The 6 Best Marine band VHF Handheld radios (2023 reviews)

We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a radio. The standard horizon fm broadcast band is exactly that - it's a simple radio that hits all the right notes. This product is easy to use, performs well for inshore boating. It will receive fm broadcast bands between 76 mhz to 108 mhz. It has an expanded receiver allowing the user to tune in to their favorite fm radio station. This gives the radio a much smaller case design yet light enough to float face up if dropped in the water. It comes with a 12v dc adapter for the charger-base. It is used for non-emergency, non-commercial chit-chat.

Why We Like This:

Can listen to commercial fm radio broadcasts and weather
Easy to use, rugged, waterproof, etc
Water resistant, easy to use, good battery life

Best For cigar: Uniden Great Radio

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This compact, well built, rugged handheld marine radio is rated jis8 / ipx8 submersible and is packed with outstanding features. It is great backup radio for bigger boats, or primary for smaller boats without a fixed antenna / radio system. It comes preprogrammed with noaa weather channels and is packed with outstanding features. It is a Marine radio and only permitted to be used in a water vessel.

The battery in the radio has excellent life and it operates great. It is easy to use, easy to understand instructions, and the ability to surf multiple chanels is very nice. The battery lasts a long time as well and the audio sounds very clear and the mic picks up everything very clearly. This is for boat usage, so it would come with a DC (cigarette adapter) charger.

Why We Like This:

Come in very handy during small storms that come up
Charges quickly and has great reception
Amazing backup for coast guard and emergency
Works well on large inland water reservoir

Best For hunting: Uniden Marine band VHF Handheld Radio

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Compared with other radio in this category, the uniden marine band vhf handheld radio has a convenient design. The GPS provides the UM435 with distress call position information. It comes with both a swivel mounting bracket and the flushmount brackets. It works very well and it has a size that fits almost anywhere for installation. On the plus side the unit looks good, is affordable, and feels very rugged. It comes with a connector and 15ft cable. An appropriately sized switching power supply is required to connect this to an AC source. It is compatible with the uniden mrn-gpsk gps receiver.

Why We Like This:

Minimum impedance of 4 ohms & minimum power handling of 10 watts
Low end transceiver does the job
Good sound, clear and also worked really well still even in -5 to

Best For Handheld VHF Unit: Standard Horizon Marine band VHF Handheld Radio

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The standard horizon marine band vhf handheld radio is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily purpose. It can only communicate with other marine vhs radios. It will receive fm broadcast bands between 76 mhz to 108 mhz. It has good range and sounds clear. It features a compact case design and it is easy to operate menu system. It has an expanded receiver allowing the user to tune in to their favorite fm radio station. It will also play the radio if you want.

Why We Like This:

E2o easy to operate menu system
High resolution dot matrix lcd display
Good size for a handheld radio

Best For Marine Use of any size boat: Cobra Marine band VHF Handheld Radio

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The cobra marine band vhf handheld radio's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The primary focus of this Cobra radio is for Marine Operations only. It is a great small cobra vhf for general use aboard ship or in harbour. It is built with an orange core that makes it easy to see while floating and retrieve if it gets dropped overboard. It is equipped with rechargeable batteries, so you can avoid purchasing batteries frequently.

It is designed to withstand the elements, this radio is rated submersible to an industry standard jis7 which gives you 30 minutes of protection at one-meter depth. It comes with a battery charger, with cradle. It comes with only a small wrist strap.

Why We Like This:

Great radio and compact, perfect for pwcs, kayaks etc
You will feel confident in your communication no matter the destination
Good investment for long term

Best For Use: Retevis Marine band VHF Handheld Radio

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Next on the list, we've got yet another radio that manages to win our hearts. It's the retevis marine band vhf handheld radio and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient radio you can buy. The Rm01 handheld marine radio is two-way transmission / receiver supplied with ac 110 vac & 12vdc power charger modules, cable and rechargeable batteries. It can connect to shore timely and smoothly while facing unexpected situations. It has 85% of the features you might ever need except some of the automated gps transmission functions. It can help you get weather information in advance and ensure the safety of personal and vessels.

This model is equipped with USA/ International/ Canadian channels plus ten (10 ) NOAA Weather Alert Channels. There are selective Dual or Tri Watch modes. The output levels are switchable. It can make your charge easier and faster.

Why We Like This:

Three (3) watt two-way marine radio with weather channels and 110vac/12vdc rechargeable batteries
Use for hunting and has excellent range
Smaller than most other handheld vhf radios and slightly lighter in weight