9 Best Long-Range Two-Way Radios for Hunting (November 2026)
The best long range two way radios for hunting include the Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios for silent stand-to-stand coordination, the pxton Walkie Talkies Long Range for Adults for large leases and group drives, and the BAOFENG GMRS Radio Handheld Long Range GM-15 for storms and repeater coverage.
On this page (8 sections)
- The best long range two way radios for hunting
- How these hunting radios compare
- What should you check before buying a hunting radio?
- How do you keep radio traffic quiet on a stalk?
- Which features matter most in cold or wet weather?
- Which radio battery setup suits a long hunt?
- Are long-range hunting radios worth the license?
- The verdict: which radio should you buy for hunting?
The best long range two way radio for hunting for most people is the Arcshell AR-5 4-pack. Four light radios and four earpieces mean a whole hunting party can coordinate in whispers without spending premium money.
If your ground is broken and you need repeater channels or storm warnings, the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro is the better fit. For wet, rough country, the Retevis RB48 survives what the others won't.
Range numbers on hunting radios are optimistic. Makers quote miles measured over flat open ground, and that figure collapses once ridges, timber and rain get in the way.
So the radio that wins a hunt is usually the one that fits your pocket, your earpiece and your battery plan, not the one with the biggest number on the box.
If you're still sorting out what these devices do, our guide to two way radios covers the basics. For the licensed side of things, how far a GMRS radio can reach explains why repeater channels matter in hilly country.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for silent stand-to-stand coordinationArcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for large leases and group drivespxton Walkie Talkies Long Range for Adults
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for storms and repeater coverageBAOFENG GMRS Radio Handheld Long Range GM-15
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itSAMCOM FPCN30A 5W UHF Two Way Radio
Best for hunting clubs and work crews - 5
Check itMidland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Radios, 2 Pack
Best for all-round hunting and road trips - 6
Check itMidland GXT1050VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radios with Headsets
Best for concealed camo setups - 7
Check itBAOFENG UV-32 Radio Ham Radio Handheld 10W
Best for licensed ham operators - 8
Check itRetevis RB48 FRS Walkie Talkies, 2 Pack
Best for wet, rough ground - 9
Check itRetevis RT86 Heavy Duty 2 Way Radios
Best for long days in open terrain
The best long range two way radios for hunting
The Arcshell 4-pack is the top pick overall, and each radio below it is the best choice for a named need. The sections run from highest score to lowest, so you can match a radio to how you actually hunt.
Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios: Best for silent stand-to-stand coordination
- 4-pack with 16 channels
- 1,000 mAh Li-ion battery, about 8 to 96 hours
- Single-earbud earpiece with VOX
- Up to 5 miles with no obstructions
A light 4-pack with an earpiece for every radio, so a whole hunting party can stay in touch without anyone speaking aloud.
Pros
- Four radios in one box
- Earpiece sends all sound to your ear
- USB Type-C port on the radio
Cons
- Voice prompts announce channel changes aloud
- No weather band
Arcshell suits a hunting party of two to four people who want to stay in contact without speaking aloud. Each of the four radios ships with a single-earbud earpiece and a built-in mic, and plugging it in silences the radio speaker so incoming calls go straight to your ear.
The body measures 4.53 in tall and weighs 6.3 oz, so it sits in a jacket pocket or on the included belt clip without dragging. A 1,000 mAh Li-ion pack lasts about 8 to 96 hours depending on how much you transmit, and the newer USB Type-C port lets you top up from a power bank at the truck.
The charger works on 110v-240v and fills a battery in about 2.5 hours.
The trade-off is the voice prompt. Every channel change is announced aloud, so turn the volume down before you leave the vehicle.
There's also no weather band here. For quiet, affordable group comms, this is the radio most hunters should start with.
pxton Walkie Talkies Long Range for Adults: Best for large leases and group drives
- 4-pack with 16 channels and 165 privacy codes
- 1,500 mAh Li-ion battery, up to 96 hours
- Night flashlight and VOX
- 2 mile range in open ground
A 4-pack with privacy codes and a long battery life, aimed at bigger parties moving across open country.
Pros
- 165 privacy codes cut cross-talk
- Flashlight for dark walks in
- Rainproof shell
Cons
- Shorter open-ground reach than the Arcshell
- Bulky 2.8 lb set
The pxton 4-pack ties for the top score and wins on privacy. It carries 165 privacy codes, which cuts the cross-talk you get when other hunters or crews are on the same channels.
The 16 preset channels are picked with a rotary knob, so you can switch without digging through menus.
Its 1,500 mAh Li-ion battery rates up to 96 hours and 8 to 12 hours of continuous use, with a 3 to 4 hour charge from empty. A night flashlight helps on the walk in before dawn.
The shell is rainproof and drop-resistant, and each radio includes an earpiece. VOX and a low battery alarm are part of the kit.
The catch is reach. pxton rates this set at 2 miles in open ground, short of the Arcshell's 5 mile figure and the GMRS pairs' longer claims. The set is also heavy at 2.8 lb for all four.
Buy it if your group hunts a tighter property and privacy codes matter more than raw distance. Skip it if you need to talk across a wide valley.
BAOFENG GMRS Radio Handheld Long Range GM-15: Best for storms and repeater coverage
- 22 GMRS channels plus 8 repeater channels
- 11 NOAA weather channels
- 250 memory channels
- USB-C charging
A GMRS pair with weather alerts and repeater capability, for hunters who want a warning before the sky turns.
Pros
- Repeater channels extend reach
- 11 NOAA channels
- 24 customizable repeater channels
Cons
- Requires an FCC GMRS license
- Not water resistant
The BAOFENG GM-15 Pro is the pick for anyone who hunts where cell bars vanish and weather turns fast. It offers 22 GMRS channels and 8 GMRS repeater channels out of the box, plus 24 customizable repeater channels to extend reach.
It also holds 250 memory channels and 154 privacy codes, so you can program a quiet channel for your group.
Eleven NOAA weather channels receive emergency warnings, and the SOS alarm and flashlight add backup in the dark. A 1,500 mAh battery charges by USB-C from a wall, car or power bank.
BAOFENG rates 4 to 5 miles in open flat ground, 3 to 4 miles in forest and 2 to 3 miles in town. The 1.44 in LCD shows channel name and frequency together.
Two things to weigh: GMRS operation requires an FCC license, and the radio is not water resistant. Buy it for repeater coverage and storm alerts, not for a rainy swamp sit.
SAMCOM FPCN30A 5W UHF Two Way Radio: Best for hunting clubs and work crews
- 6 radios, 20 UHF channels
- 5 watts of power
- One-key GROUP broadcast
- 1500 mAh battery, 8+ hours of use
Six rugged 5W radios with a group call button that broadcasts to several channels at once.
Pros
- Six radios for a club-sized group
- Group button reaches mixed channels
- Heavy-duty shell for rough handling
Cons
- Requires an FCC license
- Weighty at 14.4 oz each
The SAMCOM FPCN30A suits a hunting club or a group that splits across several properties. Six radios ship in one box, and the one-key GROUP button broadcasts to multiple teams even when they're on different channels.
That makes site-wide safety calls simple.
Its 5 watts of power reaches 3 to 5 miles in open ground and covers 300,000+ sq ft inside buildings. SAMCOM says the signal gets through concrete walls, steel beams and basements.
A 1,500 mAh battery gives 12+ hours of standby and 8+ hours of continuous use for a full shift. Two big PTT buttons help with gloves.
The radio is heavy-duty and weather-proof, but each unit weighs 14.4 oz and the set is one of the biggest here. UHF business operation also requires an FCC license.
Choose it when group-wide calls and rugged handling matter more than pocket size.
Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Radios, 2 Pack: Best for all-round hunting and road trips
- 50 channels and 142 privacy codes
- NOAA weather scan with alert
- EVOX hands-free voice activation
- Dual power, rechargeable or AA
A two-pack with weather alerts and a voice-activated mode, useful from the stand to the drive home.
Pros
- Long maker-stated range
- Weather alert built in
- Runs on AA cells as backup
Cons
- Just two radios
- 10-hour average battery life
The Midland GXT1000VP4 is the two-pack to grab for a mixed hunting and road-trip season. It offers 50 channels and 142 privacy codes, and Midland rates up to 36 miles in open ground.
A NOAA scan sounds an alert when severe weather rolls in.
EVOX hands-free voice activation lets you transmit without taking your grip off the rifle or the wheel. Dual power means you can swap to AA cells when the rechargeable pack runs low.
The 2-pack arrives with battery packs, a desktop charger and headsets. Extra touches include an SOS siren, keypad lock, vibrate mode and ten call tones.
The trade-offs are the two-radio count and an average battery life of about 10 hours. Buy it if you hunt in pairs and want weather alerts plus AA backup.
Look at a 4-pack if your group is bigger.
Midland GXT1050VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radios with Headsets: Best for concealed camo setups
- Mossy Oak camo shell
- 50 channels and 142 privacy codes
- Vibrate alerts and silent mode
- Headsets included
The same GMRS core as the GXT1000VP4, wrapped in camo with headsets and silent alerts.
Pros
- Camo pattern for treeline use
- Vibrate and silent modes
- Headsets in the box
Cons
- Two radios only
- 10-hour average battery life
The Midland GXT1050VP4 is the camo version of the GXT1000VP4, built for bowhunters and blind-and-stand teams. A Mossy Oak Break Out pattern helps the radio disappear in the treeline.
It's also JIS4 water resistant, so a wet morning won't stop it.
It shares the 50 channels, 142 privacy codes and 36 mile open-ground rating of its sibling. The stealth features are the difference: vibrate alerts, silent mode, keypad lock and whisper transmit keep you concealed.
An SOS siren stands ready if a trip turns serious. Both units ship with rechargeable packs and a charger, plus headsets.
The same limits apply as the GXT1000VP4: two radios and about 10 hours of average battery life. Choose it over the black version when concealment is the priority.
If you hunt open fields and don't need camo, the GXT1000VP4 is the same radio for less.
BAOFENG UV-32 Radio Ham Radio Handheld 10W: Best for licensed ham operators
- 10W power with high-gain tactical antenna
- NOAA weather receiver
- 2,500 mAh Li-ion battery
- Built-in GPS
A 10W ham pair with a long tactical antenna and GPS, for hunters already holding an amateur license.
Pros
- 10W power and H/M/L switching
- 18.89 in high-gain antenna included
- GPS and NOAA built in
Cons
- Requires a ham license
- Not water resistant
The BAOFENG UV-32 is a 10W ham pair for licensed operators who hunt remote country. The kit includes an 18.89 in high-gain tactical antenna that improves signal strength and extends reach.
BAOFENG rates up to 5 km. Power switching across H, M and L lets you save battery when you don't need full output.
A 2,500 mAh Li-ion battery, NOAA weather receiver, built-in GPS and an LED flashlight round it out. You can program frequencies by side key or by app, which matters if you move between properties and need to match other radios.
It also packs AM reception, FM radio, a stopwatch timer and an alarm.
The real gate is licensing. Amateur operation needs a ham license, and the radio is not water resistant.
Buy it if you already hold a license and want raw power plus GPS. If you want license-free simplicity, look at the Arcshell or the pxton instead.
New to the tech? Our explainer on how does a two way radio work walks through the basics.
Retevis RB48 FRS Walkie Talkies, 2 Pack: Best for wet, rough ground
- MIL-STD-810H tested
- IP67 waterproof and dustproof
- 2,000 mAh battery, up to 20 hours
- Dual PTT and gloved operation
A bright yellow FRS pair built to survive rain, drops and dust, with big buttons for gloves.
Pros
- IP67 rating and 2 m drop proof
- 20-hour battery life
- Dual PTT sized for gloves
Cons
- Only 22 FRS channels
- Bright yellow stands out in cover
The Retevis RB48 is the radio to carry when the forecast looks grim. It's tested to MIL-STD-810H and rated IP67 for water and dust, surviving 2 m drops and 1,000 drops in testing.
A 2,000 mAh battery gives up to 20 hours of use.
Retevis says the signal reaches 300,000 sq ft or 25 floors, and the dual PTT buttons work with gloves. Vibration alerts stop you missing a call in a noisy camp, and 11 NOAA channels bring weather updates.
The 22 FRS channels need no license. A roger beep confirms your transmission went out, and the key lock keeps settings from changing in a pocket.
The downside is visibility. The bright yellow shell stands out in cover, so it suits a wet-weather sit more than a close stalk.
It's also limited to 22 FRS channels. Buy it for durability and weather resistance in rain and mud.
Retevis RT86 Heavy Duty 2 Way Radios: Best for long days in open terrain
- 2.15 dBi high-gain antenna
- 2,600 mAh battery, up to 17 hours
- IP54 rated, 1 m drop resistant
- Shoulder mic with 360° clip
A heavy-duty pair with a big battery and shoulder mic, aimed at all-day hunts and camping trips.
Pros
- 17-hour battery and 130-hour standby
- Shoulder mic for hands-free talk
- Oversized orange PTT works with gloves
Cons
- IP54 is modest next to IP67
- Hidden display gives no quick readout
The Retevis RT86 is built for long days in open terrain. A 2.15 dBi high-gain antenna and high-power transmission reach up to 5 miles in open country, and the 2,600 mAh battery gives up to 17 hours of use with about 130 hours of standby.
The shoulder mic with a 360° rotating clip supports hands-free talk, and the oversized orange PTT is easy to press while wearing gloves. The radio is IP54-rated and 1 m drop-resistant, with a built-in flashlight and emergency alarm.
Squelch and mic gain controls let you tune out background hiss.
Two limits stand out. IP54 is modest next to the RB48's IP67, and the hidden display gives no quick channel readout.
Buy it for all-day battery and gloved operation in open country. For wet ground, the RB48 is the tougher choice.
How these hunting radios compare
The table puts the picks side by side on band, radio count, stated range and battery life. Use it to spot the pair or pack that matches your group size and your terrain.
| Product | Best for | Packs | Range | Battery | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios | silent stand-to-stand coordination | 4 radios | Up to 5 miles, open ground | 1,000 mAh Li-ion | 9.7 |
| pxton Walkie Talkies Long Range for Adults | large leases and group drives | 4 radios | Up to 2 miles | 1,500 mAh Li-ion | 9.7 |
| BAOFENG GMRS Radio Handheld Long Range GM-15 | storms and repeater coverage | 2 radios | 4 to 5 miles, open ground | 9.5 | |
| SAMCOM FPCN30A 5W UHF Two Way Radio | hunting clubs and work crews | 6 radios | 3 to 5 miles, open ground | 9.3 | |
| Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Radios, 2 Pack | all-round hunting and road trips | 2 radios | Up to 36 miles, open ground | 9.1 | |
| Midland GXT1050VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radios with Headsets | concealed camo setups | 2 radios | Up to 36 miles, open ground | 8.7 | |
| BAOFENG UV-32 Radio Ham Radio Handheld 10W | licensed ham operators | 2 radios | Up to 5 km | 8.5 | |
| Retevis RB48 FRS Walkie Talkies, 2 Pack | wet, rough ground | 2 radios | Up to 300,000 sq ft | 2,000 mAh Li-ion | 8.4 |
| Retevis RT86 Heavy Duty 2 Way Radios | long days in open terrain | 2 radios | Up to 5 miles | 2,600 mAh Li-ion | 8.2 |
The comparison weighs specs, features and how well each radio fits what a hunter needs. Range figures are maker claims measured in open ground.
Terrain, timber and weather decide what you actually get. Our score also weighs how well each radio handles the hunt itself: quiet operation, gloved controls, weather alerts and battery life.
Radio count matters too, since a club that splits across a lease needs more units than a buddy pair.
What should you check before buying a hunting radio?
Start with the band. FRS radios need no license, while GMRS and UHF business radios require an FCC license and ham radios require an amateur license.
Pick a license-free FRS model like the Retevis RB48 or the Arcshell if you don't want paperwork.
Then match the count to your group. A two-pack suits a hunting buddy pair, but a four-pack or six-pack is better for a club or a group drive.
Range claims are the least reliable spec. A 5 mile figure in open ground may shrink to a mile in thick timber.
Check the water rating, the battery type and whether the radio takes an earpiece before you commit.
Which band should you choose?
Choose FRS for license-free simplicity and short to medium reach. Choose GMRS when you want repeater channels, weather alerts and a longer legal reach; the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro is the model to look at.
Choose ham or UHF business only if you already hold the license.
How many radios do you need?
Count everyone who needs to talk. Two radios cover a pair, a 4-pack covers two pairs or a family, and a 6-pack covers a club or a driven shoot.
Extra radios also mean extra batteries to manage.
How do you keep radio traffic quiet on a stalk?
The single best move is to plug in an earpiece. It sends all incoming sound to your ear and silences the speaker so nothing carries across the timber.
Set the radio to vibrate or silent mode and keep transmissions short and whispered.
Watch the volume and the voice prompts. The Arcshell announces channel changes aloud, so set the channel before you leave the truck.
Use VOX to transmit hands-free when your hands are full. If you hunt from a blind, an earpiece plus vibrate alerts lets you answer without moving much.
A whisper into the mic carries further than a normal speaking voice ever should in the woods.
What's the quietest setup here?
The Midland GXT1050VP4 is the quietest dedicated option, with vibrate alerts, silent mode and whisper transmit. Add the included headset and turn the volume down low.
The Arcshell is close, as long as you keep the voice prompt from sounding.
Can you use the radio speaker instead of an earpiece?
You can, but it broadcasts to anyone within earshot. A speaker also gives away your position to game and other hunters.
Use an earpiece or headset for any serious stalk and save the speaker for the truck or camp.
Which features matter most in cold or wet weather?
Water resistance and battery chemistry matter most. Cold air drains batteries fast, so a model that runs on AA cells or carries a spare pack is worth more than a bigger range claim.
A waterproof rating matters if you hunt in rain or wet ground.
The Midland GXT1000VP4 runs on AA cells as backup. The Retevis RB48 carries an IP67 rating and a 2,000 mAh pack rated for 20 hours.
For winter sits, keep the radio inside a warm layer and carry spare cells. A flashlight on the radio earns its keep on the walk out after dark, when hands are full and the trail is uncertain.
Is a weather band worth it?
Yes, if you hunt remote country or sit out storms. The BAOFENG GM-15 Pro, the Midland GXT1000VP4, the GXT1050VP4 and the Retevis RB48 all receive NOAA weather channels.
An alert buys you time to leave the stand before a front arrives.
What about water ratings?
Only a few picks here are built for wet weather. The Retevis RB48 is IP67 rated.
The Midland GXT1050VP4 lists JIS4 water resistance. The Arcshell, pxton and SAMCOM are water resistant or weather-proof without a full water rating.
Check the rating before a rainy sit.
Which radio battery setup suits a long hunt?
Match the battery to your longest day in the field. A 1,000 mAh pack like the Arcshell's lasts 8 to 96 hours depending on transmit time, while the Retevis RT86's 2,600 mAh pack gives up to 17 hours of use and 130 hours of standby.
For a full day plus the drive home, carry a spare.
Should you carry spare batteries or a power bank?
Carry both if you can. A spare pack swaps in fast when the radio dies mid-sit.
A power bank works with the USB-C ports on the Arcshell and BAOFENG models. In deep cold, keep spares in an inside pocket so they stay warm.
The Arcshell lets you charge the battery alone or with the radio, which makes a spare pack easy to rotate.
How much does transmit time cut battery life?
It cuts it a lot. The Arcshell's 8 to 96 hour range shows how much talk time matters.
A hunting group that whispers short updates every hour will land near the top of that range. A group that leaves VOX on near a noisy camp will drop toward the bottom.
Plan the long end only if you talk little.
Are long-range hunting radios worth the license?
Sometimes. A licensed GMRS radio like the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro adds repeater channels and weather alerts, which is worth the fee if you hunt big, broken country.
For tight properties and buddy pairs, a license-free FRS radio does the job without paperwork.
When is a license-free FRS radio enough?
Most hunts fall in this group. If your group stays within a few miles and terrain is open or gently wooded, FRS radios like the Retevis RB48 or the Arcshell handle the job.
You skip the fee and the wait.
When do GMRS or ham radios earn their keep?
They earn it in big country. GMRS repeater channels push a signal over a ridge that would block an FRS radio.
Ham radios like the BAOFENG UV-32 reach further still. Both need a license.
If you hunt across wide valleys and want reliable contact, the fee is small next to the convenience. For cruising hunters, our picks of walkie talkies for a cruise ship cover a different kind of trip.
The verdict: which radio should you buy for hunting?
The Arcshell AR-5 4-pack is the best long range two way radio for hunting for most people. It puts four radios and four earpieces in your hands and keeps a whole party quiet.
Pick the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro for repeater channels and weather alerts, the Retevis RB48 for wet, rough ground, and the Retevis RT86 for all-day battery in open country. For a licensed ham who hunts remote country, the BAOFENG UV-32 is the power pick.
Buy the radio that fits your group size and terrain, not the one with the biggest range claim.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for silent stand-to-stand coordination
Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for large leases and group drives
pxton Walkie Talkies Long Range for Adults
9.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for storms and repeater coverage
BAOFENG GMRS Radio Handheld Long Range GM-15
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for a hunting radio?
It depends on the band. FRS radios need no license, while GMRS radios require an FCC GMRS license and ham radios require an amateur license.
UHF business radios like the SAMCOM FPCN30A also require a license, so choose a license-free FRS model if you want to skip paperwork.
How far will a hunting radio actually reach?
Expect far less than the maker's headline number. Radios often quote up to 5 miles in open ground, but ridges, dense timber and wet leaves cut that sharply.
A GMRS setup with a repeater or a high-gain antenna reaches further than a basic FRS pair in broken country.
How do I keep radio talk quiet on a hunt?
Use an earpiece or headset so incoming sound goes to your ear instead of the speaker, and set the radio to vibrate or silent mode. Whisper transmit and VOX let you answer without pressing a button.
Turn the volume down low and keep transmissions short.
How long do hunting radio batteries last?
It varies widely with how much you transmit. The Arcshell AR-5 runs about 8 to 96 hours on a 1,000 mAh pack, while the Retevis RB48 lists up to 20 hours and the Retevis RT86 up to 17 hours with 130 hours of standby.
Carry a spare or spare AA cells for cold weather.
Are these radios waterproof enough for wet weather?
Only some of them. The Retevis RB48 carries an IP67 rating and the Midland GXT1050VP4 lists JIS4 water resistance.
Several picks here are only water resistant or not rated for water at all, so check the rating before a rainy sit or a wet wade.
