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Eton FRX3+ Emergency Radio vs Kaito KA500 Voyager

Both are hand-crank, solar, weather-band emergency radios with a phone charger and flashlight. The Kaito KA500 Voyager adds shortwave, a tilting solar panel and a user-replaceable AA-based battery setup, so it suits preppers and campers who want more power options and more bands. The Eton FRX3+ is simpler and lighter, with a digital display and a fixed 18650 pack, which suits people who want a grab-and-go radio for the house. Neither is waterproof, so treat both as indoor or sheltered-use gear.

  • Choose the Eton FRX3+ if you want a light, simple household emergency radio with a digital display and a glow-in-the-dark locator, and you don't need shortwave.
  • Choose the Kaito KA500 Voyager if you want shortwave, five power sources, a tilting solar panel and a battery you can swap out.

Prices

  • Eton FRX3+ Emergency Radio: $59.00 at BattlBox (checked today)
  • Kaito KA500 Voyager: $54.99 at kaito.us (checked today)
  • Difference: the Kaito KA500 Voyager is $4.01 cheaper than the Eton FRX3+ Emergency Radio today
Eton
Eton FRX3+

Eton FRX3+ Emergency Radio

Eton FRX3+

$59.00at BattlBoxChecked 8 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit BattlBox
Pros
  • Light at 0.93 lbs and simple to operate
  • Digital display with auto scan
  • Glow-in-the-dark locator helps find it in the dark
  • Officially licensed by the American Red Cross
Cons
  • No shortwave
  • Battery is not user-replaceable
  • No water resistance rating
  • Fewer power options than the Kaito
Kaito
Kaito KA500 Voyager

Kaito KA500 Voyager

$54.99at kaito.usChecked 9 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit kaito.us
Pros
  • Shortwave adds international and distant stations
  • Five power options, including AA batteries
  • Solar panel tilts 180 degrees
  • Battery pack can be exchanged
Cons
  • Analog dial is less precise than a digital display
  • Heavier and bulkier to carry
  • IP00 means no real water protection
  • More controls to learn under stress

What separates them

Eton FRX3+ Emergency RadioKaito KA500 Voyager
BandsAM, FM and 7 NOAA/Environment Canada weather channelsAM, FM, 7 NOAA weather channels plus 2 shortwave bands
Power sourcesSolar panel, hand crank and rechargeable 18650 packSolar, hand crank, built-in Ni-MH pack, 3 AA batteries or AC/DC/USB adapter
BatteryFixed 2600 mAh 18650 with leads and connector, not user-swappableExchangeable rechargeable pack plus AA fallback
Solar panelFixed panel180-degree adjustable panel that tilts toward the sun
DisplayDigital display with press-and-hold auto scanAnalog tuning dial with 7 presets
Weight and size0.93 lbs, square body, easy to grab and carryBulkier body with a hidden reading lamp under the panel
Water resistanceNo IP ratingIP00, effectively no water protection
ExtrasGlow-in-the-dark locator, LED flashlight, headphone jack5-LED reading lamp, flashlight, earphones, headphone jack

Price history

$59.98$49.99
Nov 3Nov 15
  • Eton FRX3+ Emergency Radio: lowest $49.99 on Nov 3 at Chatt Radio Online Store; $49.99 on Nov 15.
  • Kaito KA500 Voyager: lowest $49.99 on Nov 10 at Amazon; $54.99 on Nov 15.

Prices at every store

Eton FRX3+ Emergency Radio

  • PoshmarkNew

    In stock

    $60.00+ $6.49 shippingChecked 8 h ago
    Visit Poshmark
  • PoshmarkNew

    In stock

    $60.00+ $6.49 shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit Poshmark
  • mobileiGo.comNew

    In stock

    $69.95Checked Nov 10
    Visit mobileiGo.com
  • BattlBoxNew

    Availability unknown

    $59.00Checked 8 h ago
    Visit BattlBox

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
All 22 stores and price history →

Kaito KA500 Voyager

  • eSafety Supplies, IncNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $55.62Checked 9 h ago
    Visit eSafety Supplies, Inc
  • HomesteadNew

    In stock

    $54.99+ $7.00 shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit Homestead
  • Entropy Survival USANew

    In stock

    $54.99+ $14.00 shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit Entropy Survival USA
  • kaito.usNew

    Availability unknown

    $54.99Free shippingChecked 9 h ago
    Visit kaito.us

Specs compared

SpecEton FRX3+ Emergency RadioKaito KA500 Voyager
TypeEmergencyEmergency
Signal TypeAM / FM, Weather BandAM / FM, Weather Band, Shortwave
Hand CrankYesYes
ColorRedBlack
PortableYesYes
Radio signal typeAnalog RadioAnalog Radio
Battery consumption typeIntegrated Rechargeable BatteryExchangeable Rechargeable Battery
Portable radio typePortable Emergency RadiosPortable Emergency Radios
FeaturesHand CrankHand Crank
Power typeManualBattery
BrandEtonEmergency Essentials
WirelessSolarRadio Frequency (RF)
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecEton FRX3+ Emergency RadioKaito KA500 Voyager
Resists waterNY
In/Out typeUSBUSB
AccessoriesRadioUSB Cable,Hand Crank, USB Cable,Earphones, User…
Number of speakers11
Model nameFRX3Kaito KA500 Voyager
Input/output directionBi-DirectionalOutput
Battery Life12h battery life—
Power SourceSolar, Hand crank—
Weather BandYes—
Number Of Channels

What reviewers say

Eton FRX3+ Emergency Radio

Owners treat the FRX3+ as a dependable emergency backup rather than a daily radio. They like the crank, weather band and built-in light, and accept modest sound and slow phone charging as trade-offs.

What people mention
  • Crank chargingPraisedOwners value having a power source that works without batteries or an outlet.
  • Weather bandPraisedReviewers say NOAA weather channels and alerts are the main reason they keep it.
  • Sound qualityCriticisedThe speaker is described as thin and fine for voice but poor for music.
  • Phone chargingMixedIt can top up a phone in a pinch, but owners call the charging slow.

Kaito KA500 Voyager

Owners treat the KA500 as a dependable backup radio for power outages and camping. They like the multiple power sources and the built-in lights, but many find tuning fiddly and the sound thin.

What people mention
  • Power optionsPraisedOwners value having crank, solar, rechargeable and AA power in one radio.
  • TuningCriticisedThe analog dial makes it hard to tune stations precisely, especially on shortwave.
  • SoundCriticisedThe small speaker sounds thin, so it is fine for voice but weak for music.
  • LightingPraisedThe flashlight and reading light are seen as genuinely useful in outages.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a home emergency kit?
The Eton FRX3+ is easier for anyone in the house to pick up and use, and the glow locator helps in a blackout. The Kaito is the better pick if you also want shortwave and AA backup power.
Does the Kaito KA500 really have more power options?
Yes. It runs on its built-in Ni-MH pack, hand crank, solar, three AA batteries or an AC/DC/USB adapter. The Eton relies on its fixed 18650 pack, crank and solar.
Which one lasts longer?
The Kaito has the edge on longevity because you can swap its battery pack or drop in AA cells. The Eton's 18650 is sealed in with leads and a connector, so a dead cell is a service problem.
Is the Eton FRX3+ waterproof?
No. It has no IP rating, and the Kaito is rated IP00, so neither should be left in rain. Keep both in a dry bag or shelter.
Is shortwave worth stepping up to the Kaito for?
If you want distant or international broadcasts when local stations are down, yes. If you only need local AM/FM and NOAA alerts, the Eton covers that.
Can both charge a phone?
Yes. Both have a USB output for charging a phone or small device, and the Eton's 2600 mAh pack is rated for about 1.5 phone charges.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best emergency weather radios
  • Best solar powered emergency radios
All 12 stores and price history →
7 (NOAA/Environment Canada weather bands)
—
Water ResistanceNo waterproofing, No IP rating—
Solar PoweredYes—
Cellular ConnectivityNo—
Tuner TypeAM/FM—
Automatic ScanningYes (press and hold UP / DOWN buttons)—
Digital DisplayYes—
DimensionsSquare in shape—
SubtypeEmergency radio, Weather radio—
Weight0.93 lbs—
Audio OutputHeadphone jack—
Headphone JackYes—
Display TypeDigital—
Usage ContextEmergency—
Battery Type18650—
Battery Capacity2600 mAh—
Rechargeable BatteryYes—
Removable BatteryNo (wrapped battery with pos/neg leads and a co…—
Mem card typeMMCmicro—