We had walkie talkie toys when growing up, and I’d like to give my kids the same experience. But, there’s a problem – which ones to get?
I saw Cobra-branded basic-function walkie talkies at the home center during the holiday season, where 2-packs of police and army-themed walkie talkies were $20. I passed on it due to the prominent Prop 65 cancer and “wash hands after touching” warning.
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I gave up on finding anything suitable for kids until I came across Nerf walkie talkies yesterday, priced at $15 on Amazon. But, looking at the reviews, there are common complaints about loud static and cheap build quality.
Looking online for help brings up page after page of “best walkie talkies for kids in 2021” listings where there’s not a single ounce of useful information.
This is a recurring frustration every time I try to research products outside of my familiarity – endless “best of” posts where the writers don’t have any experience with anything they’re writing about, they just pick some products off Amazon’s bestseller’s list.
I’d rather stick with a children’s toy brand or real-world name brand, rather than all the generic straight-to-Amazon import brands that I’ve never heard about.
These Motorola T100 Talkabout radios look like they could be decent, although at $30 they’re priced a little higher than the kids’ models I was looking for. Plus, added buttons might lead to frustrations if they press the wrong one.
None of Motorola’s T100 spec sheets or datasheets mention the wattage at all, only the theoretical maximum range.
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Something like this could be used for practical purposes as well, although I don’t have specific uses in mind. If we’re ever at a public place or theme park, all the grownups have cell phones.
But, I’d rather buy something better-made from the start, rather than something like an owl-faced radio that they’ll quickly outgrow.
Motorola’s marketing images show small kids using these at the beach, and they also describe the radios as being family friendly.
Users on Amazon complain about the battery compartment door being hard to remove in order to swap the AAA-sized batteries.
This seems like a low-risk choice, but might be “too much radio” for my kids.
There’s also the Retevis RT628 walkie talkies, which seem to be popular on Amazon. They’re advertised as being suitable for kids ages 3-14, and the price is under $20 on Amazon after clippable coupon.
Retevis actually has a website and seems to be a radio-specialized brand based in Shenzhen, China. Because of this, I’d take them more seriously than brands such as Obuby, Looikoos, Selieve, Hauker, and other brands that don’t seem to exist outside of Amazon.
On their website, Retevis says the RT628 is intended for kids 7+. They have other models that are also said to be aimed at kids, and it’s hard to differentiate between all of them.
The RT38 and RT388 models also look interesting. I’d use rechargeable Eneloops, but it’s good to know some of these models feature built-in NiMH charging.
The RT628 is powered by 3x AA batteries, rather than 4x AAA for some of the other Retevis models I’m looking at, which I would hope means longer runtime.
The Retevis RT388 looks interesting and popular enough for there are clones of it, but look how many buttons there are! I can hear it now… “daaaaaaaad, it’s not working!”
This definitely seems to be “too much radio” as well, but I haven’t ruled it out yet.
Finally, that brings me to the Retevis RT628B. This is the one I’m leaning more towards right now.
The RT628B is similar to the RT628, but with only 3 channels and fewer buttons. The “B” in the model number seems to be mean “basic.”
Price-wise, the regular RT628 radios are less expensive than the RT628B, and there aren’t any color options outside of red, but I imagine these are more kid-friendly.
If this is more kid-friendly but robustly built, I’m fine upgrading in a few years if/when my kids are less prone to mashing buttons.
This is the one I’m leaning towards right now. Despite being kid-friendly, it’s something I might be able – and willing – to use too.
There’s also the Nerf walkie talkies, but the user reviews suggest they’re utter junk.
Recommendations?
I’m hoping some of you can steer me in the right direction. As of now, I’m between the Motorola and Retevis models shown here, although I’m also open to suggestions and recommendations.
$15-$30 doesn’t seem like a lot of money for something that might see use throughout the years, first as toys and then as practical communication devices for the kids to use outdoors.
They have a lot more “toy” models out there, but nothing appealing that I can find so far.
When I give my kids projects to work on this spring, it will be with real tools, not “kids” tools. This is the same kind of product which I feel should offer real functionality for play, but without compromised quality.
On the other hand, I’m also looking for something more kid-friendly and hopefully without Prop 65 warnings due to the materials used.
I’m also curious – two-way radios are commonly used in certain professional spaces and commercial jobsites. Do any of you use them for residential work?
For example, I’ve seen electricians use smartphones and non-electronic signaling techniques (such as stomping on the floor) when trying to identify when the correct breaker has turned off a circuit that’s to be worked on.
That is, do any of you use two-way radios out of convenience, rather than necessity or in the context of recreational outdoors activities?
Stacey Jones
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HQJNHT4/
Chris S
Don’t trust this junk. Please look at what your posting. Hopefully the link gets marked as spam or something and removed.
I looked for less than 30 seconds and found the product has 29 thousand reviews since September 2020 and the reviews show multiple products.
This is a typical amazon seller bait and switch where they climb the ranks by hawking products as quick as they can and just changing the items for sale as they go.
Questions and reviews are about shower curtains…
It took me longer to type this than to research the actual product.
Stuart
As Chris said, ALL of the user reviews are for curtains.
This is another brand that doesn’t seem to exist beyond Amazon, and sold by a 3rd party seller based in Poland that only sells this, toy binoculars, and hemp oil for pets.
Stacey Jones
Apologies, I normally notice stuff like that but coding always makes me a bit absent-minded. Please delete the post, if you can.
Stuart
If you insist I can remove it, but your intent was in the right place (and always appreciated) and that link serves as a good indication as to what to be mindful of.
Personally, I’ve never seen that before, where so many user reviews could be for a completely unrelated product.
Tom D
It happens more and more and it’s a huge HUgE red flag. Somehow people can sell a cheap gadget and change every detail of it and keep the reviews.
Stacey Jones
These are much cooler though: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Wars-Character-FRS-Walkie-Talkies-Durable-Kid-Friendy-Static-Free-NIB-/402576113005
Chris S
I believe they’re trying to avoid cheap junk. I would bet these are no better than the nerf.
Stuart
I like to avoid character themes because my kids grow out of them, and it’s hard to find themes that both kids will like.
Besides, $17 + $5 shipping and they cost more than most of the other models I’m looking at.
Mr. Creek
You run the best tool blog on the planet. Tools should be tought to use safe, like guns. not a toy. Skip the kid stuff and teach them how to be comfortable with a real life family talkie. Something that can be used camping, skiing, construction projects. Like every tool you write about educate them and buy a 6 pack of radios. 4 for the family and 2 extra in case their buddies go on an excursion with y’all.
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
While I like to “buy once, cry once,” this could very well be something that sits on the shelf.
I have a pair of Midland business band radios that they sent for testing a while back. I’ve been hesitant to do much field testing since extended use requires licensing, and it was very hard to line up testers for the same reason.
“Can you put walkies to the test?” “Sure!” “They require a license for anything other than temporary testing.” “Nope!!” I gave up after a while, and there have been zero organic opportunities for application-based testing since then.
Because of that, I’ve been hesitant to get anything “serious” until I have a legitimate justification.
I also like the idea of an alkaline/NiMH solution until there’s the need for Li-ion rechargeable-based radios.
This is one of the rare occasions where I try to limit myself by respecting a “get the tool that fits the intended use and a little more” philosophy.
If I need to buy a more capable setup down the road in a few years, this might also create some preferences.
When my kids and my nieces and nephews are all old enough, will be and my BILs take them camping? *Then* we’ll probably need or want radios of a higher caliber. I’m okay buying a couple of radios now for the kids to play Avengers or for anything I could imagine using them for in the near future, and a more capable system later on.
JoeM
I… Actually disagree with you on this one, Stuart… With all due respect… You have openly shown the desire your children have shown toward the tools and safety gear that YOU use… And I have to swing that direction for Walkie-Talkies too.
My Late Father was a Police Officer for a time, and he was always angry at toy manufacturers that didn’t offer the power, range, or features that his service walkies offered. Even after he left the force, he kept in touch with his old force colleagues and attempted to get us functional walkie-talkies for us to be familiar with growing up. We still often ended up with the crappy toy ones, because he wasn’t allowed to purchase service-level ones from the Police Division he worked for… But he did teach us what we were looking for in a comms device in the future. He hoped that one day the availability of the tech would become more affordable for civilians, and that came true several years ago, as you can see from your searches.
The best advice I can give you is my Dad’s… Get the Tried, Tested, and True, Standard Model from Motorola. Motorola has been doing CB, Ham, and Electronic Communications for a long time, and short of building them yourself, they make some really high quality products.
I know you’re not made of money, and don’t want to put out hundreds of thousands… So please don’t. But, go with a Standard model. Black, maybe high-visibility Yellow, Construction Grade, and ensure they have a label somewhere that says they have the Police and Military bands locked out. That way, there’s no need to mess with Channel Licensing. Any device that can cross a band with Law Enforcement, Military, or Emergency Services, requires a License for the right to use that band in case of emergencies. Civilian short-range radios, enhanced antennae or not, can have those channels blocked out, and as such need no license at all. The closer they look to Your Real Tools, the better they are for your children, attempting to mimic and/or learn from you.
If you like, I can do a quick browse of the Motorola site to see what I can find in this range, but I just trust you can do this kind of search yourself. But I will help you out if you wish me to, you’ve helped me hundreds of times, and I don’t mind repaying some of that kindness you’ve showed me.
Mr. Creek
you can get 5 watt Midland radios. for $60 for 5 years you can get a licence for you and immediate family members so you can skip past all the chatter at an amusement park, hunting, camping or on a job site. Just make sure on those higher output channels you do plenty of research for your area and pay your license; They can triangulate you. Also, You don’t want to hog up bandwidth on an emergency service channel.
Chris S
I have little experience with two way radios, but you mentioned the 3xAA’s vs 4xAAA”.
Both battery sizes are 1.5V each, no matter what capacity you get.
Depending on how its wired (Series vs Parallel), you might have a higher power radio with the AAA’s if ran at 6 volts.
3xAA’s give you two options.
1.5 volts with the capacity of 3 batteries (mA ratings will play a large part in battery capacity) or 4.5 volts with the capacity/run time of 1 battery.
4xAAA’s gives you the same options as the AA’s but now you get the option of 1.5, 3, 4.5, or 6 volts (because of the even number of batteries you can get 3 and 6 volts).
Might be worth looking into the manufacturers configuration.
Stuart
For Eneloop NiMH:
AA: 2000 mAh
AAA: 800 mAh
3x AA = 6Ah charge capacity x 1.2V = 7.2 Whr
4 x AAA = 3.2 Ah charge capacity x 1.2V = 3.84 Whr
3xAA holds nearly 2X the stored energy.
The Retevis FRS radios have 0.5W transmission power ratings.
The battery size likely contributes more to radio size and runtime than power.
I have very rarely seen consumer products that utilize AA or AAA batteries in parallel. Most often, 3xAA, 4xAAA, and similar all refer to series arrangements.
I’m thinking the reason to go 3xAA over 4xAAA is because it would mean fewer battery changes or recharges.
salcolon
https://www.amazon.com/DeWALT-DXFRS800-Talkies-Business-Two-Way/dp/B07J2DGCLT/
Jon
My kids and I used the Retevis RT388 units for awhile with great success. Decent range and ours had a lock out ( which I turned on ) to prevent changing settings like channel, volume, etc. They seem durable and I’d recommend them. Only issues were 1) the volume seemed quite high even at the lowest setting, 2) the ‘alert’ button will cause the other unit on the channel to emit a ringing sound ( very annoying ), 3) batteries didn’t last very long.
For the kids, I gave a tutorial re: safety ( ie, use nickname instead of real name when broadcasting — since anyone can be monitoring ) and taught them to 1) ask if anyone is using the frequency before taking it over and 2) start transmission with the nickname you’re trying to reach followed by your own nickname, 3) use acknowledgements and sign-offs, and 4) keep messages short. Way more than kids typically want to know but they put it into practice just fine.
Stuart
Thanks! That is very good advice I’ll be sure to follow.
I didn’t read about the RT388 lockout, but I saw complaints about another model (maybe the Motorola or a different Retevis) not having an effective lockout.
The youngest is pre-school aged, and she might have difficulty adhering to nicknames, but it’s a good practice to instill.
It might be worth getting a second pair or 3-handset pack for monitoring if/when they use it outdoors.
David Smith
Stuart I would think this would be a great opportunity to use your 3D printer. You can make a basic Walkie-Talkie with two Arduinos and a few add-ons and then print the housing. It’s a great learning opportunity for the kids and once they get bored of the Walkie-Talkies you can use the Ardunios for other projects. Even if the kiddos are too young to understand what you are doing fully I’m sure they’ll never stop telling their friends that their dad made these cool toys.
Best of luck.
Stuart
I *could*, but it would cost me so much more in parts, and the learning curve would be intense. I can build a simple two-way radio or intercom for my own use. Building something durable enough for kids??
A single XBee module costs more than most of the walkie talkie pairs here. 2 of the smallest Arduino modules cost more than a pair of the walkie talkies (except for the Motorola).
It’s a good idea, but one that would require more time and money than I could commit to such a project.
Learning how to do so via non-Arduino circuits would be less expensive but with a steeper learning curve.
Creating say two space station control panels that can talk to each other from different rooms – that’s something I would look into designing a radio module for. The benefit there is that a base station needs durable user interface controls, but that’s about it.
Problem there is that I have accumulates parts for such a project (not the radio part, but the sci-fi control panels) but haven’t found the time to start work on the enclosure and external design aspects.
TonyT
Arduino for RC cars or other remote control panels makes sense (e.g. Arduino + NRF24L01) – I’m looking at doing this with my son in the near future.
But it doesn’t make sense as a FRS radio replacement.
Ron
I have used only Motorola radios they are a little more money. However they work I’m also a scout leader and we also use Motorola radios. Don’t go cheap. I still have several that are over 20 years old and work just fine for the grandkids
garrett
Not sure you can give your kids the same experience that we had in the 70s without chrome accents, an included morse code button and chart, frail pull-out antenna, and “Super Heterodyne” proudly emblazoned on it. Just not the same.
Stuart
The radios we had in the 90’s also had a morse button. I haven’t seen similar on any of the toy or basic models I’ve looked at.
JoeM
Looking into the Motorola family, the two higher end models still have the Emergency Code buttons, and Search Beacon button.
Even without a Morse code tone, there’s still the Stealth Static Morse you can use. Fancy name for activating the talk button to generate blank static that matches a Morse signal. Snipers are often commanded for Yes/No from commanders that are on the same channel, and click their talk button once for yes, two for no.
I am finding that “Sets” in the full powered Motorola family are insanely expensive, yet have all the features that you would want. What is strange to me is, the features you’d want on the short-range sets are only available on the high-range sets, and very handy safety features (like floating if dropped in the water, as an example) are available on the lower end models, but not the higher end ones.
I haven’t needed a walkie for any serious use in my life, so perhaps I just missed that magic window in the world where the features we need, and the features they offer, don’t overlap anymore.
Alan Pedisich
Prop 65? I never heard anyone passing on something because of that. Prop 65 is written on everything for the state of california.
Stuart
My kids don’t put things in their mouths anymore, but they do sometimes play and then grab a snack without washing their hands.
Some materials have high lead levels, and I’d rather limit their exposure if I can help it. There are still toys being recalled due to lead paint levels.
Given that there are plenty of products for kids that don’t have Prop 65 warnings, I’m going to avoid those that do. For a product like this, it probably means going with a hard plastic case and buttons rather than soft grips, but I’m okay with that.
Shawn Y
I can see how people outside of CA may find Prop 65 warnings legitimate or at least worth noting that said product will/may/likely/possibly be carcinogenic.
Those of us in CA find a joke and a nuisance. Every aisle at Home Depot has a prop 65 sign. Heck, a few years ago, there was a big stink because they added COFFEE to the list. Starbucks sued. Given their money/influence, they ultimately got it removed.
This legislation has run amok since its passing, where anytime some group says something may or may not cause cancer, it’s added to the list and never removed even when further studies proves otherwise.
This guy speaks w more hard facts: https://www.napavalleyregister.com/opinion/editorial/it-s-time-to-rethink-proposition-65/article_b208c4c8-b46c-5a0d-a107-8db220868bcb.amp.html
Stuart
It depends on what the warning is for.
Lead-softened plastic grip material?
There are plenty of toys and products that don’t have Prop 65 “wash your hands!!” warnings that I don’t need to expose my kids to products that do have it.
I don’t care about the politics, I care about avoiding materials that might leach or transfer through the course of typical use.
Aaron P
I wouldn’t put too much faith in using Eneloops in this case. I tried using them with a pair of mine, purchased for a camping trip, and they were depleted very quickly compared to conventional. These even came with Ni-MH batteries and charge them when plugged in, but they do so very slowly, if at all. Midland brand ~$40/pr. Might be a bad brand or bad batch, but some some types of devices just don’t seem to jibe with rechargeables.
They work indefinitely while plugged in, though, so can be a makeshift workshop intercom, which can be nice.
Alex Peel
I actually just went through this for Christmas. Long story short we ended up getting two brands through a present giving snafu. Motorola T100 and a clone of those Retvis RT628. The rando brand had way more “features” like a light and a talk without button press.
We let the kids have the Rando brand and kept the Motorolas for later. They broke after very light usage last month. Some electronics problem where one was just not turning on.
Opened up the Motorolas and gave those. They seem to be much better made.
Functionally while they worked I think both brands were fairly equivalent in terms of distance and the like. Motorolas sound better.
Alex Peel
Actually it was clones of the Retvis RT388.
Alex Peel
Also both of them had a lockout which prevents channel changing and other feature changes. Must have.
Nathan
So I have a set of cobra ones that I didn’t buy to use with the kids but they have the right feature. which is specifically lockout.
It is too much radio so I bet there are other options as I bought these for the range and the full spectrum use. FRS I believe it’s called been a while since I looked it up. But I bought them for car trips with my car group. or camping.
My daughters got a princess radio thing for one of their birthdays and they are garbage. and in the garbage now come to think of it. Anyway point is I was of similar mind but as you but got to thinking about the lockout. My radios were somewhere in the 45 dollar arena for 2. and have been quite durable.
but what I am most interested in right now is channel lockout, volume lock would be nice and some form of rechargeable battery family. I’m afraid when you use NIMH batteries in these looking for 3V or 4.5V output – and you give then 2.4 or 3.6 the current draw goes up to hurt your life expectancy. These cobras I bought came with NIMH batteries so they were meant for them – expecting 3.6V.
I don’t have the model number with me at the moment but channel lock out and rechargeable are the features I’m looking for at the moment.
Also thanks to whoever it was that mentioned radio etiquete and safety. Good point I know my one daughter would like the idea of using a radio like a fire safety person. good call
Jon
That’s a good point on batteries. I used Eneloop Pro batteries in the Retevis clones mentioned above and they didn’t seem to mind. I believe this is the product: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075X4KHSL ( unfortunately, the binoculars included in that set immediately suffered a fatal case of kids ).
Rob
What you have up there are all just blister pack FRS radios. They’re all the same, just different shapes for the most part. They’re all just toys operating at maximum of half a watt on most of the shared frequencies and if you get a more expensive unit will operate at a maximum of 2w on some of the shared frequencies – most will not though. None of them really transmit or receive meaningfully better than others, so you just kinda pick the one that you think looks nice and costs what you’re willing to pay.
Myself, I like the Motorola t800 for this type of radio because it has one unique advantage that distinguishes it from all the other options on the market – it takes advantage of somewhat recent changes in FCC rulings to allow a companion app that exchanges texts and GPS locations via radio waves. So with no cell signal I can see where my companions are on a map or send them a text, provided their radio and my radio can hear each other.
In the spirit of your goal of giving your children “real tools”, I think what you’re looking for is a blister pack GMRS radio. These will look and feel like the nicer FRS radios, they operate on the same shared frequencies, and they really don’t cost much more for the mainstream units, however you will have the added advantage of operating at 5w on the frequencies where the FRS radios are limited to 2w. This makes a big difference in itself.
Uniden and Midland will offer units that can do this. Just hit up their pages or find those on Amazon.
Then, if you want to “grow into it” and feel so inclined, GMRS opens up to handhelds with removable antennas (FRS must be fixed!), base stations/mobile units (4×4 clubs and other outdoor groups are abandoning CB for GRMS) and you can use real commercial/public safety handhelds or mobiles from Kenwood, Motorola, etc (speaking of “real tools”). However aside from all that, again, you get more than double the power which in terms of radio usefulness is paramount if you’d like to hear or speak with anyone.
The reason FRS radios are so popular is that they are license-by-rule, which means anyone who wants to pick one up and transmit can do so as long as they follow the rules. Nobody knows or follows the rules, so the units are neutered to protect the airwaves. To get the added power and flexibility of GMRS radios, the FCC requires you to register and pay for a license. It used to cost upwards of $70, but as of this year they dropped it to $35. It is good for 10 years, and covers you and your direct family.
Because of the reduction in cost and rising availability in consumer-focused GMRS hardware you are going to see a lot more usage of the GMRS hardware on the shared frequencies over the coming years, might as well get on board now with the tool people will be using more and more in the future at least as radios users go.
Stuart
The kids can’t read yet. While I’d like for something more serious for them than say owl-face or jedi-head radios found at Target store toy aisles, they’re far away from needing higher power radios.
I’m okay with 1/2W transmitters – they don’t need more for use in the house, backyard, or any of the not-too-separate possibilities I consider they might use them for in the future.
Given the anticipated usage, maybe 50% would be indoors and 50% within 250 feet or so. License-required GMRS banding would be overkill.
I do appreciate your advice – thank you! – and it’ll come in handy if or when their or my needs change.
Rob
Sure, just like nobody needs a Bosch or Dewalt because the Ryobi or Worx also cuts wood and is cheaper, right? 😉
A radio that lets you down when transmitting/receiving is just as annoying and discouraging as a mitre saw that lets you down. Unlike the saws though, choosing a 2w radio over having the option to go 5w doesn’t really save you any money. 🙂
Stuart
If my kids need to cut wood dowels, a hand saw will be safer and still allow for growth. Sure, I could also give them a table saw, when they’re ready and the tasks justify it.
Using the right tool for the job doesn’t always mean buying the biggest and most capable option every time.
I do understand what you’re saying, but my current needs, intended use, as well as reasonably anticipated use, don’t necessitate or justify higher powered license-requiring radios.
Bruce
I would 2nd a GMRS license for the family and better radios. Why? Because it’s handy when camping, the license is good for the whole family, it gives you the option of serious radio use with repeaters for wide area coverage in the event of an emergency (say wildfire evac), and if you keep the radios at low power, the rechargable batteries will last a very long time. Plus the commercial GMRS radios often work on FRS channels for the backyard playing set plus the radios are much more durable and likely water resistant.
Jared
I appreciate the research and thought you put into the recommendations.
I can tell you that button overload is a real problem for small kids. My 5 year old has constant trouble with ours and comes to me for adjustments.
I wish there was a decent quality version with a knob instead of buttons for volume – any special functions should be hidden behind a panel or something. In fact, it would be nice if the only external controls were talk and volume.
That said, the Retevis RT628B looks interesting.
Caleb
They need to be camo, how else will they be able to take the enemy position? Throw in some green army men as well.
AC
I got the kids 1w Midlands and they’re awesome! So good that we upped our count to 4. On family camping trips with friends, or touring with friends in separate cars, nothing is better. You would think a cell phone would work in best in these cases, but with walkie talkies, everyone’s in on the convo and it’s easy and without wait to pop on with a comment or question. I thought they would be just for fun with the kids, we end up using them all the time. I would get the max power you don’t need a license to use. I believe that number increased a few years ago to 2w.
FYI, line of sight, buildings, trees, and curvature of the earth, will likely be the limiting factor on transmission, not power.
AC
Also, with our Midland X-talkers, you can easily lock the channel and volume settings so they are easy for kids to use trouble-free. While there are 20 some channels, these are subdivided into many more, so there is a degree of privacy as well.
Rob
When speaking about blisterpack radios as in this thread, all FRS/GMRS radios from all manufacturers use the same exact frequencies, known as channel 1- 22, and the have the same exact tones available to them. There are no “subdivisions” or privacy. That’s all just clever marketing and the manufacturer trying to give the appearance of something unique or try to make it so that you think that because you bought their brand once you need to keep on buying it to talk to people.
In your case for example, Midland has taken one of the standard frequencies and hard-coded a PL tone to it. It doesn’t mean someone on another FRS/GMRS can’t hear you. It just means they have to know what actual channel that is then apply the tone. It’s a matter of maybe scanning really quickly or in the case of many users they just know them all off the top of their head. Do not say anything private, secret, or that puts you at risk out on a channel thinking it’s safe from prying ears because it isn’t.
For reading, you can see the frequencies/channels and tone information here:
https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart
It is really important to remember that all these FRS/GMRS handheld units are the same from a functionality perspective. They all transmit at up to half a watt on what is officially designated as channel 8-14 and are all narrowband on those channels. If you don’t hold a license, then your device transmits at no more than 2 watts on what are officially designated channel 1-7 and 15-22 and is again narrowband. If you do have a device which requires a license, it transmits up 5 watts on 1-7 and 15-22 and may be narrowband or wideband both of which are huge advantages of shelling out the $35 for that license but may not be noticeable/useful to all. What is important is you don’t want to spend money on GMRS/FRS radios thinking that one device offers anything special the others don’t. To be as simple as possible, you stick with one brand. If you choose a major brand, you’re going to have more success with interoperability between brands without futzing around than if you choose off-brands or less-known brands.
Hopefully that helps clear up some misconceptions and helps people find the right FRS/GMRS for them. 🙂
AC
Nothing my kids say needs to be private, I just meant, that even in the middle of downtown Chicago, we never hear other people on our channels.
Thanks for the great explaination.
BF
I got the Motorola T100s you have linked in a three pack for my kids and they’ve been just fine. We initially used them in a caravan vacation, but my 4 year old daughter loves to have them around the house or when her friends come over.
fred
How about Dewalt ?
Perhaps one of your affiliates would provide a set for “torture testing”
Blocky
I went through this last year, did the research, bought something made for kids. It sounded great and reception was good but the button on one failed in the first five minutes.
Bought a pair of the low range dewalts for about $50 on eBay. They are much better made, sound fine, and can interface w Motorola’s that also do FRS band.
However, bought 4 more, used them at a trade expo for carpentry and event crew, and three of them came back end of day with busted clips or antennas. The audio lacked needed clarity in a busy context; I think there’s a fairy high level of native distortion in the speaker chain. Epoxy and gaffers tape, and one year later all those units are limping along, it’s just the antennas and clips are not rugged for constant use.
The right quality for the price for kids. Big button in the middle and it can be locked out.
Dave
Strong 3rd or 4th recommendation on the Midland brand. Plus while they are made in China 🇨🇳 the folks answering (!) the phone are in Kansas City. Order from them and you can use a discount code. Also each item specified if it is a license free frs or if you need an FCC license to use them. The FRS radios work for about a mile and a half in a realistic situation. You’re smart enough to evaluate them and figure out what model you want. Also to the person commenting on using generic batteries in the Midland radios that is not recommended.
Tom D
Find an industrial brand and find used ones on eBay.
Or find ham radio group near you and work down.
Bryan
My recommendation and what i did was i got a GMRS license, which covers my whole family with one license. GMRS allows you to use radios with higher watts and antennas that can be upgraded. Allows us to get more range out of the radios.
Scott Davis
GMRS license will be 35.00 some time this year (Its 70.00 now) it is good for 10 years and 1 license is good for all family members. You can use repeaters and radio’s up to 50 watts on some frequencies.
Frank D
Skip the toy stuff. Go for something real world that will be longer lived.
I have a basic set of unidens with carabiner loop built-in, runs on aa or aaa; and a set of basic midlands that have a charger base for the pair.
As far as warnings. Everything for the home that has plastic or fiber seems to come with one or more warnings these days.
Vards Uzvards
Prop 65 warnings apply to CA residents only. But even people living in California ignore them too. Otherwise you won’t be able to fill your gas tank, nor have any fun in life whatsoever. 😐
Vards Uzvards
Today I ordered a Logitech computer keyboard, and was presented with a Prop 65 warning. Jeez, I use these every day! Should I quit my job now?
Stuart
Are you a minor or otherwise likely to touch food without washing your hands?
Nathan
So 2 things. 1 I don’t need my kids broadcasting 3 miles away whatever they are saying. and 2 and perhaps far far more important I don’t need them hearing what others are saying 3 miles away. interstate is that way, the train tracks, lord knows what else. and I have to worry about people listening in or talking to kids under 10.
So yes basic distance FRS is more than plenty. for our use case – I mean even camping out we won’t need that sort of distance. Now I’d love to have a GPS tag on them and be able to search them on my phone but that’s a whole Dad feature nobody seems on board with.
Stuart
I didn’t think about that – that’ll probably convince me to stick to FRS, and it makes Jon’s safety recommendations even more important to keep in mind.
teicher
I have the RT-628s for my kids, I highly recommend to do NOT buy them. The settings are too easy for kids to change (and they come running back to you to try and fix them), the manual is confusing as hell, and they don’t last very long on 3 AAA enelooops or any other rechargeable. When the are in use, they seem to work well enough for kids to have fun and are plenty durable for whatever they do.
I wish the RT-628B had been available when I was buying, that would definitely be my choice.
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Maybe it’s that model I read about with an ineffective lockout?
teicher
I don’t know, possibly. My advice is just to buy something super simple and cheap and the kids will be fine.
Rob L
The Midland radios are good- we use them for family and Scouts, and the FRS band is good enough. For longer range, well, I’m a Ham operator so my oldest is getting his license soon:)
Stuart
I wanted to get into Ham radios when I was younger. Fast forward to a few years ago, my BIL got into it and tried to convince me.
Maybe eventually my interest will spike again.
Jerry
I work with a fire control crew and work with crews doing controlled burns. We have had amazing luck with Baofeng radios especially considering the price. If you are looking for a higher quality of radio for a good price I would recommend looking at their smaller low powered radios.
https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-GT-22-Handsfree-Portable-Charging/dp/B07ZJJZPST/
4 radios for $40 with rechargeable batteries included The whole family could have their own when on an ‘adventure’.
https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-BF-88A-Earpiece-Rechargeable-Flashlight/dp/B07CKRZ6MP/
2 radios for $21 but these are notably bigger not the best for little kids.
Read the reviews and I think the quality for price will speak for itself but I can’t say if they will be the best choice for your needs. Personally, though I would rather go with a higher quality radio from the start because it can be very frustrating when cheaply made stuff breaks.
Rob
Radio operators (that’s you, holding and FRS radio operating under license-by-rule in this case) generally don’t run Baofengs for 2 reasons, the first is small potatoes but the second is a big deal:
1) Not as advertised – advertised specs don’t match bench tested or observed specs, especially with regards to power output. YouTube is rich with this type of review as an example of where you can see this evidence. Is it worth saving a couple of bucks on a Boefeng if it doesn’t transmit and receive well?
2) The legality of their emissions issues – Baofengs are not known to comply with 47 CFR § 97.307 – Emission standards, as in like less than 10% compliance vs everyone else at 100% compliance. While people only bother to look at the amateur handsets, if Baofeng can’t hit the marks on those devices where they absolutely will get noticed it’s certain that they are also out of compliance on FRS handhelds, especially since Baofeng really just repackages the same direct conversion transceiver on a chip into different packages then gives them different firmware versions and names to create new models. Given that, hitting the PTT on a Baofeng has a strong chance of violating your license (FRS is, again, license-by-rule which means the FCC is giving you a license as long as you follow the rules). Just because “you likely won’t get caught” doesn’t mean it’s ok. I mean is that what you want to teach your kids?
So especially with that in mind, it may be best to avoid Baofeng in the wild. 🙂
Steve
This is bad information and mostly untrue. Baofang makes radios that are just fine. They produce in high volume to a low price point. Manufacturing defects are to be expected. Like any radio, the operator is responsible for making sure it is operating properly. Lots of Hams have made their own radios from basic electronic components. You think they never made mistakes and had radios that weren’t functioning properly? How about all the old equipment floating around? You think it’s all functioning perfectly up to spec?
I have several Baofeng radios. They are great for extra radios but since I am so invested in the hobby, I also have much better radios. I am a licensed HAM
operatorr up to Extra which is the highest level you can reach. I also spent 5 years in the Army Signal Corps. I only include these because in the radio community there is so much gatekeeping by crusty old “Elmer’s” as they are referred to. These people have destroyed the hobby and prevented it from modernizing over time. These people think amateur radio is their own personal little fiefdom and spread disinformation like you see above. They want everyon to build their own radios and have a PhD in electrical engineering before they can touch transmit. My advice is to ignore them all and do as you want. We all own the airwaves and we should be able to use a good portion of it without license or high cost barriers to entry.
Jerry
I was just thinking for kids, set either of those radio models to low power, and let them go with them.
We have used 20+ Baofeng radios on fires, and they are consistently some of the better radios in the group, and are hands down the most reliable and durable for the money that we have used. Yes, a $250 Motorola will outperform my $35 Baofeng, but I would certainly hope so.
Used on low power, on the FRS channels, you will be fine.
Jerry
I thought I should add, I was answering with the best cheap radios I could think of offhand, for kids to play hide and seek with, they might not be good enough, say for a security guard, but I consider it the same as getting the kids a Nebo flashlight. No, its not a Surefire, but good enough, especially considering the price.
Robert
I use walkies when I am working in the 24” crawlspace of my house. It takes too much effort to use my iphone when I am laying on my back in the dirt, my nose a few inches from the floor joists. Of course, my family doesn’t want to answer, because they know they will be crawling on their belly for sixty feet to bring me the tool i forgot, but that is a topic for another day.
Whatever you do, don’t spend too much money, because either the kids will lose one of them, or you will lose one underneath your house in the crawlspace.
flipped
Have you looked into Radioddity? They have a great selection, carefully curated, of professional and family-use units. Many of their own branded radios are well received and look ideal for family use
flipped
https://www.radioddity.com/collections/consumer-radios-frs-gmrs-radios
there’s also a page of “kids” radios
TxMike64
I got these for my boys [when they were ages 6 and 4]:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYVBGAL/
Simple controls, can be locked-out, and can still be monitored by Mom & Dad on a standard FRS/GRMS radio. Now the boys are 8 and 6, these simple radios are still being used, but they now have the knowledge and experience to use Daddies HT.
TxMike64
Oh, and someone had gifted us those Nerf waklies…. Absolute junk. They got used for 5 minutes, then went in the round file.
VJ1776
I know that this may be overkill, but covers some of the basics of FRS and GMRS and recommends some radios which can be used across multiple applications.
https://www.marineapproved.com/best-two-way-radios-buying-guide/
Warm regards
Steve
You seem to have already done the basic research and know what you want to buy. Lots of people having given good advice which you have ignored. You are quibbling over a few dollars. If you buy any FRS radios, they are junk. Might as well just get the kid themed walkie talkies and let them destroy those since they seem too young, and you are unwilling to teach them properly and buy something that will last and be useful.
Another Jeff
The Nerf ones may be junk, but so were the ones we had as kids. You lost reception 200 feet away if you were lucky. Ones that are may not have to be keyed up, i.e. the beep before you talk, and that was and is the hardest thing to get the kids to understand. Plus the adult ones have buttons that may be a little tricker and covered by rubber so you can’t actually know if you are pressing in the right place. They’ll figure it out, but it certainly lessens the experience for them trying to figure out an overly complicated tool with all these cool buttons and noises that are too tempting not to fool with even if they render it useless.
Scott
Try the Baofeng UV-5R. They are available as low as $25 each on EBay and little bit more on Amazon or independent sellers.
They can be configured via free software (CHIRP) to transmit only on the FRS bands so you don’t need a license for transmit/receive (probably a technical FCC rule violation to use on FRS frequencies but…) . For kids you can configure them to listen only on local police/fire bands, railroad, Ham bands, etc. They have a decent “scanner” function also. Be sure to learn how to configure them to prevent transmitting on all those bands (While in Chirp go to Duplex and set it to “OFF”)
You can also get an FCC GMRS license for your entire family very easily cheaply ($70) that makes it legal for you to use the higher power transmission settings.
Something good to grow into and the family can use in the future. Also provides a prepper/resilience function for alternative and emergency communications.
Surprisingly good build quality for the price, probably can survive kids if they aren’t total hellions.
I have enjoyed learning about them, configuring them, using them a little. Got the GMRS license to be legal. Fun for an enginerd.
Also popular with anarchist protesters and the CHOP police force apparently…
Another Jeff
“Also popular with anarchist protesters and the CHOP police force apparently…”
In other words, they are child tested and “wall of moms” approved.
Scott
Forgot to point out that CHIRP programming of Baofeng radios will require a programming cable that is like $12 and recommended.
Also, they will receive the NOAA weather bands and I believe the VHF marine bands (channel 16 and 9, etc)
I do like the peaceful protestors who show up wearing helmets and gas masks with their Baofeng radios to coordinate their chants or something…
Rob
What Scott is suggesting in this post here is illegal. What he is suggesting should not be done.
The UV-5R can only be used to transmit by people with an amateur license and only on the frequencies allocated to amateurs under their license. FRS/GMRS frequencies are not included in those allocations. it doesn’t have FCC approval to be used on those frequencies.
It is also entirely unnecessary.
If one wants to use a Baofeng in that form factor and compatible with all the accessories for that unit, they sell the UV-5X, which is a FCC type approved version of that radio for GRMS for $59.99/pair.
Alternatively, there is UV-82 variant available from BaofengTech called the GMRS-V1 which is likewise type accepted for GMRS and uses all the parts and accessories from the UV-82 family. It is more expensive at $54.99/per
Again though, Baofengs are legal in the FCC where they have type acceptance, but over 90% of them cannot be operated in the USA without violating 47 CFR § 97.307 due to their propensity for spurious emissions, thus essentially making it illegal to key up if you don’t happen to have one of the less than 10% that are roll off the factory floor in compliance.
J.C.
Seems to me like the best idea is to just get the cheap kid walkie talkies and be done with it. I realize that it’s a nice idea to have radios that they can “grow” into as they get older but sometimes it’s easy to overthink these things. The kid walkie talkies may be “junk” but kids don’t need to communicate from a far distance. Odds are, they’ll talk around the house or play hide and go seek with them a few times and then they’ll get tired of them and move to something else. If you see that they are going to have more interest, then maybe look at better options down the road. Right now, there is no guarantee either way that they’ll have a great interest.
As you stated earlier, “Using the right tool for the job doesn’t always mean buying the biggest and most capable option every time.” Will the cheap kid radios be junk? It’s definitely possible but they will allow your kids to get a little use and see if their interest grows or not. A lot of the radios mentioned are fine, but they are totally overkill for kids playing around the house. Something cheap and simple doesn’t need to be locked out or fiddled with. I totally understand trying to buy the best tools and equipment that you can but with kids, sometimes less is more….especially when it’s something that needs to be very simple. Just my .02…
Surendra
Hello Stuart
The ozark trail walkie talkies in Walmart is a very good set . Made in Malaysia .
Very good sound quality and is $20
Hank
We bought a 4 pack of the Midland XTalker radios (T20x4) for the kids for Christmas last year. Each kid has their own, for when they’re roaming the property, and we have one for the house, so we can check in on them. We’ve taken them camping, and the range is great, they work from our house into our timber…about 1/4 mile, and 100ft drop? You can lock the settings, to avoid inadvertent changes in channels by the kids.
As others have said, obstructions are going to have far more impact on your range than wattage. We used Bendix King “brick” style handheld radios, when I worked fire with the USFS. Even those radios, which were $1200 programmable 5W radios wouldn’t get a signal out sometimes, depending on the terrain.
Matt J.
We received clones of the Retevis 388s for a Christmas gift a year or so ago for my 4yo and 6yo. As far as quality, they actually are nicer and better-functioning than my older Motorola FRS radios. However, they are not remotely kid-friendly. The send button is not obvious enough (although a paint marker helped fix that), the flashlight inevitably gets left on (get rechargeable batteries for sure), and they can accidentally (or out of curiosity/button-mashing) change channel/subchannel and then come calling for help. We worked through it all, but I wouldn’t recommend that many buttons. The basic ones look great and if they’re as durable as ours should hold up to plenty of pavement drops from kids. Wish grandma had got those instead…
Dan Schneider
I’m a little late to the party here, but have you considered watching Craigslist or FB Marketplace for used FRS radios? I got my little set of Midlands for $15 practically brand new and they work just fine. USB rechargeable or take 2xAA batteries, just five buttons and so easy even I can understand them. There are dozens of small Midland, Cobra and Motorola pairs available in my area for $15-30.