There’s not quite anything as precious as quality family time. It is usually the high point of any day. Being able to engage in fun, bonding activities with your family is nothing short of priceless.
One very handy device that can improve the quality of time spent with your family is a two-way radio. These two-way radios have a lot more to offer than just being used casually with your family.
They could also be useful devices for parents to provide security for their children. Parents who also want to delay giving their children mobile phones but want to stay in touch with them could also look to these two-way radios as suitable alternatives.
Buying the perfect walkie talkie for family use is no easy task, there are several things to consider. With the different types of walkie talkies available on the market, it is quite possible that you may purchase the wrong kind if you are not properly informed.
That means you may spend your hard earned money on the type that is not suitable to your family’s needs. There are several critical factors that you must consider before purchasing your family’s walkie talkie.
We have listed a few of those factors that you must pay attention to in this post.
Best Two-Way Radios for Family Use & Neighborhood: By Best Feature
Buyer’s Guide: Critical Factors to be Considered before you Select the Walkie Talkie for Family Use
1. Battery/Charging requirements
An impressive battery life will ensure you are able to stay in constant communication with your family, which is very important. You don’t know when you just might need help for a medical emergency, or when a situation requiring security in the home arises.
Having a walkie talkie with sustainable battery life might just save you from harm. The average walkie talkie comes equipped with a rechargeable built-in battery that can serve your family for hours.
Radios that do require long charging hours increase convenience during usage and so walkie talkies with disposable AAs and AAAs may be more suitable.
Walkie talkies that come with a USB port should also include the fast charging feature.
2. Child friendliness
Children are an important part of the family. And so, the perfect walkie talkie for family use should be friendly and compatible with kids.
Utilizing a complicated device with features not accommodating to kids might be too mentally-tasking and uncomfortable to use.
3. Quality/Clarity
When it comes to the perfect walkie talkie for family use, do not budge on quality. Clarity is very important if you want to ensure constant communication with members of your family irrespective of the environmental conditions.
Ensure you select a walkie talkie with impressive sound quality even from a distance or in the midst of obstructions.
4. Price
Walkie talkies do not necessarily have to be expensive to be efficient. You must ensure you buy a quality walkie talkie that is within your budget and attends to your family’s radio needs.
It would be a bad idea to buy an expensive walkie talkie when you know you can’t afford it. Over time, these devices may become damaged or lost.
Purchasing a set of walkie talkies that are too expensive for your comfort may just be a bad financial choice, especially considering the fact that you would need to buy another one.
5. Build Quality
This is especially important if youhave young children who might be fascinated by the device and want to play around with it. They may drop it a few times and, as a result, break it.
The perfect walkie talkie for your family must be able to withstand minor mishandling and still maintain its optimal functionality. Durability helps devices last longer and serve your family better.
6. UHF or VHF
The frequency band on which your radio signal travels is another important factor to consider. We all know that VHF signals travel far distances. However, for family use, you do not necessarily need a long-range walkie talkie.
What you will need is a UHF walkie talkie that is able to penetrate buildings, so you can connect with members of your family at home or in the neighborhood.
7. Usability/Accessories
The most suitable walkie talkie for family use should be easy to operate. Your kids shouldn’t have to struggle with understanding how to use it. Its operation should be easy to understand and simple to use, especially for kids.
Also, it won’t be so bad for your walkie talkie to have a flashlight that you can use when it’s dark at home, an alarm system, as well as other accessories like a stereo just to make life more interesting.
Top 5 Best Walkie Talkie for Family Use & Neighborhood
1. MTM Walkie Talkie
Best for Usability
There are quite a number of really fascinating reasons this walkie talkie is one of the best for family use. This walkie talkie comes equipped with a noise cancelling feature, and so you’re guaranteed noiseless communication.
Its operation is simple for kids to navigate through and master. Additional features like keypad lock feature, ability to call and monitor, LCD backlit display and many more gives this walkie talkie the edge over so many others.
It can go as far as 3 miles in range when in open space, which is just enough for family use.
Specifications of MTM Walkie Talkie
- Squelch system enabled.
- Voice activation, VOX allows for the hands free feature.
- Equipped with 22 channels.
- Drop resistant feature.
- Alarm function.
- Smart automatic power saving run by 3 AA batteries.
Key Features of MTM Walkie Talkie
- Hands free feature.
- Battery saver enhances usage
- Can withstand minor drops
- Multiple channels for enhanced options
- Ability to cancel noise
2. Retevis RT67 Walkie Talkies
Lightweight and Portable
The best part of this walkie talkie is its lightweight and portability, which makes it easy to carry around in home or neighborhood.
Also, When you think of a walkie talkie that is most suitable around the house, and among your family members, you automatically think of one with easy charging accessories.
For instance, it is much easier to use a USB charger as you can connect it to almost any outlet in the house. Even a car charger will suffice.
Even if the amazing battery capacity on the Retevis RT67 Walkie Talkie fails you, you can always connect it to the charger. What’s more, it will be easy for even your kids to connect the radio to its charger.
Specifications of Retevis RT67 Walkie Talkies
- 3000mAh battery with convenient USB port.
- Equipped LED flashlight.
- Advanced C-type headsets.
- Long range.
- 16 channels
- Included LED flashlight
Key Features of Retevis RT67 Walkie Talkies
- Battery life lasts for 24 and 36 hours
- Comes with convenient USB ports
- Equipped with a C type earpiece.
- Simple operation
- Can be used at night in dark places.
3. Topsung 3 Long Range Walkie Talkie
Best for Clarity
One of the things that places this walkie talkie in high demand is its plethora of advanced features, some of which include auto squelch system, low battery alert, auto power saving, voice activation (iVOX), keypad lock and many more.
But these features are not the only things that might interest you in this walkie talkie. It is also portable and comes in bright colors that both adults and kids will love.
The package includes an earphone as well as a mic for easy communication.
If you have older folks at home, this walkie talkie will also come very handy, especially for those whose ears or voice are failing. The product boasts of clear sound and audio quality, a factor of its superior UHF frequency.
This is why its ability to provide seamless communication is trusted by millions of homes all over the world. Its rechargeable 1800mAh battery offers a long talk time with your loved ones.
If you need a walkie talkie that your family will truly love, this is one product to consider.
Specifications of Topsung 3 Long Range Walkie Talkie
- Weather scan alert
- Battery capacity of 1800mAh
- Earpiece and Mic included
- NOAA weather channels
- Equipped with a USB port
- 22 channels and 121 privacy codes
- 20 miles in range
Key Features of Topsung 3 Long Range Walkie Talkie
- USB cable and fast charging enabled
- Impressive 1800mAh battery
- Weather Alert for close monitoring.
- Easy to charge.
- Accessories enhance user experience.
4. Dewalt DXFRS300
Best Build Quality
If you’ve ever had kids, you’ll agree it’s a whole lot of work getting them to sit still and turn the house into a play yard. Even a walkie talkie strapped around the neck will not stop those little ones.
What you have to do is ensure there is no danger of choking. Also, the walkie talkie must be sturdy enough to withstand impact from drops and hitting which are very likely with kids.
Apart from the strength that this radio packs, it is equipped with a shock resistant feature and can withstand a 2 meter drop. It is also waterproof and dustproof for when your kids go out to play.
The Dewalt DXFRS300 is also equipped with a UHF/FM clear reception even when there are three rooms between yours and the child you’re trying to communicate with.
The radio has a key lock feature which can provide security for your device. When it comes to family, we can’t be too careful with security.
There are also enough channels for secure communication to avoid criminals eavesdropping in your conversation.
Specifications of Dewalt DXFRS300
- Waterproof and dustproof feature
- Rugged anti-slip design
- Power saver function
- Auto squelch feature
- LCD display
- 22 channels
- VOX feature for hands-free communication
Key Features of Dewalt DXFRS300
- Can survive a drop from as high as 2 meters
- Extremely durable
- Can cover up to 20 floors in range
- 22 channels for added options
- It is waterproof
- It is also dustproof
5. Cobra ACXT645
Value for Money
When it comes to picking the perfect walkie talkie for your family, you must ensure you select a radio that has important features like durability, sound clarity, useful channels, security and more, but you should also never compromise affordability.
With this walkie talkie, you are exposed to over 2662 channel combinations. That means, there is never any insufficiency when it comes to free channels.
There are also NOAA weather channels that you can utilize with this walkie talkie.
Other additional features like being waterproof to protect against water from the bathroom or kitchen, and having a dual power mode and LED flashlight are some more reasons to fall in love with this device.
Specifications of Cobra ACXT645
- IPX4 waterproof feature
- Over 2662 channels combinations
- Range of over 35miles
- LED flashlight
- Dual power mode
- 22 channels
- NOAA weather channels
Key Features of Cobra ACXT645
- Far range
- Equipped with VOX features
- Protection against water spillage
- Dark operation enabled
- Very durable product
- Also very portable
Comparison of Top 5 Walkie Talkies for Family & Neighborhood
| Weather Alert | Range | Waterproof | Channels | Rechargeable | |
| MTM Walkie Talkie | Yes | 3 miles | Yes | 22 | Yes |
| Retevis RT67 | Yes | 32 miles | No | 16 | Yes |
| Topsung 3 Long Range | Yes | 35 miles | No | 22 | Yes |
| Dewalt DXFRS300 | Yes | 30 miles | Yes | 22 | Yes |
| Cobra ACXT645 | Yes | 35 miles | Yes | 22 | Yes |
Final Words:
Interestingly, walkie talkies are widely used as convenient alternatives to mobile phones, and as a result must possess helpful features that mobile phones wouldn’t dream of (if they could dream).
Although some of these devices are not as durable as others, when compared to mobile phones they could be referred to as rocks. And I do not need to remind you how important durability is for a device that children might have access to.
Our pick for the perfect walkie talkie to give you the most value for your money was influenced by a number of intriguing factors, some of which include; its price which will not burn a hole in your pocket, its durability that is top-notch, and the fact that you are secured when using the device and it provides impressive sound quality.
Utilizing this walkie talkie while you’re indoors with your family will not only give you an unforgettable experience but will also make your family bond stronger than ever.
