What is the best hand-crank or solar-powered emergency weather radio with a built-in phone charger?

If you want one emergency weather radio that I’d trust for a power outage or severe storm, I’d pick the Midland ER310. It has a good balance of radio reception, durability, multiple charging methods, and phone charging. Bob Vila’s hands-on testing also ranked it their best overall hand-crank radio.

• Midland ER310 Portable Emergency Crank Weather Radio - $89.99 (MIDLAND)

My top picks

• 🥇 Best overall: Midland ER310 — NOAA weather, AM/FM, hand crank, solar panel, rechargeable battery, and six-AA backup. It also has a USB output for charging a phone, flashlight, SOS strobe, and headphone jack.
• 🥇 Best if phone charging is a major priority: Midland ER310PRO — the newer model has a 10,000 mAh battery, USB-C, solar/crank charging, Bluetooth, NOAA weather, and substantially more power-bank capacity than the original ER310.
• 💰 Best budget option: RunningSnail MD-090P — 4,000 mAh battery, solar + crank + USB charging, AM/FM/NOAA and phone charging. The major compromise is that it doesn't provide automatic NOAA alerts; you have to tune to the weather band yourself.
• 📻 Best for lots of radio bands: Kaito KA500/KA600 — particularly attractive if you want shortwave in addition to AM/FM/NOAA.

One important caveat

Don't buy one primarily because it claims the hand crank can charge your phone. That's an emergency-last-resort capability, not a practical phone-charging method. Independent testing of the ER310, for example, found that hand-cranking wasn't sufficient to actually charge phones.

For a home emergency kit, I'd therefore prioritize:

NOAA automatic alerts → reliable battery → AA backup → USB phone charging → solar → hand crank.

If your budget is around $100, I'd spend the extra money on the ER310PRO because its 10,000 mAh battery makes it much more useful as a phone power bank:

• Midland ER310PRO Emergency Weather Radio - $99.99 (B&H Photo)

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $50, $100, or $150), I can narrow this to the best 2–3 choices and compare battery capacity, NOAA alerts, solar/crank performance, waterproofing, and phone-charging ability.

When it comes to emergency preparedness, the consensus top pick by review authorities like The New York Times Wirecutter —upgraded with modern power demands—is the Midland ER310PRO Go to product viewer dialog for this item..

While older models (like the classic Midland ER310 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ) featured smaller batteries, the ER310PRO Go to product viewer dialog for this item. addresses the biggest flaw of traditional emergency radios: tiny built-in power banks that couldn't realistically charge a modern smartphone.

Why the Midland ER310PRO is the Top Pick

• Massive 10,000 mAh Battery: Upgraded from legacy 2,000–2,600 mAh models, this huge internal lithium-ion battery holds enough juice to actually recharge a modern smartphone multiple times or run the radio for over 200 hours.
• Modern USB-C Charging: Unlike older models relying on outdated Micro-USB, it features a two-way USB-C port for rapid device charging and quick recharging from wall outlets.
• Triple Power Backups: It can be refueled off-grid via the integrated solar panel on top or the physical hand-crank dynamo on the back.
• NOAA Weather Alerts: Features explicit emergency weather alerts that sound an audible siren and flash lights straight from the National Weather Service.
• Bonus Emergency Tools: Includes a bright CREE LED flashlight with high/low/SOS modes, Bluetooth audio streaming (so it doubles as a regular camp speaker), an ultrasonic dog whistle to help rescue dogs locate you, and a digital thermometer.

You can check out full retail options or purchase it directly via the Midland ER310PRO Product Page or browse availability on REI's Midland ER310PRO Listing. [1][2]

Alternative Runner-Up: Kaito Voyager Pro KA600 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

If you want something with multi-band shortwave/longwave reception or alternative battery configurations, the Kaito Voyager Pro KA600 is a legendary heavy-duty competitor. It features multiple power methods (solar, hand crank, USB, and standard AA batteries) and a solid digital display, though its built-in power bank capacity is smaller than Midland's Pro lineup. You can view details on the [Kaito KA600 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. at Fire Supply Depot](https://www.firesupplydepot.com/kaito-ka600-emergency-radio-blk.html?sku=KA600BLK&srsltid=AfmBOopAsptOdbAq-ROdeqNE4PPjEWlCluYQVxP_p6qoE8c4m7FcI0C2UzI).[1]

Would you like help comparing the Midland ER310PRO against a more budget-friendly, compact model, or do you want recommendations on what else to pack in a complete 72-hour emergency kit?

For most people, the best hand-crank + solar emergency weather radio with a built-in phone charger is the:

🥇 Best overall: Midland ER310 Emergency Crank Weather Radio

Why it stands out:

• Excellent NOAA Weather Radio reception
• Hand crank + solar charging + rechargeable battery (plus AA battery option)
• USB output for charging a phone in emergencies
• Bright flashlight and SOS beacon
• Rugged build and simple controls
• Good choice for a home emergency kit, vehicle kit, or evacuation bag

Independent testing guides frequently rank the ER310 among the top emergency hand-crank radios because it balances reliability, reception, durability, and charging features rather than overloading the device with gimmicks.

Best for: A “buy it once and keep it for years” emergency radio.

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Other excellent choices

🥈 Best upgraded model:

A newer, more capable version with:

• Larger battery/power-bank capacity
• Faster device charging
• Bluetooth audio
• Louder speaker
• NOAA weather alerts

Best for: People who want the radio to double as a more capable backup power bank.

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🥉 Best value:

Pros:

• Usually much cheaper than premium models
• Solar + hand crank + USB charging
• NOAA weather channels
• Flashlight and SOS alarm
• 5,200mAh power bank

Cons:

• Not as rugged as Midland
• Reception and long-term durability are more variable

Best for: A backup radio, camping kit, or budget emergency supply.

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🏕️ Best for extra radio capability:

Features:

• AM/FM
• NOAA weather
• Shortwave
• Solar
• Hand crank
• Phone charging
• Flashlight/reading lamp

Best for: Rural areas, off-grid use, or anyone who wants more than just NOAA alerts.

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What I would look for before buying

A good emergency radio should have:

• ✅ NOAA Weather Radio (all 7 channels)
• ✅ USB phone charging output
• ✅ Hand crank (not just solar)
• ✅ Solar panel (backup, not primary charging)
• ✅ Rechargeable lithium battery
• ✅ Flashlight + SOS signal
• ✅ Durable antenna and crank mechanism

One important note: the built-in charger is mainly for emergency top-offs (calls/texts), not fully charging a modern smartphone repeatedly. A separate power bank is still useful for longer outages.

My pick:

• Primary household emergency radio: Midland ER310
• Higher-end choice: Midland ER310PRO
• Budget backup: FosPower
• Off-grid/radio enthusiast choice: Kaito KA500

The Midland E+Ready ER310 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely ranked by experts at The New York Times Wirecutter and Camplabx as the best overall emergency weather radio . It delivers an exceptional balance of radio reception, durability, and essential survival features. If you prioritize maximum battery storage for charging electronics over brand recognition, high-capacity alternatives are also highly rated.

Top Product Comparison

Add to list

• Best Overall : Acclaimed by Wirecutter for superior NOAA weather alert accuracy and excellent build quality.
• Power & Charger : Features a 2,600 mAh replaceable battery that charges small electronics via USB, and can alternatively run on 6 AA batteries.
• Safety Extras : Equipped with a 130-lumen Cree LED flashlight, an SOS Morse code beacon, and an ultrasonic dog whistle to aid search teams. [1][2]

Add to list

• Best for Phone Charging : Designed specifically for heavy power needs with a massive 10,000 mAh internal polymer battery.
• Charging Output : Provides significantly more charge cycles for smartphones and tablets than standard emergency radios.
• Features : Includes a 48-LED reading lamp, a 3-mode flashlight, a compass, and IPX6 water resistance.[1]

Add to list

• Best Budget Option : Recognized by TechGearLab as a reliable, wallet-friendly household option.
• Power Design : Uses a 2,000 mAh power bank alongside a hand crank, small solar panel, and AAA battery backup.
• Lighting : Integrates a 1W zoomable LED flashlight and a 4-LED reading light. [1][2]

Add to list

• Most Intuitive : Manufactured by Eton, featuring a "dump charge" system that immediately sends power to your phone when connected.
• Ergonomics : Provides 10–15 minutes of radio or flashlight use from just 60 seconds of cranking.
• Visibility : Outfitted with a glow-in-the-dark locator trim so you can find it easily in a blackout.[1]

Key Differences at a Glance

To help determine the best fit for your gear kit, are you packing this into a lightweight bug-out bag , or keeping it stored at home for seasonal power outages?

Best overall: Midland ER310

If you want one dependable emergency radio rather than the biggest battery or the cheapest gadget, I’d choose the Midland Radio ER310.

• Midland ER310 Portable Emergency Crank Weather Radio - $89.99 (MIDLAND)

Why I like it:

• NOAA weather reception + automatic weather alerts
• Hand crank + solar + rechargeable battery
• USB output for charging a phone
• Can also use AA batteries as backup
• Strong flashlight/SOS beacon
• Rugged construction and very good reception; independent testing rated it the best overall hand-crank radio.
• Current price is around $80–$90.

One caveat: the phone-charging function is more of an emergency boost than a substitute for a large power bank. The radio's battery is only 2,600 mAh.

If phone charging is your top priority

I'd step up to the newer Midland ER310PRO:

• Midland ER310PRO Emergency Crank Radio - $109.99 (MIDLAND)

It has a 10,000 mAh battery, USB-C, solar and hand-crank charging, Bluetooth, louder audio, NOAA alerts, and substantially more capacity for charging a phone. It's currently about $100–$110.

Other good choices

• FosPower 5200mAh Emergency Radio - $39.99 (Walmart - SF Planet)

• Kaito KA500 Emergency Radio - $54.99 (Kaito Electronics Inc)

• Raddy SH-906 Emergency Radio - $35.99 (Radioddity)

• Kaito KA500 Voyager - $49.99 (Walmart - Hisonic / Kaito)

• FosPower 5200mAh — excellent value if you want a substantially larger power bank for about $40.

• Kaito KA500 — particularly good if you want shortwave in addition to AM/FM/NOAA.

• Raddy SH-906 — inexpensive option with a 10,000 mAh battery, solar, crank and USB-C.

• RunningSnail MD-090P — another inexpensive option, particularly attractive if battery capacity matters more than automatic alerting. One important distinction: it generally requires manual tuning to the NOAA weather station rather than providing automatic alerts.

My ranking: ER310 for the best all-around emergency radio; ER310PRO if you specifically want meaningful phone-charging capability; FosPower if you're trying to stay around $40.

If you tell me your budget (e.g. under $50, $100, or no limit), I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 currently available options.

The Midland E+Ready ER310 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is widely ranked by experts at The New York Times Wirecutter and Camplabx as the best overall emergency weather radio . It delivers an exceptional balance of radio reception, durability, and essential survival features. If you prioritize maximum battery storage for charging electronics over brand recognition, high-capacity alternatives are also highly rated.

Top Product Comparison

Add to list

• Best Overall : Acclaimed by Wirecutter for superior NOAA weather alert accuracy and excellent build quality.
• Power & Charger : Features a 2,600 mAh replaceable battery that charges small electronics via USB, and can alternatively run on 6 AA batteries.
• Safety Extras : Equipped with a 130-lumen Cree LED flashlight, an SOS Morse code beacon, and an ultrasonic dog whistle to aid search teams. [1][2]

Add to list

• Best for Phone Charging : Designed specifically for heavy power needs with a massive 10,000 mAh internal polymer battery.
• Charging Output : Provides significantly more charge cycles for smartphones and tablets than standard emergency radios.
• Features : Includes a 48-LED reading lamp, a 3-mode flashlight, a compass, and IPX6 water resistance.[1]

Add to list

• Best Budget Option : Recognized by TechGearLab as a reliable, wallet-friendly household option.
• Power Design : Uses a 2,000 mAh power bank alongside a hand crank, small solar panel, and AAA battery backup.
• Lighting : Integrates a 1W zoomable LED flashlight and a 4-LED reading light. [1][2]

Add to list

• Most Intuitive : Manufactured by Eton, featuring a "dump charge" system that immediately sends power to your phone when connected.
• Ergonomics : Provides 10–15 minutes of radio or flashlight use from just 60 seconds of cranking.
• Visibility : Outfitted with a glow-in-the-dark locator trim so you can find it easily in a blackout.[1]

Key Differences at a Glance

To help determine the best fit for your gear kit, are you packing this into a lightweight bug-out bag , or keeping it stored at home for seasonal power outages?

If you want one emergency radio to keep in a home emergency kit, my top pick is the Midland ER310. Independent testing rated it the best overall hand-crank radio, particularly for reception, durability, charging options, and phone charging.

• Midland ER310 Portable Emergency Crank Weather Radio - $79.99 (MIDLAND)

Why I’d choose the Midland ER310

• NOAA weather + automatic alerts — a major advantage over inexpensive radios that merely let you tune into NOAA manually.
• Hand crank + solar + USB charging, plus the ability to use 6 AA batteries as a backup.
• 2,600 mAh rechargeable battery and USB output for charging a phone.
• Good AM/FM reception and a clear digital display.
• Flashlight and SOS strobe, plus an ultrasonic dog whistle.
• It's relatively rugged and straightforward to operate when you're stressed or in the dark.

But there's one important alternative

If your priority is charging your phone, rather than having the best weather-alert system, I'd look at the FosPower 5,200 mAh Model A6:

• FosPower 5200mAh Emergency Radio Model A6 - $39.99 (Walmart - SF Planet)

It has roughly twice the battery capacity of the ER310 and still provides solar, hand-crank and USB charging, NOAA weather, flashlight and phone charging. The trade-off is that I would put Midland ahead of it for overall reliability and alert functionality.

For a cheaper option, the FosPower Model D9 (4,000 mAh) is also compelling at around $50.

• FosPower Model D9 4000mAh Emergency Radio - $49.99 (Walmart - SF Planet)

My ranking:

1. 🥇 Midland ER310 — best overall / most dependable
2. 🥈 FosPower A6 5,200 mAh — best if phone charging is especially important
3. 🥉 FosPower D9 4,000 mAh — best value

One caveat: solar panels on these radios are primarily for maintaining the battery, not quickly charging a dead phone. Hand-cranking is likewise a last-resort power source. For an emergency kit, I'd keep the radio fully charged and store a separate USB power bank as well.

When looking for the best emergency weather radio that combines a hand-crank, solar panel, and a reliable phone charger, experts and preparedness reviews heavily favor upgraded models with large battery capacities.

The top recommendation on the market is the Midland ER310PRO Go to product viewer dialog for this item..

Add to list

• Price: Around $100
• Phone Charging Capability: Features a massive 10,000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery acting as a true power bank. Unlike older emergency radios with tiny batteries that can barely squeeze a 15% charge into a smartphone, this capacity can reliably recharge modern mobile devices multiple times during an extended power outage.
• Power Sources: 3-way primary charging via USB-C, an integrated solar panel on top, and a rugged hand-crank dynamo handle on the back.
• Emergency Features: NOAA Weather Scan + Alert (automatically locks onto local severe weather channels and sounds a loud siren), a ultra-bright CREE LED flashlight with a high/low and SOS Morse code beacon setting, Bluetooth streaming for everyday utility, and an ultrasonic dog whistle for search-and-rescue signaling.
• Where to look: You can check details and specs directly via Midland USA. [1][2][3][4][5]

An alternative budget-friendly pick if you want to spend less than $50:

Add to list

• Price: Around $40 - $50
• Phone Charging Capability: Equipped with a respectable 5,200 mAh power bank, which is still double or triple the capacity of standard cheap weather radios.
• Power Sources: Solar panel, hand crank, AAA batteries (backup), and USB charging.
• Emergency Features: AM/FM/NOAA channels, bright flashlight, reading lamp, and SOS alarm.
• Where to look: You can view availability on platforms like Target.[1]

Note on Hand-Cranked Charging: Keep in mind that hand-cranking a radio is primarily meant as an absolute last-resort trickle charge to get emergency news or a brief phone call out. Cranking for several minutes will only yield a few minutes of talk/listening time, which is why having a large internal battery bank (like the 10,000 mAh capacity on the Midland ER310PRO ) that you keep pre-charged via wall outlet or solar is vital.

Would you like help comparing these models' dimensions and weight for a bug-out bag, or are you looking for a specific budget range?

When looking for the best hand-crank and solar-powered emergency weather radio with phone-charging capabilities, performance comes down to reliability, battery capacity, and clear NOAA weather alerts.

Top models stand out based on expert testing and user consensus:

Add to list Widely regarded as a top-tier pick (frequently recommended by testing publications like NYT Wirecutter ). It features a robust 2600 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery that can give a critical boost to your smartphone, a bright CREE LED flashlight with an SOS strobe, and multiple power sources (solar panel, hand crank, and a replaceable rechargeable battery pack). It also has a powerful NOAA weather alert radio and AM/FM reception.

Add to list A more compact, budget-friendly sibling to the ER310 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. . It offers a similar feature set—solar charging, hand crank, flashlight, and USB device charging—in a smaller, highly portable footprint.

Add to list A popular, highly-rated budget choice (typically around $40) featuring a 2000 mAh power bank, an SOS alarm, a 1W flashlight, a reading light, and triple power options (AAA batteries, solar, and hand crank). It's an affordable, reliable addition to a grab-and-go bag.[1]

High-Capacity Generic/Crank Radios (10,000 mAh variants) : If your primary concern is juicing up multiple devices during a prolonged grid failure, heavy-duty 10,000 mAh hand-crank radios (such as various robust online models available via Newegg ) offer massive internal battery storage, though the hand crank and small solar panels on these units should still be viewed as emergency trickle-chargers rather than fast-charging solutions.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Is this for a home emergency kit or a portable go-bag / camping?
• Do you have a budget in mind?

I can narrow down the choice and give you specific feature comparisons.

Best overall: Midland ER310

• Midland ER310 Portable Emergency Crank Weather Radio - $79.99 (MIDLAND)

If you want one emergency radio I’d trust for a home emergency kit, I’d pick the Midland ER310. It combines:

• NOAA weather radio + alerts — including automatic weather alerts, so you don't have to be listening continuously.
• Hand crank + solar + USB charging, plus AA-battery backup.
• USB phone charging from its internal battery.
• Bright flashlight and SOS strobe.
• Good AM/FM/NOAA reception and particularly solid construction. Bob Vila's hands-on testing rated it their best overall hand-crank radio.
• Current price is roughly $80.

One caveat: its battery isn't huge, so think of the phone-charging feature as an emergency top-up, not a replacement for a dedicated power bank. Independent testing found that phone charging consumes a substantial portion of the radio's stored energy.

If phone charging is your top priority

• Raddy SH-906 Emergency Radio - $35.99 (Radioddity)

The Raddy SH-906 is interesting because it has a 10,000 mAh battery, solar + hand-crank + USB-C charging, NOAA/weather coverage, and phone-charging capability, at around $36 in the current listing.

I'd still choose the Midland for a serious emergency kit, because the Midland has a more established track record for weather-radio performance and durability. But I'd choose the Raddy if keeping your phone alive is substantially more important than having the most proven radio.

Best budget choice

• FosPower Emergency Solar Crank Radio - $29.99 (Walmart - SF Planet)

The FosPower A1 is a good inexpensive option around $30, with solar, hand crank, NOAA/AM/FM, flashlight, SOS alarm and a 2,000 mAh power bank.

My ranking:

1. 🥇 Midland ER310 — best combination of reliability, NOAA alerts, durability and backup power.
2. 🥈 Raddy SH-906 — best if phone-charging capacity is the priority.
3. 🥉 FosPower A1 — best inexpensive backup/emergency-kit radio.

Important: Don't count on the little solar panel to rapidly recharge your phone. Solar panels on these radios are primarily useful for slowly maintaining the radio's battery; a fully charged radio or separate power bank is much more useful when you actually need to charge a phone.

If you're willing to spend ~$100, there's also a newer Midland ER310PRO with a 10,000 mAh power bank, which is probably the most compelling option if you want the Midland's emergency-radio credentials and substantially better phone-charging capacity.

Important: Don't count on the little solar panel to rapidly recharge your phone. Solar panels on these radios are primarily useful for slowly maintaining the radio's battery; a fully charged radio or separate power bank is much more useful when you actually need to charge a phone.