Best Analog Radio Scanners of 2025

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

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Analog radio scanners are devices that allow users to listen in on a variety of radio frequencies. These scanners are particularly useful for hobbyists, law enforcement personnel, and emergency responders who need to stay informed about what's happening in their area. Analog radio scanners are easy to use and come in a variety of models with different features and capabilities. They can pick up signals from police, fire, and EMS departments, as well as other public safety agencies. Some models even allow users to program specific frequencies, making it even easier to stay up-to-date with the latest news and information.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Uniden BC365CRS Analog Scanner and Alarm Clock Cover #TOP 1
Uniden BC365CRS Analog Scanner and Alarm Clock
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Uniden Bearcat BC355N Mobile/Base Scanner Cover #TOP 2
Uniden Bearcat BC355N Mobile/Base Scanner
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) Cover #TOP 3
Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 7 Analog Radio Scanners

Uniden BC365CRS Analog Scanner and Alarm Clock

BC365CRS
Black
One Size
Uniden BC365CRS Analog Scanner and Alarm Clock Cover
Uniden BC365CRS 500 Channel Scanner and Alarm Clock, Snooze, FM Radio, Weather Alerts, Search Bands used for Aviation, Railroad, Marine, Non-Digital Police/Fire/Public Safety transmissions and more

The Uniden BC365CRS is an all-in-one conventional Analog Scanner, Alarm Clock, and FM Radio with 500 channels that can store your favorite local broadcasts. It has a clear LCD backlit display that's easy to read at night, and the buttons are nicely laid out for ease of use. You can save your most important frequencies into priority channels and set the BC365CRS to wake you up to scanning, a weather channel, or your favorite FM station. Please note that this scanner is not for receiving digital communications.

What We Like
Can store up to 500 channels with convenient preset searches
Built-in FM radio and alarm clock with snooze and sleep functions
Attractive design that's easy to read and use
#TOP 2

Uniden Bearcat BC355N Mobile/Base Scanner

BC355N
Black
One Size
Uniden Bearcat BC355N Mobile/Base Scanner Cover
Uniden BC355N 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner, Close Call Capture, Pre-programmed Search “Action” Bands to Hear Non-Digital Police, Ambulance, Fire, Amateur Radio, Public Utilities, Weather & more

The Uniden Bearcat BC355N Mobile/Base Scanner is a comprehensive scanner that can pick up analog receptions such as Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Marine, Air, Weather, and CB frequencies. Its pre-programmed search allows you to instantly tune to signals from nearby transmitters and helps you stay on top of local happenings and emergencies in your area. You can save up to 300 frequencies that are scanned along with the preset frequencies. The scanner comes with a backlit display, making it easier to read in low light conditions, and gives you more options for supplying power at home or in your car.

What We Like
Wide frequency range that covers various analog services
Close Call RF Capture Technology for easy detection of nearby transmitters
Ability to save up to 300 frequencies for quick access
#TOP 3

Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X)

BCT15X
Black
Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) Cover
Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) with 9,000 Channels, TrunkTracker III Technology, Base/Mobile Design, Close Call RF Capture Technology with Location-Based Scanning, - Black Color

The Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) is a mobile scanner with 9,000 Channels, TrunkTracker III Technology, and Close Call RF Capture Technology. It features location-based scanning, state-by-state preprogrammed channels, and 100 system Quick Keys. The scanner offers continuous band coverage from 25MHz to 1.3GHz, excluding UHF TV and Cellular. Please note that this scanner is not compatible with digital communication.

What We Like
Large number of channels and TrunkTracker III technology allows users to keep up with the action of various systems.
Location-Based scanning and state-by-state preprogrammed channels make it easy to access local police, DOT, and Highway Patrol frequencies when traveling.
100 system Quick Keys and 10-channel group Quick Keys per system provide rapid access to frequently used channels.

Uniden Bearcat BC75XLT Handheld Scanner

BC75XLT
BC75XLT
Small
Uniden Bearcat BC75XLT Handheld Scanner Cover
Uniden Bearcat BC75XLT Handheld Scanner, 300 Channels, 10 banks, Close Call Technology, PC Programable, NOAA Weather, Aviation, Marine, Railroad, NASCAR, and Non-Digital Police/Fire/Public Safety

The Uniden Bearcat BC75XLT Handheld Scanner allows you to listen in and stay informed with 300 user-programmable channels in a compact design featuring Close Call RF capture technology, which instantly tunes to signals from nearby transmitters. You can listen to over 32,000 frequencies, including civilian and military bands, and search more efficiently with 300 channels divided into 10 storage banks. The scanner has a lightweight portable design and convenient pre-sets for the most popular searches, making it easy to find channels that interest you. Please note that this product is not suitable for trunking or digital radio system monitoring.

What We Like
Compact design with 300 user-programmable channels
Close Call RF capture technology instantly tunes to nearby transmitters
Listen to over 32,000 frequencies
300 channels divided into 10 storage banks for efficient searches
Lightweight, portable design with convenient pre-sets
#TOP 5

Uniden HomePatrol-2 Simple Program Digital Scanner

HomePatrol-2
black
Uniden HomePatrol-2 Simple Program Digital Scanner Cover
Uniden HomePatrol-2 Color Touchscreen Scanner with TrunkTracker V/S/A/M/E, APCO P25, Emergency Alerts - Covers USA and Canada

The Uniden HomePatrol-2 Digital Scanner is designed for those who want to quickly listen to communications systems used by Public Safety, Police, Fire, Ambulance, Aircraft, Military, Weather, and more. With the digital touch screen, users can easily see a list of radio services and select the ones they want to listen to. The scanner is equipped with a standard headset jack, and it can receive all unencrypted, non-proprietary radio systems, including APCO-25 Phase I and Phase II digital, Motorola, EDACS, LTR, conventional analog, and P25 digital channels. The scanner covers the USA and Canada, and an optional GPS receiver is also available.

What We Like
Easy to use digital touch screen
Equipped with a standard headset jack
Can receive all unencrypted, non-proprietary radio systems, including APCO-25 Phase I and Phase II digital, Motorola, EDACS, LTR, conventional analog, and P25 digital channels.
#TOP 6

Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner

BCD996P2
Black
Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner Cover
Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner, 25,000 Dynamically Allocated Channels, Close Call RF Capture Technology, 4-Line Alpha display, Base/Mobile Design, Phase 2

The Uniden BCD996P2 Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner is a powerful and useful Public Safety scanner with an advanced digital decoding system and large memory bank. It comes equipped with Uniden exclusive features like Advanced Dynamic Memory System, Close Call RF Capture Technology, and GPS compatibility. With 25,000 channels, TrunkTracker V technology, and location-based scanning, you can stay informed when you're on the go. Additionally, it offers DCS/CTCSS Rapid Decode and S.A.M.E. Weather Alert to quickly detect and display sub-audible tones and alert you of severe conditions in your area.

What We Like
Advanced digital decoding system and large memory bank
Exclusive features like Advanced Dynamic Memory System, Close Call RF Capture Technology, and GPS compatibility
25,000 channels, TrunkTracker V technology, and location-based scanning
#TOP 7

Uniden BC365CRS & BC355N Radio Scanner

BC365CRS
Black
Uniden BC365CRS & BC355N Radio Scanner Cover
Uniden BC365CRS 500 Channel Clock/FM Radio Scanner with Weather Alert & BC355N 800 MHz 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner, Close Call RF Capture, Black

The Uniden BC365CRS 500 Channel Clock/FM Radio Scanner with Weather Alert and BC355N 800 MHz 300-Channel Base/Mobile Scanner, also known as the Uniden Radio Scanner, is a versatile device that allows you to easily scan and listen to a wide range of frequencies. With 500 channels in 10 banks, you can easily search for local public safety channels, as well as bands used for police, fire/EMS, aircraft, amateur radio, and marine transmissions. It also features a built-in FM radio with 30 presets, allowing you to listen to your favorite local stations. The built-in alarm clock lets you wake up to your favorite FM station, a weather channel, or scanning. With the Uniden Radio Scanner, you can stay informed and entertained with ease.

What We Like
Versatile Scanning
Built-in FM radio
Alarm clock with multiple options
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you still use analog scanners?

These scanners are obsolete primarily due to the fact that over the past few years, more and more public safety agencies have been transitioning towards operating on trunked and digital radio systems making some of these older analog scanners obsolete. ...

2. Will a digital police scanner pick up analog?

Digital: If you get more into it, you'll want to upgrade to a digital scanner because most digital scanners can pick up both analog and digital signals. ... If this is the system your local agencies use, you'll need a scanner with trunk-tracking capabilities.

3. Is a radio scanner illegal?

Still, just about every state makes it legal to own a police scanner radio. So you may be allowed to legally listen in on the police. ... Other states like California, Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia allow mobile scanners, but make it illegal to use them in the commission of a crime.

4. Whats the difference between digital and analog scanners?

Hello varian1, From what i understand the difference between analog and Digital is that analog goes out over the airwaves just as it is Digital is when speaking into the radio the voice is converted to 0s and 1s and goes out over the airwaves as 1s and 0s and gets converted back with a digital ready scanner to voice ...

Editor's Notes

During our analog radio scanner research, we found 24 analog radio scanner products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 109,673 customer reviews through our big data system to write the analog radio scanners list. We found that most customers choose analog radio scanners with an average price of $264.39.

The analog radio scanners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of analog radio scanners, including Uniden and more. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

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.