10 Best Pocket Radios 2025 in the United States

The C. Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 is a highly versatile pocket radio that stands out for its compact size and wide range of features. Weighing just 6 ounces and measuring 4.75 inches by 3 inches by 1.1 inches, it's highly portable, making it an excellent choice for travelers and those needing a reliable radio on the go. The battery life is impressive, offering around 70 hours using earbuds and 60 hours with the built-in speaker on just two AA batteries, though these are not included in the package. Additionally, an optional AC power adapter is available for those who prefer not to rely solely on batteries.

The tuning options are robust, with support for AM, FM, NOAA Weather band with alerts, Shortwave with Single Side Band, and VHF Aviation bands. This makes it ideal for emergency situations when regular communications are down, thanks to its Single Side Band feature. Sound quality is enhanced by a high-quality speaker and the inclusion of CC Buds Earphones, ensuring a clear listening experience whether using the speaker or headphones. Reception is reliable and can be further improved with the included 23 ft portable shortwave reel antenna.

The digital tuning with multiple bandwidth settings and 400 memory slots, along with the lighted LCD display, make it user-friendly. Some additional features like the clock, alarm, and weather alerts add extra value. One potential downside is the lack of included AA batteries, which means you'll need to purchase them separately. Also, the small size might make it a bit challenging for those with larger hands to operate the knobs and buttons comfortably. However, for those looking for a feature-rich, portable radio with excellent reception and sound quality, the C. Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 is a strong contender.

The C.Crane CCRadio-2E is a sturdy, portable radio that weighs about 4 pounds, making it a bit bulkier than pocket-sized radios but still easy to carry. It offers excellent AM reception thanks to its Twin-Coil Ferrite Antenna, which is great if you often listen to AM stations. This radio covers AM, FM, NOAA weather bands with alerts, and uniquely includes the 2-Meter Ham band, useful for receiving emergency communications during natural disasters.

Battery life is impressive—running on four D batteries, it can last up to 250 hours, which is ideal for long trips or power outages. The sound quality is clear for talk and weather updates, but it’s not designed for high-fidelity music listening. Reception is strong, especially for AM and weather channels. The CCRadio-2E includes handy features like a clock, alarm, sleep timer, display light, and a headphone jack, plus five one-touch memory presets for quick station access.

Its size and weight might be a downside if you want a truly pocket-sized radio, and it requires relatively large batteries. Despite not being the newest model, its reliable performance and emergency-focused bands make it a solid choice for outdoor enthusiasts, emergency preparedness, or anyone needing dependable weather and ham band access.

The Sony ICF38 Portable AM/FM Radio is a solid choice for those who want a straightforward, no-frills radio for casual listening. Its size and weight (just over 2 pounds and about 10 inches long) make it portable enough to carry around, though it’s a bit larger than ultra-compact pocket radios. It runs on four AA batteries, so battery life depends on the batteries you use, but this setup is convenient since AA batteries are easy to replace. The radio covers basic AM and FM bands with a manual tuning dial and an LED tuning indicator to help find stations more accurately, which is user-friendly for those who prefer simple controls.

Sound quality is decent thanks to its large built-in speaker, and there's also an earphone jack if you want private listening. Reception is generally good for both AM and FM, though it might struggle a bit in areas with weak signals since it lacks advanced digital tuning or signal boosting features. The tone control switch lets you adjust audio to your preference, which is a nice touch for a basic radio.

Additional features are minimal, focusing on portability and ease of use rather than extras like digital displays or preset stations. This radio is best suited for people who want a reliable, easy-to-use device for everyday AM/FM listening, especially in places where signal strength is adequate and modern digital features aren’t a priority.