The 10 Best Airband Radio Receivers (2022 reviews)
We consider a airband radio receiver to be a worthy investment in the long run.
Let’s take you step by step, type by type, and find the best airband radio receiver for you.
Also, you can see our guides on Best Shortwave Radio Receivers and Best Shortwave Radios for a wider range of candidates.
Our review process:
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Buy: C. Crane Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest With Ssb: Buy: C. Crane Great Little Radio READ REVIEWBest For The Money: Buy: Eton Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest For Power Cord: Buy: Tecsun Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest For Good Tone: Buy: Xhdata Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest For Alarm Clock: Buy: Retekess Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest For Power Outages: Buy: Exmax Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest For Global Fm Broadcast Reception: Buy: Junshuntong Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest For Wide Application: Buy: Sdrgeek Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest For High Sensitivity: Buy: Roonmain Airband Radio Receiver READ REVIEWBest Overall: C. Crane Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon C. Crane makes beautiful and good-quality receivers with classic and higher-grade materials. The C. Crane Airband Radio Receiver has excellent reception and it makes for nice quality. You can now listen to fema, long range aviation, ships at sea (think coast guard), space, even spy transmissions and other worldwide communication. Further, it allows for manual tuning, is perfect for travel and it allows for ease of use. Above all, the c. crane airband radio receiver is normal, does everything well and it is great with exceptional sound.Almost all customers agree that the radio allows you to clarify certain signals on the shortwave band that will otherwise be distorted and muffled. Moreover, they strongly agree that the radio is so small it goes everywhere easily. In addition, they also found that this is indeed a radio that makes dx'ing listening fun again. In short, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the radio suits the purpose.Customers say that getting a wave radio antenna, along with radio is useful.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This is made well, it comes with excellent quality and has old style.
- This allows for good "skip" conditions.
- Digitally tuned multiband receiver with superior sensitivity & selectivity enhanced by multiple bandwidth settings.
- This includes a 21' reel antenna to help pull in sw and ssb.
Best With Ssb: C. Crane Great Little Radio
Buy on Amazon The C. Crane Great Little Radio is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily use. The c. crane great little radio is the standard language used in aviation at all airports worldwide. If you live next to a smaller airport, you could ask a local pilot for the frequency or look up “common traffic advisory frequency” plus the airport name. The cc skywave opens up a marvelous world of radio at home or when traveling. The radio is slightly larger, it allows for good sensitivity and has a pleasing design. Further, the radio has an intuitive layout so it is easy to use and has fantastic overall performance. Most importantly, the c. crane great little radio is best for audio quality and has a solid design.Almost all buyers opine that the radio can be adjusted in a number of ways. Further, a few say that the receiver features, great sound, light weight, and comes with ear-buds. Also, they say that this clearly pulls in an FM station that only the Sangean does a good job on.Top Customer Quotes:
- These features out-performs some larger radios.
- This is superior to other small portable swrs.
- Noaa weather radio with alert so you can be warned of local weather advisories.
- This can be used in total darkness.
Best For The Money: Eton Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon Eton makes beautiful and great radio with classical and smartly chosen materials. The Eton Airband Radio Receiver is used for medium wave, It sounds great and has a compact design. And it’s easy to set the station spacing and frequency so your stations come in loud and clear wherever you are. Moreover, it looks good, allows for good sensitivity, it is suitable for small travel size and has a nice design. The receiver is vibrant, the sound is OK, it comes with a case and has a good design. Finally, the eton airband radio receiver comes with a leather case with craftsman stitching for ultimate portability, making it ideal for travel.Almost all customers quickly discovered that the radio is easy to use because it can be set to continually scan and keep finding signals to save in memory. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the receiver is "off" it continues to function as a clock and even shows the battery strength and responds to button presses. In addition, a few also found that the radio is quite loud and the function is not shown on the display. In conclusion, for almost all customers, it was the most suitable.Customers discovered that getting a wave radio antenna and external antennae for portable shortwave radio, along with radio is useful.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This has a large array of memory for recalling frequencies that you'd like to store.
- It is easy to tune their voices.
- This is one of the better portables that does ssb.
- This has a lock feature to prevent accidental button presses.
Best For Power Cord: Tecsun Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon Best part: Tecsun airband radio receiver costs comparatively little and it is available to ship in 24 hours. The Tecsun Airband Radio Receiver is effective, works very well. It has auto tuning storage and has a perfect design. For you convenience, there are 2, 000 memories available for easy access to your favorite stations. Further, it allows for even better reception, is made for good value, It is good for loud sound and has a compact design. The receiver is difficult to program, it is great for customer service and has a nice design. Also, it comes with a standard one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Finally, the Tecsun airband radio receiver is remarkable, It is worth the price and has an impressive design.Most buyers find that the radio is easy to use after a quick scan of the manual. In addition, they say that the receiver is made with North America exclusively in mind, but to a more international market which doesn't exactly have those frequencies as a standard thing, so this is understandable. In addition, they say that the receiver makes a huge difference in station clarity. In conclusion, most customers call the receiver suits best, and no one questions it.Customers discovered that getting a wave radio antenna, with this receiver made their life much easier.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This includes stereo earphone,sssss wire antenna, and a carrying pouch.
- This does not decode rds on FM like the grundig g3.
- This match for a commercial - quality communications receiver.
- This is a whole different animal.
Best For Good Tone: Xhdata Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon Not everyone likes to purchase a receiver for their regular usage, but the Xhdata Airband Radio Receiver would be an anomoly. The xhdata airband radio receiver has great tuning and it is very happy. Listen to the radio, listen to the world. Further, it can fit in the pocket and be carried everywhere for entertainment or study. The radio is reasonable and it comes with a great sounding. Finally, the xhdata airband radio receiver comes with a 3.5mm earphone jack to listen freely.Most buyers opine that the receiver features a multi-purpose display which shows the frequency as well as time, temperature and signal to noise ratio on a nice blue backlit dial. And, they say that the receiver has features like auto-tune and squelch. And, a few say that the radio is pretty easy to program frequencies on and recall them. So, customers were very happy to recommend it to friends and would-be buyers.Few customers bought shortwave radio receiver and external antennae for portable shortwave radio, along with the radio.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This is included in the package.
- This sound is outstanding and it is built with nice sounding.
- In this mode, you do not need to install a battery.
- This is a well built unit with excellent performance in all bands.
Best For Alarm Clock: Retekess Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon Next on the list, we've got yet another receiver that manages to win our hearts. It's the Retekess Airband Radio Receiver and it's widely considered as the receiver that has the most suitable features. The retekess airband radioreceiver allows for peace of mind and it has alarm functions. If you need a sw radio with a long antenna. And, the radio can be fully charged in 4-5 hours. The receiver is recommended to charge frequently. Most importantly, the retekess airbandradio receiver can receive aviation broadcasts within tens of kilometers.Almost all customers quickly discovered that the receiver can receive especially weaker stations and fundamental overload, stronger stations interfering with weaker stations that are further away. In addition, a few strongly agree that the radio features/controls are not intuitive, but it’s because there is a lot of functionality in a slim, compact receiver. Overall, many customers have used the retekess airband radio receiver for more than a few months without any problems, and it shows no sign of giving up.Customers found that buying a shortwave radio receiver, along with receiver is useful.
Top Customer Quotes:
- 24 - hour alarm clock radio with alarm ringing / radio automatic power on.
- Vhf-w can receive campus radio and TV sound.
- This is very portable, sounds great and it is very clear.
- Lock key to prevent you from misusing it.
Best For Power Outages: Exmax Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon The Exmax Airband Radio Receiver is capable of outshining several other radios featured in this list in overall features for the price point. Also, the exmax airband radio receiver can be fully charged in about 4-5 hours from dc 5v power supply/bank. It will enter your favorite channel after selection. Further, the receiver is great with external source, It is very happy and has a beautiful design. Finally, the exmax airband radio receiver is sold in exquisite exd-737 golden color.Almost all customers found that the radio can be charged during power outages with a solar panel with a usb port or a power bank of any type with usb outputs. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the radio is a great gift for a radio geek or kid who wants to explore the airwaves. Further, a few strongly agree that the radio is easy to use without carefully reading instructions. Obviously, this product passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.Customers say that buying a shortwave radio receiver and wave radio antenna, along with receiver is useful.
Why We Like This:
- This provides a 3-year quality warranty plus offers exceptional overall performance.
- A Lock key prevents accidental operation when you put it in your pocket or bag.
- Pick up a practical and special present for someone you care about.
- Opens up a marvelous world of radio at home or on the go.
Best For Global Fm Broadcast Reception: Junshuntong Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon The Junshuntong Airband Radio Receiver is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily needs. The junshuntong airbandradio receiver is black, It features this sketch and has a portable design. 22 commercial and ham radio bands pre configured. This portable shortwave radio is made of aluminium alloy, sturdy and strong. The pcb retains the si4735 package, users can replace the chip by themselves, and the software is compatible. The receiver comes with a durable case, it is comprehensive and has a portable radio design. Most importantly, the junshuntong airband radioreceiver is a portable shortwave radios, lightweight and sturdy components and a unique and exquisite design maximizes portability.They also found that the audio output of this si4732 all band shortwave radio works through the earphone port and the speaker. In short, buyers found this to be one of the best receivers for daily purposes.Why We Like This:
- This is suitable for global FM broadcast reception.
- Good investment for the long term.
Best For Wide Application: Sdrgeek Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon The Sdrgeek Airband Radio Receiver should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. The sdrgeek airband radio receiver is used for case is metal and has a portable design. 22 commercial and ham radio bands pre configured. The portable radio receiver is made of aluminium alloy+metal, sturdy and durable. The pcb retains the si4735 package, users can replace the chip by themselves, and the software is compatible. The radio is great for wide application,sss It is black and has a very simple design. Above all, the sdrgeek airband radio receiver is suitable for global fm broadcast reception.Most buyers found that the receiver does offer excellent reception on shortwave. Also, they say that the receiver takes time to switch from channel to channel and bands. Also, they strongly agree that this radio is portable, it is not weather proof, so if you using it outside, protect this marvelous little radio. In short, most buyers agree that the radio suits them best, and no one questions it.Top Customer Quotes:
- This works well, cannot really pickup much, no weather functions.
- This has a great tuner, is affordable, the features of this sketch and has a good design.
- This will totally recharge in a matter of minutes after that.
- This is powered by an internal rechargeable lithium battery and has a 2" internal speaker.
Best For High Sensitivity: Roonmain Airband Radio Receiver
Buy on Amazon If you often find yourself confused about appropriate and satisfactory radio, Roonmain Airband Radio Receiver is your solution. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. . When it comes to finding a reliable radio, the roonmain airband radio receiver is definitely your first choice.Why We Like This:
- Enjoy listening to aircraft control communications!.
- 3.5mm headphones receive a frequency of 118mhz~136mhz easy to carry.
- Lot of satisfied buyers.