Two-way radios have come a long way over the years. They have become more simple, small, and effective communication devices. Presently Electronic markets are full of a variety of models in this segment. It becomes challenging for users to choose from thousands of available 2-way radios, including some cheap and knock-out designs.
Furthermore, a piece of bad advice from friends and others can aggravate the buyer’s problem. Thus, to reduce your confusion, we have tried and tested various brands and their respective models to bring out the best from multiple brands. Our series will help you analyze some top models and choose the best-suited devices depending upon your utility.
This write-up has thoroughly researched the Japanese brand Kenwood and its respective top walkie-talkie models. From being a trusted brand and leading supplier to nearly all segments of the economy in the U.S. for the past 30 years in the automotive and home speakers segment.
JVCKenwood corporation also offers a broad category of handheld two-way radios specially designed for both personal and professional applications. The brand has a clear vision of manufacturing customer-driven as well as market-driven products.
List of Top 5 Popular Kenwood Walkie Talkies and Their Usage
| S. No | Kenwood Walkie Talkie Model | Best Usage |
| 1 | Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk | Best for Mid-Range Indoor and Outdoor Business Activities & Offices |
| 2 | Kenwood ProTalk Digital NX-P500 | Best for Indoor & Outdoor Activities, Summer Camps, Casinos, Offices & Schools |
| 3 | Kenwood PKT-23 | Best for Farms, Inside buildings, Preppers & Clinics |
| 4 | Kenwood TK-3230DX | Best for Restaurants, Retail Stores, Hospitals and Educational Institutes |
| 5 | Kenwood TK-3400U16P | Best for Construction sites, manufacturing units, Education institutes and Warehouses |
Top 5 Best Kenwood Walkie Talkies
The following list of walkie talkies is the outcome of a comprehensive study of Kenwood’s available models concerning 2 – way business radios and our top five recommendations among them.
1. Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk Two-Way Radio
Best for Mid- Range Indoor and Outdoor Business Activities & Offices
Reputed companies like Kenwood have years of experience and had developed technologies to program their products to solve clients’ needs and wants.
This protalk TK-3402U16P model by Kenwood two-way Radio is one of the most popular UHF business two-way radio in the market because of its superior compact lightweight design, durability, and excellent audio quality.
The product comes with 16 channels and 207 Quiet talk codes to transmit clear voice up to 33 floors indoors and up to 7 miles outdoors based on the areas’ density. T
he Kenwood protalk TK-3402U16P is pre-programmed to work with 90 plus (56 Business Exclusive Frequencies) UHF Frequencies, providing the user to select multiple channels in order to get the best possible reception and will work with any other UHF handheld radio programmed to the same frequencies and codes.
This model works on 5 Watts of Power and has a battery time out of 18 hours on a single charge. Kenwood protalk TK-3402 two-way radios are very popular for airports, schools, security companies, and warehousing complexes.
Furthermore, the Kenwood protalk TK-3402U16P can be programmed to work on a repeater. KENWOOD radios offer rechargeable lithium-ion 2000 mah battery pack and a software-based intelligent battery management system such as battery saver and low battery alert tone features.
The package comes with a drop-in fast charger, belt clip, removable antenna, and accessory port cover. The brand offers a two-year manufacturer warranty which is the best in the industry.
Specifications of Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk Two-Way Radio
- 16 Talk Channels
- IP54, IP55 certified water/ dustproof
- Wireless Cloning Mode
- Dual charging option
- VOX and call alert tone
- Channel Scan & Super Lock feature
- Channel Confirmation Mode
- 122 Privacy Codes
- Privacy voice scrambler
- Busy channel lockout
- Rough Die-Cast Chassis
- Four colored LEDs
- Weight is 281gm
Pros and Cons of Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk Two-Way Radio
Pros:
- It has a voice annunciation feature.
- Easy to add additional walkie-talkies with this model.
- Longer battery life
- The Lone Worker function enhances safety.
- Rugged and durable
Cons:
- The actual transmission range is less than 1.5 miles in the city setup. Not suitable for long-range utility.
Why do we recommend Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk Two-Way Radio?
The powerful Kenwood protalk TK-3402U16P is entirely a business use two-way radios loaded with features. This ergonomically sized device is a top choice in numerous retail hospitality segments, restaurants to construction, and factories.
2. Kenwood ProTalk Digital NX-P500
Best for Short Range Indoor & Outdoor Activities, Summer Camps, Casinos, Offices & Schools
Although Kenwood is popularly known for its home speakers and audio devices, the brand also produces top-notch two-way handheld radio gadgets like- ProTalk Digital NX-P500.
This particular high-end short-range UHF radio model will impress you with its IP67 rating and MIL-STD-810 certifications C, D, E, F G protection from dust, water, and shocks.
Furthermore, this 2W power capacity isn’t just extremely-compact lightweight (it weighs around 6 ounces); it’s also equally rugged and extremely durable.
The walkie-talkies have a 750mW loudspeaker ensuring the best audio quality. Kenwood ProTalk NX-P500 has a better battery life-2,000mAh Lithium-Ion battery, providing up to 15.5 hours of talk time and a better range up to 6 miles & up to 20 floors.
ProTalk Digital NX-P500 walkie-talkies work in both analog and digital modes. In addition to the above, this model has features like- a 7-color LED indicator, incoming Call Interruption indicator, VOX-compatibility, minimalist interface, etc.
The 2W power capacity radios come with a lifetime warranty and deliver a range of up to 20 floors /6 miles, while 6 channels provide plenty of communicative flexibility in an urban setup. The device weighs only 0.35lbs and comes in multiple packs.
Specifications of Kenwood ProTalk Digital NX-P500
- 6-Miles range
- Water-Resistance: IP67
- 6 (UHF) Channels
- 2 Watt output power.
- Digital and Analog Capability
- 99 Preset Frequencies
- 2 Year Repair or Replace warranty
- Free Custom programmable user software Programming
- Free Shipping in the U.S
- Submersible up to 30 minutes
Pros and Cons of Kenwood ProTalk Digital NX-P500
Pros:
- Easy-to-use
- Extended range
- Better audio quality.
- Rugged rubber coating never let it slips off your hands
- Compatible with other handheld radios using the similar frequency
Cons:
- Not much to complain about.
Why did we pick Kenwood ProTalk Digital NX-P500?
Kenwood ProTalk NX-P500 offers exceptional audio quality, eliminating all sorts of background sounds caused by noisy connections. The facilitating feature of quick call setup when traffic is heavy is outstanding. Moreover, the small and comfortable design is perfect and highly recommended for short-range indoor necessities.
3. Kenwood PKT-23
Best Kenwood Walkie Talkie for Farms, Inside buildings, Preppers & Clinics
From being the smallest and lightest Kenwood, PKT-23 UHF is the most potent Two Way Radio which fits into your palm. The Kenwood PKT-23 is easy to carry and simple to operate, two-way business radio on the market, making this an easy solution to customers’ productivity problems.
It comes with a multi-charging tray that charges multiple sets using one outlet while keeping extra cords hidden out of the way.
Offering an incredible combination of features like an encoded noise preclusive condenser and Li-on battery, which can work for a couple of days, these walkie-talkies have a built-in LED-flashlight too.
This can be used as a flare or alarm signal, channels scan, frequency domain, VOX function, warning of calls, wireless cloning, Loudspeaker mode, and Super-Lock Kenwood mode, which averts circumstantial channels switching. Again you can assign a specific channel to specific team members.
Although being a small device, the audio output is outstanding. There is a built-in 3.5D jack to connects a headphone along with the PTT headset.
You can charge the device with the provided lithium-ion battery or use a standard micro-USB charger in the case with a smartphone.
The PK23 case is made from aluminum chassis, making it shatterproof and dust-protected. Radio is one tough little radio!
Specifications of Kenwood PKT-23
- 5-Miles range in optimum settings
- Analog radio
- 4 Talk Channels with Scan
- 1.5 Watts of Transmit Power
- 15 Hour Battery Life
- IP54 Durability Rating
- Weight is 3.9 ounce
- Hands-Free (VOX) Use with Optional Headset
- Voice Prompts
- 168 digital quiet talk code
- Bell alert tone
- Micro USB Port
Pros and Cons of Kenwood PKT-23
Pros:
- Unmatched Audio Quality
- Very compact and lightweight
- Protected by a 2-year warranty.
- Compatible with other walkie talkies
Cons:
- One may experience dead spots at the furthest points due to low power output.
- It is not submersible
- Unlike other Kenwood models, PKT-23 doesn’t use the standard K1 accessory connector in its present state.
What makes Kenwood PKT-23 walkie the best?
This is the best pocket-sized analog radios by Kenwood. The compact size doesn’t compromise on features. It meets all military specifications and hence delivers high on durability. What makes this radio different from other business radios by Kenwood and others is its size. Just being the size of a credit card or having a stubby antenna to minimize its overall footprint, this PK23 can also withstand a lot of weathering or take a beating.
4. Kenwood TK-3230DX
Best Kenwood Walkie Talkie for Service Industries like Restaurants, Retail Stores, Hospitals and Educational Institutes
The Kenwood ProTalk TK-3230DX is his latest and updated version of the quite ergonomic designed classic TK-3230.
Convenient and compact to carry because of its lightweight (only five and a half ounces), it offers the same combination of power, size, and battery life as the original and adds even more. This feature makes the 3230DX as good as any other tiny UHF business radios such as the Motorola CLS 1040, 1410.
The TK3230DX puts out 1.5 watts of power, and the 2000mAh lithium-ion battery pack provides up to 18 hours of battery life. The drop-in rapid desktop charger included in the package charges the device in just two and a half hours.
With more than 99 UHF business exclusive frequencies, 6 preset channels, and quiet tones, the 3230DX is now even better (in the older version, only 56 frequencies were present).
The combinations of different 39 QT or 168 DQT code feature adds flexibility and control over business communications. With Kenwood’s built-in Privacy Talk voice scrambling feature, interference is not an issue.
Like in the previous version, the 3230DX also has an individual call, direct call, group call selective calling features, 7 backlit LCD, compander, ten-call alert tone, busy channel lockout, etc. These gadgets are compatible with Kenwood and other FCC-certified UHF radios out of the box.
There is an encoded noise preclusive condenser for stubble blocking and an option to choose from any of the previously invested/preserved channels. Undoubtedly, it had become a popular choice among small and medium-sized businesses in no time.
Specifications of Kenwood TK-3230DX
- 6 Pre-programmed Channels
- Range Up to 5 Mile (225,000 sq ft).
- 207 Privacy Codes (39 Quiet-Talk, 168 Digital-QT)
- Power -1.5 Watt Output
- Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack
- Hands-Free (VOX) Use
- Voice Scramble (Privacy Talk)
- Wireless Cloning Capable
- Manager Key Lock
- 10 Call Alert Tones
- Backlit LCD Display
- Selectable High/Low Power
- 3 Level Battery Indicator
- Transmit Inhibit
- Keystroke Tone Signal
- IP52 Water-Resistant
Pros and Cons of Kenwood TK-3230DX
Pros:
- All control buttons on the device are easy to use
- Enhanced Audio Quality
- Easy to set up, operate and hold.
- Meets all military specifics standards- 810 C, D, E, F, and G
Cons:
- It has a Fixed Antenna.
- The real transmitted Range is average.
- Complaints about quality built had been received.
Why do we recommend Kenwood TK-3230DX?
Bottom line- TK3230DX is a mid-sized model in comparison to PK23 and TK 3400 series from kenwood. Pair it right accessories and you are ready to rock. This is very much demanded model is unbeatable from many perspectives. Be it price, features and durability.
5. Kenwood TK-3400U16P
Best Kenwood Walkie Talkie for Construction sites, manufacturing units, Education institutes and Warehouses
The Kenwood’s 400 series ProTalk TK-3400U16P is another rugged model made to cater to the business circle. It replaces the older version of the brand TK3300U16P.
It offers 16 channels with 90 UNF frequencies band offering clear communications to a range of up to 6 miles or 250,000 square feet. This lightweight model weighs only 9.9 ounces and works on a lithium-ion battery which facilitates 22 hours of standby time.
Kenwood’s 400 series ProTalk® two-way business radios have 2 watts of power output and feature a programmable blue-colored LED for use as a critical indicator.
The audio output power had been doubled with the new 1000mW speaker and worked effectively in high-noise environments. The compact device had been given a slimmer look compared to other models, which provide a comfortable grip and durability during operations.
The gadgets are IP54/55 water and dust resistant and comply with military(MIL) specs C, D, E, F, and G standards. The antenna is removable in this model and is made up of ultra-strong polycarbonate.
Apart from the above, the TK3400 model has all standard Kenwood ProTalk features, including call alerts, hands-free (VOX) capability, channel scan, frequency scrambler, wireless cloning, and Kenwood’s “Super Lock” mode.
This package comes with one two-way handheld radio, lithium-ion rechargeable battery, drop-in fast charger, belt clip, accessory port cover, user’s manual, and two-year warranty from the brand.
Specifications of Kenwood TK-3400U16P
- Up to 250,000 sq. ft. (6 miles/20 Floors) in urban settings
- 16 channels (4 channel model is available)
- FCC License required
- 27 VHF/ 90 UHF frequency band
- 2 Watt power output
- Snap-on side cover
- Scan with Temporary Nuisance Delete
- Internal Vox/Hands-Free Ready
- IP54 and IP55 water/dust Resistant
- Li-Ion Battery lasting up to 22 hrs
- Voice scrambler
- Weight 1.55 pounds
Pros and Cons of Kenwood TK-3400U16P
Pros:
- Push-To-Talk buttons are more comfortable to press.
- The channel frequency assignment is identical to the previous series, making it operational right out of the box.
- Value for money. Price remains unchanged for new versions.
Cons:
- Clip-on accessory cover is difficult to remove.
- Little bit of corrosion issues leading to damage.
Why is Kenwood TK-3400U16P Best?
Kenwood has always come out with dynamic and improved walkie-talkies. This ProTalk TK-3400U 16 Channel Model will give plenty of channels for different departments or divisions, thereby making the business operations much smoother. The easy sync feature of the device with older versions and other Kenwood handheld radios makes it cost-effective.
Final Words:
Kenwood is known worldwide for its mobile and portable radios manufacturing both to commercial users as well as amateur radio gizmos. Kenwood Two Way Radios are among the best two-way radios, which offer unmatched audio quality, industry-leading design, reliability, and superior construction. These compact but sturdy, lightweight radios are ideally suited for people who need convenience in using them.
All Kenwood ProTalk walkie-talkies are built to withstand the harshest weather conditions’ rigors and meet IP water-resistant standards. Kenwood walkie talkies are guaranteed to work alongside any other 2-way radio programmed to the same privacy codes and frequency.
