user-friendly, allowing for smooth tuning. Additionally, the digital LCD display with backlight makes it convenient to see the time and channel. Whether you're indoors or outdoors, this radio, powered by either AC adapter or batteries, is a great companion for various activities.
Eton Elite Executive Radio
The Eton Elite Executive Radio is a versatile and portable international radio receiver that picks up AM/FM/Aircraft Band/SSB/Shortwave radio, Radio Data System (RDS), 700 presets, Single Side Band, Clock and Sleep Timer, Shortwave and Longwave. It comes with a vegan leather case with craftsman stitching for ultimate portability, making it ideal for travel. It is powered by battery and has a voltage range of 110V. It is a great choice for emergency preparedness and entertainment.
XHDATA D219 Portable Shortwave Radio
The RADIWOW D219 Radio is a small and portable shortwave radio that is easy to operate and convenient to use. With just three simple steps, even elders and children can easily listen to their favorite radio band. This radio supports three bands, including shortwave FM and AM, and has great reception with wide band coverage. The DSP chip makes it sensitive to shortwave receiving and better anti-interference indoors. It also has a 21-inch long, 360-degree rotating antenna that strengthens FM and AM reception. The radio offers clear and loud sound quality with a premium built-in speaker and a 3.5mm earphone jack for private listening. The radio can be powered by two AA 1.5V batteries or a DC-IN 5V power cord.
Greadio Portable Shortwave Radio
The Greadio Portable Shortwave Radio is a great choice for radio lovers. It features a big LCD screen, a long antenna, and advanced DSP chip for a strong radio signal. It is simple to operate and convenient to use with two powerful charging ways. It has a premium built-in 2W speaker and an earphone jack for private listening. It is an ideal Christmas gift for your family and friends.
Tecsun PL880 Portable Digital PLL Dual Conversion AM/FM, Longwave & Shortwave Radio
The Tecsun PL880 Portable Digital PLL Dual Conversion AM/FM, Longwave & Shortwave Radio is a feature-rich, PLL synthesized digital dual conversion receiver with unparallelled sensitivity and selectivity. It offers full range coverage including AM/FM, Longwave & Shortwave with Single Side Band, 4 & 5 selectable bandwidth filters on AM and SSB respectively, plus single Side Band receiver with 10 Hz tuning step. It is powered by one rechargeable battery with built-in charger, and includes a 24 hour alarm clock plus sleep timer from 0-120 minutes. Customers have praised its sound quality, power, backlighting, and feature-rich design.
Emgykit Shortwave Radio
Emgykit Portable Radio is a versatile device offering NOAA/AM/FM/SW radio stations, weather alerts, and both manual and digital tuning options. With Bluetooth connectivity, USB/TF card slots, and multiple charging methods like Type-C, hand crank, and solar power, it enhances your outdoor experience. The radio features 7 natural sounds for easy sleep, a headphone jack for private listening, and a timer shut-off to save power. Its emergency functions include a flashlight, SOS alarm, and emergency device charging, ensuring you stay connected during emergencies.
C. Crane CC Skywave 2 Radio
The C. Crane Skywave 2 is a versatile portable radio perfect for travel. It offers excellent reception across AM, FM, NOAA Weather, Shortwave, and VHF Aviation bands, ensuring you stay connected wherever you go. You can enjoy clear audio through its high-quality speaker or use the included earbuds for a more personal listening experience. With features like digitally tuned multiband reception and easy frequency entry, you can quickly find your favorite stations. Plus, its durable build makes it a reliable choice during emergencies, providing crucial information when other communications fail.
Jazmm Portable Shortwave Radio
Jazmm Shortwave Radio is a versatile portable device that combines AIR, VHF, SW, WB, AM, and MW bands in one unit. With a 2000mAh rechargeable battery, you can enjoy over 23 hours of usage. The 5W bass speaker and 6 EQ sound settings deliver high-quality audio. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and APP control, you can pair it with your phone for a personalized experience. Its excellent reception and 995 memory presets ensure easy access to your favorite stations.
Retekess V115 Digital Radio
The Retekess V115 Digital Radio is a compact and feature-rich portable shortwave radio. It has a digital tuning radio, AM/FM/SW radio bands, a built-in MIC recording, line-in recording, and a TF card slot for recording. It also has a bass sound speaker and supports 5 languages. Customers have praised its loud speaker, good radio reception, and its ability to switch between radio and music with one touch. However, it does not receive single side band signals and cannot tune manually up or down a step.
Raddy RF750 Portable Shortwave Radio
The Raddy RF750 Portable Shortwave Radio is a 3-in-1 device that combines a radio, Bluetooth speaker, and SD card music player. It has AM/FM/SW/WB Radio, improved reception, a vintage equalizer look, a compact size, and a NOAA weather alert. It is perfect for campers, hikers, and emergency preparedness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there anything to listen to on shortwave anymore?
Yes, there are still numerous stations broadcasting on shortwave, including well-known ones like the BBC World Service, Voice of America, and Radio France Internationale. While shortwave radio may not be as widely used as it was in the past, there are still plenty of options for listeners to tune in to.
2. Can you still get shortwave radio?
Absolutely, shortwave radios are still available in many countries, including China, India, Iran, the United States, and the UK. Shortwave radio technology is still embraced by various nations and continues to be used for communication purposes.
3. Why are short wave radios not used anymore?
The decline in the use of shortwave radios can be attributed to the cost of AM broadcasting and the changing priorities of governments. Since the end of the Cold War, many Western governments have reduced or eliminated their investment in transmitting on shortwave frequencies, leading to the closure of some shortwave services.
4. Why would I need a shortwave radio?
Shortwave radios are useful for long-distance communication as they can transmit over significant distances. Unlike higher frequency radio waves that have limited range due to line-of-sight propagation, shortwave signals can travel much farther. This makes shortwave radios valuable for receiving broadcasts and communicating over long distances.
5. Is it worth listening to shortwave radio?
Yes, there are still treasures to be found on the shortwave spectrum. With a relatively inexpensive shortwave receiver, you can explore a wide range of broadcasts. Additionally, having a receiver with single-sideband (SSB) capability enhances the listening experience. So, if you are interested in discovering unique content and expanding your radio listening options, shortwave radio is definitely worth considering.
During our shortwave portable radio research, we found 24 shortwave portable radio products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 82,350 customer reviews through our big data system to write the shortwave portable radios list. We found that most customers choose shortwave portable radios with an average price of $60.77.
The shortwave portable radios are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of shortwave portable radios, including DreamSky, Eton, RADIWOW, Greadio, TECSUN. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 3,187 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Jerry Franklin's persistent curiosity and research inspire a love of writing how technical things work and help him build a wealth of knowledge in computer equipment and other electronic tools. He has always enjoyed great pleasure in taking all things apart and researching how to put them together again since his childhood.