Best emergency weather radios

Top pick: Midland ER310. It's the one I'd hand someone who wants to be sure they hear the warning: NOAA weather band with an alert tone, a long-running battery, a hand crank and solar for when the grid is out, plus a USB output to top up a phone. It's the model most people mean when they say "emergency weather radio."

Who the others suit:

• Eton FRX3+ — the classic alternative if you want a well-known name with crank, solar and a phone-charging port in a sturdier body.
• Sangean MMR-88 — for someone who cares about sound and build quality as much as alerts; a solid, simple crank radio.
• Kaito Voyager Pro KA600 — for the tinkerer: shortwave and more bands, plus a wall adapter.
• Ready Hour 4-in-1 — a good all-rounder if you want radio, flashlight and power bank in one box.
• Esky / HOUFIY / RunningSnail / TSV — budget spares for a second room, a car or a go-bag; fine for alerts, less refined.

Whatever you pick, get one with a NOAA weather band and an alert feature, and keep spare batteries on hand.