Radio Shack 12-259

Reviewers say the small, portable Radio Shack 12-259 weather radio is a good choice for anyone who needs to keep tabs on weather and other alerts while away from home. This radio is Public Alert-certified and has defeatable alarms (which can weed out most alerts outside your local area). It has a smaller antenna than desktop weather radios like the Eton FR300 (*Est. $50) and Midland WR-300 (*Est. $50), so its range is reduced, but is still sufficient for most uses. Reviewers say this radio's battery life could be better, so be sure to keep spare batteries on hand. If you aren't planning on traveling with your weather radio, the Eton FR300 or Midland WR-300 might be better choices.

The best review of the Radio Shack 12-259 weather radio is by radio enthusiast Richard Rhodes, who compares Radio Shack weather radios to the popular Midland WR-300.