8 Best Icom radios of 2022

Wondering which Icom radios are the best overall?

Best Icom radios are usually handheld radios which are quite practical, and are the top choice of many radio lovers. These radios can easily establish a clear communication between two radios, or a radio and a signal tower. Icom is a brand that knows what people like when it comes to the best radio’s features. And all of the models which we are about to show you are made for amateurs and for professional radio users too. With the top Icom radios by your side, you will always be safe knowing that you can communicate with someone at all times.

We have decided to test out some of the best Icom radios, and we will be showing you the list of the ultimate best Icom radios for 2022. These models won’t disappoint!

Our Editor’s top picklist

1. Best priced Icom radio: Icom M25 Handheld VHF radio IC-M25
2. Best Icom Handheld radio: Icom IC-A16B Bluetooth VHF airband transceiver radio
3. Best Icom marine radio: Icom IC-M400BB Modular VHF marine radio
4. Best Icom Fixed Mount radio: Icom M330-11 VHF Fixed-mount radio
5. Best Icom aviation radio: ICOM A25C Handheld Airband Radio
6. Best Icom VHF radio: Icom M424G 21 Fixed Mount VHF radio with internal GPS
7. Best Icom Mobile radio: Icom IC-2730A Dual band VHF Mobile radio
8. Best Icom two-way radio: Icom IC-F4001 02 DTC Two way radio

Establish clear communication with Icom

If you are into radios, and this is one of your favorite hobbies, you should definitely meet the legendary Icom brand and their radios. These models will be able to enable you clearly communicate with people on the other end, as well as broadcasting towers. If you are just a beginner at the radio hobby, these models will surely be the best choice for you. On top of that, if you need to use handheld radios for work, what’s a better brand to purchase from than Icom? Since these radios are made for both professional and amateur use, they surely won’t disappoint.

If you have never tried to use handheld radios, and two-way radios, now is the right time to do so! Some might say that these types of radios aren’t as popular as they used to be, but we say that they are wrong, and we are going to prove it. We have tested some of the best Icom radios, and are bringing you our thoughts in this review. Stay tuned till the end where you will be able to find the buyer’s guide- Research and buying tips if you end up loving these radios!

In-depth best Icom product reviews at a glance

1. Best Icom Handheld radio: Icom IC-A16B Bluetooth VHF airband handheld transceiver radio

The best Icom handheld radio has everything that you might need. Besides being very lightweight and easy to carry around, this handheld radio has many features which you will surely find convenient. The first on the list of features is the Bluetooth technology which is built into it. This technology can enable the user’s hands-free operation, and make the practicality of this radio even better.

Besides being the best handheld radio, this is also a very great radio for aviation. And can be considered as the perfect flight companion for aviation students. It is able to establish an easy communication with aviation towers, and make everything flow smoothly.

When it comes to its design, this radio is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about that sort of damage. Besides that, since this is a handheld radio, you can use it with only one hand without any issues.

This is a radio that operates on a 2400 mAh Li-ion battery that will be able to last for hours before it runs out of power. On top of that, there is rapid charging enabled, and the battery could be fully charged in about an hour or so.

This A16B radio model also has an internal speaker with around 1500mW of output power that can enable clear connection and a clear sound.

Highlighted features:

• This is both a handheld and a great aviation radio
• It has Bluetooth technology built into it
• There is a full keypad that enables easier usage
• There is an LCD screen with backlighting
• It works on a 2400 mAh li-ion battery
• It can rapidly be charged 

 

2. Best Icom aviation radio: ICOM A25C Handheld Airband Radio

The Icom A25C Handheld radio is unlike any other. It’s been awarded the IP57 rating meaning it’s completely waterproof. It comes in a modern black color, which makes it look quite sophisticated and generally trendy.

The device is wireless which means you can carry it anywhere, and it also weighs 0.31 pounds, which is super convenient for people who are on the move a lot. This product’s dimensions are 2.3 x 1.3 x 5.8 inches, which again, proves that this radio is convenient and has a practical design.

It has a Lithium-ion smart battery which comes with the radio, it also contains a detailed battery status that will be displayed on the screen as soon as it has been turned on. The radio includes a weather forecast channel, which will make sure that the user stays safe at all times. In other words, the radio itself will transfer to the emergency weather alert channel if needed. It ranks #706 in Portable FRS Two-Way Radios. The customers of the product are very satisfied with it. Its official price is $424.98 USD, and it is one of the best aviation two-way radios on the market.

Highlighted features:

• It has an IP57 rating, meaning it’s waterproof.
• It is manufactured in a modern black color.
• The device is wireless and it weighs 0.31 pounds.
• The product dimensions are 2.3 x 1.3 x 5.8 inches.
• It includes a Lithium-ion smart battery with a detailed battery status.
• It ranks #706 in Portable FRS Two-Way radios.
• Customers are satisfied with the product.
• The price is $424.98 USD.

 

3. Best priced Icom radio: Icom M25 Handheld VHF radio IC-M25

This is one of the best priced Icom radio models for a reason. Namely, the price of this radio, and all of the features it has, and its quality too are at the same level possible. And we love to see devices whose price range and quality are balanced.

Okay, so this is a handheld VHF radio with a very nice, and modern design. Namely, this radio weighs only around one pound and is around 0.47 inches long; this makes it, of course, a perfect handheld radio that won’t get in your way.

Once the customer purchases this model, they will be receiving an instruction manual alongside it. Of course, all of the Icom radios come with instruction manuals, so this is nothing new, but it’s appreciated.

What really amused us is that this radio flashes when it gets in the contact with water. On top of that, it can even float!! This means that, if it gets in the contact with water, it will leave it with little to no damage. On the other hand, when it comes to the power of this radio, it has a 5 watts li-ion battery inside of it, and that battery can hold around eleven hours of active usage.

When it comes to additional features, this model has many. The first one is the large LCD display which makes it easily usable even at night. The second one is the speaker microphone which has high quality. Of course, there are even 5V USB sockets, which means that you can connect this model to a PC and program it.

Highlighted features:

• This is a radio that has a large LCD display
• It can catch weather alert channels
• The user manual comes with it
• This radio is equipped with 5V USB sockets
• This is a handheld radio

 

4. Best Icom marine radio: Icom IC-M400BB Modular VHF marine radio

As you can see from the pictures, this is a two-piece radio that comes with a unit and an external microphone that enables secure, fast, and clear communication. This two-piece configuration enables the smooth functioning of all of the features that are built into it.

When it comes to the sound quality of this receiver, Icom has really decided to step up their game by adding a 10W amplifier to it. The amplifier sure helped with the reception and made it significantly better. Of course, this radio has a 25-Watt output power, which means that it belongs to a powerful radio category. The external speaker is there to provide the user with the best quality sound there is. While, on the other hand, the mic comes with a twenty-inch cable that enables mobility and makes the whole device way more practical than the others.

Highlighted features:

• This is a practical radio
• It has a nice, modern design
• This is a two-piece radio
• It comes with a 10W amplifier
• The sound quality it produces is at the highest level possible
• This radio is equipped with 25 watts of output power

 

5. Best Icom Fixed Mount radio: Icom M330-11 VHF Fixed-mount radio

This ICOM VHV radio has been made in the US, meaning that at the beginning its purpose was only for citizens of the United States. As the company grew bigger the expansion of this radio grew alongside and finally, it has been doubled. The best thing about this radio is that using it is extremely easy. It comes in black color and its dimensions are 4.3 x 6.2 x 2.6 inches. When it comes to the design of this radio, it looks pretty modern. Not only does it come in sleek black color, but is also quite large and very visible.

This is one of those radios who are perfect for people who need to use the radio for communication on a daily basis- whether it’s for their job, or for some other reason. The built-in class D DSC with a CH70 receiver enables this device the perfect reception even of the farthest signals. With this radio by your side, you will always be able to scan, look for your favorite channels, and memorize them too!

Highlighted features:

• This radio is made in the US.
• It comes in black color.
• Its dimensions are 4.3 x 6.2 x 2.6 inches.
• This is a lightweight radio
• It has a practical design
• It’s very easy to use

 

6. Best Icom VHF radio: Icom M424G 21 Fixed Mount VHF radio with internal GPS

Up next is possibly the most expensive Icom radio. Meet the M424G model- a radio that has it all!

This is one of the bigger Icom radio models. Namely, this is a radio that is able to pick up quite a wide range of signals, without experiencing any signal drops. This is a radio with a really nice design. It contains lots of different functions that are made to serve the user very well. When it comes to its design, we need to mention that it is built that way to support the Aqua Quake draining function which enables its protection from deep waters. In other words, even if this radio gets dropped in the water, nothing will happen to it, since it is able to hold 30 minutes underwater, and can be on 1-meter deep water without experiencing any damage.

On the other hand, when it comes to this radio’s reception, this is one of those radios who could catch weather channels and alert channels. So, this radio can basically be used in boats, or similar vehicles since it has all the required functions.

Highlighted features:

• This is a VHF radio
• It contains GPS
• This is a waterproof radio
• This is one of the most expensive radios
• It has very nice size and is compact
• This radio is perfect for boats or the marine
• It can catch weather alert channels

 

7. Best Icom Mobile radio: Icom IC-2730A Dual band VHF Mobile radio

The next model of Icom radios that we will be showing you is at the same time the best mobile radio that we could find- meet the Icom IC-2730A VHF mobile radio. This is a compact radio that works on wide ranges of frequency. It is specially designed to be used daily, and regularly since it’s quite practical, and has a convenient design.

As you can see, this is an attractive radio with an interesting design. It has a 50 watt of output VHF and UHF power, which makes this radio suitable for the “powerful” group of radios. The Icom brand put an effort to make this model very convenient for all of its users. That is why this radio also has the Bluetooth technology that will provide you with a connection to other external. Besides that, this radio also has a push-to-talk button that enables the mic who is able to produce quite an astonishing sound with lots of clearness, and without interruptions. Since the microphone is quite powerful, you could easily use this radio in a noisy environment and people will still be able to hear you clearly.

Highlighted features:

• This is a perfect radio for noisy environments
• This radio has Bluetooth technology built into it
• It has a 50 watt of output power for both VHF and UHF signals
• It contains a PTT (push to talk button) and a strong microphone

 

8. Best Icom two-way radio: Icom IC-F4001 02 DTC Two way radio

With this next unique radio, you get access to 16 different channels, and a CTCSS tone filtering. You will easily be able to find any type of radio channel with the help of a quick channel scan. The Icom two-way radio has a frequency range between 400 – 470MHz which gives you a fantastic listening experience. You won’t need to have any worries about the battery of this radio, since the unit comes with a Li-Ion battery that is designed to hold daily usage well.

When it comes to its output power, it has around 800mW audio output power which will make sure that you are provided with a crystal clear, and loud sound. One of the best things about this model is that it is made a little bit differently than the rest. With that being said, this radio might be a bit louder than the rest, which is a good thing, since that means the speaker is quite adequate for noisy environments. On top of everything, this radio is PC programmable. This means that you can connect it to your computer and make any type of significant changes if needed.

This radio transmits 4 watts of power. It also comes in a sophisticated black color. As every Icom radio, it’s very user-friendly which means it’s easy to use. Customers are very satisfied with this product and are mostly amazed by its performance, and if you are looking for a new two-way radio, this one is designed for you.

Highlighted features:

• • Access to 16 different unique channels.
  • The frequency of the radio is ranging between 400 to 470MHz.
  • The battery is a li-ion type of battery
  • The device transmits 4 watts of power.
  • It comes in black color.
  • It’s user-friendly
  • This radio is perfectly designed and made for all new and experienced users
  • It comes packed with an antenna
  • This is a PC programmable radio

 

How to use an Icom radio?

Even though Icom radio models are quite different, they all work on a similar principle. Once a client purchases one Icom radio model, they will be receiving an instruction manual alongside it. This manual will contain all of the information about that particular radio model, as well as how to use it.

But, as we have already mentioned, Icom radios all work on a similar principle. That is why we will be giving you a step-by-step guide on how to use an Icom radio. Since all of the models have the buttons that we are about to mention below, you will easily be able to follow along on any Icom radio model. We will try to keep it universal and write in general.

Just a small disclaimer before we start with the steps. You should make sure that your radio’s battery is fully charged and that it can work properly. If the battery isn’t charged, the radio might run out of power, and you won’t be able to do anything on it. Once you made sure that it’s charged, make sure that you are using the right channel so that you can establish communication with the other side. Change, or adjust the frequency of the channel if needed.

Okay, so, if you want to call someone, these are the steps you should follow in order to transmit a message:

• Once you have made sure that you are on the right channel, and on the right frequency, you should now make sure that the channel is clear. In other words, wait for all other communications to become clear, and the channel too. No need for you to interfere with someone’s communication.
• If the coast is clear, you should now find the PTT We have mentioned that the button will be located in different places on different models. Once you have found the button, you should push and hold it.
• Now, while holding the PTT button, but put the device near your mouth and speak. Transmit the message you want, and let go of the button once you are finished.

And that’s pretty much it! This is how you transmit messages to others. Of course, you should know that most of Icom radios work that way that, once you press the PTT button, no one else who is on that channel won’t be able to speak their message. So, make sure that you aren’t taking it too long to transmit a message.

Once you become a radio expert, you will slowly start to learn the language that is mostly used in this way of communication. Of course, don’t rush it, it will come naturally to you!

Research and buying tips

We have presented you with the total number of eight of the best Icom radios. These radios really deserve the spotlight, and there’s no doubt that this brand actually stepped up its game when it comes to manufacturing devices.

Before we start with the actual guide, and things you should pay attention to while purchasing one of the best Icom radios, let’s see where you can find them, and what’s their availability like. Of course, we will also give you some tips on how to determine whether or not Icom radios are the right radio models for you.

Where can you buy Icom radios?

These radios are available worldwide. When we say worldwide, we mean that they are certainly available to customers from all around the world, and even people that are not from the US can enjoy having them. When it comes to the exact place where you could find one of the best Icom radios, we suggest checking out Amazon, Walmart, or any of your local tech stores. A brand as popular as Icom has official dealers all around the globe, and you will surely be able to find some of their radio models in some of your local stores.

So, be sure to check all of the places, and then determine where it’s most convenient for you to make a purchase.

Should you buy one of the Icom radios?

As mentioned earlier, before we head onto the steps which will help you determine which Icom radio model to choose, let’s first see if the Icom brand and their radios are the right choices for you.

So, if you have been looking for a new device that could help you fill some of your free time, and become a new hobby, Icom radios are surely one of the best choices for you. These radios are made for both amateur and professional use and could bring everyone joy. Their practical designs and a user-friendly interface will surely enable easy usage to all radio lovers, the new and the old ones.

Besides that, these radios are quite professional too and can be used in certain jobs. Let’s say that you are a person who works on any type of boat a lot. Having one of the best Icom radios by your side will always enable you secure and stable connection with some other person. That way, you will always know that you are the safest as you can be, and could do your job right whilst establishing easier communication.

• Determining which model is the right for you

In order to determine which model of Icom radios you should purchase, there are some things that you should look out for. Let’s see what those things are.

• Budgeting is optional but very helpful

You could have seen from our review that these radios belong to different price ranges, depending on their quality and purpose. We always say that budgets are important, and will never stop saying that. By determining how much money you are willing to spend, you are narrowing down your choices, and therefore, making your decision quite easier.

• For what purpose will you be using this radio

You should ask yourself this question. By determining the purpose, you will, again, make the process of reaching a decision very easier for you. Since Icom radios are categorized in different categories, there are quite a few categories you could choose from. For an example, you could have found marine, aviation, travel, and other radios in our list. So, which radio do you need? Pick a category, and you will make a decision about the model shortly, we are sure.

Our last thoughts

Today was a great day to find out more information about the wonderful brand, Icom, and their popular, and best seller radio models. These models have been around for a few years now, and have been tried out by many customers, from all around the world.

You should know that these radios won’t find themselves on our list if they haven’t received many different and positive reviews from their users. But, seeing all of the positive reviews, we got intrigued and had to test them out ourselves. The best thing about all of this is that we haven’t made a mistake with them. We actually loved the way these radios worked and were giving off a different type of vibe. In other words, the Icom brand really does stand out of the crowd when it comes to producing radios for both amateur radio operators, and professionals. There are certain models that can be used by both, and which have quite impressive features. And that is exactly what we loved most about this whole brand and all of their models.

Have in mind that we have tested all of these eight models and that they would not be on our list if we weren’t at least slightly satisfied with their performance. Of course, all of them have their good and bad sides, like any other device. But the good thing is that we liked how they managed to give a clear signal at all times.

We would totally recommend them to anyone who is in doubt about whether or not they should get into this radio hobby. By purchasing one of the best Icom radio models, you cannot make a mistake.

FAQs related to ICOM radio

1. What is an ICOM radio?

Icom brand is a company that mainly focuses on producing amateur high-quality radios. The Icom radios are made to be affordable to most buyers and are featured with a lot of different features to provide the best service. These radios are considered amateur radios since they usually do not contain any high-tech features.

2. What is the best ICOM radio?

After testing a lot of Icom radio models, our editor’s opinion is that the best Icom radio model is the Icom M25 Handheld VHF radio IC-M25 since it’s affordable, has great features, amazing technology built into it, and is made out of high-quality materials.

3. Where are ICOM radios made?

The Icom factory is located in Japan. Therefore, all Icom radio models are being produced in their factories accord Japan.

4. Are ICOM VHF radios good?

Yes, Icom VHF radios have high quality and are made both for amateurs and experienced radio lovers. These radios are able to give a lot to their users, and enable them endless hours of fun, as well as provide them with an excellent reception of all of their favorite radio stations.

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