Top 10 Best Licence Free Walkie Talkies 2024

Best Walkie Talkies 2021

Walkie talkies, also known as Two-Way Radios, are still immensely popular among leisure users and professionals. These handheld portable communication radios can be used in countless ways, making them essential for various activities. These Licence free PMR446 walkie talkies offer a cost-effective alternative to licenced two-way radios, that can be used immediately with no programming or Ofcom licence required, making them perfect for professional and leisure users alike. We know it can be difficult to find the right walkie talkie so we have put to together our expert-approved list. Our in-depth breakdown of each radio includes the pros & cons with key features to help you make the best choice for your needs. Whether you need a radio for the school playground, shop floor, or warehouse, our list has you covered for all your short-range communication needs.

So let's get to it here's our list;


 width= Motorola's newest radio, the XT185, replaces the XT180, an extremely popular radio. It comes in a compact design and a sports a hard-wearing form factor that is intended for professional use.

  Pros  

  • Motorola's next-gen radio replacing the XT180
  • IP54 Rated Water and Dust Tight  
  • Compact and lightweight
  • USB Charger UK Plug & Charger Pods
  • 24hrs battery life

  •   Cons  

  • Doesn't use same accessories as the Motorola XT180
  • No multi-charger option

No:2 Walkie Talkie T92 H20

Meeting IP67 standards and being both floatable and waterproof making the T92 H20 ideal for outdoor use. The integrated torch has bright white and red modes and will automatically activate on contact with water. With an emergency alert button included which activates a hands-free call and sounds a loud warning tone on your radio to signal to others in your group that you need help.

  Pros  

  • Waterproof IP67 rated
  • Submersible up to 1 meter for 30 min 
  • Charge on multiple devices with micro USB cable
  • Floats in water
  • Alarm button and emergency light

    •   Cons  

    • No charger dock option (Micro USB Only)
    • Large and bulky radio due to being able to float in water

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The Motorola XT420 is regarded as high-end walkie talkie aimed at professional business use,  built to withstand the harshest environments meeting military standards  810 C, D, E, F and G  being both dust and waterproof with an IP55 Rating enabling the radios to go much further than just the traditional walkie talkie. 

  Pros  

  • Business Level Licence Free Radio
  • Excellent Build Quality (5+ Years Use)
  • Easy to set up and simple use (channel knob)
  • Powerful 1500 mW speaker for clear audio
  • IP55 dust and water-resistant rating


 width= The Motorola XT460 is part of the Motorola XT400 series, the XT460 offers similar features to the Motorola XT420, including the professional two-way radio look, but with an additional LCD display feature allowing channel display. 

  Pros  

  • Small LCD Screen
  • Fully compatible with XT420s
  • Easy to set up and simple use (channel knob)
  • Powerful 1500 mW speaker for clear audio
  • IP55 dust and water-resistant rating

    •   Cons  

    • Screen open to damage if dropped
    • No micro USB charging (dock only)

 

No1: Motorola T82 Walkie Talkie

Robust and durable, the Motorola T82 boasts extreme features such as an IPx4 rating making the radio weatherproof, and a sleek hidden display that boosts battery life up to 18 hours as the screen only comes alive when being used.

  Pros  

  • Compatible with Motorola T80 extreme
  • IPx4 rating (weatherproof rain/ splashes)
  • Micro USB charging (dock available)
  • Sleek hidden display
  • Up to 18 Hours battery life

    •   Cons  

    • Splash / weatherproof only
    • No military standard

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The T62 is compact, lightweight and easy to carry, coming packed with features for effective communication with friends, family and team members. A back-lit display makes the screen easy to read even in low light conditions and easy pairing means set-up is simple.

  Pros  

  • Low-cost entry-level radio
  • Small and lightweight
  • Micro USB charging (dock available)
  • Easy to set up and simple use
  • Ideal for children to use

    •   Cons  

    • For leisure / light usage only
    • Monochrome Display

 width=New to the market and with a similar form factor to the Motorola XT185, the T72 comes in a striking yellow colour and boasts an IP54 rating, allowing for use both outdoors and indoors. It also comes equipped with cool accessories such as the carabiner.

  Pros  

  • Similar form factor to Motorola XT185
  • Small and lightweight
  • Micro USB charging & Dock charger
  • Bright vibrant yellow colour
  • Comes with Carabiner accessory

    •   Cons  

    • No multi-charger option (single pod docks)
    • Colour too bright for certain professional users

 width= Designed for use in retail and hospitality sectors, the CLPe is a lightweight, easy-to-operate radio with a large PTT button, 20 hours of battery life, and a compact design. Allowing users to connect instantly, respond quickly to address customer requests and provide premium service. 

  Pros  

  • Perfect for retail and hospitality
  • Meets US Military 810 standards and IP55 rating
  • Compact and discreet
  • Up to 20 hours battery life
  • Voice menu system

    •   Cons  

    • Works with headset only (no speaker)
    • Ideal use for specific sectors only


 width= The Kirisun DP405s is a great robust and well-built radio with a 1w high-power loudspeaker, which combined with advanced digital voice encoding and forward error correction, brings loud and clear audio, even in a noisy environment. 

  Pros  

  • Can be programmed to work with Motorola XT420/460s
  • Meets US Military 810 standards and IP54 rating
  • 1w Loud Speaker
  • Up to 36 hours battery life
  • 2000mAh Lithium Ion Battery


 width= With a lightweight design in a compact yet rugged exterior, the BD505LF provides clear voice communication and high performance making it the ideal licence-free DMR radio for everyday business communication. 

  Pros  

  • Digital Licence Free Radio
  • Li-ion Batteries 22 Hours Battery Life
  • IP54 Dust Rated
  • Up to 36 hours battery life
  • Meets Military Standards 810 C, D, E, F and G


What is a licence free walkie talkie? A PMR446 licence-free walkie-talkie refers to a type of two-way radio that operates on the PMR446 frequency band. PMR446 stands for "Private Mobile Radio 446," and it is a set of frequencies allocated by regulatory authorities in Europe for public use without the need for an individual or organisational licence. PMR446 walkie-talkies are designed for short-range communication and are commonly used for personal and recreational purposes. They operate on a total of eight channels within the 446.00625 – 446.19375 MHz frequency range. These radios typically have a maximum power output of 500 milliwatts and are equipped with fixed antennas.

The range of a radio refers to the maximum distance over which it can effectively transmit and receive signals to maintain clear communication with another radio. In the context of PMR446 license-free walkie-talkies, the range is an essential consideration for users, as it directly impacts the effectiveness of communication in various scenarios.

What is the range of PMR446 radios? The range can vary significantly based on several factors:

  • Power Output:

    PMR446 radios typically have a maximum power output of 500 milliwatts, which is a regulatory limitation to prevent interference with other radio services. Higher power output would result in a longer range, but it is not allowed in this frequency band.

  • Terrain and Environment:

    The landscape and physical obstructions in the surrounding area play a crucial role in determining the range of the radio. In open areas with minimal obstructions, such as clear fields or open water, the range can be relatively longer. However, in urban environments with buildings, hills, or dense foliage, the range may be significantly reduced due to signal blockage.

  • Antenna Quality:

    The type and quality of the radio's antenna also affect the range. A better antenna can provide improved signal propagation and reception.

  • Atmospheric Conditions:

    Atmospheric conditions, such as weather and electromagnetic interference, can impact the range of the radio. Rain, fog, or heavy electrical interference may reduce the effective communication distance.

  • Receiver Sensitivity:

    The sensitivity of the radio's receiver can affect how well it can pick up weaker signals, which can influence the range.

  • Height of Antennas:

    The height of the antennas on both transmitting and receiving radios can affect the range, as higher antennas allow for a clearer line of sight and improved signal propagation.

It's essential to manage expectations regarding the range of PMR446 radios. While the advertised range may be up to a few kilometers under ideal conditions, real-world performance is often lower, especially in urban or obstructed environments. Users should consider these factors when planning communication between PMR446 radios and ensure they have a clear line of sight and optimal conditions for the best possible range.

Looking for a quote or more information? We also have a video blog on the best licence free Motorola walkie talkies here

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