A wind-up radio is one of the few things the UK government specifically says to keep in an emergency kit. When the power is out and phone signal is patchy, a radio is how you’ll hear local news, travel updates and official advice. A good one also doubles as a torch and an emergency phone charger.
We compared the most popular wind-up and solar radios on Amazon UK on features, power options and thousands of buyer reviews. We haven’t tested them ourselves.
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Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Bands | Phone charging | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaito KA500 | AM, FM, shortwave | Yes | Best overall |
| Duronic Apex | AM, FM | No | Simple and compact |
| Solarbaby hand crank radio | AM, FM | Yes, 2,000mAh | Best budget |
| Solarbaby DAB+ radio | DAB+, FM | Yes, 20,000mAh | Best DAB and power bank |
| Sangean MMR-99 DAB+ | DAB+, FM | Yes | Premium pick |
What to look for in a wind-up radio
- FM first. In an emergency, your local BBC and commercial stations on FM are what matter. DAB gives more stations and clearer sound, but needs more battery.
- More than one way to charge. The best radios charge by USB, solar and hand crank. Treat the crank and solar panel as backups: they’re slow. Keep the radio topped up by USB so it’s ready to go.
- Phone charging. Many radios have a built-in battery you can use to give your phone an emergency top-up. A bigger battery (in mAh) means more charge to share.
- A torch. Almost all have one. Some add a reading lamp or a flashing SOS light.
- Ignore NOAA. Many radios sold in the UK are designed for the US and list NOAA weather channels. These only work in the US and Canada.
The best wind-up radios in the UK
1. Kaito KA500: best overall
The Kaito KA500 is one of the best-selling emergency radios on Amazon UK, with over 12,000 reviews averaging 4.4 stars. It covers AM, FM and two shortwave bands, and you can power it six ways: hand crank, solar, USB, a mains adapter (sold separately), AA batteries or its own rechargeable pack. That’s the most flexible here.
- Bands: AM, FM, shortwave
- Power: crank, solar, USB, mains adapter, 3 x AA, built-in rechargeable pack
- Extras: USB output to charge a phone, LED torch, 5-LED reading lamp, red SOS beacon
- Build: impact- and water-resistant casing
Watch out for: its weather alert feature uses US NOAA channels, which don’t work in the UK. Ignore that and it’s still a very capable radio.
2. Duronic Apex: simple and compact
If you just want a reliable little radio that lives in a drawer, the Duronic Apex is a good choice from a UK brand, with over 2,000 reviews averaging 4.4 stars. It charges by solar, USB or crank, has a built-in torch and weighs about 300g.
- Bands: AM, FM
- Power: crank, solar, USB; 300mAh built-in battery
- Extras: built-in torch
- Weight: about 300g
Watch out for: the small battery means more winding, and it can’t charge your phone.
3. Solarbaby hand crank radio: best budget
This Solarbaby radio is one of the cheapest well-reviewed options, with nearly 5,000 reviews averaging 4.4 stars. For the price you get AM and FM, a torch, and a 2,000mAh battery that can give a phone a small emergency top-up.
- Bands: AM, FM
- Power: crank, solar, USB; 2,000mAh built-in battery
- Extras: phone charging, torch
Watch out for: it’s a basic radio, so don’t expect great sound. As a kit radio that just works, it’s hard to beat on price.
4. Solarbaby DAB+ radio: best DAB and power bank
If you want DAB+ as well as FM, this Solarbaby model pairs it with a huge 20,000mAh battery, enough to recharge a typical phone several times. It also has a battery display, a torch and an SOS alarm.
- Bands: DAB+, FM
- Power: USB-C (about 8 hours for a full charge), crank, solar; 20,000mAh battery
- Extras: phone charging, torch, SOS alarm, battery display
- Weight: about 740g
Watch out for: it’s a newer listing with fewer reviews (under 100 when we checked, averaging 4.4 stars). The crank and solar panel are slow to fill a battery this big, so charge it by USB-C and keep it topped up.
5. Sangean MMR-99 DAB+: premium pick
Sangean is a well-known radio maker, and the MMR-99 is a properly built emergency radio rather than a gadget. It has DAB+ and FM, Bluetooth so you can play music from your phone, and an IP55 rating against dust and water.
- Bands: DAB+, FM, plus Bluetooth
- Power: crank, solar, USB-C; 2,600mAh rechargeable battery
- Extras: phone charging (USB-A output), torch with several modes
- Weight: about 900g
Watch out for: it costs several times more than the others here. Worth it if you’ll use it as an everyday radio too, for gardening, camping or the shed.
How to get the most from a wind-up radio
- Charge it fully by USB first, then let the solar panel keep it topped up on a windowsill.
- Turn it on every few months to check it works and the battery is holding charge.
- Keep it with your torch and power banks in your emergency kit, where everyone in the house can find it.
- Write down your local radio frequencies. The emergency services and your network operator often share updates through local BBC radio during storms and power cuts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a wind-up radio in the UK?
The government’s Prepare campaign recommends a battery or wind-up radio in every household emergency kit. It’s the most reliable way to hear local news if the power and phone networks go down.
Is DAB or FM better for emergencies?
FM is simpler and uses less battery, and every UK local radio station broadcasts on it. DAB gives more stations and clearer sound. If you can, choose a radio with both.
How long do you have to wind a wind-up radio?
It depends on the radio, but cranking is slow. Treat it as a last resort. The easiest approach is to charge the radio fully by USB and keep it topped up, so you rarely need the crank.
Can a wind-up radio charge my phone?
Many can, using their built-in battery. A small 2,000mAh battery gives a phone a short top-up. For proper phone charging in a long power cut, a dedicated power bank or a portable power station is better.