The Best Two-Way Radios for Hospitals
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 hospital, 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 hospital?
A patient just arrived in the ER with chest pains, but there’s no available wheelchair and no one to assist. The nurse on call needs a transport team—now.
Meanwhile, housekeeping has no idea that Room 214 has been discharged and still needs to be cleaned. Over in pediatrics, a critical piece of equipment isn’t where it’s supposed to be.
These are all common issues in a hospital - 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 hospital, 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 smaller hospitals, 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger Hospitals (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 hospitals:
- Emergency Room (ER) – For real-time updates on incoming patients, triage coordination, and emergency alerts.
- Security – For incident response, access control, and emergency lockdowns.
- Housekeeping – To quickly respond to room turnover, biohazard clean-up, and general sanitation needs.
- Patient Transport – For coordinating wheelchair and stretcher availability and movement between departments.
- Maintenance – To handle equipment repairs, facility issues, and utility emergencies.
- Nursing Staff – For unit-level communication, shift coordination, and patient status updates.
- Pharmacy – To coordinate urgent medication deliveries and prescription questions.
- Administration – For hospital-wide announcements, coordination during drills or real emergencies, and interdepartmental updates.
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 hospital radio?
- Clear Audio Quality – Hospitals can be noisy. Radios need strong, clear audio so critical messages aren’t missed.
- Long Battery Life – Shifts are long, and radios need to last through them without constant recharging.
- Private/Encrypted Channels – To protect patient information and comply with HIPAA regulations.
- Lightweight and Compact Design – Easy to clip on scrubs or uniforms without getting in the way.
- Durability – Resistant to drops, spills, and frequent sanitization with hospital-grade cleaners.
- Hands-Free Capability – VOX (voice-activated transmit) or headset compatibility so staff can talk without using their hands.
- Emergency Alert Button – Allows staff to call for immediate help with one push, ideal for security and nursing.
- Customizable Channels – So departments can stay connected without cross-talk from other teams.
- Coverage Range – Strong in-building performance, especially in large hospitals with thick walls and basements.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Hospitals
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for hospitals 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.
Smaller Hospitals
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One of the most durable radios on the market.
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Ultra-slim, durable, and superior audio clarity for larger coverage needs.
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Larger Hospitals - Multiple Buildings
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Extended coverage comes with a larger antenna. Durable build.
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Best Unlimited 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 hosptial – 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!