Best MURS Radios | Simple Two-Way Utility
Once part of the business band frequencies, MURS channels were opened up for non-business and industrial use in the early 2000s. As you would expect, many changes in the radio world happen slowly, so you’ll still see many businesses like Walmart and Costco, as well as industrial sites using MURS channels. But you can also use them yourself without a license and with the correct equipment. There are a few brands, models, and types of MURS radios to consider.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best MURS radios, compared them, and now the results are in: the overall best, a base station option, and an alarm option. If you need a less-common transmitter for local communication or utility use, one of our picks will keep you up to speed.
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In this latest update of the best MURS radios, new recommendations are featured, and we’ve corrected pricing. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best MURS Radio
Radioddity MU-5
Inexpensive, Portable, and Effective
Radioddity shines with their handhelds, giving us unbeatable value on the less crowded MURS frequencies.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
With limited channels and mostly business, farm, and industrial use, MURS frequencies aren’t exactly crowded. This limits your options, but Radioddity has conquered the niche with its value-priced HHT. Their radios give value out of the box with their robust build, easy-to-use operation, and unbeatable price.
Specifications
- Power: 3.7V, 2W output
- Features: Simple operation, removable antenna
- Channels: 5-channel, PC-programmable
- Battery: 1,500mAh lithium-ion, USB-C charge port
- Size: 1.3″ D x 2.0″ W x 4.3″ H (without antenna)
- Weight: 7.5 ounces
With an unbeatable price and simple operation, it’s easy to see why the Radioddity MU-5 MURS Handheld Two-Way tops the rest.
Best MURS Base Station
Dakota Alert M538
Full-Featured, Simple, and Effective
An inexpensive, reliable base station for when you don’t need mobility or want to worry about batteries.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
A base station is your in-place choice for radio comms, regardless of the frequency or channel range. MURS base stations are few and far between, but we get a good one out of Dakota Alert with plenty of features and simple operation. With loud volume control and a long (or removable/extendable) antenna, you get everything you need to cover a large radius.
Specifications
- Power: 28V, 2W output
- Channels: 5 channels, 38 privacy codes
- Size: 5″ L x 5″ W x 3″ H (without antenna)
- Weight: 1.0 pound
If you are looking at setting up a MURS base station, the Dakota Alert M538 Base Station Transceiver is the best pick.
Upgrade MURS HHT
BTECH MURS-V2
Weatherproof, Versatile, and Reliable
A more durable MURS handheld transceiver that has plenty of bells and whistles.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
This radio goes beyond the limited MURS channel range with up to 200 NOAA, VHF, and UHF scanner channels that can be programmed. It is easy to use and can transmit out of the box.
Specifications
- Power: 7.4V, 2W output
- Features: Simple operation, removable antenna
- Channels: 5-channel, PC-programmable
- Battery: 1,800mAh lithium-ion battery, CH-8 charge cradle, USB-C capable
- Size: 1.3″ D x 2.3″ W x 4.3″ H (without antenna)
- Weight: 8.0 ounces
It comes with a whole suite of accessories, including the charging cradle, belt clip, earpiece kit, and wrist strap. The battery and antenna are removable and upgradeable. The housing has an IP54 weatherproof rating, making it the toughest MURS handheld you can get under $100.
If you are looking for a more rugged MURS handheld, the BTECH MURS-V2 Handheld Transceiver is the best option.
Comparison Table
| MURS Radio | Recommendation | Price* | Type | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radioddity MU-5 | Best Overall | $39 | HHT | 7.5 ounces |
| Dakota Alert M538 | Best Base Station | $75 | Base Station | 16.0 ounces |
| BTECH MURS-V2 | Best Portable HHT | $65 | HHT | 8.0 ounces |
The Radios We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several brands of MURS radios that we compared: Icom, Motorola, Retevis, Btech, Dakota Alert, Vertex, Radioddity, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each. MURS is relatively new, as far as radios go, since they needed to be specifically designed and labeled according to the new FCC rules made in 2004.
We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have a MURS transmitter that works well in your setup, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually, so we can try to get it in the next roundup and see if it will beat out our top picks.
What to Look For
The best MURS radios have a few features to look for:
- Value
- Power/Range
- Ease of Use
- Size/Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect radio for your specific situation. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the transmitters that truly set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a radio shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. They come in a wide range of prices that mostly depend on battery capacity and quality.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, even when it comes to communication. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Power & Range
MURS channels/frequencies are limited to 2W, so most radios designed for MURS operate with that lower power. Base stations have limits on how high you can place external antennas, and repeaters are not allowed on the channels, so range can be a limiting factor.
Ease of Use
MURS equipment is extremely simple to use- even simpler than FRS due to the channel and antenna limitations. It matches the wattage limitation, capped at 2 watts.
Some equipment can seem pretty technologically advanced, like base stations, alarms, and paired IoT gear. However, the underlying technology is simple and less complicated than any other radio setup.
Size & Weight
MURS equipment is similar to others in size and weight- a handheld transceiver is mostly the same, but it is just programmed and locked down to the specific set of frequencies.
Still, there are a few handheld transceivers to compare, and weight still matters when you are comparing those for a mobile kit.
Versatility
Many people explore versatility with MURS frequencies in security setups, intercoms, and other notification-type configurations. While you can’t use repeaters or high-powered transmissions, it can still be a versatile area to tinker with.
MURS vs. FRS, GMRS, CB, & Ham
MURS, Ham, GMRS, FRS, CB – there are many options when it comes to communicating with radio setups, and they are more different than just the frequency/amplitude bands they rely on.
| Type | Name | Mode | Channels | Max Watts | License | Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MURS | Multi-Use Radio Service | FM | 5 | 2W | No | No |
| FRS | Family Radio Service (Walkie Talkie) | FM | 22 | 2W | No | No |
| CB | Citizens Band Radio | AM | 40 | 4W | No | No |
| GMRS | General Mobile Radio Service | FM | FRS+8 | 50W | Yes | No |
| Ham | Amateur Radio | Any | Many | 1500W | Yes | Yes |
MURS is one of the few groups of public channels that allow non-licensed use. Previously part of the business band, businesses, industrial outfits, and large farms had to obtain licenses to use the frequencies. This is no longer the case, and the Multi-Use Radio Service has been opened up to the public for a few decades now if you have the proper equipment.
Sure, all of the other options have either more channels or the ability to transmit higher wattage for long-distance communication, but that might not be the ideal solution for your specific need.
Who Needs a MURS Radio?
MURS radios offer a unique solution that is no longer reserved for businesses and industrial sites. Many people use MURS for equipment, exploring IoT interoperability, or as a less-crowded FRS alternative. You do not need a license to use MURS equipment, but you need specific radios to communicate on the channels unless you have older equipment that is grandfathered in.
As far as survival kits, MURS radios are worth looking into for security features and short-range communication. For utility, some people improve their home security or find other uses at home. For short-range comms, people use them for mobile survival kits in place of traditional walkie-talkies:
As a less common solution, most of the time, MURS radios are for niche applications.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best MURS radios are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Kosari, A., et al. (2019). MURS Band for LPWAN Applications. IEEE Topical Conference on Wireless Sensors and Sensor Networks; Orlando, FL. Pages 1 – 3. (Source)
Moody, J., et al. (2019). Interference Robust Detector-First Near-Zero Power Wake-Up Receiver. IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits. Volume 54. Issue 8. Pages 2149 – 2162. (Source)
Wireless Telecommunications Office. (2017). Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS). Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Mobility Division. (Source)
Conclusion
MURS might not be the largest collection of channels or most common frequencies, but that can have its advantages. Many people looking to create customized solutions or just having a less-crowded walkie-talkie space end up selecting multi-use radio service equipment.
Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:
- The Best Survival Walkie-Talkie for Emergencies
- How Will You Communicate in an Emergency?
- Home Survival Kit List | 53 Essentials
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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Hi I wanted to say that I’ve tried out several of the no-license radios and MURS pretty much takes the cake. In FRS I, first got a pair of Walmart brand Ozark Trail cheapies, which were limited to 1/2 Watt, and they could get you around the block and a couple of blocks away, but not much more. It beat yelling really loud but that was about it. Next I thought I’d step it up with a pair of Cobra RX685’s, yes, they were much better, but in a city setting that UHF really suffers. Metal buildings block the signal outright and brick walls really attenuate the signal, even if you’re not up inside the building.
Next, I got some Dakota Alert MURS base stations on ebay, and a couple of RectVis handheld walkie talkies, in the MURS band (RB17V). WOW! even with the little telescoping antenna that came with the base station, they were out performing the FRS radios by a bunch! Next I made a quarter wave marconi (50ohm) antenna (1/4 wavelength) out of 12 ga and four 1/4 wave sloping radials made of the same. Just attached the 12ga antenna to center conductor of the coax, the radials to the braid, stuck on a BNC connector and Voila! At the other end of nine feet of RG58/U I had a decent antenna. I thumbtacked that thing to the first floor bedroom ceiling, and it gave me a mile or so of range right there.
After that I made a thing to hang up in a tree. I know that proximity to tree limbs is generally bad for RF propagation, so I thought if there was a pvc hanger then I could keep even the top of the antenna away from the tree. Simple; I bent some PVC into a large hook like a shepherd’s crook, and shot some fishing line up the center of the pipe by tying it to an appropriate sized cotton ball and sucking it through with a vacuum cleaner, then I took a similarly made antenna at the end of about 45 feet of RG58/U and jerked it up into the PVC tube with the fishing line. I had cut little slots at the base of the PVC candy cane for the radials to poke through. (this time I made six, quarter wave radials because it was easier to make a hexagon than a square, and plus: More radials)
Paying close attention to where the water is going to drip to when it rains, I pulled all the electrical connections up into the PVC candy cane/ Crosier/ Shepherds crook and hid all the electrical connections up inside the Crosier. I Left the two ends open (they both face downward) so the thing could breathe and hopefully not suck up any water. I had cut slots into the bottom of the Crosier, where the real thing would touch the ground, put the radials through the slots, and sealed all the drippy stuff with electrical tape bolstered with cable ties.
The antenna itself, the radiating element, was hanging from fishing line up inside the PVC crosier. I gave it about a foot and a half of headroom from the bend so the tip wouldn’t be so close to the supporting branch. I made another slot at the bent end of the Crosier (a drilled hole would work better) to tie off the fishing line (its 30 lb test) to put some tension on the main element to keep it from sagging. This way, the PVC tube both (or all three) Provides a support for the antenna system, an easy way to hang it in a tree, a standoff to keep the antenna a couple of feet away from tree limbs, and a little bit of weatherproofing. I hit the exterior with a thin coat of hunter green, cape cod grey, a little mocha brown, just enough so it wouldn’t be super obvious, but also not smack of camo pattern, just grungy. Hopefully not noticeable to annoy the neighbors. I’ve read that black is the worst color you can use on an antenna because it’s either magnetic iron oxide, lead, or carbon, and all of them are bad for RF propagation.
The roof level is about 18 feet, and I stuck one of those 6 foot fiberglass driveway markers from Home Depot on at the base so I could reach the fork in the limb of the tree above my head when I was standing on the roof, maybe as much as 11 feet, so that makes the tip of the antenna maybe 28 feet high. I trailed the RG58/U down into the bedroom attached a BNC connector, an made a little pigtail of the remaining braid to attach a groundwire, and the ground is just a brazing rod or two beside the house.
Anyway, with basically the same antenna mounted, about twenty feet higher, (out in the open) and with something of a ground, the MURS radio went from having easy conversations (in an urban environment) at about 0.5 km to having similar reception at around 4km!
(I don’t know what the upper limit is, and that’s just hand held walkie to base station, and vice versa, I don’t know what base-to-base communication might be.)
Right after I set it up I did a head-to-head comparison of two watts of MURS to two watts of FRS. I rode out on my bike to about the three mile mark, (oh, yeah, I set up an old tape recorder next to the receivers too) and started chatting up both bands. Up until about the one mile mark the FRS was virtually nonexistent. On a hunch about a mile away, I clambered up onto an ordinary freeway overpass (NOT one of the fly-overs thank you!) and tried out both transmitters. with extra height the FRS came alive. Reception inside the 1 mile mark was spotty on the FRS but rock solid for the MURS. I think the wave propagation for MURS must be a lot more congenial to an urban environment than the line-o-sight properties of FRS frequencies. I have however, made a Yagi parasitic element that you could strap onto a FRS walkie talkie to passively increase its range.
There is no such thing as a FRS base station, but I am tempted to put a really long headphone/mic connection onto a third-hand FRS walkie, and a short coax lead to a little dipole, and mount the whole thing in a Tupperware container 25 feet up!