Customer Ratings & Reviews

I remember playing with walkie talkies when I was younger and getting the biggest kick out of making the static sound when responding to calls on it. These Cobra walkie talkies are nothing like that. They are the real deal. They are rechargeable, easy to use, and very lightweight. They arrived in a easy-open plastic blister package with lots of information included on the outside. The one thing that I noticed right off the bat was the range wasn’t listed on the package. The printed info states “Up to 250,000 square feet/20 floors” but not a mile range. I have been able to find online places where the walkie talkies are given a 23-mile range. I didn’t find that was quite the case. I tested them out a couple of different ways. First, I had my fiancé take one of the units to the back of our house, which is only 1500 sqft and we talked back and forth. While there were several walls between us, it worked very well. Next, I sent my daughter down our street with one of them. She was about half a mile away and we still had a clear signal. Finally, my fiancé took one to work with her, which is only 2.2 miles away. We were unable to get a signal to one another even though we were on the same channel. So, even though we discovered that 23 miles was not the maximum range for these radios, I was very happy to have a method of communication to depend on aside from our mobile phones. When we get into areas that are congested with people and cell signal becomes and issue, we can start relying on these a bit more. Set-up and use of the radios is very simple. You actually only have to unscrew the battery door, insert the battery (provided), connect the battery wire, and then replace the battery door. At this point, the charging station only has to be plugged into a wall outlet and the walkie talkies placed in the charging cradle. This is one of the features I appreciate the most about these radios — the fact that they are rechargeable. There are 22 channels to choose from and both radios have to be on the same channel in order to communicate with each other. It’s important to note that channels 8-14 are designated as ‘low’ power output while the others are ‘high’. This can be problematic for range so if you are trying to communicate with someone a farther distance away, make sure you’re on one of the other channels. Overall, I really like these walkie talkies. They are much better than ‘consumer-grade’ models and as long as you keep the expectation where it should be, then you will certainly be happy with these radios. The only thing I think Cobra should be more precise about is the range. It should state what it is on the package and be the same thing you can find online about it.

COBRA Radio Whats in the box ———————— * Cobra MicroTALK 23-Mile, 22-Channel FRS/GMRS 2-Way Radios (Pair) Pros —— 1. Charging cradle and holsters are included 2. Not bulky and yet a good range 3. 22 channel to avoid interference 4. Good build quality Cons —— 1. Not the range it specifies Review ——— SETUP Its pretty easy, there are a couple of screws on the battery compartment. Open the battery door and pop the battery into it, screw the door back on and put it on the desktop charger. I was able to get to a full charge in a couple of hours. The battery level is indicated in the small LCD screen on the radio USAGE Cobra claims that the battery will last 8 hours, I charged it a week back and it is still going strong albeit I have not used it much. So the way I tested is within the house, around my neighborhood and a couple of miles away from my house. The radio has 22 channels, both the sets need to be at the same channel to be able to communicate. If you connect a headset to the radio, you can use it in a voice activated mode which is cool. The radio has a call indicator to indicate incoming call and also beeps when the call is done. The radio works great within the house, its about 3000 sqft and two levels. Within the neighborhood, I asked my son to bike to a distance, I would say a mile and I was able to test the range out although there was static noise when we did this. When I took this to a 2 mile radio I could hear the static more. This was a few houses away so I am expecting some static. I heard lot of folks complain about the range but I notice on the box that is a line of sight without obstructions. So it really has to be a flat surface and you should be able to see each other? I think this will be a good tool to pack up during camping.

From a functionality standpoint i cannot say there is anything wrong with these radios. If being used in a warehouse type environment as I do, they do the job sufficiently. No bells and whistles. They come with a nice belt clip, they have lots of possible channels, to eliminate potential channel cross-over. Another neat thing is that they come with a charging base, but also come with a mini port for single unit charging, i thought this was pretty cool as now i could charge away from the base and didnt need to bring back to charging base. There are a couple of things that stick out a borderline quality in my opinion. The thickness of the plastic that was used it too thing, given i have only used for a week or so now, i can imagine this brittle design breaking easier than usual. Another area in which i do not particularly enjoy is the range. It states 23 miles, but during an initial test found that it peaked at just shy of 2 miles. I understand that the 23 mile statement is in clear weather condition with no obstruction to signal, but it still does not come close to that. Over all, these radio units are great for personal or business use with a small to mid distance to communicate between and with a nice belt clip and a poly charging design, these radios are sure to check the communications box.

Amazingly small and lightweight, yet clear and powerful. General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) - Family Radio Service came about when the FCC rearranged the communication channels for TV, emergency public service, etc.,. Whats great about the Cobra 2-way: * small size * easy push transmit button on face of radio * VOX voice activated transmission with beep tone * USB plug compatibility for charging away from normal AC outlets * Call button and automatic squelch * Clear radio reception I'm not sure if you need a FCC license like for certain business radios as the FRS didn't require one years ago, but I do need to check into that for business use of the GMRS.

***IMPORTANT***  These walkie talkies do NOT have a range of 23 miles.  Based on my outdoor testing, the range cuts out completely at under 1 mile (in a lightly populated rural neighborhood). ...While this may be a deal breaker for customers looking for super long range communication, it appears as though the manufacturer is NOT claiming that the range is nearly as far as Best Buy advertises in the item description.  The packaging only claims that the range is 250,000 square feet spread across 20 floors.  I tested the range inside of a HUGE 4 story office building and was surprised (and pleased) to find that the handsets worked perfectly without interference.  With one handset on the first floor and the other handset on the far corner of the 4th floor - the audio was still clear - even with the interference of elevators, conference rooms, thousands of cubicles, cafeteria, kitchens, stairwells, employees etc. I believe the intent of these walkie talkies is for employees on a job site (like the employees of a Best Buy, or Old Navy).  They would probably work quite well on a construction site as well - although the volume is never particularly loud.  If the surrounding environment is especially noisy - you may have a difficult time hearing the speaker on these hand units. I would not recommend these walkie talkies for those who want long range communication. I would recommend these walkie talkies for use on a job site.   PRO: + Easy to use + Plenty of channel options + Back Lit Screen + Hands Free Option + Audible Chirp after button release + Can swivel 360 degrees while in Belt Clip + Charging Stand is Included + Walkie Talkies can be charged while still in belt clip holsters + Base of Charging Stand is covered in rubber that grips well which keeps the stand stationary + Rechargeable batteries are included + Batteries are replaceable + Batteries last a full day (12 hours) CONS: - High price - Less than 1 mile range - Belt clips are rigid and can break if dropped - Headsets are not included and the manual does not mention what headsets are compatible

Know what you are getting into with these and similar handheld tech. I remember the Cobra brand from my dad’s CB radio when he was a kid. The brand is a staying force in the market and has a niche with family, hobby and affordability. These are not Satellite communications sets or specialized high wattage Federal LEO radios. These Cobra MicroTALK FRS/GMRS units are small handheld units meant for personal use, as you can imagine. They are the latest style and tech offering in their MicroTALK series for early '19. Rubber Grips - No. Belt Clip - Yes. Can slip into a pocket - Yes, etc. There is going to be something about the style that fits one person better to the next. For me, I like the fact they don’t have too much extra molded material for gripping and I can just stuff one in a pocket. The technology and quality does feel solid. In fact, these are quite capable for the correct proposed use. What is really missing to make these complete are the optional headsets. In fact for what my intent use with two people and helmets, the headsets are a must have. They come with a charging base and single USB to double micro USB for charging. You can charge them on the base or via USB Micro. So far I’ve used these up north at the cabin snowmobiling, woods and around the neighborhood with the kids. They definitely work well in these and similar scenarios. What is cool is the automatic talk to transmit and it’s adjustment levels. I am expecting to not to have to take a helmet off for this later, when the headsets arrive. Also, with two active kids in the house who like to bike, scooter or play in the neighborhood, these are cheap insurance for letting them out of site. If you are are doing any bicycling with anyone, hiking, fishing, camping, etc. - these are great. Skip the tech about the Channel/Bands/whatever you want to call it, GMRS, etc. is not important to understand and if you are into that you can read up on it, but you are limited in power for this class antenna, etc. Bottom line is that there are plenty of channels and sub channels to choose from. Also, you should go through the manual to figure out and get a basic feel for the settings as it is important to lock your settings once configured for your environment. NOT For City Dwellers - These stink in the city. And you won’t get very far at all. These simply do not have the antenna gear or power to compete with the RF noise in most any city. Expect as low as <.5 miles in a city. And as a note for all hand held walkie talkies in this category the example advertised range of 23 mile range is theoretical only if one guy is standing on one side of a mountain with a valley between another guy who is standing in line of site on another mountain, 23 miles across the valley. But you will get a few miles in the woods, hiking, from house to person - within limits of obstructions and RF pollution. I think anyone who has owned a set of these, similar type, will know the limits and expectations. And anyone new to this tech can read up on other’s experiences to fully crush your aspirations of replacing a cell phone or the internet. Again - You are not going to make it from Brooklyn to Times Square - “Forget about it!” Battery/Use - 5 Range - 4.0 Functions - 4.5 Clarity - 4.5 I would recommend these with headsets if you are biking, hiking or something similar, with another, etc. I would not recommend these in a city or industrial buildings, i.e., thinking you are going to talk to you kid at school 2 miles down the street - Not going to happen. Wide Open Country yes, not for city.

Just got back from skiing in Colorado and these were perfect. There's very limited cell service / no service on many of the mountains. These worked flawlessly. Super clear to communicate from base to mountain top or between trails. Nice compact units and base charging station and super easy to use. Virtually no setup needed - just install the batteries, pick a channel and go.

I was not expecting to get rechargeable option. I was extremely happy that this set is rechargeable through USB ports and has its own charger station. The radios work very well in open air situations. The signal gets weak when trying to go through multiple concrete and steel barriers. Decent definitely for the price.

these work well, purchased these as an alternative to getting a home intercom system for the grandparents. These work great around the home and around town. Having the option to page the other radio is very convenient. We sometimes pick up other channels but with the numerous channel options, we can easily switch to another. Great having one charging base for both units.

These are simple to use and have very good all day battery life.

Clear sound from car to car. and a easy to operate. A good buy.

Overall, these walkie-talkies, as most will refer to them as, will fit the needs of anyone wanting an inexpensive product for up in the forest or mountains. PROS: -Small and lightweight mean that they don't take up much space or weight in your pack -Easy to use and setup, simply plug the battery into the compartment -Range is decent without any interference (more later) -Multiple channels for different uses -Belt clip seems sturdy -Realistic, city range is about 2-miles, at most -Good build quality CONS -Channels 8-14 are low power output, meaning at higher distances they will be ineffective -Can stretch to 10 miles if you're up the mountain or down in a valley, away from city radios -No rubber grips for added comfort Overall, these are a good pair of radios, and will fit the needs of most people. The only reason I deduct a star is due to the claimed 23-mile distance, which simply doesn't hold true in all but the purest circumstances.

Work much better than I expected for a difficult job

These Cobra MicroTalk 2-way radios work great assuming you have reasonable expectations up front. First and most importantly the 23-mile range is theoretical, actual range in my urban environment was approximately 1/2 mile. Depending on what you intended to use these for 1/2 mile may be more than adequate, otherwise you will want to look elsewhere. These radios are perfect for around the house/office or even a venue. I like their ease of use and no non-sense look that can be used in a professional setting. Their small size make these easy to pocket or clip on and they even feature a hands-free mode which is great when you don’t have a free hand to respond. I found the battery life to be good, still having a charge after a few days of sporadic usage. The kit includes a charging cradle but they can also be charged using micro USB. I recommend these for anyone looking for a nice set of radios that don’t look cheap and work great.

The Cobra - MicroTALK 23-Mile, 22-Channel FRS/GMRS 2-Way Radios (Pair) - Black is a powerful new version of the classic 2-way radio/walkie-talkie. Boasting a 23 mile range, these small, portable, and functional units carry communication for miles! I found the set up to be quick and easy. Although, the y-cord makes little sense as you only need one connection to power the charging station. Since it is a micro-usb, I assume it is for charging an android style phone. Pointless if you have an iPhone and somewhat cluttersome (if that is a word). The sound quality and range were strong and easy to hear. Volume is loud. Controls are easy to use. Setting the correct frequency and channel can be a bit confusing if you are unfamiliar with this. PROS - Cobra brand and quality - Lightweight, Compact and portable with the clip - Charging station is nice as you can charge both units together and do not need to remove the belt clip - Multi-channel/frequencies to provide privacy for your communications - Long battery life makes these idea for many purposes including on the job, camping, hiking, etc. CONS - I am not convinced of the 23-mile range, but it does go 10-miles for my tests.

These radios are pretty decent, I don’t know if I’d classify them as Pro Business but good for recreational use. They are a great portable size and fairly easy to use. Setup was pretty simple but getting the batteries back were a little tedious after connecting the cable, luckly it only needs to be done once (at least for awhile). Battery life is good, easily lasted us all day. The fact that they recharageable is great! Comes with a charging cradle for both handsets or you can use the micro-usb cable to charge an individual handset. I like the fact that it doesn’t have a proprietary cable since most people have a micro-usb laying around if needed. The belt clips are a nice addition, was able to clip it to a basket on my atv as I roamed our property. It has 22 channels with 121 Privacy Codes (38 CTCSS/83DCS codes) and a VOX mode which is used to automatically pick up your voice and start transmitting without the need of holding the “talk” button down. I didn’t use this feature as I’m old school and like to hold the talk button down plus I’m never sure how much background noise is going to be transmitted. The clarity and signal seemed to be good, but definitely don’t expect 23 miles for the maximum distance. Not really sure how they come up with these numbers, must be in an empty flat desert, however within a reasonable area you should be fine. I think these would be great to use in larger places like a mall, or when camping or in areas with low cell phone reception, or a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. Overall they are a great size, rechargeable, and work well as long as you’re with reasonable distance or don’t have too much interference such as a lot of buildings in-between the 2 radios, I feel like the 23 mile range could be quite misleading.

These radios work very well. I bought these as a gift to my brother for his small business. He loves them and bought several more to enhance his employees efficiency.

These radios are a decent addition to any small or medium sized business or residential environment. I took them to my office, which is 26,000 square feet, and had no problems in that environment. It is a single floor space. Taking them to other floors was a mixed result, which I fully expected. I didn't make it to the street with the coverage and we are on the 4th floor. However, it is in a major city with major interference and major logjams on the radio frequency. As I then tried these out in my suburbia residence, I found range to be much more than I expected. These are 1 watt radios, so please realize 1 watt isn't going to go as far as you might expect in real world conditions. Around the neighborhood, no problem. If I were a car dealer, they'd work fine out on the lot. Or in an office out here they'd be decent too. Any service business that needs immediate contact to minimize customer wait times could benefit from these. The radios come with a high and low power mode based on the channel used. There are also a high number of privacy code sequences per channel to allow you to keep your radios quiet from other users of these kinds of radios. One feature I really enjoyed is the fact they come with very sturdy and very helpful belt clips. They attach and stay attached BUT they also allow you to charge the radios in the included base charger with the belt clips in place, this is well thought out and greatly appreciated. The base charger, with associated and included cable and transformer will light a small red led light as they charge and extinguish the light as they reach a full charge. The radios also have a battery level indicator in the LCD display. VOX feature works great - I was working on a project in the field and was using VOX as I talked to my partner who was listening in to hear and provide support back to me without me having to touch the radio - my hands were full with what I was working on, so this was a great use of this feature. The radios maintain a decent charge and lasted for about 4 hours with heavy use. I'm sure I'd get much more run time under normal use. There are a thousand applications for these. They are small, inexpensive, sturdy, and able to marry to other radios simply by tuning into the channel and privacy code sequence. These can be used within an office, so a key person can locate different office staff as they wander about the office. Same with car dealers, retail establishments, guards between posted locations within the facility, and many more. Since no license is needed from the FCC, they are quite simply an easy way to immediately get ahold of someone. Text messages do accomplish making contact, however, they are slow and don't convey the inflection of the voice of who is trying to reach you, This is important. Give them a try and with Best Buy's liberal return policy, you can always return them if they don't work for your situation.

For the price these are excellent. Outside range is really less than mentioned but excellent inside buildings with a lot of steel and concrete

Love the clear and clean sound from these radios, using ear pieces with em make it great for trips and security!