Updated on Oct 25, 2023 4:59 PM EDT
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Dreaming with the heart of a child is what keeps you alive. We might not use a playhouse as a vehicle to escape into space or to rush off to put out a fire with our best buds, but we all pretend our daily commuters are big rigs from time to time. One way to feel a little closer to that dream is to set your ride up with a sweet CB radio. Well, maybe playing trucker isn’t your goal as maybe you just want a CB radio for practical uses. There’s no arguing that it’s a great way to keep in contact with other members of your mini convoy and maybe even seek help in an emergency. Whatever your motivation, we’re going to help you find the best CB radio for your needs.
In picking out CB radios to feature on our list of top picks, we stuck to the typical formula. We took the time to research the world of CB radios, and YouTube reviews, as usual, were a massive help in getting the basic information down, while sites dedicated to the industry, such as rightchannelradios.com, were an essential tool in feeling out what brands to trust. After turning in our homework, we opted to think about what we’d want in CB radios. We don’t pilot big rigs to make a living and we admit our list is proof of that. What we’ve come up with is a list of CB radios we think are tailored to general automotive enthusiasts ready to get their feet wet in the craft.
The Cobra 29 LTD is an industry-standard that’s popular with professional drivers. It’s styled on its original design but has been updated in several ways, including a front-panel microphone connector that makes in-dash installation simple. It gives you access to 40 channels and emergency Channel 9 and has a 4-watt output. These units are real workhorses commonly used in the trucking industry. The device comes with an antenna warning indicator that lets you know if your system needs to be checked, and it features accurate and tactile controls. The sound is clear on either end. It even packs heat with integrated SWR controls to keep the antenna and additional expenses in check.
Microphone issues are relatively common. Even if Cobra’s customer service has a track record of correcting the matter, the price makes this a problem for many customers. The size is also something that may limit this from use in smaller vehicles.
Getting into CB radios isn’t as easy as it seems. On top of trying to learn all of the terms and functions, you have to pick a unit that fits your vehicle. It’s also always tough to spend a bunch of money on something you’re unfamiliar with. That said, the President Adams CB radio is a great way to get your feet wet. Despite the price, it’s a highly capable model that you can get plenty of use out of. The large LCD display keeps monitoring settings easy, which also works in favor of newcomers. The small footprint makes it exceptionally easy to mount this unit in even the tightest spaces.
It isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing unit, and despite working as well as any other unit, its design might prevent some users from mounting it in their vehicles. It does not feature integrated SWR metering, and you can expect additional expense to get it up and running.
Odd product names aside, President Electronics makes solid CB radios. The Walker II is an affordable, no-frills design with the features you need to get started. It offers 40 channels, an easily readable display, and a compact design that makes it ideal for almost any vehicle. Don’t expect fancy digital controls or options here, as this is a manual, old-school radio.
The Walker II draws exceptional feedback from buyers. It’s got auto SWR and delivers great range, especially with longer antennas. Some buyers, however, report smells and rattles when opening the package.
It isn’t cheap, but Garmin’s Rino 700 Handheld Two-way radio provides a range of up to 20 miles, and the ability to send text messages between Garmin units. You can take it with you into challenging terrain off-road worry-free, because it delivers 14 hours of battery life. The device shows your position in the world, along with the positions of other Rino users sharing a channel with you.
Garmin says the Rino 700 is sensitive enough to detect its position in deep canyons and in places that traditional GPS units struggle. The 2.2-inch monochrome display remains visible in direct sunlight, and the thumbstick controller makes for easy one-handed use.
The Uniden Bearcat 980 brings 40 AM channels and a crystal clear display that makes it ideal for life on the road. The unit also offers seven customizable colors for the display, so you can dial in the visual that works best for you. Uniden includes a noise-canceling microphone and NOAA weather alerts as well, making the Bearcat 980 a great bang for your buck.
Uniden used an SSB configuration for the Bearcat, which enables 12-watt transmission over the standard 4 watts. That gives the unit a larger range and can improve reliability, but the person or people on the other end will need an SSB radio to take advantage of its capabilities.
Cobra doesn’t limit its sights solely to full-size CB radios, as it does a great job of servicing all ends of the industry. The Cobra is a prime example of what it has to offer to those needing something a little less robust. Running this CB radio in your vehicle requires little more than popping on a magnetic antenna, which is included in this package. The handheld unit uses AA batteries or a 12-volt DC port, meaning there’s no need to tap into your vehicle’s charging system to get going, and you can use it on foot if you need to. It also means you can quickly transport your CB radio from vehicle to vehicle.
It can function as a 40-channel CB radio and do everything you need it to. Still, it better serves as something for use in private groups that don’t roam far from one another. Also, the dependency on a total of nine AA batteries is far from ideal.
Hear us out before you jump down our throats for calling this a mobile CB. Push-to-talk cell phones aren’t as common as they used to be, nor are they always the best solution. The President Randy just might be, though. This handheld CB radio is sized just right to throw on a lanyard or in your pack before you hit the trail, keeping you in contact with other hikers or riders along the way. It also features an optional DC charging port as well as external antenna and microphone adapters, meaning you can use it in your rig in a pinch.
Range and clarity are limited, and this is best-suited for small off-road clubs. You also pay a pretty penny for the smaller-than-average size.
If you’re looking for a solid CB, the Cobra Professional CB Radio is hard to ignore as necessary additional equipment is limited, and the quality is hard to beat. The President Adams FCC CB Radio is a fantastic option for those on a budget.
This guide can help you sort through some of the jargon and variables and figure out which model best suits your needs.
You already know what channel scanning is all about. It’s what your old AM/FM radio used to do. It automatically scanned channels, giving you a glimpse of hot tracks playing on various channels. Channel scanning on a CB radio does the same thing, except it automatically stops when it finds a channel where people are talking.
The obvious benefit of channel scanning is that it keeps your eyes on the road while you search for discussions. This is typically a standard feature but is worth keeping an eye out for and making use of.
In 1969, the FCC designated Channel 9 for emergency use only. To help you out, CB radio manufacturers have incorporated a Channel 9 switch so you can get a hold of the authorities quickly. At the very least, this is something to keep an eye out for in a CB radio as it can obviously get you in contact with the right people when things go wrong.
Another great channel to be mindful of is Channel 19, which is dedicated to truckers or other drivers who can provide traffic updates to one another. Some CB radios also come equipped with an instant Channel 19 switch.
The automatic noise limiter reduces the amplitude of impulse noise by clipping incoming audio signals. This lets users avoid ear-piercing signals that can damage the speakers. Along with ANL, one of the most important features any CB radio can have is RF gain. Basically, it allows you to quiet the radio by opening and closing the receiver instead of using the radio’s squelch control. The result is improved reception over a greater distance.
You can spend a few hundred dollars on a high-end CB radio, but you don’t need much to get started. About $50 to $100 can get you handheld CB radios and smaller mobile units. Moving up to the $100-$200 range starts to draw in some better quality models with better signal quality and enhanced audio controls. Paying $200 or more brings you into the territory of professional-grade CB radios.
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: For the most part, CB radios have a range of just a few miles. Better units in ideal conditions can sometimes expand their range to 20 miles, but all transmit with 4 watts of power, as required by the law. In some instances, a rare phenomenon known as skip can essentially expand your range to hundreds if not thousands of miles.
A: Atmospheric conditions can cause the range of a CB radio to fluctuate but not always for the worst. When the atmospheric conditions are just right, your CB radio may be able to make contact with operators that are thousands of miles away. The phenomenon of shooting skip gets its name because you’re essentially able to get your radio waves to skip along the Earth’s surface and reach much further than they normally would.
A: Proper antenna selection for a CB radio is worthy of discussion on its own. It is dependent on the model you select, the intended range, and personal preference.
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