Kaito KA500 vs Kaito V1R Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW Emergency Radio with Cell Phone Charger and 3-LED Flashlight
Buy the KA500 if you want a weather radio you can rely on in a blackout: it has NOAA channels 1–7 with alert mode, five power sources, and a 30-hour battery rating. Buy the V1R if you want the cheapest Kaito that still cranks and takes solar, and you mostly listen to AM/FM. The KA500 is $49.99 at Walmart as of November 3, 2026; the V1R is $19.98 at Walmart as of the same date.
Today the Kaito V1R Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW Emergency Radio with Cell Phone Charger and 3-LED Flashlight costs $30.01 less at its best price.
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Kaito KA500
5Choose the KA500 if you need NOAA weather alerts, shortwave, and a radio that runs for days on a charge.
- NOAA weather channels with alert mode wake the radio on official warnings.
- Five power options, including a solar panel that tilts 180° and a crank that works with no battery installed.
- 30-hour battery rating covers multi-day outages.
- Two shortwave bands reach international broadcasts.
- Reading lamp and flashlight built in.
What separates them
| Kaito KA500 | Kaito V1R Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW Emergency Radio with Cell Phone Charger and 3-LED Flashlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 at Walmart as of November 3, 2026 | $19.98 at Walmart as of November 3, 2026 |
| Weather band | NOAA channels 1–7, pre-set, with automatic alert mode | None listed |
| Bands | AM, FM, SW1 (3.20–8.00 MHz), SW2 (9.00–22.00 MHz) | AM, FM, shortwave |
| Power sources | Rechargeable Ni-MH pack, hand crank, 180° solar panel, 3 AA batteries, AC/USB adapter | Internal rechargeable pack, hand crank, solar, 3 AAA batteries |
| Battery life | 30 hours rated | 15 minutes listed |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs | 8.2 oz |
| Lighting | 5-LED reading lamp plus flashlight |
Price history
- Kaito KA500: lowest $49.99 on Nov 3 at Amazon.
- Kaito V1R Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW Emergency Radio with Cell Phone Charger and 3-LED Flashlight: lowest $19.98 on Nov 3 at Walmart.
Prices at every store
Kaito KA500
- WalmartNew
In stockSold by Hisonic / KaitoReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$49.99Free shippingVerified - kaito.usNew
In stock
$54.99Free shippingObserved Nov 2, 2026, 9:55 PM - Sporty's Tool ShopNew
In stock
$69.95+ $14.50 shippingObserved Nov 2, 2026, 9:55 PM - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
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$49.99Free shippingObserved Nov 2, 2026, 9:55 PM
Also available at
- HomesteadCheck price at Homestead
Kaito V1R Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW Emergency Radio with Cell Phone Charger and 3-LED Flashlight
Specs compared
| Spec | Kaito KA500 | Kaito V1R Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW Emergency Radio with Cell Phone Charger and 3-LED Flashlight |
|---|---|---|
| Headphone jack | 3.5 mm | Yes |
| Battery type | Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. | AAA size batteries, Internal rechargeable batte… |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs | 0 LBR |
| Signal Type | AM / FM, Weather Band, Shortwave | AM, FM, Shortwave |
| Hand Crank | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30h battery life | 15 min |
| color | Green | Black |
| FM range | 88–108 MHz | — |
| AM range | 530–1710 KHz | — |
| NOAA channels | 1–7 | — |
What reviewers say
Kaito KA500
Reception is generally reported as solid for AM, FM and weather, and owners value the multiple power options for power outages. The most common complaints are the small, tinny speaker and fiddly analog tuning.
- Reliable weather-band reception
- Crank and solar charging work when power is out
- Lightweight enough for a go-bag
- Useful built-in light
- Speaker sounds small and tinny
- Analog tuning takes patience on shortwave
- AC adapter not included
Kaito V1R Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW Emergency Radio with Cell Phone Charger and 3-LED Flashlight
Owner feedback on the Voyager V1 is mixed. Buyers like it as a cheap emergency backup that needs no wall power, but many find the analog tuning fiddly and the crank and solar charging too slow for regular use.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a hurricane kit?
- The KA500. It receives NOAA channels 1–7 and can switch itself on when an alert is broadcast, and its 30-hour battery rating outlasts the V1R's listed 15 minutes.
- Is the KA500 worth $30 more?
- Yes if you want weather alerts, two shortwave bands, and long runtime. If you only need AM/FM and a crank, the V1R at $19.98 covers that.
- Which one lasts longer off the grid?
- The KA500, rated at 30 hours per charge. The V1R lists 15 minutes, so plan on cranking it often.
- Which is easier to carry?
- The V1R at 8.2 oz and 5.2 inches long. The KA500 weighs 1.7 lbs.
- Can either charge a phone?
- The V1R lists a USB output for phone charging. The KA500 charges over USB but its listing does not claim a phone-charging output.
- Does either handle rain?
- The V1R is listed as water resistant. The KA500 has no water-resistance rating, so keep it dry.
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- Kaito KA500 vs Kaito Voyager V2 AM/FM Shortwave Emergency Radio with Solar & Crank
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