Do you have the curiosity to know about the best walkie talkie for hunting to buy in 2022? 🤔 You can easily Find out now in this definitive list with our detailed review.
Without any further delay, let’s find out. 👓👓
Walkie-talkies, or two-way radios, sometimes seem like a technology that should have been left in the past; after all, we all have smartphones now.
However, there are some situations in which smartphones simply can’t hold up to the capabilities of a walkie-talkie. A smartphone just can’t hold up if you need effective, instant communication between two or even more people.
Unlike walkie-talkies, smartphones are dependent on a cellular network, which can prove a disadvantage when in places where the cellular signal is compromised.
Walkie-talkies function on a local network with a specified coverage range; as long as you are in that radius, you can be guaranteed connectivity.
Walkie-talkies are built for practicality on the field, not for aesthetics. Because of this, some are thick and easy to hold and tend to be rugged, while others are small and lightweight to reduce baggage.
Unlike older models, newer walkie-talkies transmit via digital signals and not analog signals. This means that voice quality is better, and you can speak simultaneously, similar to a mobile phone.
Digital signals also mean better broadcast coverage, and it is not uncommon to see walkie-talkies that can broadcast over 30 miles.
Whether you work as a hunter full-time or it is just a hobby, it is important to be able to communicate on the field with your partners to track games or for other purposes.
Some walkie-talkies are built with certain features in mind to help them fit well into usage scenarios commonly experienced by hunters, such as camouflage, water resistance, and wide coverage range.
Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting – Our Picks 👌
1. Cobra Electronics CXT 1035R FLT
The Cobra Electronics CXT 1035R is built to be rugged and shows from the moment you look at it. The thick build and rubberized grip is all about functionality, so you never let go of it.
You can brave the elements, and you should have no worries that this walkie-talkie can brave the elements with you. It is IPX7 (Ingress Protection) certified, meaning you don’t need to worry about trudging through the rain or wading through streams.
Not only is it waterproof, but the CXT 1035R is constructed to float in water, so if it slips out of your hand into a river or pond, it’s not going down, and the orange build makes it super easy to visualize, even in darker times of the day. And speaking of darker times of day, it has a flashlight built into the base for quick lighting.
When it comes to the radio performance of this two-way radio from Cobra Electronics, it does anything but disappoints. You’ll get a peak coverage range of 37 miles, which is ridiculous. When using these walkie-talkies, you should have very few worries about straying too far out of your partner’s coverage range.
The advantage of digital walkie-talkies is that they can bring much more than communication analog walkie-talkies can.
An example is how this walkie-talkie can access National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather & Emergency Radio signals for up-to-date information on any weather emergencies.
Walkie-talkies that use rechargeable batteries are advantageous because they save money that would have otherwise been spent on alkaline batteries.
However, typical non-rechargeable batteries have their advantages: they can be replaced in the field if you run out of juice, unlike rechargeable batteries.
With the CXT 1035R FLT, you don’t have to decide. It comes with both a rechargeable battery and slots for normal alkaline cells. With this set of radios, the ‘Rewind-Say-Again’ tech lets you playback the last 20 seconds of any message you might have missed, so you don’t need to buzz back in for a repeat.
This walkie-talkie also has VOX capability, which means that you can activate specific features with voice commands; great for when you can reach for the device at the moment, which makes it perfectly fit in our best walkie talkie for hunting 2022 lists.
Pros:-
- IPX7 provides resistance against the elements, along with the floating build.
- Alternative battery options provide versatility.
- Rewind-Say-Again is a unique feature.
- Large coverage range.
- NOAA alerts provide emergency information on the fly.
Cons:-
- The maximum volume is rather low.
2. Midland X-Talker T75VP3 – Best walkie talkie for hunting in woods
This pair of walkie-talkies from Midland is highly impressive and well-suited for hunting.
The first thing that catches you when you look at them is the camouflage finish, which will blend fantastically into the underbrush and other foliage, and is great if your whole outfit is camouflage. Apart from that, you get a large digital display showing information and other details.
These compact devices are water-resistant like most other items on the list, but these don’t specify a level of IP protection. Without that, it is important to avoid full immersion in any liquid.
You get 38 miles of maximum coverage range when using the X-Talker T75VP3 walkie-talkies, which are top-end. You get NOAA weather alerts when using this walkie-talkie, so you can rest when it comes to any drastic changes in the weather.
You’ll get the alerts on the walkie-talkie even if you don’t get them on your phone because you’re out of the network coverage zone.
They also come with a vibrating alert for use in quiet environments and even animal call alerts to play the calls of five different animals. As expected, eVOX technology is present.
You get two options for power on this walkie-talkie, both rechargeable and non-rechargeable alkaline batteries, AA in particular. It comes with a charging dock that supports charging both walkie-talkies simultaneously, which is always welcome.
For just a few dollars above $100, these are walkie-talkies that may be very pleasing to use for hunters.
Pros:-
- Thirty-eight miles of peak coverage range is massive.
- NOAA weather alerts.
- Animal call alerts are a unique feature.
- Camouflage design is a plus.
- Dual battery options.
- Vibrate technology helps you stay silent when it matters.
Cons:-
- No officially stated IP rating.
3. Garmin Rino 110 – Best walkie-talkie for thick woods
Garmin is best known for their GPS and Navigation systems so it might be a little strange, or perhaps you might find it appropriate that they also make walkie-talkies.
Here’s the cool part about this one; it is a hunting walkie talkies with gps, all in one package. With the Garmin Rino 110, you can carry one less gadget when moving through the woods in search of a game.
The Rino 110 is built quite sturdily, with a high-visibility yellow and black body. There is a belt clip on the back to keep it well tethered to your person, great for high-activity environments that require both hands. This walkie-talkie is also waterproof so that it can survive the elements adequately.
Probably stemming from its dual function as a GPS and walkie-talkie, the range on the Garmin Rino 110 isn’t the best.
You can get a maximum of 5 miles of coverage on this one, which isn’t terrible, but may not prove sufficient for certain users in some cases.
However, if the pinpoint location of your partner is something you think would be useful to you, then perhaps the limited range is a worthy trade-off.
The Rino 110 has a feature that allows you to transmit your location to your partner as long as they’re within 2 miles from you, which can be helpful after they’ve downed a deer and need your help to skin it, or whether they are simply just lost.
This device has no rechargeable battery, and you’ll have to settle with typical alkaline batteries. Still, they should do just fine, allowing you to carry spares in case power runs out, unlike rechargeable batteries.
And if your hands are occupied, the Garmin Rino 110 has VOX capability, which means you can activate certain features simply with your voice.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of Garmin Rino 110 that earned it a spot in our Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting list in 2022.
Pros:-
- Dual functions as a walkie-talkie and GPS.
- The position Reporting function makes it easy to locate a partner precisely.
Cons:-
- The range is rather limited.
- Just a single unit is included.
At the time of our research on “Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting”, we found a video about “10 Cute Animals That You Need to Run Away from,” which is worth watching. 🏆
4. Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk
Kenwood specializes in a lot of unlikely areas. From kitchen appliances to car stereos to walkie-talkies. This black walkie-talkie looks industrial and ready for business.
There are no fancy colors or screens on this, with a very formal design. Despite its looks, you can get a lot done using this walkie-talkie. As you would expect for a walkie-talkie suited to hunting, this Kenwood radio can take a stroll through heavy weather and remain intact.
With IP55 water and dust resistance and the military MIL-STD 810 certification, it can handle drops in mud or water with no problem. Heat and cold are no problem here, with temperatures as low as -30 degrees to +60 degrees Celsius.
The TK-3402U16P is not as high-tech as some of the entries on this best walkie talkie for hunting 2022 list, and it shows. The maximum range on this two-way radio is only 7 miles.
This radio comes with VOX voice activation, sending commands to the radio without touching it. That’s pretty much all the special technology in this one.
It’s got a large 2000mah rechargeable battery bundled with it, which guarantees long-lasting use on the field, and a quick charger is included for speedy top-ups when off the field.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of Kenwood TK-3402U16P ProTalk that earned it a spot in our Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting list.
Pros:-
- Great battery life.
- Rugged and built for extreme weather.
Cons:-
- A range is rather limited.
- Just one unit and it is rather pricey.
- Very few added features.
5. Retevis RT6 – Best long range walkie talkie for hunting
This pair of walkie-talkies looks like cell phones did back in the day—thick industrial-looking devices with a long antenna, a tiny screen, and clicky physical buttons.
Walkie-talkies have never been fashion items, however, and this allows the manufacturers to build them with pure functionality in mind.
The Retvis RT6 is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance, which means it can be immersed in a meter of water for 30 minutes, which is enough time to rescue it. It has an LED flashlight for navigation in dark areas.
Maximum coverage on these walkie-talkies is 6 miles, which isn’t that large, but considering the sub $100 piece for two walkie-talkies, it can be considered acceptable.
It has VOX technology for hands-free operation of the device when it is in positions that may be less than ideal, as well as a belt clip to keep it secure.
In addition, it has an emergency alarm and an SOS alert which makes the light repeatedly blink in Morse code for SOS.
Each walkie-talkie comes with a 1800mAh battery 🔋, which should last sufficiently long enough, and a charging dock for each unit.
Each unit also has a hand strap to keep it on your wrist in case you drop it and a waterproof earpiece that can be used in any weather when your hands are full stalking game.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of Retevis RT6 that earned it a spot in our Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting list in 2022.
Pros:-
- The IP67 rating is a high certification and guarantees protection from the elements.
- The LED light helps when hunting in dark situations.
- The pair of these walkie-talkies are rather inexpensive.
Cons:-
- The coverage range is low.
- Alternative walkie-talkies have more features.
6. Motorola Talkabout MT352R FRS – Best motorola walkie talkie for hunting
Motorola is a famous company for their mobile phones, so we expect they should know their way around cellular technology.
However, their expertise goes beyond that. Motorola’s earliest products included radio signal receivers as far back as the 1930s. The Talkabout MT352R walkie-talkies have a modern-looking build and are rather attractive.
They can be purchased in steely-looking silver or high-visibility orange. Either way, you get two walkie-talkie units with a digital display and a rugged build that will survive drops.
An IP54 protection rating guarantees protection from sprays or water mist but does not guarantee the device’s security against full immersion in water. Considering the $300 price tag, a higher IP rating would have been expected.
These walkie-talkies should be perfect for any hunting exercises, with a peak coverage range of 35 miles, which is an expansive range and sufficient for most uses.
An uncommon but super useful feature is the VibraCall feature. It essentially provides a vibrating ringer mode which is super useful for hunters, as loud ringers could scare away the game that the hunter is stalking.
You can also receive NOAA weather and emergency alerts on this device to avoid getting blindsided by sudden severe changes in weather.iVOX technology is available for hands-free commands when you’re too busy to grab the device.
The MT352R walkie-talkies give the option for a 1300mah rechargeable battery and normal alkaline batteries in the form of 3 AA cells.
This versatility is not seen in many models, so it is always appreciated. Alkaline batteries allow for switching on the field, and rechargeable batteries help you save money.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of Motorola Talkabout MT352R FRS that earned it a spot in our Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting list in 2022.
Pros:-
- VibraCall is a unique, useful feature.
- NOAA weather alerts can be very helpful in urgent situations.
- Versatile battery options.
Cons:-
- Rather expensive.
- IP54 rating is low compared to the competition.
7. Cobra Electronics CXT545 – Best walkie-talkie for mountains
The color scheme of the CXT545 is rather subdued. Despite the red accents, the black and grey give an understated vibe, preferably for the best.
Brighter colors are good for visibility in cases where your walkie-talkie might get lost, but duller tones won’t pose the possibility of alerting the game. These walkie-talkies are built very sturdily, with a rugged design with rubberized grips.
The devices are water-resistant, but no official IP rating is stated, so it is likely they can only withstand splashes or sprays of water.
The maximum range of these walkie-talkies is 28 miles of coverage, which should be sufficient for most uses. It can receive NOAA signals for weather and emergency alerts.
VibrAlert is a silent ringing technology that uses vibrations to alert the user of incoming transmissions in cases where ringing may compromise the user, such as when hunting games or in environments that are too noisy.
It comes with VOX, which is expected on most walkie-talkies nowadays. It has an LED flashlight built into the body as well.
The Cobra Electronics CXT545 can use either normal alkaline batteries or rechargeable batteries. It comes bundled with rechargeable batteries, but if you need to swap out for more juice in the field, you have the option.
It comes with a dual-slot charging dock, allowing you to charge both walkie-talkies simultaneously.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of Cobra Electronics CXT545 that earned it a spot in our Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting list in 2022.
Pros:-
- 28 miles of coverage is generous.
- VibrAlert is useful in hunting situations.
- A relatively inexpensive pair of walkie-talkies.
- You can use both rechargeable and normal alkaline batteries.
Cons:-
- No official IP rating.
8. Midland LXT630VP3
Midland has been in the business for more than 5 decades. These walkie-talkies are bright yellow and black, with a sharp color improving visibility in the nighttime. The devices themselves are rather compact and can be held very easily.
The LXT630VP3 is water-resistant but with no official IP rating, so it is best advised to avoid submerging these walkie-talkies in water as they may be built to withstand nothing more intense than rain or water sprays.
The purchase includes a pair of walkie-talkies so you can get started immediately.
A range on the Midland LXT630VP3 tops out at 30 miles, sufficient for most scenarios under which these devices would usually be used, including hunting. eVOX tech is built-in to assist with operating the walkie-talkies hands-free.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather alerts are available on this device and will keep you abreast of any sudden notifications as regards emergency weather conditions.
Midland provides two different options for providing juice to these walkie-talkies. You can use either rechargeable battery packs, such as the ones included with the purchase, or regular AAA alkaline batteries to provide power on the go.
With your purchase, you also get a charging dock that allows for simultaneous charging of the pair of walkie-talkies which all features make it perfectly fit in our best walkie-talkie for hunting 2022 lists.
Below are some of the Pros and Cons of Midland LXT630VP3 that earned it a spot in our list of Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting to get in 2022.
Pros:-
- High visibility design.
- NOAA weather reports help to avoid storms and other dangerous weather.
- Versatile power options.
- Small, compact devices.
- Thirty miles of maximum coverage is ideal.
Cons:-
- No official IP rating.
Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting: What To Consider
Walkie-talkies are sometimes literally simplified and sold as children’s toys with push-to-talk functionality, and that’s it.
However, the market has paved the way for more advanced variations of these devices, some with specific features that would aid users in certain usage scenarios.
Hunting walkie-talkies are an example of one of these scenarios. There are certain features you expect to find in a walkie-talkie built for hunting, and these include:
🖼 Design
Before anything else, a camouflage finish is always appreciated on a walkie-talkie built for hunting purposes, but it doesn’t make or break a purchase.
Some hunters might prefer more compact, lightweight walkie-talkie units to prevent getting bogged down by the extra weight.
However, some hunters prefer chunkier, more rugged devices that can withstand the elements and drops and are generally handled roughly.
Ultimately, the design isn’t integral to the function of the walkie-talkie. Almost all walkie-talkies nowadays have a small display to show a different selection of information.
🎍 Weather Resistance
Hunters sometimes stalk their game through various terrains and encounter streams, rain, and mud.
Hunters need to be assured that no matter what terrain they attempt to traverse, they will still have a functional walkie-talkie capable of contacting their partner.
Weather resistance is best measured using the Ingress Protection (IP) rating system, which guarantees your device an expected level of elemental protection.
The first number in an IP rating following the letters ‘IP’ indicates the level of dust resistance, and the second number, which follows the first, represents the level of water resistance.
Always ensure that the walkie-talkie you purchase has an IP rating aligned with whatever purposes you have your device planned for.
Some walkie-talkies may come with the promise of water resistance but may not specify the level or IP rating.
It’s not that they are being dishonest, but you need to be cautious lest you expose your device to the elements in a way that was not intended and damage your device.
🎏 Range
This is an easy specification to understand, and simply, the longer the maximum range, the better. However, there is something important to know about the range.
The range typically advertised is the peak coverage range, so you should not expect your device to be able to communicate with your partner from outside that range.
This distance is the maximum coverage distance and refers to the maximum distance that could be achieved when testing the product in optimal conditions. ‘Optimal conditions’ in this case refers to a setting or terrain whereby there is no interfering structure. Perhaps from a mountain top to a valley or on the open sea.
However, it is integral to know that these distances will be affected in urban environments or forests by trees, buildings, and skyscrapers; hence, the maximum range will not be achievable.
🔋 Battery Life
Sometimes stalking an animal can take a very long time. It is important to be able to maintain contact with your group or partners. Your choice of the battery pack is very important as it could mean you’re alone in the woods when you run out of juice.
A lot of higher-end walkie-talkies provide both rechargeable and alkaline battery options. This ensures that you can always fit in a new set of cells if you run out. It is recommended to pack a few with you just in case.
🐱🐉 Other Features
Numerous features assist hunters in performing their duties. Things like animal call alerts, vibrate functions, NOAA weather alerts, and in some cases, GPS tracking. VOX technology and a flashlight.
Having any of these on your walkie-talkie could help improve your hunting game.
📗 FAQs on Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting
Below are a few queries on Best Walkie Talkie For Hunting that everyone is expecting to answer, and I did include the same for my readers.
What are the best 2-way radios for hunting?
Here are some of the best two-way radio options for long-range – Midland 50 Channel, Midland 50 Channel Mossy Oak, LUITON, Motorola Talkabout T800, Garmin Rino 755t, Midland GTX1000VP4, etc.
Do walkie-talkies work in the woods?
The presence of trees lowers the radio range, while going to the mountains can block it. Even though the devices promise to work excellently in forested areas, you should expect a limited capacity.
Which walkie-talkie is most powerful?
COBRA ACXT645 Walkie-Talkies are among the most powerful ones. They are an excellent option for two-way radio communication.
Which walkie-talkie has the longest range?
Midland – GXT1000VP4 Two-Way Radio and Motorola T100 Talkabout Radio are among the top options for long-range walkie-talkies.
What is the most powerful walkie-talkie without a license?
DigiX Nano is the most robust and smallest unlicensed walkie-talkie. You can expect the battery life to last for ten continuous hours.
Other valuable features include a remote monitor, group calls, etc. It can record the communication of 200 hours in its flash memory.
Can you use walkie-talkies while hunting?
Yes, walkie-talkies have proved to be the most reliable and easiest way to communicate while one is hunting. It can be more durable than a mobile phone at times.
What is the longest range for a walkie-talkie?
The Motorola MH230R provides clear communication over the hill and up to 23 miles.
Is there a walkie talkie app?
Zello is the best walkie-talkie app. It’s available for both Android and iPhone.
Which is better, UHF or VHF walkie-talkie?
The advantage of a VHF walkie-talkie is that it can cover more distance with less power because VHF waves are longer and remain closer to the ground.
Another benefit of VHF waves is that they penetrate trees and foliage better than UHF radios.
Conclusion
The great outdoors can be wild and vast, making it easy to get lost. Hunting animals in the woods or wilderness can be quite a sport or hobby, and a lot of the time, it requires working with a team or a partner to outsmart the animal and hunt it down.
A lot of the time, however, you’ll split up from your teammate, where hunting walkie-talkies come in. Some walkie-talkies are expensive, and others fit nicely into the budget segment.
You know what you need in a hunting walkie-talkie, and you’ve seen the suggestions, so go ahead and make your move. Up your hunting game and dominate the wilderness.
