The Best Two-Way Radios for Landscaping
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 landscaping team, 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 landscaping?
Mike is trimming hedges at the far end of the property. Sarah’s in the front yard laying mulch.
No one knows the delivery truck just showed up with the stone they’ve been waiting on all morning.
The foreman’s calling out for help unloading—no response. Meanwhile, the crew loses 25 minutes just trying to track each other down.
These are all common issues in a landscaping team - 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 landscaping team, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your project 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 projects, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 1-2 miles of coverage.
Larger projects covering up to 3-4 miles, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly the distance.
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 Landscaping:
- Hardscaping: For team members handling stonework, patios, retaining walls, and other structural elements.
- Mowing & Maintenance: For the crew responsible for lawn mowing, trimming, and routine maintenance across different areas.
- Supervisor: For the supervisor to communicate with all crews, coordinate material deliveries, manage schedules, and respond to client needs.
From our experience, landscaping teams work best when teams are grouped into one channel.
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 landscaping radio?
- Weatherproof/Dustproof Design (IP Rating): Landscaping crews work outdoors in all conditions. A rugged, weather-resistant radio ensures reliability in rain, dust, mud, and heat.
- Long Battery Life: Crews are often out for full-day jobs without easy access to charging. A radio with a strong battery (preferably 12+ hours) keeps communication consistent all day.
- Clear Audio with Noise Cancellation: Landscaping equipment is loud—mowers, trimmers, blowers. Look for radios with noise-canceling microphones and powerful speakers to cut through the noise.
- Hands-Free (VOX) Capability: When hands are busy with tools or machinery, voice-activated transmit lets workers communicate without pressing buttons.
- Durability: A drop-proof, tough design built for harsh environments is a must. Look for military-grade or industrial-rated models.
- Interference Protection: To avoid crosstalk with other nearby teams or businesses, choose radios with privacy codes or digital encryption.
- Compact and Lightweight: Comfort matters when wearing a radio all day. A compact, clip-on design reduces fatigue.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Landscaping Teams
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for projects 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.
Given the surrounding environment of a landscaping team, we recommend durable radios with a small number of channels.
Small Projects
|
 |
This is a UHF radio with four channels. You can segment your staff into four different groups for more effective communication.
The RMU2040 is a machine that pushes out the sound with two watts of power and an outdoor range of up to two miles.
It also has an indoor range of 20 floors or up to 250,000 square feet.
The device uses lithium-ion batteries. So you’re going to have power throughout the day. It also comes with a standing charging tray, a wall charger that plugs into power outlets, and a belt clip.
This is a radio that performs under harsh or stressful conditions with a strength of signal which easily gets around concrete and steel.
Make no mistake about it; this is one sturdy radio.
Its military-grade hardware is composed of materials that meet the MIL-STD 810 and IP-55 standards. That means it can take a licking and keep on ticking.
It comes with 219 different privacy codes that protect against interference and crosstalk. You won’t have to worry about hobbyists or any competitors interfering with your signal.
The customized channel announcement feature also allows you to operate the device hands-free.
|
 |
If you are looking for a simple and tough radio - look at the Kenwood NX-P1302AUK Radio. With UHF frequencies and 2 watts of power, get a strong signal for indoor or outdoor settings.
Equipped with 64 channels, effectively manage large teams.
This radio can withstand the rough and tumble of on-site use.
Rated for IP54/55 dust and water ingress tests, your investment is protected. Not to mention the 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Larger Projects - Multiple Buildings
|
Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
|
 |
|
 |
Best Nationwide Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
|
Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states.
|
 |
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 landscaping team – 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!