Best VHF Marine Radio of 2024 – Buying Guide and Professional Advice

Now that you have your dream boat, you need to have a marine VHF radio before going out on the water to help insure your safety should something terrible happen. So, what is a marine VHF radio, and why do you need one?

Cell phones are designed to operate using cell towers placed on the land. Most of the time, the location of the cell tower placement will be more inland to maximize land coverage. That means a typical range of 25-45 miles might be a fraction of that distance due to tower placement. Another disadvantage of using a cell phone is that even if you do have cell reception, you will call the Coast Guard via a regular phone in case of an emergency. 

A VHF marine radio has a dedicated channel to communicate with the coast guard and other boats in the area, and it will send a distress signal with a push of a button (with your GPS location). What happens if you fall overboard? A typical cell phone does not float, and many are not waterproof. Most good quality VHF marine radios are IPX7 and IPX8 rated (basically waterproof) and can flow. Some higher-end VHF marine radios will also blink an emergency light so you can easily spot it on the ocean surface. Again, this is NOT something a cell phone is designed for. The Coast Guard urges every boater to use their VHF marine radio to make distress calls.

So now you know that a cell phone is not designed to be your main communication device on the water, let us help you decide which marine VHF radio is right for you.

The two major types of VHF marine radios are handheld and fixed-mount marine VHF radios. For smaller boats and kayaks, a handheld marine radio will be suitable. They are compact and provide coverage of up to 5 miles.

If you have a larger boat, a fixed VHF is a better choice since it will have more power output = a more extended operational range (up to 25 Watts of transmitting power), and the ability to place an external antenna which adds even greater transmitting distance. The AIS, hailer, and other features are typically limited to fixed-mount two-way radios.

FIXED MOUNT VHF RADIOS, as you might expect, is mounted on a boat and require a continuous power source from a vessel and an external antenna. 

They can transmit up to 25 watts, the legal limit of a VHF marine radio. The higher-end models have AIS and Hailers, which can be helpful in heavy traffic areas. 

Paired with a good antenna mounted high up, a fixed VHF marine radio can cover a distance up to 25 miles away.

HANDHELD VHF RADIOS are great for smaller boats, kayaks, and anyone who plans on being close to shore and doesn't require the extra power of the fixed mount radio. There is no need for an external antenna since it is built in, and people love the portability of handheld radios.

The power is limited to about 6 watts, providing approximately a 5-mile operating distance (depending on weather conditions and line of sight). Besides the decrease of energy, most other features that you find on fixed mount VHF marine radios can also be found on handheld VHF marine radios.

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) allows mariners to instantly send an automatically formatted distress alert to the Coast Guard or other rescue authority with a push of a button. By law, all fixed marine radios are required to have this feature. You must apply for an MMSI number ($25 application fee) and Maritime Mobile Service Identity. The unique ID is linked to a vessel, not a radio. You must also enter the nine-digit code when you program your radio.

DSC also uses your GPS location when transmitting a signal. Most higher-end VHF marine radios will have GPS built-in. If not, you should invest in a GPS device and connect it to your marine radio to take full advantage of the DSC feature.

Unfortunately, recent statistics show that almost 90% of DSC-compatible marine VHF radios aren't programmed. We urge you to set it up for your safety.

Having a VHF marine radio with GPS is convenient and will provide you with additional safety and navigation capabilities. You should know that not all marine radios have GPS built in. Usually, it is found in more expensive marine VHF radios like our best-rated Standard Horizon HX870 (portable VHF). Most fixed-mount marine VHF radios will offer a connection via a connector or have a GPS receiver. The ICOM M424G is an example of a fixed-mount VHF radio with a GPS, so you won’t have to connect it to an external one.

Besides providing information about the location on display, GPS utilizes several other functions of the marine VHF radio: DSC calls with automatically included coordinates, GPS compass, waypoint navigation, and date/time information. It would be best to look for a GPS receiver with 66 channels for more accurate and reliable information.

Best VHF Marine Radios Manufacturers:

Today four manufacturers dominate the VHF marine radio market:

• ICOM
• Standard Horizon (Yaesu brand)
• Uniden
• Cobra Electronics

Most marine radios are built in Japan, a leader in marine electronics today. Our favorite ones and most advanced marine VHF radios are built by Icom and Standard Horizon, who offer a variety of handheld radios and fixed-mounted marine radios.

With a large 1.7" x 1.7" dot matrix resolution screen & powerful backlight, the HX890 boasts one of the largest handheld marine VHF radio displays. It has an easy to operate icon/menu system that allows you to access DSC (Digital Selective Calling) calls, position tracking, and navigation all from the menu. 

The built-in integrated 66 channel WAAS GPS receiver allows for quick and accurate position information, using the DSC & waypoint navigation features. It also has Group Monitoring (GM) for continuous vessel tracking & positioning for up to 9 pre-selected vessels.

This unit includes a two scrambler system, utilizing both 4 code CVS2500A and 32 code FVP-42 scramblers, ensuring secure communications when out on the water.

Thanks to a water activated emergency strobe light, you’ll feel safer too. It activates automatically if the unit falls into the water, even if it isn’t turned on. The light can change between on & off flash, SOS, or a continuous beam.

If your looking for more details check out our full in depth review of the HX890 hand held VHF marine radio.

The Cobra MRHH 350 FLT is one of the best mid-priced marine VHF radios currently available to boaters. The 350 FLT marine VHF radio has great signal quality with high power output (selectable between 1/3/6 watts) in a very compact body. The compact design of this handheld marine radio also makes it very easy to carry around and store on smaller vessels and kayaks. Engineers at Cobra made sure that the compact body would not compromise its floating ability. And yes, it floats and the orange inserts on the body makes it easy to spot it. 

The Cobra MRHH350 marine VHF radio has all NOAA weather channels with weather alerts ensuring that you can track storms when your on the water. The Cobra marine VHF radio even has a "Burp" feature that vibrates helping to remove water from the speaker grill and reduce distortion.

Noise cancelling microphone, all US/Canada/International marine channels, illuminated function keys as well as a reasonable price makes this a great value among portable marine  VHF radios manufactured by a reputable manufacturer. Some of the features include:

The Uniden MHS75 is a submersible 5-watt Handheld VHF Marine Radio and contains many features and accessories such as a rapid clip-on DC charger and lithium-Ion Battery. Long battery life up to 12 hours allows you to be on the water all day without worrying about your battery running dead. Additionally, having all the NOAA weather channels ensures you will be up to date with weather conditions. The JSI8 waterproof rating allows you to submerge the radio in up to 5 ft of water for 30 minutes without damage. Instant channel triple watch and memory channel scan allow you to monitor all relevant channels as needed to ensure you do not miss an important weather update or transmission. The ability to switch from 1 to 2.5 to 5 watts of power allows you to conserve power when you are closer to shore. The back lit LCD screen is easy to read even during stormy weather. Finally, a 3 year warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that it is protected.

Due to its low price the Uniden MHS75 marine VHF radio a great option for boaters looking to purchase a budget marine VHF radio for a smaller boat or as a backup radio on a larger craft that can withstand rough weather and everyday use. Experienced boaters who are looking for more features such as GPS, emergency strobes etc may want to consider the HX870 marine VHF radio. Some of the features include:

The GX2000 is packed with high-end features: integrated AIS and GPS receiver capabilities, and full AIS/GPS matrix display. Note that you do need to already have an AIS/GPS receiver or transponder on your boat. If you are someone who is constantly boating in high traffic areas, the AIS feature is a must. The 30 Watt PA/Loud hailer is useful for communicating with other vessels and is pre-programmed. The model is a little larger than your typical radio, yet you will enjoy the bigger display and the layout of the front panel. You can also get an optional RAM3 Mic for it as well.

While the GX2000 has been around for a while it is still our pick for the best overall fixed mount radio as it contains all the needed features as well as some premium features such as GPS connectivity that are typically found on other more expensive models. The rugged construction and 3 year waterproof warranty ensure that this radio will serve you for many seasons on the water. The IPX7 rating also ensures that no storms rough water will damage the radio.

One of the best features of the GX2000 is the easy to use menus and navigation as well as the large back-lit display that allows easy reading in any weather conditions. 

The Icom IC-M424G VHF radio is compact with top notch performance and all the necessary features included in its compact body. Model M324G (look for the G at the end of the model number) has a GPS receiver built in, that will allow you to see current position and time as well as make DSC calls. For people who care about connectivity options, this model has the MNEA 0183 interface. The large high definition dot-matrix display makes it easy to read information and the rotary selection/keypad is a breeze to use. This is really a great value radio; packing many higher end features like the GPS receiver.

If you’re looking for a feature packed radio that has a GPS, IPX7 protection and the NMEA 0183 interface then this is currently one of the best VHF radios you can buy. The features it comes with and its modest price point make it a great choice.

If you take your boat out often (and/or offshore) and are looking for a reasonable VHF radio with the features you need the IC-M424G is the radio for you. Some of the features include:

The Uniden UM385 VHF marine radio is one of the best budget marine VHF radios currently available which is why it gets our pick for best budget VHF radio. The UM385 is compact, available in 2 colors (black and white), features all USA, Canada and International channels, including the new 4-Digit channels,  supports S.A.M.E weather alerts and has triple watch functions. The maximum power output on the Uniden UM380 is 25 Watts, which is what you would expect from a fixed VHF radio. You can also select 1W for short range communication if needed.

Connected to a GPS receiver (not included) via NMEA 0183, you will be able to make DSC transmissions on this radio. The display is quite large and bright, the keys are back-lit and the 2 extra-large knobs (Volume and Squelch) are easily found even without looking at the radio. The Uniden UM385 is rated IPX4 and comes with a 3-year warranty.

One of the most attractive features of the UM385 is its very reasonable price. While you won't get built-in GPS or many of the other features found in more expensive VHF radios if you are only out on your boat a few times during the season; you never go far from shore and are not on the ocean this can be a good choice to help save you money. For these reasons this gets our pick for the best budget fixed mount vhf radio. Some of the features include:

There are many different types of two way marine radios as well as many different price points. Below is a description of the most important features and differences between the different types of two way marine radios. This should help you decide which marine radio is best for you.

A lot of boaters prefer to have a back up type of setup - having a handheld VHF radio and a fixed mount marine radio. Remember, anything may happen and it is better to take extra precautions to be safe on the water.

As we mentioned before, fixed mount marine radios are capable of transmitting up to 25 watts of power. Handheld VHF marine radios will have on average 3 to 6 watts of power capability.

There are many different factors that influence actual marine radio usable range, but the most significant factor is the antenna. VHF marine radios use radio frequency ranges between 156.0 and 174 Mhz. These frequencies are most effective in line of sight. Typically, standing in the cockpit of a boat, the distance to the horizon for an average adult is about three miles. The higher the antenna placement, the further distance to the horizon is, thus increasing the usable range of your marine radio.

In ideal conditions, you should expect a 4-6 mile range from a handheld VHF radio and around 16-20 miles from a fixed mount radio with a well placed antenna.

Yes, you do need to get an antenna for fixed mount radios, but not for handheld radios since they are shipped with one. When choosing an antenna for a radio, you need to look into its dB rating. A higher “gain” means a more focused area of transmissions and is recommend for more stable powerboats on calm seas. A lower “gain” is better for sailboats.

The antenna length is typically anywhere from 2-8 ft. Sail boats tend to have 3’5’ antennas, while power boats opt for 8ft. The higher end marine antennas are made out of fiberglass, while lower quality antennas use nylon ferrules. View more information about VHF marine antennas.

Refers to the amount of channels that can be actively monitored during operation. You are required to monitor channel 16 all the time; which is the emergency channel. With the tri-watch function, you can monitor a 3rd channel, typically channel 09 which is used for general hailing operations. If there is an emergency being broadcasted over channel 16, a VHF radio will automatically mute other channels and switch over to channel 16 so that you can hear the message.

These are alerts provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They use service satellites and polar orbiting satellites to help predict the weather and track storms. If your radio is equipped with weather alerts, it will monitor the weather channel and will notify you if an alert signal is sent by the NOAA. It is a good idea to test your weather alert channel, especially before a long trip, by tuning  to the proper channel every Wednesday between 11am and 1pm; your local time.

You might think that most of marine radio are waterproof. That’s is not the case with a lot of cheaper radios, which are usually rated “splash resistant” very different from waterproof!

There are two most commonly used rating system on the market - JIS and IP.

JIS scale (stands for Japan Industrial Standard) measures water resistance with rating ranging from 0 to 8.

• JIS-0 - No special protection
• JIS-8 - Equipment is usable for continuous submersion inn after under specified pressure

IP Code (International Protection Rating) - has two digits. The first digit refers to resistance to solid, while the second digit resistance to liquids.

• IPX0 - No protection
• IPX8 - Equipment is suitable for continuous immersion in water.

The best two way marine radios will have IPX7/IPX8 and JIS8 /JIS8 submersible rating (1 meter depth of water for 30 minutes). We also recommend radio that can float and flash when dropped into the water.

Some of you may have noticed degraded audio quality and sensitivity of a loudspeaker/microphone when repeatedly exposed to water or storms. This happens because the membrane of the speaker is not able to freely move and reproduce audio signals clearly. To deal with this problem manufacturers introduced a “burp function” (a term used by Standard Horizon)  or ”AquakeQuake” (trademark of ICOM radios) – a series of specially formulated sounds that will push water out of the speaker opening restoring clearer conversations and transmissions. Heavy rain can produce the same issue with speaker systems.

MOB refers to the “man-over-board” function that will automatically mark a position if someone falls off the vessel. The location will be stored and can be shared with other people and/or search and rescue vessels. The term is used by HX870 portable VHF radio as well as other higher end VHF radios.

AIS refers to an automatic tracking system that is used on vessels. The primary intent of AIS is to display traffic information in a select area (limited to VHF radio range) and be seen by other vessels to avoid collisions. VHF radios that are equipped with integrated AIS transponder systems rely on GPS,  and VHF signals as well as digital processing to display location, vessel size as well as speed on a radar display. If you are planning on using your boat in high traffic areas, we strongly recommend to get a radio with AIS. 

When a fixed mount VHF radio has a hailer function, it is capable of sending out pre-programmed fog signals and act as a 2 way PA style communication device. Speaker power output ranges between 10W – 30W and you will need to have an external horn/hailer/pa speaker purchased and connected. 

Radios in PA hail mode can send a signal as well as listen back (a PA acts like a microphone), providing another way of communication on a boat.

Hailer In FOG/HORN mode has several preprogrammed messages: STOP, SAIL, TOW, AGROUND, ANCHOR, SIREN, HORN and UNDERWAY. These are audio messages (5-11 seconds audio blasts with different intervals and repetitions) that are recognized by other vessels.

We recommend getting a VHF radio with a Hailer function as it can provide additional safety in bad weather and is great for larger boats and longer trips offshore.

This is an important factor for handheld VHFs. Make sure the radio has a large capacity battery to provide enough power during your trip. The capacity will range anywhere from 1,000mAh and all the way to 2,300mAh. The Standard Horizon HX400 currently holds the record including the largest capacity battery providing up to 17 hours of operational time. The HX870 has a 1800mAh battery that will last you 9-10 hours of typical usage plus you can swap it for a tray that takes 5xAAA alkaline batteries. Better VHF radios will have a quick charge function capable of fully charging the battery within 2-3 hours.

Manufacturer's usually include a DC charger as well as AC charger.

Active Noise Cancelling filters out the background noises and makes your communication with another person much clearer. Just like your cell phone works to block out background noises, so does a VHF radio; actively trying to mute engine and wind noises that occur all the time. Look for a VHF radio with active noise cancelling to help ensure clear communication not matter the background noise.

NMEA is a serial-data networking protocol developed for marine electronic devices. It allows them to communicate and share information over a simple to connect network system. There are currently two NMEA versions that can be found in fixed mount radios – NMEA 0183 (older) and NMEA 2000 (newer). Using NMEA connectivity, marine electronic devices can share AIS reports, GNSS, DSC calls, radio frequency, and depth/fish finder information amongst themselves.

Most marine radios use Dot -Matrix LCD display’s which provide enough contrast during sunny days and are back-lit for visibility at night. They show the most crucial information, like the current channel as well as selected power output. Radios with GPS and AIS typically will feature bigger display’s to accommodate more information such as GPS location, maps, etc.

The ICOM M605 is a newer radio and features a 4.3” color LCD display with wide viewing angels. It is definitely a great looking screen with beautiful graphics that is a big upgrade over typical dot-matrix displays.

Typically, you will see price ranges anywhere between $59 to $299, with some high-end models selling for over $500. What can you expect to get for $59? Lower transmitting power, no DSC, GPS, no AIS on fixed mount radios and shorter battery life. As something you may have to rely on for safety, we do not recommend those.

The top rated two way marine radios usually come from manufacturers such as Cobra, Icom and Standard Horizon, and include important features such as GPS, submersible, waterproof, 10 NOAA weather channels, noise cancelling, illuminated keys, burp speaker draining, radio check and longer manufacturer warranties of 3 years or longer.

Icom M506 is currently on sale for $480 and has received NMEA Best VHF Radio Product award for the past 3 years (2014-2016). Recently released ICOM M605 features color LCD and can connect up to 3 external controllers. It also received NMEA award as the Best VHF product in 2017!

This is not something to be overlooked. Since modern VHF radios are complicated electronic devices, failures do happen especially when used on a regular basis out on the water. With most marine radios, a 2-3 year waterproof warranty is included and should be the minimum warranty you look for. 

If you have bought or used these radios please feel free to leave a comment with your experience below to help others who may have questions.