The Best Two-Way Radios for Auto Part Stores
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your auto store, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for auto part store?
A customer’s been standing at the counter for ten minutes, waiting on a part that’s supposed to be in the back….
The phone is ringing off the hook, and the guy in the service bay needs a price check before he can finish an estimate. Meanwhile, the delivery driver just came back, and no one knows if he dropped off that urgent order.
Everyone’s scrambling, and no one’s on the same page.
These are all common issues in an auto store - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios....
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your store, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small stores, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger stores (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for Auto Stores:
- Front Counter: Used by the sales team helping walk-in customers. Quick price checks, stock questions, and customer requests go here.
- Warehouse/Inventory: Staff in the back use this to locate parts, restock shelves, and coordinate with the front counter for item retrievals.
- Deliveries/Drivers: Delivery drivers and dispatch use this channel to confirm drop-offs, get directions, or report delays.
- Management/Admin: For private conversations between managers or handling escalated issues.
From our experience, stores work best when teams are grouped into separate channels.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great auto store radio?
Loud and Clear Audio: Auto stores can get noisy—think engines revving, phones ringing, customers chatting. Radios need strong speakers, so staff never miss a message.
Long Battery Life: Between long shifts and constant use, radios should last all day without needing a recharge.
Durability: Dropped on concrete? Splashed with oil? No problem. Radios should be rugged enough to survive the wear and tear of a parts store or warehouse.
Multiple Channels: To keep conversations organized—front counter, inventory, drivers, and management can each have their own channel.
Compact and Comfortable: Radios should be lightweight and easy to clip on—something staff can wear all day without thinking about it.
Hands-Free Options: Headsets or earpieces keep hands free for pulling parts, scanning inventory, or handling customer transactions.
Fast Push-to-Talk (PTT): Instant communication is key. One button should connect team members in seconds.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Auto Part Stores
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for stores of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Small Stores
For typical store layouts, you’ll want a compact and lightweight radio that is discreet and easy to carry. Offering modest power and 1 to a handful of channels, you will have enough groups to keep operations running smoothly.
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User-friendly with reliable coverage and extended battery life.
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There are a few reasons why you might choose a CLS radio over a CLPe or Curve
It has a proven track record spanning more than 15 years
It is the most economical model
CLS radios have a speaker (which is incredibly useful in the inventory room). Staff can place it on the counter - meaning no earpiece to burden them while they’re trying to stock.
Some features of the CLS1410 that a store would find particularly useful…
- As a UHF Radio, it is optimized for spaces with both indoor and outdoor areas
- Four channels allow you to segment your staff easily
- Indoor range of 200,000 square feet or 15 Floors covers the space of most _
- Audible Call Alerts with Vibracall means that messages won't interrupt staff [when they're speaking with guests].
- Voice-activated transmission (VOX) allows for hands-free use.
The Motorola CLS1410 would be a perfect addition to your store. Contact us today to receive a custom quote.
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Lightweight, discreet, and hands-free with excellent audio clarity.
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If you’re comparing the CLPe series over a CLS or Curve, here are a few reasons why you might choose it.
- It’s discreet. This helps create a more professional and upscale appearance for your staff
- It’s the smallest professional radio on the market
- It doesn’t have a speaker and must be used with an earpiece. The earpiece comes with the radio.
Here are a few of the fantastic features of the CLP1010e:
- This is a UHF Radio that will allow for communication inside and outside
- There is one channel (for up to 8 channels, look at the CLP1080e)
- The indoor range of this device is 100,000 square feet or 10 floors. That goes up to 20 floors if you're using a repeater.
- It comes with both a swivel belt holster and an earpiece to allow for discreet communication.
Want to learn more about the discreet Motorola CLP1010e for your staff? Reach out to us today for a free quote.
Honorable Mentions:
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Compact and powerful. Easy to use and great battery life.
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Larger Stores - Multiple Buildings
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
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There are a bunch of reasons why to choose the Curve series over a CLS or CLPe…
- It’s an even more durable device that is also compact.
- There are no FCC licensing fees.
- Because it uses newer technology, digital communications are even more clear on Curve than the CLS or CLPe.
- 900 Mhz Digital Communication
With 10 channels, you can segment a much larger staff.
You're also able to save money on these radios because there is no FCC licensing. That means you won't have to pay any government fees to use your devices.
This is a portable two-way radio with an indoor range of up to 300,000 square feet or 20 floors. That range is ideal for most larger spaces.
If you've got a larger stores, like those radios found in a hotel or a large chain, we recommend the Motorola Curve.
Honorable Mentions:
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Best Nationwide Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
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Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states.
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your store – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!