Phone Charging or Pocket Size? How to Choose an Emergency Radio in Canada

When the power goes out, you still want a way to hear what is happening. The Government of Canada says an emergency kit should include a radio to stay informed, and its checklist asks for a wind-up or battery-powered one. Here are four top-selling hand-crank and solar models, and the question to answer before you buy: do you also want the radio to charge your phone?

How do the four radios compare side by side?

Radio	Power sources	Battery	Phone charging	Weather band	Weight
Raynic	Rechargeable battery, solar, hand crank, AAA, wall power	12000mAh	USB-A and USB-C ports	Where available, may be limited in Canada	830 g
Emgykit	Hand crank, solar, Type-C	2000mAh (title)	Not mentioned	NOAA listed	230 g
10000mAh model	Rechargeable battery, solar, hand crank, USB-C	10000mAh	Backup power for a smartphone	NOAA listed	580 g
Auto NOAA model	Rechargeable battery, solar, hand crank, wall plug, AAA	5000 (no unit given)	Can charge more than one cellphone	NOAA auto scan listed	510 g

Specs as listed on Amazon. Check the current product page before you order.

What does the Government of Canada say about radios in an emergency kit?

The basic emergency kit checklist lists a wind-up or battery-powered radio, a wind-up or battery-powered flashlight, spare batteries and battery packs, and a charger for your mobile phone plus a power bank. It says the kit should keep people safe and comfortable for at least 3 days (72 hours).

The emergency kits page says to pack extra batteries or buy the kind that can be manually powered, and to replace items that may expire, such as food, water, batteries and medications, at least once a year. All four radios above list a hand crank and a solar panel, which is the manually powered kind. The Raynic, the 10000mAh model and the Auto NOAA model also describe charging a phone, which overlaps with the phone charger and power bank item on the checklist.

Do you need a weather band radio in Canada?

The Government of Canada says Weatheradio and Hello Weather are no longer in service. For local forecasts and alerts, it points to the WeatherCAN app and the interactive weather map at weather.gc.ca.

Three of the four product pages above mention NOAA weather band, and the Raynic description says weather band availability varies by region and may be limited in Canada. So treat weather band as a bonus, not a reason to buy, and choose on AM/FM reception, power and charging instead. If you rely on the WeatherCAN app, a phone that stays charged matters, and that is where the models with a USB port help.

What should you look for in an emergency radio?

• AM/FM reception. All four list AM/FM, and the Auto NOAA description adds shortwave. The Raynic description says it receives AM/FM broadcasts for information during emergencies such as snowstorms, wildfires, floods and power outages.
• Power that does not need an outlet. All four list a hand crank and a solar panel. The Raynic and the Auto NOAA model also list AAA batteries.
• Phone charging. The Raynic lists USB-A and USB-C ports. The 10000mAh and Auto NOAA descriptions say they can power a phone. The Emgykit description does not mention it. The Raynic description says its AAA batteries run the radio only and do not charge devices.
• Size and weight. Amazon lists 230 g for the Emgykit, 510 g for the Auto NOAA model, 580 g for the 10000mAh model and 830 g for the Raynic.
• A flashlight. The Government of Canada checklist lists one. All four descriptions list a built-in LED flashlight.
• Tuning and display. The Auto NOAA description lists an LCD digital tuner. The 10000mAh description says tuning is manual.
• Water resistance. The 10000mAh description lists IPX6 and says not for submersion. Check the rating on any other model.
• Warranty. The Auto NOAA description lists one year. Check the others on the Amazon page.

Common questions

How long should an emergency kit last? The Government of Canada says at least 3 days (72 hours).

How often should I replace batteries? The Government of Canada says to replace items that may expire, such as food, water, batteries and medications, at least once a year. The Auto NOAA description says its AAA batteries and wall plug are not included.

Can a hand-crank radio charge my phone? Some can. The Raynic lists USB-A and USB-C ports, the 10000mAh description says it provides backup power for a smartphone, and the Auto NOAA description says it can charge more than one cellphone. The Emgykit description does not mention phone charging.

Will these radios give me weather alerts in Canada? Do not count on it. The Government of Canada says Weatheradio is no longer in service and points to the WeatherCAN app and weather.gc.ca instead.

Before you buy

• Decide whether you want the radio to charge a phone, or to play radio only.
• Check the weight and size against the space in your kit.
• Check what is included: the Raynic description says the adapter is not included, and the Auto NOAA description says the wall plug and AAA batteries are not.
• Do not pay extra for weather band. Add the WeatherCAN app to your phone instead.
• Put a reminder in your calendar to check the kit once a year.
• Planning for a long outage? See our backup power guide. If you run a generator or a fuel-burning heater, see our carbon monoxide alarm guide.

Sources: Government of Canada, Emergency kit checklist; Government of Canada, Emergency kits; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Weatheradio. Product details come from the Amazon descriptions of the four radios, so check the current description before you order.