Safety & Outdoors
The 10 Best Wind-Up Radios UK
· Top 10 comparison · Amazon.co.uk prices checked at publication
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How we choose: Buy Wise Hub hasn't tested these products in person. Our rankings are based on published specifications, Amazon ratings and buyer reviews, and this guide was researched and written with the help of AI tools, then checked by our team. Prices and ratings were correct at the time of writing and may change.
A wind-up radio is the sort of thing you don't think about until the power goes off. Then it becomes the most useful gadget in the house. Today's models do far more than play the radio. Most combine a hand crank, a solar panel and USB charging with an LED torch, an SOS alarm and a power bank that can top up your phone.
To find the best wind-up radios in the UK, we used Amazon.co.uk's best-seller chart for these radios (which Amazon files under Novelty Radios) and Amazon.co.uk search results. Several well-reviewed chart entries were out of stock when we checked, so we've only included products that were available with a live price. We then read each product page for price, rating, review count and listed specs. Many of these radios are designed for the US market and mention "NOAA weather" bands, which don't broadcast in the UK, so we've focused on the features that matter here: AM/FM or DAB+, power options, battery size and torch.
Prices, ratings and review counts were checked on Amazon.co.uk on 27 October 2026 and change often. Always check the live price before you buy.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: Solarbaby Wind Up Solar Radio (2000mAh), £34.99, 4.4★ (4,760 reviews)
- Best from a big brand: Philips TAR1609 Portable FM/AM Crank Radio, £35.78, 4.7★ (246 reviews)
- Best for DAB+: Acta Berg DAB+/FM Crank Radio (5000mAh), £51.24, 4.4★ (328 reviews)
- Best big battery: SOLARBABY A1 Hand Crank Radio (10,000mAh), £59.99, 4.4★ (152 reviews)
- Best budget: 2000mAh Wind Up Solar Radio (USB-C), £21.99, 4.6★ (262 reviews)
Comparison at a Glance
- Solarbaby Wind Up Solar Radio (2000mAh): 4.4★ (4,760 reviews) · £34.99 · Best for: most people · View on Amazon.co.uk
- flysclean Emergency Hand Crank Radio (2000mAh): 4.6★ (1,428 reviews) · £33.37 · Best for: a compact all-rounder · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Wind Up Radio with 3W Torch & Reading Light (2000mAh): 4.6★ (1,122 reviews) · £34.99 · Best for: lighting features · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Philips TAR1609 Portable FM/AM Crank Radio: 4.7★ (246 reviews) · £35.78 · Best for: a trusted brand · View on Amazon.co.uk
- GEMMAC Emergency Radio (IPX5, 2000mAh): 4.5★ (665 reviews) · £33.99 · Best for: outdoor use · View on Amazon.co.uk
- SOLARBABY A1 Hand Crank Radio (10,000mAh): 4.4★ (152 reviews) · £59.99 · Best for: a big battery · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Acta Berg DAB+/FM Crank Radio (5000mAh): 4.4★ (328 reviews) · £51.24 · Best for: DAB+ listening · View on Amazon.co.uk
- 2000mAh Wind Up Solar Radio (USB-C): 4.6★ (262 reviews) · £21.99 · Best for: budget buyers · View on Amazon.co.uk
- QAUYYW Hand Crank Emergency Radio (10,000mAh): 4.6★ (469 reviews) · £43.25 · Best for: long runtimes · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Emergency Wind Up Radio with 3-LED Torch (2000mAh): 4.5★ (180 reviews) · £23.99 · Best for: a budget alternative · View on Amazon.co.uk
The 10 Best Wind-Up & Solar Radios Reviewed
#1 Solarbaby Wind Up Solar Radio (2000mAh): Best for most people
Amazon.co.uk: 4.4★ from 4,760 reviews · £34.99
The Solarbaby is the top seller in Amazon.co.uk's chart for this type of radio, with 4.4 stars from 4,760 reviews, by far the largest review base among the in-stock models. It offers three ways to charge (hand crank, solar and USB), and its 2000 mAh battery can also act as a phone power bank in an emergency. It receives AM and FM, with a 1 W speaker according to the product details. There's a built-in LED torch, which the listing describes as both a 1 W LED and a 3-LED emergency flashlight. It's compact enough to keep in a kitchen drawer or emergency bag. The details list it as not water resistant. At £34.99 it isn't the cheapest, but it's the most proven choice.
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM · crank + solar + USB · 2000 mAh power bank · LED torch · 1 W speaker · not water resistant
Pros
- Biggest review base
- Three ways to charge
- Phone charging
Cons
- Not water resistant
- No DAB
#2 flysclean Emergency Hand Crank Radio (2000mAh): Best for a compact all-rounder
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 1,428 reviews · £33.37
flysclean's radio has 4.6 stars from 1,428 reviews at £33.37. It's small: the listing says 5.1 × 2.1 × 2.4 inches and 0.51 lb (about 13 × 5 × 6 cm and 230 g). It charges by hand crank, solar or USB. The 2000 mAh battery doubles as a phone charger, and a 1 W LED torch handles lighting. It receives AM and FM, plus the US NOAA weather bands, which aren't used in the UK. The details describe it as "7-Band", which mostly reflects those weather channels. It's one of the best-rated compact radios we found. Pick it if you want something smaller than the Solarbaby for a grab bag or car.
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM (+ NOAA, US only) · crank + solar + USB · 2000 mAh · 1 W LED torch · ~230 g
Pros
- Higher rating than the Solarbaby
- Very compact
- Phone charging
Cons
- Weather bands are US-only
- 1 W speaker
#3 Wind Up Radio with 3W Torch & Reading Light (2000mAh): Best for lighting features
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 1,122 reviews · £34.99
This unbranded radio has 4.6 stars from 1,122 reviews at £34.99. It stands out for lighting: the listing describes a super-bright 3 W torch plus a separate reading light, which is useful for lighting a room in a power cut, not just a path. It offers three ways to charge (USB, solar and hand crank) and a 2000 mAh battery that can charge a mobile phone. It also has an SOS alarm, AM/FM radio and a headphone socket. It measures 40 × 70 × 130 mm, comes with a lanyard and has an ABS plastic body. The listing doesn't give a speaker wattage or water-resistance rating (unverified).
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM · 3 W torch + reading light · SOS · crank + solar + USB · 2000 mAh · headphone jack
Pros
- Best lighting here
- Reading light
- Headphone socket
Cons
- Unbranded
- No speaker or IP rating listed
#4 Philips TAR1609 Portable FM/AM Crank Radio: Best for a trusted brand
Amazon.co.uk: 4.7★ from 246 reviews · £35.78
Philips is the only household-name electronics brand in our list, and the TAR1609 has the highest rating here: 4.7 stars, though from a smaller 246 reviews. It has an internal rechargeable battery with backup from a solar panel, a hand crank, or 3 AAA batteries (not included, according to the bullets). That's a useful extra if you can't crank or there's no sun. A USB-A port charges other devices. It has analogue FM/AM tuning with a long extendable aerial and simple tuning and volume knobs, plus an LED torch and a loud SOS alarm with a flashing strobe. There's an adjustable carry strap. Note that the details claim batteries are "included" and list a "60 GHz" frequency, which looks like a listing error (listing contradictions). £35.78.
Specs (from the listing): FM/AM analogue · solar + crank + 3 × AAA backup · USB-A out · LED torch · SOS strobe
Pros
- Big-brand build
- AAA battery backup
- Top rating
Cons
- Smaller review base
- Contradictory listing details
#5 GEMMAC Emergency Radio (IPX5, 2000mAh): Best for outdoor use
Amazon.co.uk: 4.5★ from 665 reviews · £33.99
GEMMAC's radio is the only one in our list with a stated IPX5 water-resistance rating, so it's the one to choose if it'll live in a car, shed or camping kit. It has 4.5 stars from 665 reviews at £33.99. It charges by solar or hand crank and is also battery powered (1 AAA, included, according to the details). It receives AM, FM and shortwave, which is useful for picking up international broadcasts. A 2000 mAh power bank charges phones, and there's an LED torch and SOS alarm. The listing doesn't state the speaker output (unverified). If you want a radio that can handle the British weather, this is it.
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM/SW · IPX5 · solar + crank + AAA · 2000 mAh power bank · LED torch · SOS
Pros
- IPX5 rated
- Shortwave band
- Phone charging
Cons
- Mid-size review base
- Speaker output not stated
#6 SOLARBABY A1 Hand Crank Radio (10,000mAh): Best for a big battery
Amazon.co.uk: 4.4★ from 152 reviews · £59.99
The SOLARBABY A1 is the heavy-duty option. Its 10,000 mAh battery is five times the size of most rivals', and the listing says it gives about 90 hours of radio, 30 hours of torch or 9 hours of reading light. It charges by solar, hand crank (3–5 minutes at 130–150 rpm, according to the listing) or USB-C, and works as a 5 V/2 A phone power bank. The listing describes six functions, including AM/FM with a telescopic aerial, a two-level LED torch and a 48-COB reading light. It weighs about 500 g. The title says AM/FM, but the product details list "DAB/DAB+, FM", so check which bands you're getting (listing contradiction). It has 4.4 stars from 152 reviews, but at £59.99 it's the priciest here.
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM (details say DAB/DAB+) · 10,000 mAh · up to 90 h radio · solar + crank + USB-C · 5 V/2 A out · ~500 g
Pros
- Huge battery
- Long runtimes listed
- Reading light
Cons
- Most expensive
- Band information contradicts itself
#7 Acta Berg DAB+/FM Crank Radio (5000mAh): Best for DAB+ listening
Amazon.co.uk: 4.4★ from 328 reviews · £51.24
Most wind-up radios only do AM/FM, but the Acta Berg adds DAB+, which matters in the UK, where many stations are digital-first. It has 4.4 stars from 328 reviews at £51.24. The title describes a hand crank, a 5000 mAh battery, solar power and an alarm clock. The listing talks up stereo sound and an "ultra-long antenna" for reception in remote areas. It measures 19 × 7 × 11 cm and weighs 385 g. It's listed as not water resistant. The bullets are vague on runtime and torch details (unverified). Pick it if you want an everyday DAB+ radio that also works in an emergency.
Specs (from the listing): DAB+/FM · crank + solar · 5000 mAh · alarm clock · 385 g · not water resistant
Pros
- DAB+ reception
- Big battery
- Alarm clock
Cons
- Pricey
- Vague listing details
#8 2000mAh Wind Up Solar Radio (USB-C): Best for budget buyers
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 262 reviews · £21.99
At £21.99 this is the cheapest radio in our list, and it still has 4.6 stars from 262 reviews. It covers the essentials: AM/FM (plus US NOAA weather bands), three power options, a 2000 mAh phone charger with a battery level indicator and USB-C charging. It also has a 1 W LED torch with low, medium and high modes and an SOS flashing alarm (long press). It weighs 245 g and measures 8 × 6 × 16.5 cm, with a 1 W speaker according to the details. It's listed as water resistant, without an IP number (unverified). A great-value pick for an emergency kit if you don't need DAB.
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM (+ NOAA) · crank + solar + USB-C · 2000 mAh · 3-mode 1 W torch · SOS · 245 g
Pros
- Cheapest pick
- Battery level indicator
- USB-C
Cons
- Small review base
- No IP rating
#9 QAUYYW Hand Crank Emergency Radio (10,000mAh): Best for long runtimes
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 469 reviews · £43.25
QAUYYW's radio is a clearly specified, big-battery alternative to the SOLARBABY A1 for less money. It has 4.6 stars from 469 reviews at £43.25. The title lists 10,000 mAh, and the bullets list a 37,000 mWh polymer battery, which is roughly the same capacity expressed differently. The listing claims up to 25 hours of radio playback on a single charge. It charges three ways (USB-C, hand crank and solar), and a USB output port can charge a phone. For lighting there's a 3 W torch and an LED reading light with 48 bulbs, plus an SOS alarm. A compass and hand strap are included. It receives AM/FM plus the US weather band. It measures 15.2 × 7.6 × 10.2 cm and weighs about 0.6 lb (around 270 g). The details describe it as "waterproof" without quoting an IP rating (unverified).
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM (+ US weather band) · 10,000 mAh / 37,000 mWh · up to 25 h radio (claimed) · USB-C + crank + solar · 3 W torch + 48-LED reading light · SOS · compass
Pros
- Big battery for the price
- Torch and reading light
- USB-C charging
Cons
- Waterproof claim has no IP rating
- Weather band is US-only
#10 Emergency Wind Up Radio with 3-LED Torch (2000mAh): Best for a budget alternative
Amazon.co.uk: 4.5★ from 180 reviews · £23.99
This listing closely mirrors the Solarbaby's: a 2000 mAh battery charged by USB, solar or hand crank, an AM/FM radio (plus US weather bands), a 1 W LED and a 3-LED emergency torch, and phone charging. It costs £23.99, around £11 less than the Solarbaby, and has 4.5 stars, but from just 180 reviews. Its details list dimensions of 25.4 × 4 × 6 cm and a 1 W speaker. If you want the Solarbaby's feature set for less and don't mind a smaller review history, it's worth a look. Check the seller before you buy.
Specs (from the listing): AM/FM (+ NOAA) · crank + solar + USB · 2000 mAh · 3-LED torch · 1 W speaker
Pros
- Cheaper than the Solarbaby
- Same core features
- Phone charging
Cons
- Small review base
- Weather bands US-only
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Wind-Up Radio
Power options
Look for at least two ways to charge. A hand crank works anywhere, and solar suits a windowsill or campsite. USB or USB-C lets you charge it fully before storing it. The Philips TAR1609 and GEMMAC also accept AAA batteries, which is a useful backup when you can't crank or there's no sun.
Battery size and phone charging
Most models have a 2000 mAh battery, enough for hours of radio and a partial phone top-up. The Acta Berg (5000 mAh), SOLARBABY A1 and QAUYYW (both 10,000 mAh) can run much longer and charge a phone more fully, but they're heavier and pricier.
AM/FM, DAB+ and weather bands
In the UK, FM and DAB+ carry most national and local stations. Most crank radios only do AM/FM, which is fine for BBC national and local FM. The Acta Berg adds DAB+. Ignore "NOAA" weather bands on US-designed models, because they don't broadcast here.
Torch, reading light and SOS
Almost all include an LED torch. Models with a reading light or COB panel (the 3W-torch Wind Up Radio, SOLARBABY A1 and QAUYYW) light a room better. An SOS alarm with a flashing strobe can help you attract attention.
Build and weather resistance
Most are plastic and not water resistant. If the radio will live in a car, shed or camping kit, the IPX5-rated GEMMAC is the safest choice. Check the weight if you plan to carry it: 230–500 g is typical.
How we chose
We started with the Amazon.co.uk best-seller chart for Novelty Radios (where Amazon lists wind-up radios) on 27 October 2026, plus Amazon.co.uk search results for wind-up solar radios. We shortlisted the best-reviewed, in-stock products and read each live product page for price, rating, review count and specs. We haven't tested these products in person. Rankings reflect the listed specs, buyer ratings, review volume and value. Where a listing is unclear or contradicts itself, we say so.
FAQ
What is the best wind-up radio in the UK?
The Solarbaby Wind Up Solar Radio is our top pick. It's the best seller among the radios we checked, with 4.4 stars from 4,760 reviews, AM/FM, crank, solar and USB charging, a 2000 mAh phone power bank and an LED torch, for £34.99.
Can a wind-up radio charge my phone?
Most of these radios have a built-in battery (usually 2000 mAh) that works as a power bank. It can give a phone a useful partial charge in an emergency. Larger models like the SOLARBABY A1 and QAUYYW (both 10,000 mAh) can charge it more fully.
Do wind-up radios get DAB?
Most only receive AM/FM. In our list, the Acta Berg is listed as DAB+/FM. The SOLARBABY A1's details also mention DAB, but its title says AM/FM, so check before buying.
How long do I need to crank a wind-up radio?
It varies by model. SOLARBABY says 3–5 minutes at 130–150 rpm for the A1. Cranking is best for topping up in an emergency. Charge via USB beforehand and store the radio fully charged.
What are NOAA weather bands?
NOAA is the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather radio service. Many crank radios are designed for the US and include these bands, but they don't broadcast in the UK, so ignore them when comparing models.
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