Without any doubt, the range is the most important factor of any walkie talkie. Although topography plays a great role in limiting the range, there are efficiently engineered walkie talkies for long-distance communication. These are the most powerful walkie-talkies in the market.
Finding the best long distance walkie talkie is not an easy thing. The market is flooded with a lot of poorly engineered devices. But you don’t have to worry as we have done the job for you. Our team has carried out a market survey to bring the longest range walkie talkies of 2022. We have found 7 walkie talkies offering 30+ miles range. If you are going trekking or is a part of emergency crews, you need one of these.
Best Long Range Walkie Talkies- Our Top Picks
The longest range walkie talkies in the world are:
- Uniden SX507-2CKHS
- Midland X-TALKER
- COBRA ACXT1035R
- Motorola MR350R
- Midland GXT1000VP4
- Craftsman CMXZRAZF668
- Motorola Talkabout T265
Here is a quick overview of these radios:
1.Uniden SX507-2CKHS- Longest Range Walkie Talkie
- 50-mile Range
- Boasts Vibrate alert and ten call tones
- 14-hour battery life
- JIS7-certified protection and floating feature
2. Midland X-TALKER-
- 40-mile range
- Water-resistant
- 22 GMRS channels
- Rechargeable battery pack
3. COBRA ACXT1035R-
- Range up to 37 miles
- Floating and waterproof
- 2662 channel combinations
- NOAA weather channels and alert
4. Motorola MR350R- Customer’s Choice
- 35-mile coverage
- IP-51 dust protection and water-resistant
- Dual-powered
- VibraCall vibration alert
5.Midland GXT1000VP4- Best for Group
- Up to 36 miles of range
- 50 GMRS channels
- JIS4 waterproof protection
- Dual-power options
6. Craftsman CMXZRAZF668-
- 32-mile long range
- 2,662 channel combinations
- Hands-free usage
- Weather-resistant
7. Motorola Talkabout T265- Best Budget Choice
- Up to a 25-mile range
- NOAA channels and alerts
- Dual-power options
- Includes carry-case
Why and when you need Long Range Walkie Talkie
Most walkie talkies on the market are engineered according to varying conditions. While some offer long-range capabilities, others are dependent on environmental conditions that interfere with signal strength.
- To cover the extensive distance, you will need a high-powered device to do the job.
- Most users do not even need walkie talkies with such a feature unless they’re looking for long-distance communication or outdoor use.
- A long-range radio comes in handy when planning family trips like camping, skiing, or hiking, where digital reception is unreliable.
- Professionals such as construction workers, farmers, and emergency responders use these powerful radios to reach people in remote areas.
In a nutshell, you must evaluate your needs before purchasing a walkie talkie unit with high-power handling and long-range coverage!
Best Walkie Talkie for Long Distance- Reviews
1. Uniden SX507-2CKHS – Best Longest Range Walkie Talkie
The most powerful walkie talkie on the block, giving 50-mile coverage! This device is designed to suit your hiking, camping, and other adventure needs!
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Highly durable
- Performs pretty close to claims in areas with little obstruction
- Loud and clear audio
Cons
- The actual range may vary depending on terrain
The Uniden SX507 is a combination of superior looks, features, and functioning. It is well-balanced with the power to achieve its advertised 50-miles of range. It lives up to its claims by covering the said distance in open land under the right weather conditions.
Furthermore, the device is well-protected with its JIS7 weatherproofing. It can be submerged in water (3-feet) for 30 minutes, and it will continue to function with no problems. Moreover, the float feature makes retrieval easier, in case you drop it into the lake!
Other features like extended battery life, weather alerts, and privacy codes are all great to have! The SX507 is genuine in its claims of being a long-range walkie talkie. Whether you’re planning on camping, hiking, hunting, or kayaking, you cannot do without this rare piece of tech!
We recommend that users invest in a GMRS license to get the maximum out of this little gadget!
2. Midland X-TALKER – An all-round powerhouse for outdoor use
This walkie talkie makes you wonder why you would pay more for an expensive radio. Although it’s not the most powerful, you still get a whole lot more for not that much money!
Pros
- Very good performance
- Easy setup
- Excellent range with good-quality sound output
- Outstanding customer service
Cons
- Battery life is not that great
The X-Talker by Midland provides a 40-miles range under ideal circumstances. However, you can expect the range to drop to half in open land and 1-2 miles in the city in less than ideal conditions.
It is designed for ease-of-use, with an intuitive interface. It includes 22 GMRS channels, 121 CTCSS privacy codes, and weather alerts to deliver authentic radio experience. The package also consists of two headsets to aid in silent operation.
The only downside to these radios was battery life. If you’re outdoors and don’t have access to a power source, having a long-lasting battery is crucial. With the X-Talker, we found them lasting 6-7 hours at maximum power setting.
Overall, the Midland X-Talker is a walkie talkie that never compromises on audio quality. It’s tough as nails and undoubtedly quite long-lasting. For the price, you can’t seem to go wrong with this handset!
3. COBRA ACXT1035R – Hot-seller with outstanding specs
The Cobra ACXT1035R is the most stunning weatherproof two-way radio out there! The radio has got all the bells and whistles to be your top-pick for a camping or kayaking trip!
Pros
- Battery holds well
- The range is extensive with no obstructions in between
- Good-quality construction
- Features like weather alerts, float, and built-in flashlight are quite useful
Cons
- Microphone volume is low
The Cobra ACXT1035R is surprisingly powerful even at significant distances. If you plan on going skiing or kayaking, you should bring a pair of these. You can expect a range of up to 37 miles in ideal conditions, which is pretty impressive! However, this range was reduced to about a mile in the city center.
We appreciate its robust construction and weatherproofing. When kayaking, you certainly need a waterproof radio that is easy to retrieve if it falls into the water. The unique float feature on these Cobra walkie talkies makes retrieval relatively easy and also makes an excellent value.
Another Cobra handset worth looking into is the ACXT645, which comes priced lower than the ACXT1035R. However, the only difference between the two units is that the latter has better range coverage and IPX7 water-resistance.
Moreover, the ACXT645 does not provide the rewind-say-again as in the ACXT1035R model.
4. Motorola MR350R – Customer’s choice for long-distance communication
You simply cannot plan your next skiing trip without these Motorola walkie talkies. It’s a little powerhouse of radio with incredible battery life and robust construction!
Pros
- These work great in line of sight
- Long life span
- Crystal clear audio
- Well-made and resistant
Cons
- The range is highly dependent on environmental conditions
This compact-sized device fits easily into the palm and features large buttons that aid ease of use. Although pretty small in size, this radio goes a long way in terms of range.
The Motorola MR350R’s battery held pretty well while on the road. We didn’t have to worry about replacing them during the day. However, if you’re going to be using these extensively, you may want to carry an extra battery pack on the side.
One of the features that struck us the most was the device’s protective tools. It uses techniques to safeguard users against accidentally operating at high power while using FRS frequencies.
This Motorola walkie talkie transmits well in reasonably clear areas. It is highly capable, and its overall operation is quite intuitive. When you consider the price, the handset offers excellent value!
5. Midland GXT1000VP4 – Top pick for groups
GXT1000VP4 is a jaw-dropping handset that delivers across the board in all aspects. Simply put, it’s the best two-way radio to have for large groups looking for long-distance communication!
Pros
- Sturdy and durable
- Great distance coverage
- Battery life is excellent
- Multi-pack for groups of 4-6
Cons
- The belt-clip is not secure
With six units in the set, these Midland walkie talkies are the ideal choice for professionals and group adventures. These units offer users a choice between FRS channels on low power output and the high-power GMRS. For the best range, we suggest using the GMRS channels. Bear in mind; the latter requires FCC licensing.
The Midland GXT1000VP4 units are compact, durable, and have plenty of range. Considering you get six handsets for an affordable price, we find this deal worthy!
Our only complaint is regarding the belt-clip, which seems fragile. Besides that, we’re thoroughly impressed by Midland’s outstanding customer service and warranty support. The radios also have an incredibly long life span and are sure to last you a couple of years!
6. Craftsman CMXZRAZF668 – Excellent choice for value for money
The Craftsman handset is winning critics over its balance of features and performance for an attractive price point. Of course, you don’t get all the bells and whistles like that of a high-end gadget; nevertheless, it delivers strong results!
Pros
- Lightweight and compact-sized
- Superb battery life
- Decent range
- Clear transmission
Cons
- Hard plastic finish
The Craftsman CMXZRAZF668 provides an impressive range of 32-miles in open areas. Although it’s difficult to determine how the unit will perform in a relatively dense area, it will still outperform several of its competitors.
The best aspect of these radios is that they have incredible battery life. You can get through a full day without recharging them. Furthermore, it boasts an end-transmission beep to alert the end-user when you’re done speaking.
The only minor issue I faced with these Craftsman units was regarding the construction quality. These seem to have a relatively low-quality built that appears non-durable.
If you’re setting your foot into the world of walkie talkies for the very first time, this is an excellent place to start! These Craftsman walkie talkies are easy to operate and master. They’re uncomplicated and deliver just what is expected out of them!
7. Motorola Talkabout T265 – The best budget radio
If you’re a fan of Motorola and cannot stretch financially to the amazing MR350R, the T265 is an excellent alternate! Its balance of power, price, and performance makes it the best choice for most users
Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- Fairly durable
- Small and compact
- Intuitive interface and easy to set up
Cons
- Decent range, but it is dependent on terrain
When hiking, camping, or participating in other adventures, these Motorola walkie talkies sure come to the rescue! For a budget-friendly way of staying connected, these perform quite well. We used these high power walkie talkies as a replacement for a cellphone to get reliable and effortless communication.
Safe to say, we weren’t disappointed.
It is critical to note that the device does not entirely live up to its 25-mile range claims. Nevertheless, we found it to be performing reasonably decent, especially when out in the woods.
Overall, I don’t see why these aren’t worth looking into, especially considering their reasonable price. However, you may want to reconsider if you’re looking for a device that covers a distance of 10-20 miles in regions with obstructions.
For coverage like that, you may want to look into the Motorola T460 radios. They cover a 35-mile distance in perfect conditions and also come with IP54 weatherproofing. All you need is to pay a couple of extra bucks, which seems like a fair trade to us!
Long Distance Walkie Talkie Buying Guide
While a device may be advertised as having 30-miles of range, you may not find it living up to the same. If you’re in hilly terrain or surrounded by tall buildings, it can significantly restrict the communication range. You can expect a long-range like 30-50 miles in areas with clear landscapes.
Here’s how to find out if the device matches up to the brands’ claims:
Power
A device’s power output is measured in terms of watts. The higher the radio’s power handling, the better the signal strength and audio clarity will be. Keep in mind; high-powered radios are relatively costlier than standard walkie talkies.
With the FRS radios, the FCC allows a maximum power output of 2 watts. GMRS radios use up to 50-watts of power, have better range coverage, but also require licensing. FRS radios, on the other hand, do not require a license if you’re operating within the permissible power output range.
Design
In terms of design, one of the most critical features is the stock antenna. A taller antenna will offer enhanced radiated power, which will help to extend the range. If you’re more interested in having a compact device with ease of carrying around, you will have to compromise its coverage.
Moreover, you will need a robust and durably-constructed device for when you’re in harsh environments. You should also consider investing in a dust-proof and waterproof device.
Out-of-range alert
This feature is an incredibly important one to have to help you stay safe outdoors. It pings your device to alert you when your device goes out of range. It’s quite a handy function to ensure that your radio doesn’t lose communication with your partner’s radio.
Other features
Hands-free voice commands are great for when you’re outdoors. It’s not a necessity, but rather a bonus feature. You never really know when a hands-free operation feature comes in handy! Another must-have feature is weather alerts, which are essential for adventurers.
When you’re looking to use the walkie talkies out in the wild, it’s quite critical to look at the aspect of the power source it uses. Alongside this, you will also need to look at the choice between rechargeable batteries or extra AA batteries to take along with you. The wise option is to have both for emergencies.
FAQ
How do I increase the range of my walkie talkie?
There are several factors at play that determine a two-way radio’s overall range. Here are some tricks on how to enhance your communication range:
- If your usage is primarily in outdoor conditions with clear-line-of-sight, then an HF or VHF radio is a better choice. These signals travel farther and offer clarity of communication.
- However, if you’re going to communicate out of the woods or on a cruise, UHF is more reliable.
- To maximize the communication range, find a higher antenna to have your signals reach farther away.
- The most crucial aspect, however, is the power wattage. Standard GMRS radios have a 5-watt power handling and get you better distance coverage, but these require licensing. FRS operates at ½-2 watts and offers a decent range, as well.
How many miles can walkie talkies reach?
Long-range walkie talkies are designed to cover 20+ miles of distance. While most devices are advertised to have coverage of 25-30 miles, you can also find a few with a range of 50 miles and over. There are several cellular-software-based walkie talkies, as well, that offer a range of 100-500 miles.
You can expect such a range only in perfect conditions where there is minimal obstruction. To find out how far away your walkie talkie can reach, it’s best first to evaluate the environmental conditions.
Read more about walkie talkies range here.
What walkie talkie has the longest range?
The Uniden SX507 provides communication at up to 50-miles apart. It’s the perfect pick for when you’re operating outdoors. Under ideal circumstances, you’ll be able to get the max out of this walkie talkie!
You can buy it from Amazon by clicking here.
Can you talk to CB radios with walkie talkies?
Unfortunately, you cannot communicate with a CB radio using your walkie talkie. Even though you may be able to receive a transmission, you may not be able to communicate back to the user. CB radios are designed to communicate with other CB radios, and a walkie talkie cannot match up to it.
Conclusion
That’s all about high power walkie talkies for long-range communication. In terms of exceptional coverage, as advertised and in real conditions, the Uniden SX507 is a clear winner! The actual range is pretty close to the claims, and the audio stays reasonably clear.
A close winner, falling just short of the Uniden radio, is the Midland X-Talker. It is an incredibly robust device offering long-range communication, true to its words! Remember that you’re unlikely to get the same range as advertised. You must test out the radios to see if they hold up in all conditions.