Kaito KA500 Solar Crank Emergency Weather Radio
- AM, FM, SW and NOAA weather bands, 4-band
- 5-way powered, including solar and hand crank
- 3 AA batteries required
- Cellphone charger over USB
- Flashlight and reading lamp built in
- 8.3 x 2.3 x 5.3 inches, plastic, water resistant
Updated 20 days ago · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.
An emergency radio for storm kits and power outages, with weather alert reception, lights and phone charging in one yellow case. Battery capacity, charge output and crank run time are not listed.
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ASIN: B003A21DQAModel: KA500YLCategory: Weather Radios
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Overview
Kaito designed the KA500 as an emergency radio that receives AM, FM, shortwave and NOAA weather broadcasts and can be powered by sunlight, a hand crank or batteries. A flashlight, a reading lamp and a USB cellphone charger are built into the same plastic body.
Several power options let the radio run after the grid goes down and spare batteries are used up, which is what an outage kit needs. Numbers are thin: no battery capacity, charge rate or crank time is stated, so real endurance is unknown.
Who it's for
Storm-prone areas, cabins and camping trips are the setting, where weather alerts and backup light matter. People after a small everyday music radio will find it built for emergencies more than daily listening.
Pros and cons
- Receives NOAA weather broadcasts
- Solar and hand crank power
- Charges a cellphone over USB
- Flashlight and reading lamp built in
- Battery capacity and charge rate not listed
- Water resistant only, not waterproof
- Too large for a pocket
- Owner's manual is the only listed extra
Performance notes
Run time depends on which power source is feeding it: sunlight on the solar panel and crank turns add charge, while the AA cells give steady power. Phone charging and the lights draw on the same power the radio uses, so heavy use of them shortens listening time. Reception rests on the antenna and the station strength in the area.
Specifications
| Brand | Kaito |
|---|---|
| Model | KA500YL |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Dimensions | 8.3 × 2.3 × 5.3 inches |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Voltage | 5 volts |
| Power sources | Solar, dynamo crank, wind up, batteries |
| Construction & materials | |
| Color | Yellow |
| Included components | |
| Included | Owner's manual |
| Other details | |
| Frequency | 108 MHz |
| Band count | 4-band |
| Charging port | USB |
| Display | LED |
| Radio bands | AM, FM, SW, NOAA Weather |
| Water resistance | Water resistant |
| Batteries | 3 AA |
| Housing | Plastic |
| Lights | Flashlight, reading lamp |
Frequently asked questions
Can the Kaito KA500 get wet during a storm?
It is rated water resistant. No waterproof rating is given, so avoid submerging it.
Are batteries included with the Kaito KA500?
The listing says 3 AA batteries are required and names only an owner's manual as included.
Is the Kaito KA500 a two-way radio?
No. It is a receiver for AM, FM, shortwave and NOAA weather broadcasts, with no transmit function listed.