The one thing it must have: FM

The Be Ready checklist asks for a battery or wind-up FM radio (gov.uk). Every BBC local and nations station is on FM, while long wave has closed and local medium wave is closing. A radio that receives FM and runs without mains power meets the official advice.

Features worth having

Feature	Why it helps	Worth it if
Wind-up crank	Never runs flat	Always: it is the backstop
Battery compartment	Hours of listening without winding	You keep spare batteries
Solar panel	Tops up the internal battery in daylight	You expect long outages
USB output	A small emergency top-up for a phone	You have no power bank
Built-in torch	One device instead of two	You want a compact kit
Large buttons, presets	Easy in the dark or with poor eyesight	Older people will use it
DAB as well as FM	Digital stations for daily listening	You want one radio for everything

What to check before you buy

The FM band is clearly listed (often written 88–108 MHz).
Which batteries it takes, and whether the crank charges a built-in battery.
How long it plays per minute of winding, if the maker states it.
A tuning control you can use without reading glasses, or presets you can set in advance.
A carry strap and a case that copes with a damp garden or car boot.

What you can ignore

Long wave (no BBC service since 27 June 2026) and, for local news in England, medium wave, which the BBC is closing by the end of 2026 (WorldDAB). Shortwave and weather bands are hobby features, not needed for UK emergencies.

After you buy it

Find your station, tune it in, and run the two-minute test.