The Best Two-Way Radios for Snow Plows
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 snow plow 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 snow plows?
Truck 27 is stuck behind a car that hasn’t been moved. Route B still hasn’t been touched, and it’s already 6 a.m.
The foreman has no idea two of the trucks had to double back for salt. Meanwhile, neighborhoods are flooding with complaints.
These are all common issues in snow plowing - 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 snow plow team, 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.
Given the distance between trucks you’ll 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.
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 snow plow radio?
- Weatherproof & Durable Snow plows operate in extreme cold, wet, and messy conditions. Look for radios that are IP-rated (like IP67) for water and dust resistance, and rugged enough to handle drops, vibration, and constant use.
- Long Battery Life Crews often work long shifts during storms, so choose radios with batteries that can last 12+ hours—or offer hot-swappable battery packs.
- Loud, Clear Audio Between engine noise, blowing snow, and road traffic, plow drivers need powerful speakers and noise-canceling mics to hear and be heard clearly.
- Easy to Use with Gloves Big buttons, simple controls, and glove-friendly design make a huge difference in freezing conditions.
- Wide Coverage Range Crews may be spread out across city streets or rural highways. Use UHF radios for urban areas (better in buildings and dense environments) or VHF for wide open rural routes. Repeaters or digital radios (like DMR) can also extend range.
- Emergency Features Look for radios with emergency alert buttons, man-down detection, or lone worker settings in case a driver is in trouble and can’t speak.
- Hands-Free Options External mics, speaker mics, or Bluetooth headsets can keep communication flowing without taking hands off the wheel.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Snow Plows
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
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This is a powerhouse UHF radio.
First off, it features 16 different channels. It can clearly handle a sizable workforce.
With 4 watts of power, it sends sound out with a lot of energy. Think of it like a major league pitcher throwing a fastball. That signal is getting where it needs to go.
It has an outdoor range of up to three miles and an indoor range of 30 floors or up to 350,000 square feet. This is the power-packed radio that you want when you're looking for distance.
It can take a severe pounding. You're looking at a military-grade case with a metal die-cast chassis covered in polycarbonate.
It meets the MIL-STD 810 C-F standards. That means it can stand up to a combat mission.
This walkie talkie can withstand being submerged in mud or dropped from scaffolding. It can even take a blast from a firehose.
This is a device that can get around walls, trees, vehicles, and work well in a building.
The CP100d-UA also covers 89 business radio frequencies with privacy codes.
Check out the other CP100d radio models available for upgrades to digital and displays!
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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 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!