Best Aviation Handheld Radios

Being able to communicate while flying is one of the most important aspects of it. Learn about the best aviation handheld radios in this complete guide.

Radio communication is essential to safe and effective flying. Without a radio, you won’t even be able to take off in controlled airspace since you can’t communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC). And even if your plane has a panel-mounted radio, having a backup option is not a bad idea. So what are the best handheld radios for flying?

The best aviation handheld radios for pilots are:

• Yaesu FTA-850L (COMM & NAV)
• Yaesu FTA-750L (COMM & NAV)
• Icom IC-A25N (COMM & NAV)
• Yaesu FTA-550L (COMM & NAV)
• Yaesu FTA-450L (COMM Only)
• Icom IC-A25C (COMM Only)
• Yaesu FTA-250L (COMM Only)

A handheld aviation radio is an essential piece of equipment for pretty much any pilot. In this article, we will discuss the best handheld aviation radios on the market. We'll talk about why these radios are good choices for pilots and what they can do. So whether you're looking for your first handheld radio or you're just looking to upgrade, read on for the best options available!

As pilots and aviation enthusiasts who are passionate about everything to do with flying, we’ve personally had many of the radios you’ll see in this guide so we can speak from experience. But we don’t want to just write about our personal favorites since there are certainly plenty of radios out there that we’ve never used! So we also looked at forums and took input from other pilots to really come up with the best list possible.

‍Do You Need a Handheld Radio to Fly?

Before we get into the list of the actual best handheld radios on the market for flying, let's think about why you should consider getting one in the first place. After all, just about every plane that you're going to be flying already has a panel-mounted radio, right? So do you really need a handheld as well?

In short, the answer is yes. Okay, okay. If we're going to get into semantics and answer that question literally, you might not need a handheld radio. But it's a great investment considering the relatively low cost and the versatility and usefulness that they come with. A handheld aviation radio is an incredibly useful tool for a pilot to have and there are plenty of good reasons to consider getting one.

For starters, let's say that you're flying along and you lose power to your panel-mounted radio. In that case, a handheld would be an invaluable tool to have in order to communicate with air traffic control and figure out what's going on. Even if you don't lose power, a handheld can act as a backup in case your main panel-mounted unit fails.

Another great reason to have a handheld aviation radio is for the increased portability you'll get from it. Sure, you could just buy a portable radio and use that. But those aren't designed for aviation use and they might not have all of the features that you're looking for. A handheld aviation radio, on the other hand, is designed specifically for pilots and has all of the features that you would need while flying.

Another reason to consider getting a handheld radio is that you can use it without having to power up the aircraft. This really comes into play if you're flying a plane and paying via Hobbs Time instead of Tach Time. Being able to call in the ATIS report and know there other conditions of your flight without having to power on the engine can save you a lot of money.

Still not convinced? Well, consider this. If you're flying solo in an older plane that doesn't have a working panel-mounted radio and you have to make an emergency landing, a handheld aviation radio would be the best way to call for help. A cell phone might work in some cases, but you'll usually be out of range or there might not be any service. In that case, a handheld radio would be your best bet.

Now that we've talked about why you should get a handheld aviation radio, let's move on to the buyer's guide.

Aviation Handheld Radio Buyer’s Guide

When you're in the market for a new handheld aviation radio, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. In this section, we'll go over some of the most important factors that you need to consider before making your purchase.

Memory Bank Storage

One of the most important things to look for in a handheld aviation radio is how many channels it can store. This is important because you want to make sure that you can store all of the frequencies that you need for your flights. Most radios will have at least 100-channel memory banks, but all of the options in this guide will have more.

Versatility and Uses

Another important factor to consider is versatility and uses. You want to make sure that the radio you're considering is able to do everything that you need it to. For example, some radios only transmit while others are able to both transmit and receive. Some radios also come with additional features such as GPS or the ability to interface with a computer.

These features might not be essential, but they can be incredibly useful in certain situations. In the list of radios below, you'll see us delineate between NAV, COMM, and GPS on each one. When you see those words, we are of course referring to the radio's ability to provide navigation, communication, and GPS services, or just one or two of the three!

Battery Life

When you're looking at handheld aviation radios, battery life is another important factor to consider. You want to make sure that the radio you choose has a long enough battery life to last for your entire flight. Some radios come with rechargeable batteries while others use disposable ones. Rechargeable batteries are usually more expensive, but they'll save you money in the long run.

Price

Of course, price is always going to be a factor when you're making any purchase. Handheld aviation radios can range in price from around $200 to over $500. The good news is that you don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money to get a good radio. In the list below, we've compiled some of the best radios on the market regardless of price. The more expensive ones typically have larger memory banks and are more versatile, but we'll get into that below!

What are the Best Aviation Handheld Radios?

Now that we've gone over some of the things that you need to keep in mind when shopping for a handheld aviation radio, it's time to get into the good stuff! In this section, we'll talk about some of the best handheld aviation radios on the market and what sets them apart from the rest.

Yaesu FTA-850L (COMM & NAV)

Price: $449.00

Specifications

• Radio Type: Comm & Nav
• Battery Type: 2200mAh Lithium-Ion
• Number of Channels: 400
• Waterproof Rating: IPX5
• Screen Size: 2.4” x 2.4”
• Screen Type: TFT Color Display
• Power: 6W

Taking the top spot is one of the newest options on the market, the Yaesu FTA-850L. This radio is a great option for pilots who are looking for a versatile and feature-rich handheld aviation radio. It's the successor of the FTA-750L, which we'll actually be talking about next. So it's basically the newest and most improved model from the Yaesu FTA line.

One of the best things about this radio is that it comes with both GPS and navigation capabilities in addition to the communications ability all radios have. This means that you'll be able to track your position and plot your course even if you're flying in an area with no cell reception. The radio also has a large memory bank of 400 channels so you can store all of your frequencies in one place.

This radio has a 2.4" TFT display that makes it easy to see all of your information, even in direct sunlight. It comes with a high-capacity 2200mAh lithium-ion battery and a backup alkaline battery so you never have to worry about running out of juice while flying. It also has a headset adapter so you can plug it right into your favorite headset.

Yaesu FTA750L Handheld VHF (COMM & NAV)

Price: $379.95

Specifications

• Radio Type: Comm & Nav
• Battery Type: 1800mAh Lithium-Ion
• Number of Channels: 200
• Waterproof Rating: IPX5
• Screen Size: 1.7” x 1.7”
• Screen Type: Full-Dot Matrix Display
• Power: 5W

Next up on our list is the predecessor of our top pick, the Yaesu FTA-750L handheld VHF radio. This is a great option for pilots who are looking for a high-quality and slightly more affordable handheld aviation radio. It's one of the most popular radios on the market and it's easy to see why.

One of its best features is its 200-channel memory bank which has 15 alphanumeric characters per channel. This means that you can store a lot of information on each channel including frequencies, names, and locations. The radio also has a backlit keypad so you can use it even in low-light conditions. It comes with a 1800mAh lithium-ion battery that provides about 8-10 hours of use per charge.

It provides navigation services via both waypoint navigation and GPS position, so you'll always know where you are at all times as it displays both your localizer and glide slope. It comes with built-in NOAA weather alerts so you'll automatically know if the weather drastically changes or if you need to be careful where you're heading.

Icom IC-A25N VHF Airband (COMM & NAV)

Price: 529.95$

Specifications

• Radio Type: Comm & Nav
• Battery Type: 2350mAh Lithium-Ion
• Number of Channels: 300
• Waterproof Rating: IP57
• Screen Size: 2.3” x 2.3”
• Screen Type: LCD
• Power: 6W

As you'll see in this list, the only other brand of radio we recommend other than Yaesu is Icom. And we have our first brand swap over to Icom here with the IC-A25N VHF Airband radio. This is a great handheld aviation radio for those who want something reliable but who might want another brand other than Yaesu for whatever reason. This is Icom's competitor to the FTA-850L we looked at previously.

This model split the difference between the top two picks in terms of memory bank, as it's able to store 300 channels. It also has an alphanumeric keypad with a backlight for use in low-light conditions. One of its best features is the loud and clear audio it's able to provide even without an additional amplifier. This is great for when you're trying to communicate in noisy environments or if you just want to be sure that you won't miss any important transmissions.

The battery in the IC-A25N is actually the best yet, as it's a 2350mAh lithium-ion unit that lasts up to 10.5 hours. It comes with the same GPS and navigation features as well as weather alerts, so you'll always be up-to-date on what's going on around you. Day and night modes make it easy to see the display with a quick glance no matter what the light conditions are around you.

Yaesu FTA-550L (COMM & NAV)

Price: $289.95

Specifications

• Radio Type: Comm & Nav
• Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
• Number of Channels: 200
• Waterproof Rating: IPX5
• Screen Size: 1.7” x 1.7”
• Screen Type: Full Dot Matrix Display
• Power: 5W

Rounding off the best four options on the market that can handle both COMM & NAV is the Yaesu FTA-550L. Although it's a few iterations old at this point, the 550L is probably the best handheld radio you can get on the market in this price range. It's about half the cost of the FTA-850L, but I wouldn't necessarily say that the 850L is actually twice the radio that this one is. So if you're on a bit of a budget, this is the radio for you.

The FTA-550L has a lot of the same features as its more expensive sibling. It has 200 memory channels like the 750L and a similar backlit keyboard with a dimmer so it's super easy to use during both the day and the night. The battery is also slightly smaller and gives you only about 8 hours of life.

The 1.7" x 1.7" screen makes it easy to see what's going on around you as it displays both the localizer and glide slope. It also comes with NOAA weather alerts so you can be sure to avoid any nasty weather conditions. The only downside is that it doesn't provide GPS position like some of the other options on this list, providing only a VOR navigation display, but if you're not worried about that then this is the perfect radio for you.

Yaesu FTA-450L Airband VHF (COMM Only)

Price: $255.00

Specifications

• Radio Type: Comm Only
• Battery Type: 1800mAh Lithium-Ion
• Number of Channels: 200
• Waterproof Rating: IPX5
• Screen Size: 1.7” x 1.7”
• Screen Type: Full Dot Matrix Display
• Power: 5W

The final three radios on our list only have communication capabilities, so you won't get the navigation that the other more expensive radios offer. That said, if you're just trying to get your hands on a radio that you can use to communicate while flying and you don't necessarily need the navigation capabilities that other radios provide, then the Yaesu FTA-450L is probably going to be your best choice.

The FTA-450L can store up to 200 channels in its memory, which is more than enough for most people. The backlit keyboard makes it easy to use in low-light conditions, and the overall design of the radio is extremely user-friendly. The battery life on this radio from its 1800mAh lithium-ion battery is also impressive, providing you with enough juice for just about any flight.

The only downside to this radio is that it doesn't come with an internal GPS or other means of navigation, which means you'll have to rely on external devices if you want navigation capabilities. However, if you're just looking for a radio to communicate with while flying, the FTA-450L is more than enough radio for most people.

Icom IC-A25C VHF (COMM Only)

Price: $469.95

Specifications

• Radio Type: Comm Only
• Battery Type: 2350mAh Lithium-Ion
• Number of Channels: 300
• Waterproof Rating: IP57
• Screen Size: 2.3” x 2.3”
• Screen Type: LCD
• Power: 6W

We talked about the Icom A25N above as one of the best overall radios on the market. But if you don't need the navigation capabilities, you can save a few bucks and get your hands on the Icom IC-A25C, which is effectively the communication-only version of the A25N.

The IC-A25C has all of the same great features as the A25N, including the same 300-channel memory, backlit keyboard, and user-friendly design. It also comes with the same 2350mAh battery that gives you up to 10.5 hours of battery life and the same IP57 dust protection and water-resistant quality.

In short, it really is the same radio as the A25N, just without navigation capabilities. That said, considering this is just a COMM-only radio, it's still pretty expensive and you'll only be saving around $60 compared to the A25N, depending on current prices. For me, I'd probably spend the extra $60 and get the A25N, but in a vacuum, the Icom IC-A25C is still a great radio and is well-deserving of a spot on this list!

Yaesu FTA-250L Li-Ion VHF (COMM Only)

Price: $209.95

Specifications

• Radio Type: Comm Only
• Battery Type: 1950mAh Lithium-Ion
• Number of Channels: 250
• Waterproof Rating: IPX5
• Screen Size: N/A
• Screen Type: Full Dot Matrix
• Power: N/A

Rounding off our list is the most affordable radio that was good enough to make the cut, the Yaesu FTA-250L. Like the last couple we've looked at, this radio only has communication capabilities as well, so if you're looking for a navigation radio, you'll need to look elsewhere.

However, if you're just looking for an affordable way to get your hands on a quality handheld radio, the FTA-250L is a great option. It has a surprisingly large memory bank at this price point of 250 channels, so you shouldn't have any trouble storing all the channels that you'll need. Additionally, it comes with a backlit keyboard that makes using the radio in low-light conditions a breeze.

The battery life on this radio is also solid, coming in at around 8-10 hours from its 1950mAh lithium-ion battery. It comes with a tough polycarbonate housing that you don't have to worry about getting scratched, dinged, or damaged while you're flying. Overall, it's the best radio on the market at this price point. So if you want to get a good radio at a great price, the FTA-250L is perfect for you!

There you have it, our list of the best aviation handheld radios on the market! We hope you found this guide helpful and that it's given you a better idea of what to look for when shopping for your next radio. Thanks for reading, and happy flying!