Top 27 Vhf Marine Radio Brands in 2025

The most popular brands for Vhf Marine Radio Includes Icom, Standard Horizon, Uniden, Cobra, West Marine, Garmin, Yaesu, Raytheon, FURUNO, Entel among many others.

1

Icom

Popular Brand

Icom America is a leading creator and manufacturer of two-way radios for various industries, including amateur radio, avionics, land mobile radio, and marine radio. The company has been providing new solutions to fulfill the communication demands of its consumers for over 40 years. They provide the most comprehensive variety of voice communication solutions for indoor and outdoor use. Their product line includes entry-level to elevated communication devices for individuals, corporations, governments, and military groups worldwide. Government agencies and enterprises in over 150 countries use their products. Two-way radios are used in various industries, including avionics, amateur radio, land mobile radio, marine radio, and fire/emergency services.

2

Standard Horizon

Popular Brand

Standard Horizon makes marine electronic gadgets for boaters all over the world. Equipping your boats with marine electronics will ensure your time at sea is safe and enjoyable by keeping track of fuel consumption and location through GPS trackers to reduce any chance of accidents and getting lost. Standard Horizon has used its advanced technology to create excellent products like handheld and fixed VHF, loud hailers, and GPS chart plotters.

3

Uniden

Popular Brand

Uniden is a world pioneer in developing goods that make life easier, more convenient, and safer. Uniden has been improving people's lives since it was created over 40 years ago, with products ranging from home security to mobile communications. They are proud of their employees and feel everyone deserves a job where they may fulfill their full potential while still having fun. Cordless and portable phones, digital video surveillance, home and intelligent smoke alarms, child safety goods, remote controls, and other items are available.

4

Cobra

Best Brand

Cobra is where all golf lovers go to get their handy craft tools. The company started back in 1973. Thomas Crow is the founder of this brand who had a love for golf and had played in the tournaments a few times. Thomas wanted to give the advantage of sound equipment to the lovers of the game so that they could have a winning chance at the game with much less effort. Cobra now manufactures clubs and accessories one needs in a round of golf.

5

West Marine

Best Brand

West Marine had its first shop opened in 1975 in Palo alto, CA. As the name gives an idea about the company, it manufactures and deals in marine electronics and gears. It provides a massive variety of products in the marine category ranging from engine parts to safety gears and cleaning products. It has more than 240 stores in 38 states. It relies on quality standards and customer service efficiency and reached this place.

6

Garmin

Best Brand

Garmin provides premium-quality goods and services that you may use to monitor people's athletic and fitness pursuits. Athletes use their gadgets, for instance, running, swimming, or cycling, to gather real-time performance data. On Garmin's online platform, the data is then shared with other users, allowing them to compete against one another. Additionally, ts goods are made for various athletes, including triathletes, cyclists, runners, and swimmers.

7

Yaesu

Best Brand

Yaesu is a company that is well versed in crafting top-quality ham radios. Communication ties the world together, and for several years Yaesu has been focusing on developing some of the highest quality communications equipment. The attention to detail and the consistent effort put into the research and development sector make Yaesu one of the leading brands in communication. Amplifiers, Receivers, and Transceivers are some of the company's specialties. Yaesu constantly works on increasing its brand products.

8

Raytheon

Best Brand

Raytheon is a combination of solutions for the defense, aviation and aerospace sectors of our world. An assembly of the...

9

FURUNO

FURUNO is an electronics company which provides products, especially for sea travel. FURUNO equipment makes your sea journey easy and...

10

Entel

The Entel group is a company established to produce mission-critical wireless communication systems. Entel's management and ownership of either the...

11

Midland

Midland is dedicated to the art of communication. They build radios and walkie-talkies for those who go out in the...

12

GME

For all kinds of radio communication, whether on land or water, GME is here to provide you with the exact...

13

Raymarine

A specialist in marine electronics, Raymarine is currently a globally leading company. Their high-performance marine electronics are available commercially in...

14

Moonraker

Moonraker provides Radio communication products for diverse fields such as Marine and Avionics. They make quality products to ensure that...

15

Sirio

Sirio Antenna is an Italian brand that provides top-quality ham radio equipment to its customers. Their products include cable, antenna,...

16

Simrad

Simrad, a well-known brand that manufactures marine electronics, was founded in 1946. It ensures that no compromises are made underwater...

17

Henry

18

Regency

Regency International is the biggest wholesale importer of holiday and home décor. Their goal is to supply their clients with...

19

Lowrance

Lowrance is a brand that deals in marine electronics. It has been a leader in its business line since it...

20

BendixKing

Bendix King Radios is a successful and established company that manufactures and sells land mobile radios. These land mobile radios...

21

Lafayette

This 21st century is the century of technology. Several instruments are coming into the market, which makes human life easy....

22

JRC

JRC is a communication technology company. JRC has been in this industry for an extended amount of time, and they...

23

Cobra Electronics

All you need for a modern driving experience, Cobra electronics provides it to you. With 50 years of hard work,...

24

Retevis

Hopkins manufactures products related to towing solutions, vehicle cleaning, winter tools, fluid management, protection and convenience, tire safety and emergency,...

25

Tait

Tait is a trusted and experienced communications company that specializes in developing unique technology to aid workforce communication such as...

26

Stabo

Communication is the base on which our globalized planet relies. But it's not an easy thing to accomplish, as history...

27

POLMAR

Communication is the basis upon which our world resides. Without it, our harmony, unity, and culture that is now a...

VHF Marine Radio Buying Guide

Marine communication plays a crucial role in the safety of every vessel in the ocean. As technology advances, VHF marine radios have become a standard tool in the maritime industry. A reliable marine radio makes it possible to communicate with emergency services, other vessels, and coast guards. Choosing the best marine radio for your vessel is a significant decision you have to make.

VHF marine radios are designed to operate in the VHF frequency range of 156.0-162.5MHz. This range is reserved for the marine industry, and VHF marine radios have a range of 20-25 nautical miles. There are two types of marine radios: handheld and fixed-mount. Handheld marine radios are portable and can be used anywhere, while fixed-mount radios are installed in boats and ships for constant communication.

Features to consider before buying a VHF marine radio

When purchasing a VHF marine radio, it’s crucial to consider the features that will suit your vessel’s needs. Some of the crucial features to consider are:

Waterproofing rating

A marine radio is bound to get wet on numerous occasions. Thus it’s crucial to look for a marine radio made of waterproof material. Radios that aren’t waterproof can stop functioning when exposed to water, thus increasing the risk of accidents in the ocean. You should consider purchasing a radio with a waterproof rating of at least IPX7. This means that it can be submerged in water up to a depth of three feet and still function properly.

GPS

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a crucial feature in marine communication, especially when ensuring your boats' safety. It’s essential to buy a VHF marine radio that has GPS installed. This will enable the coast guard and emergency services to locate you in case of an emergency.

DSC

When buying a VHF marine radio, you should consider one with DSC equipped. DSC stands for Digital Selective Calling. It’s a technology that transmits a distress signal to the coast guard, emergency services, or nearby vessels. This feature makes it possible to receive assistance quickly. A marine radio with DSC also has a unique MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity Number) number that acts as a vessel’s identification number when sending distress signals.

Wattage

The wattage of a radio determines the radio's power and how far it can communicate. Most VHF marine radios have a wattage of 1-25 watts. You should note that the higher the wattage, the farther the radio can transmit. However, a powerful radio consumes more power, and in most cases, it requires a separate power source. You should consider your boat's size before purchasing a powerful marine radio.

Privacy features

Most commercially available marine VHF radios support repeater functionality, enabling communication between two handsets, even when located far apart. However, it’s challenging to keep these conversations private. Purchasing a VHF radio with privacy features is crucial. These features will enable encryption of conversations, making them private between you and other authorized users only.

Multiple channels

A VHF marine radio with multiple channels is essential when communicating in a busy area. Multiple channels provide better communication, and it’s easier to listen to different channels simultaneously. You can communicate with other vessels, coast guards, and emergency services on different channels.

Display

Display quality is essential when purchasing a marine radio. You should purchase a radio with an adequately fitted display for better readability. This will ensure that you can read all the essential information displayed with ease. You should also consider the size of the screen, especially when purchasing a fixed-mount marine radio.

Audio quality

Audio quality is essential in marine communication. It’s necessary to purchase a marine radio with good audio quality. A high-quality radio will enable clear communication even in a noisy environment. You should test the radio's audio quality before purchasing it.

Brand warranty and support

Marine radios are an investment in your safety at sea. Make sure that you purchase one from a trusted brand that provides a warranty and technical support. Having manufacturer support in times of need can make a huge difference at sea.

Types of VHF marine radios

VHF marine radios come in two types that are handheld and fixed-mount radio.

Handheld Marine Radios

A handheld marine radio is portable and easy to carry. It’s suitable for small boats and can also serve as a backup radio for fixed-mount marine radios. A handheld marine radio is also water-resistant, although it’s not recommended to submerge it in water for extended periods. They come in two types; waterproof and water-resistant.

Waterproof handheld marine radios are designed to endure water-based environments. They are submergible and can withstand the effects of saltwater, sun, heat, and cold weather. They also come with floating capabilities, making it easy to retrieve lost radios. On the other hand, water-resistant handheld marine radios are designed to withstand splashes of water, such as rain and splashes but can’t be fully submerged in water.

Fixed-Mount Marine Radios

A fixed-mount marine radio is installed in boats and ships. They are bulky and require a dedicated power supply. Fixed-mount marine radios have higher wattages and can transmit communication over long distances. They are available in various sizes with different features such as DSC, GPS, and multiple channels.

The installation of fixed-mount marine radios can be done above or below deck. However, it’s recommended to install it where everyone on board can access it easily. Fixed-mount marine radios are commonly found in commercial boats and tenders.

The cost of marine radios

The cost of a marine radio varies depending on the features it comes with. Handheld marine radios cost much less than fixed-mount marine radios. A high-end, fixed-mount marine radio with numerous features like DSC, GPS, and VHF Marine radio, will cost more than a simple one.

However, the cost of a good marine radio should not be a deterrent when it comes to safety at sea. You can purchase a reasonably priced, high-quality marine radio with essential features such as waterproofing, GPS, and DSC.

Conclusion

Communicating in the ocean is essential to ensure safety. Choosing the right marine radio for your vessel is critical. You should consider the features you require in a radio, such as waterproofing, GPS, DSC, wattage, privacy features, and display. You should also consider the type of radio you need. Handheld marine radios are portable and suitable for small boats, while fixed-mount marine radios are installed in boats and have higher wattages.

The cost of a marine radio varies depending on the features the radio comes with, but a reasonable priced high-quality radio with essential features like waterproofing, GPS, and DSC is important for safety in the ocean. Ultimately, it’s up to you to ensure that everyone onboard is safe while at sea.

Categories Similar to Vhf Marine Radio

Top similar topics to Vhf Marine Radio Includes Handheld Vhf, Cb Radio, Fish Finder among many others.