Does it need batteries to work?

No. The crank and solar panel let it run without disposable batteries, and the built-in rechargeable cell stores the charge. Batteries are only a backup option on some versions.

How long do I have to crank it?

Expect several minutes of steady cranking for a short listening session. Cranking is a backup, not a fast charger, so charge it by USB before a trip.

Can it charge my phone?

Yes, through the USB power bank port. The built-in battery is small, so it gives a phone a partial charge, not a full one.

Will the weather band work where I live?

It depends on distance from a weather transmitter. In most populated US areas it works, but in remote valleys reception can be weak.

Is it good for everyday listening?

It is a backup radio. For daily music and talk, a mains or battery radio with a larger speaker sounds much better.

Emergency Dynamo Crank Radio – Solar + USB Power Bank

Best price now

$54.99at Rapid RadiosChecked 23 h ago

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Rapid Radios

Emergency Dynamo Crank Radio – Solar + USB Power Bank

Best price now

$54.99at Rapid RadiosChecked 23 h ago

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Rapid Radios

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Price facts

Last seen at $54.99 at Rapid Radios on Nov 10.

Our take on the Emergency Dynamo Crank Radio – Solar + USB Power Bank

A hand-crank emergency radio with AM/FM and weather band reception, plus solar charging and a USB power bank for topping up a phone. It is built for power outages, storms and camping, where wall power is gone and you still need news and alerts. Compared with plain battery radios, it adds three ways to recharge and a phone charger; compared with bigger emergency kits, it is smaller and lighter but has a short built-in battery and a modest speaker. Owners of this class of radio value the crank and solar backup, but expect slow charging and basic sound.

Best forPower outages and storm prepCamping and hiking backupWeather-band alert listeningKeeping a phone charged off-grid

Pros

Three recharge paths: hand crank, solar and USB
AM/FM plus weather band for alerts
USB power bank can top up a phone
No disposable batteries needed for basic use
Compact enough for a go-bag or glovebox

Cons

Hand cranking is slow and tiring for a full charge
Solar panel charges very slowly in anything but direct sun
Speaker is small and tinny for music
Weather band needs a clear signal to be useful

Emergency Dynamo Crank Radio – Solar + USB Power Bank prices at every store

Rapid RadiosNew
In stock
$54.99Checked 23 h ago
Visit Rapid Radios

Emergency Dynamo Crank Radio – Solar + USB Power Bank price history

Lowest price we've seen: $54.99 on Nov 10 at Rapid Radios. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 10.

What reviewers say

Owners of crank and solar emergency radios like this one treat it as a backup tool, not a daily radio. They praise the crank and solar options when power is out and the phone-charging port, but many find cranking slow and the sound basic.

What people mention

Crank chargingMixedOwners say the hand crank works but needs a lot of turning for a short amount of listening.
Solar chargingCriticisedThe solar panel is seen as a slow trickle that only helps over long sunny days.
Sound qualityCriticisedReviewers describe the speaker as small and tinny, fine for voice and poor for music.
Weather bandPraisedBuyers value the weather band for storm alerts when other power is out.
Phone chargingPraisedThe USB power bank is liked as a last-resort way to get a little charge into a phone.

Specifications

Type: Emergency
Signal Type: AM / FM, Weather Band
Hand Crank: Yes

Questions and answers

Does it need batteries to work?: No. The crank and solar panel let it run without disposable batteries, and the built-in rechargeable cell stores the charge. Batteries are only a backup option on some versions.
How long do I have to crank it?: Expect several minutes of steady cranking for a short listening session. Cranking is a backup, not a fast charger, so charge it by USB before a trip.
Can it charge my phone?: Yes, through the USB power bank port. The built-in battery is small, so it gives a phone a partial charge, not a full one.
Will the weather band work where I live?: It depends on distance from a weather transmitter. In most populated US areas it works, but in remote valleys reception can be weak.
Is it good for everyday listening?: It is a backup radio. For daily music and talk, a mains or battery radio with a larger speaker sounds much better.
Where is the Emergency Dynamo Crank Radio – Solar + USB Power Bank cheapest?: At Rapid Radios, for $54.99, as of our latest check.