A mini CB radio is the right choice for most small trucks and cars. This article will give you a list of top CB radio that fits in your vehicle or small spaces. Our team has conducted market research and tested few small-sized CB radios to find out the best ones. Some of the features that make the best compact CB radio are:
- Highly compact dimension
- Powerful long-range communication
- High-quality material
- Rugged design
- Easy installation
Who Should Get a Small CB Radio?
Small CB radios work best when there is a space limitation to install the radio. That is why these are mostly used in small pickup trucks, SUVs and cars. Some other areas where these tiny radios used are:
- These easy-to-carry radios can help when hikers and truckers in places with cellular network issues.
- Motorcyclists traveling in groups can use pocket-sized CB radios to stay organized on roads.
- Setting up a radio in a space-limited vehicle like cars and SUVs is difficult.
- Using a CB radio over the phone is also not a bad idea. The one-time cost will definitely prove to be fruitful, helping you stay connected.
Best Compact CB Radios of 2023 – Reviews
The top five compact CB radios of 2023 are:
- Cobra 75WXST
- Midland 75-822
- Midland 75-785
- Uniden PRO505XL
- Cobra HH50WXST
1. Cobra 75WXST-Best Smallest CB Radio
>Cobra 75WXST is the best and popular compact CB radio in the market. It houses all the features you are looking for. We recommend it for it’s clear communication and high performance.
- Highly compact CB radio
- Dimension: 1.73 x 2.72 x 4.49″
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Easy to install
- Crystal clear Communication
- Instant Access to Emergency Channels
- Great Backlit Display
Cobra 75WXST is the best compact CB radio in the market. The brand name Cobra itself is an indication of its performance. The dimension of 1.73 x 2.72 x 4.49 inches ensures Cobra 75WXST is the solution to all your space-related issues. An easy-to-mount CB radio, it can be disconnected with ease. You can install it on the dashboard or the glove compartment. The mini CB radio comes loaded with all the advanced features. The dual-watch feature with a 4-channel memory location works great. The CB also gives a channel scan feature- a surveillance feature of monitoring for incoming signals.
One issue with this CB is it’s speaker. You can attach an external speaker to improve the sound output. You can also connect it using your Jeep’s aux to its in-built speakers. Pair it up with the right CB antennas to get outstanding range. Needless to say, get 75WXST to enjoy its stunning performance in a small size.
2. Midland 75-822: Best Handheld Mini CB Radio
Midland 75-822 is the most compact handheld CB radio. It is known for rugged construction and outstanding performance. The CB can be your best buddy if you are planning to use it in multiple vehicles
- High-performance handheld CB radio
- Dimension: 9.4 x 2.6 x 6.7″
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Rugged construction
- Squelch control to reduce noise
- 5-Channel memory
- Rechargeable battery+Battery life extender
The best small-sized handheld CB in the market is Midland 75-822. This can be a great addition to your emergency situations.
The Midland CB comes with a list of amazing features. The squelch control and the ANL make communication a breeze. The Midland radio will reduce all background noise, making the audio clearer. This is important for communication in areas with weak signals. The 5-channel memory saves your favorite channels for easy access. The 5-channel memory feature is better than Cobra C75WXST’s of 4-channel memory. The dual-watch system allows you to track between channels. This helps to stay up-to-date with the happenings of the emergency channel.
Midland gives a one-year warranty for this product. Oh, and did we mention the battery life extender feature? The high/low transmit power settings in the CB helps you to extend the battery life during emergency situations. Being a handheld CB radio, it doesn’t need any installation. Yeah, this compact CB from Midland can be your best pal if you are looking for a CB for multiple vehicles.
3. Midland 75-785: Best for Short Distance
This small CB is great for outdoor activities. It is available at an affordable price range and performs great for short-range communications.
- Dimension: 7 x 2.12 x 1.75″
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Rugged handheld CB
- ANL reduces noise
- Battery saving circuitry
- Affordable
Midland 75-785 is a durable small CB radio for short-range communications. It comes with a flexible antenna. With the ANL system, this Midland radio provides clear communication. This means it is great for all outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, and hunting.
The 75-785 also has an excellent charging feature. The Ni-Cad batteries can be charged without removal, using the Charge Jack. This radio comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. You can use the CB even in the harshest conditions without worrying about the damages.
4. Uniden PRO505XL: Best Budget Compact CB
Cobra 75WXST is the best and popular compact CB radio in the market. It houses all the features you are looking for. We recommend it for it’s clear communication and high performance.
- Dimension: 12.88 x 6.03 x 2.31″
- Backlit LCD display
- PA Speaker
- Provides signal strength
- Volume control
- Most Affordable
The Uniden PRO505XL is the most affordable choice in this list. Weighing less than 2 pounds, it is both compact and light weight. This tiny radio is optimized for both day and night time viewing. It comes with a large, back-lit LCD display. It displays the channel, volume and other features. While commuting on busy roads, an easy-to-read display is important and this is what this CB offers you.
Unlike other top picks in this list, PRO505XL is not a handheld CB. But you can still mount it on your vehicles’ dashboard.
The squelch control helps to adjust weak signals. This provides you with high-quality audio, making way for clearer communication. The user firendly design makes it an easy-to-use radio. The up-down buttons enable users to read while looking out on the road.
The law audio quality is a problem of this radio. You can fix this issue by adding an external speaker. Considering Uniden PRO505XL’s affordability(priced less than $40), adding a good speaker should not be a problem.
5. Cobra HH50WXST: Most Modern Mini CB
Cobra HH50WXST- is the most modern mini CB radio. Though a little pricey, it is jampacked with features.
- Dimension: 6.3 x 2 x 1.75″
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Dual watch
- Automatic channel scan
- Power switch
- 10 national weather channels
- Great backlighting
Cobra 50WXST is a recent model which boosts its small size design. It came as a replacement to Cobra’s 38WXST in 2017.
The CB radio is ideal for local job sites that demand less than 1-mile range. The high/low power switches allow you to adjust power usage. To talk to close proximity, you can switch to low power. While for long-distance conversations you may turn to the high power setting.
Cobra 50WXST comes with a lot of advanced features like automatic channel scan that monitors for any incoming signals. It also has a dual watch like the Midland 75-822. This allows you to keep track of two channels. The microphone/speaker jack is another attraction of the CB radio. It also comes with 10 weather channels to give you all the important information. While traveling through a storm, it can help guide you to safety.
How to buy a Mini CB Radio
People are afraid that going for a compact CB affects performance. But it’s not like that. If you are careful in choosing the CB, you will get astounding performance with a small CB radio.
The Right Dimension
Most people mount CBs in their vehicle’s dashboard. Measure the available space and get a CB that can be mounted in this space. Our top pick Cobra 75WXST is what most people love to get for their cars. This mini radio proves to be perfect for motorcyclists also. The handheld controls and inbuilt speakers are efficient on the road.
Clear Communication
Most CB radios come with noise reduction systems. You should look for two important features if you are planning to use the tiny CB in a noisy environment:
- ANL
- Squelch Control
The Automatic Noise Limiter blocks off all background noise. Both Midland 75-822 and 75-786 have the ANL system. The squelch control reduces any low-quality sound and static noise. All the Uniden Radio comes with a squelch control. However, it may need an external speaker for better audio quality.
Weather Updates
Weather updates are critical for unpredictable weather conditions and natural calamities. Most radios have NOAA Weather and Emergency channels. These channels can provide you with all the necessary instructions and updates. The Cobra HH50WXST comes with 10 Weather channels and Emergency channels 9/19.
Display
Long-distance travel goes on until the wee hours of the night. A readable display in dark is necessary for such travelers. The Midland 75-822 offers a back-lit LED display that is easy to read in both night and day times. Another choice is Cobra 75WXST, for its well-lit display for clear visibility.
Exterior
The appearance and the exterior of the radio also matters. Some additional features to look for are:
- Light-weight material.
- Small, compact size.
- High quality.
- Easy to control buttons.
- External jacks, especially, for attaching external speakers for better sound output.
FAQ
What is the ideal dimension of a small CB radio?
The compact CB radios have a dimensions less than 2″ x 3″ x 4″
How many Amps does a mini CB radio need?
All the mini CB radios are having Amplitude Modulation and are powered at 4 Watts. They work at 5-7 Amp current.
How can I install a small CB radio?
Most small CB radios are handheld and don’t need any installation at all!
Are compact CB radios inferior in performance?
The small-sized CB radio we have listed are amongst the best rated CB radios in the market
Conclusion
We have reviewed the best compact CB radios of 2023. These radios work best for small-range communications and are best suited for small vehicles. They will give you high-quality performance even with their small size. You need to choose the right amongst our top five picks based on your requirement.