Marine two way radios are a must-have for any boat or watercraft, providing the means to communicate with other boats, share navigation plans, and even call for help in an emergency. With so many models on the market, it can be difficult to determine which radio is best for your lifestyle and budget. Fortunately, we’ve gathered all the information you need to make the best choice when it comes to marine two-way radios. We will be discussing the top features to consider, the most popular brands, and the best radios available today.
Best Marine Two Way Radios
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Uniden UM380
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Standard Horizon GX1700W
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Quansheng UV-R50
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Icom M36
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Cobra MR HH600
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Standard Horizon HX400
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Icom IC-M324G
|
8. 0
|
|
8
|
Uniden Atlantis
|
7 .7
|
1. Uniden UM380
The Uniden UM380 is an amazing fixed-mount marine radio. It is perfect for use on both large and small boats, and it has a host of features that make it a great choice for any boater. The UM380 has a simple, intuitive design that is easy to use, and the audio quality is excellent. It also has an impressive range, allowing you to communicate with other boats or shore stations that are up to 20 miles away. It also has a variety of channels to choose from, including NOAA channels for weather alerts and distress signals. Additionally, the UM380 has a built-in GPS receiver which allows you to know your exact location at all times, as well as allowing you to communicate with other vessels that are within your range. Overall, the Uniden UM380 is an exceptional marine radio that is perfect for any boater who wants reliable communication without having to sacrifice features and quality.
- Submersible 25 watt fixed mount VHF radio
- All USA, International, and Canadian Marine Channels
- NOAA Weather Channels with Weather Alert
- Triple Watch Mode
- Instant Channel 16 and Triple Watch
- One-Touch Channel 16/9 Key
- Memory Channel Scan
- Memory Channel Swap
- Large Backlit LCD Display and Keypad
- NMEA Input and Output
- Selectable 1W/25W Transmit Power
- Programmable Scan and Priority Scan
- Weather Alert
- Dual Watch
2. Standard Horizon GX1700W
After using the Standard Horizon GX1700W for a few weeks, I am very impressed. This marine radio has a lot of features that make it stand out from the competition. The Dual-Watch feature is great as it allows you to monitor two frequencies at once, which is perfect for busy areas.
The GX1700W also features NOAA weather alerts, allowing you to stay updated on severe weather conditions. Additionally, the GX1700W has a 25-watt loud audio output for noisy environments. The large LCD display is also very easy to read and the user interface is intuitive and user-friendly.
The construction of the Standard Horizon GX1700W is top-notch, with a water-resistant case and sturdy buttons. I’m very happy with the performance of this radio and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable marine radio.
- Full-function 25 watt VHF radio with Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
- NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 Networking
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- Easy-to-read LCD display with backlighting
- Built-in GPS receiver
- Slim, ergonomic design
- Built-in speaker
- External speaker connection
- All USA/International/Canadian Marine Channels
- Programmable scanning and dual watch functions
- Weather alert and weather channel receive
3. Quansheng UV-R50
I bought the Quansheng UV-R50 recently and I am very pleased with it. It has a lot of great features and is very easy to use. The reception is excellent, with reliable coverage of both UHF and VHF frequencies. It also has a loud and clear audio output and adjustable squelch so you can find the best sound quality. The battery life is great, lasting up to 8 hours on a single charge. Furthermore, it is very lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around. All in all, I highly recommend the Quansheng UV-R50 to anyone who is looking for a reliable and easy to use two-way radio.
- Dual-Band Frequency: VHF 136-174MHz & UHF 400-480MHz
- 128 Channels Storage
- Emergency Alarm
- VOX Functionality
- Scanning and Monitoring
- Time-out Timer
- Battery Saver
- Keypad Lock
- Super-High Receive Sensitivity
- Backlit LCD Screen
- DTMF Encode/Decode
4. Icom M36
The Icom M36 is a great all-in-one communication device. It is perfect for mariners and recreational boaters alike. It has a full-colour LCD display and a backlit keypad for easy day-to-night operation. The unit has a long-range communication capability that is perfect for offshore use. The M36 also has a built-in loudhailer that can be used for hailing or making public announcements. The dual-watch receiver allows you to monitor two channels at once, and the NOAA Weather Alert gives you instant notification of severe weather. The Icom M36 is a great device that is well worth the investment.
- Small and lightweight
- Clear and loud audio
- Submersible up to 3 feet for 30 minutes
- Highly power efficient for long battery life
- Intuitive user interface with intuitive operation buttons
- All NOAA weather channels
- Channel scan and direct access keys
- Rechargeable battery included
5. Cobra MR HH600
I recently purchased the Cobra MR HH600 and I’m so glad I did! This is an excellent VHF/GMRS radio with a lot of great features, like a floating design that makes it easy to find in the water, even if it’s dropped. The range is also quite impressive and I’m able to communicate with friends up to five miles away. The battery life is also great, lasting up to 12 hours, so I don’t have to worry about running out of power when I’m out on the water. The rechargeable battery also makes it easy to keep the battery charged. Overall, I’m really happy with my purchase of the Cobra MR HH600 and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great VHF radio.
- Floating design and IPX8 waterproof rating for use in all weather conditions
- Noise cancelling microphone for clear communication
- Four Watts of power for long range communication
- Selectable 1, 3 or 6 watt transmit power for extended range
- Scan functions for finding active channels quickly and easily
- Tri-watch and dual watch functions for monitoring two channels
- Full access to all USA, Canadian and international channels
- NOAA weather alert with S.A.M.E technology
- Instant access to emergency channel 16 and 9
6. Standard Horizon HX400
I recently purchased the Standard Horizon HX400 and it has been a great addition to my boat. The HX400 is a handheld VHF radio that is easy to use and has a lot of great features. It has a large LCD display that is easy to read and the buttons are easy to understand and use. The radio also has a built-in GPS receiver and a dual watch feature, which is great for monitoring two channels at the same time. The signal range is also good and I have had no problems with reception. The HX400 is also very durable and has withstood a few knocks and bumps. All in all, I am very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend the Standard Horizon HX400 to anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality VHF radio.
- Floating waterproof design
- Integrated GPS receiver
- Built-in microphone and external speaker
- NOAA weather channels
- Tri-watch feature for monitoring up to three channels simultaneously
- Class D DSC compliant with a dedicated DSC channel
7. Icom IC-M324G
I recently purchased the Icom IC-M324G and I’m really satisfied with it. It’s a great marine radio that has all the features I need for my boating trips. The receiver is very sensitive and picks up signals from far away, and the audio quality is also very good. The user interface is very straightforward, so I can quickly and easily change settings. It also has features like dual/tri-watch, which is great for monitoring multiple frequencies at once. In short, the Icom IC-M324G is a great marine radio and I would highly recommend it.
- D/DSC Class D Distress/Position Call with Position Request
- AquaQuake draining function
- Built-in GPS
- 25W Output power
- Built-in Class D DSC calling
- Supports NMEA 0183 data input and output
- Submersible IPX7 waterproof construction
8. Uniden Atlantis
The Uniden Atlantis is a great two-way marine radio that is perfect for both recreational and commercial boaters. It has a rugged design that is waterproof and designed to withstand the toughest conditions. The radio has a range of 25 nautical miles and also supports different channels for different types of communication. The radio is easy to use and has a large backlit display for easy viewing. The sound quality is excellent and the radio has a variety of functions that make it convenient to use. Overall, the Uniden Atlantis is a great radio for anyone who needs reliable communication while out on the water.
- Floatable, waterproof design allows use in the water.
- Submersible up to 20 feet.
- Vibrant LCD display for easy viewing.
- 6 preset NOAA weather channels.
- Instant access to emergency channels.
- Includes a rechargeable battery and charger.
- Battery life up to 8 hours.
- JIS4 waterproof rating for extra protection.
