WR120 NOAA Weather and Emergency Alert Radio
Best emergency radio for families prioritizing home safety and weather preparedness.
The Midland WR120 NOAA Weather and Emergency Alert Radio is a compact and reliable device designed to keep you informed about severe weather conditions. It receives NOAA weather alerts, ensuring you're aware of potential hazards like hurricanes and tornadoes. Featuring a built-in alarm clock and battery backup, it's suitable for bedside use or outdoor activities. This radio provides essential safety information, helping you stay prepared for emergencies.
$54.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
4
/ 88
#4 in Radio Scanners
Price vs Category Average
-90%
Below average
Brand
Midland
/ Midland
Who it's for
- Homeowners wanting alerts only for their specific county
- Heavy sleepers needing multiple sensory warning methods
- Families prioritizing safety during power grid failures
Who should skip it
- Users needing clear visibility in dark environments
- People who prefer simple, plug-and-play device configuration
- Light sleepers sensitive to sudden, jarring noises
Performance breakdown
Alert Precision
S.A.M.E. technology effectively filters out irrelevant alerts for your specific county.
Emergency Reliability
Dual power options ensure constant monitoring even during extended grid failures.
Setup Simplicity
Programming multiple locations requires patience but offers highly customizable safety coverage.
Build Durability
Compact plastic housing is functional for bedside use but lacks rugged protection.
Interface Clarity
Color-coded indicators provide immediate visual status of incoming weather threats.
Audio Performance
Clear voice transmission for alerts, though not designed for high-fidelity audio.
Key Specs
Brand
Midland
Model
WR120
Weight
1.32 lbs
Dimensions
4-1/2 in. W x 2 in. H x 5 in. D
Color
White
Power Source
AC adapter or 3 AA batteries
Channels
7 NOAA channels
Presets
25 programmable counties
Features
- Localized NOAA weather alerts
- Continuous backlighting option
- Color-coded alert indicators
- Alarm clock with snooze function
- User-selectable warning system
- Alert override for critical warnings
- Monitors local NWS broadcasts
- Automatic weather warning activation
What customers say
Users overwhelmingly regard the Midland WR120 as an essential safety tool, valuing its reliable delivery of timely and accurate NOAA weather alerts. The Specific Area Message Encoding feature is highly praised for filtering alerts to the user's county, significantly improving utility by reducing unnecessary alarms. The loud siren and bright, clear display ensure alerts are noticed, even during power failures, thanks to the dependable battery backup. While the core performance is excellent, some users find the initial S.A.M.E. programming slightly confusing. Overall, the consensus confirms the WR120 is a robust, high-quality device offering exceptional reliability and value as crucial home safety equipment.
Know before you buy
Yes. The WR120 features S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology, which allows you to program up to 25 different counties so you only receive alerts relevant to your specific location.
Yes, it is designed for emergency reliability. You can use the included AC adapter for daily use, but it also has a battery backup compartment that holds three AA batteries to keep the unit running during power outages.
The device features a clear visual display with color-coded lights—red for warnings, orange for watches, and yellow for advisories—so you can quickly identify the severity of an incoming weather alert at a glance.
The radio features a continuous backlighting option, but it is designed to be subtle for bedside use. If you find it too bright, you can adjust the settings to ensure it doesn't disrupt your sleep.
Yes. The unit includes an alert override feature that automatically triggers the alarm and broadcasts the weather warning, even if the radio is set to a low volume or is currently in standby mode.
No, the WR120 does not require any subscription or internet access. It receives signals directly from your local National Weather Service (NWS) broadcast towers using its built-in antenna.
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