The Kaito KA500 Voyager is one of the few crank emergency radios that adds two shortwave bands to the usual AM, FM and NOAA weather coverage, and it can run on five different power sources. Kaito’s product page lists AC adapter, three AA batteries, a built-in rechargeable Ni-MH pack, a hand crank and a 180-degree adjustable solar panel, plus USB charging from a computer. The radio picks up all seven NOAA weather channels with an alert mode, and Kaito says its battery pack is replaceable, which it notes was a first among its own emergency radios. On October 17, 2026, Kaito’s U.S. store listed the KA500 with adapter at $64.99. Here’s what it does, how each power source works, and who it suits.
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Specs and operating steps come from Kaito’s KA500 product page and the KA500 user manual. I haven’t tested the KA500 myself; where I estimate something, I say so. You can also find the Kaito KA500 on Amazon.
Kaito KA500 at a glance
| Spec | Kaito KA500 Voyager |
|---|---|
| Bands | AM, FM, SW1, SW2, NOAA weather (7 channels) |
| FM | 88–108 MHz |
| AM (MW) | 530–1,710 kHz (product page) |
| Shortwave | SW1 3.2–8.0 MHz, SW2 9.0–22.0 MHz (product page) |
| NOAA weather | 162.400–162.550 MHz, 7 preset channels, alert mode |
| Power sources | AC/DC adapter, 3 AA, built-in Ni-MH, hand crank, solar, computer USB |
| Built-in battery | 3 Ni-MH cells, 600mAh, replaceable |
| Phone charging | USB output, powered by crank, solar or adapter |
| Lights | LED flashlight, 5-LED reading lamp, red SOS light |
| Speaker output | 200mW peak |
| Jacks | 3.5mm headphone; 6mm DC input (center positive) |
| Size and weight | 8 x 5 x 2.5 in; 1.8 lb |
| Price (Kaito store, Oct 17, 2026) | $64.99 with adapter |
A note on the paperwork: the user manual lists slightly wider ranges than the product page, with AM from 520 kHz and SW1 to 9.0 MHz. The difference is small and only matters if you’re chasing stations at the very edge of a band.
Five ways to power it
The power options are the KA500’s main selling point, so they’re worth taking one at a time.
1. Hand crank
The crank drives an internal generator that charges the Ni-MH pack and can also power the radio directly, even with no batteries installed, according to Kaito. The manual says that when the battery indicator shows red, you crank for one to two minutes until the HI LED turns green, and it recommends setting the power selector to OFF while you crank for the most efficient charging.
2. Solar panel
The panel on top of the radio rotates through 180 degrees so you can angle it toward the sun. Set the power selector to SOLAR/CRANK and it powers the radio or charges the battery. The manual says it charges in sunlight and, more slowly, from indoor light, and works best in direct sun. Leaving the radio on a sunny windowsill between emergencies is an easy way to keep the pack topped up.
3. Three AA batteries
A compartment takes three AA batteries (not included). This is the KA500’s most practical backup: alkalines are cheap, store for years and are easy to find after a storm.
4. AC adapter
The 6mm DC jack accepts the adapter, and the manual recommends charging the battery for eight hours or less on first use. Kaito’s own “with Adapter” listing includes the AC adapter in the box, while the Amazon listing describes the wall adapter as sold separately, so check what your listing includes before you buy.
5. Computer USB
Plug the rear USB port into a computer, set the charging selector to IN and the power selector to SOLAR/CRANK, and the radio charges its pack. Kaito’s manual gives a maximum USB charging time of six hours.
Charging a phone: what to expect
Flip the charging selector to OUT and the rear USB port becomes an output. You can power it by cranking, by solar, or from the adapter. The manual adds a useful tip: it’s easier to crank-charge a phone that still has some battery left than one that’s completely dead.
Keep your expectations realistic. The internal pack is three 600mAh Ni-MH cells, about 2Wh by my estimate (3.6V x 0.6Ah). A modern smartphone battery holds several times that. Treat the KA500 as a way to get enough charge for a few calls or texts, not a power bank. For full phone charges during an outage, a power bank or small power station is the better tool; see our best power banks for camping, which covers packs that work just as well in an outage.
| Phone-charging source | Best for (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Hand crank | Short top-ups for an emergency call |
| Solar | Slow trickle over a sunny day |
| AC adapter | Normal charging when power is on |
| Power bank or power station | Full charges during a long outage |
NOAA weather alerts
The KA500 receives all seven NOAA Weather Radio frequencies used by the National Weather Service. To set up alerts, the manual says to:
- Set the band selector to Weather.
- Try channels 1 through 7 and pick the one that carries your local forecast.
- Set the power selector to NOAA Alert.
In alert mode the radio stays in standby and turns on automatically when an alert is broadcast, then turns the weather band off after the alert ends. The tuning LED flashes green while it’s in alert standby. Kaito recommends running the radio from the AC adapter in this mode, since standby draws power around the clock. If you move to a new area, repeat the channel search. Reception depends on your distance from a NOAA transmitter, so test it at home before you rely on it.
Shortwave: the feature that sets it apart
Most budget crank radios stop at AM, FM and weather. The KA500’s two shortwave bands cover 3.2–22 MHz, where international broadcasters transmit. The manual lists stations such as the Voice of America among those you may hear. In a long, wide-area emergency, shortwave gives you a news source that doesn’t depend on local towers. Tuning is analog, by knob, so finding stations takes patience. Extend the telescopic antenna for FM, shortwave and weather; for AM, the manual suggests moving near a window.
Lights
- Flashlight: an LED on the front, switched by the Lights Control.
- Reading lamp: five LEDs on the underside of the flip-up solar panel, so it works like a small desk lamp.
- SOS light: a flashing red beacon for signaling.
KA500 vs Midland ER310
The Midland ER310 is a common alternative. Here’s how they compare, using each maker’s listings:
| Feature | Kaito KA500 | Midland ER310 |
|---|---|---|
| Bands | AM, FM, 2 x shortwave, NOAA | AM, FM, NOAA |
| Built-in battery | 600mAh Ni-MH, replaceable | 3,500mAh lithium-ion (product page) |
| AA backup | 3 x AA | 6 x AA |
| Weight | 1.8 lb | 1.46 lb |
| Maker price (Oct 17, 2026) | $64.99 | $89.99 |
Pick the KA500 for shortwave, its adjustable solar panel and reading lamp, and the lower price. Pick the ER310 for its much larger battery and longer runtime between charges. Our Midland ER310PRO review, ER310 vs ER310 PRO and ER310 vs ER210 comparison cover Midland’s line in detail.
Who the KA500 is for
- Preppers who want shortwave: it adds world-band listening at a crank-radio price.
- Households in severe weather areas: the NOAA alert mode on adapter power is a simple bedside setup.
- Anyone who stores AA batteries: the AA compartment means it keeps working after the internal pack and the sun run out.
- Campers: the reading lamp and solar panel are handy at a campsite.
If your main goal is charging phones, look at a power bank alongside it instead.
Getting the most from it
- Charge the pack fully on the adapter when you first get it.
- Set up NOAA alerts and test them during a weekly test broadcast.
- Store three fresh AA batteries nearby, but not in the radio, so they can’t leak inside.
- Keep the radio near a sunny window so solar keeps the pack topped up.
- Crank it for a minute every few months to make sure everything works.
FAQ
Does the Kaito KA500 have weather alerts?
Yes. In NOAA Alert mode it waits in standby and switches on automatically when your local NOAA station broadcasts an alert.
Can the KA500 charge a phone?
Yes, through its USB output, by crank, solar or adapter. The small internal pack is about 2Wh by my estimate, so expect emergency top-ups rather than full charges.
Is the battery replaceable?
Yes. Kaito says the Ni-MH pack is replaceable, with spare packs sold on its website.
Can it run without any batteries?
According to Kaito, the crank generator can power the radio even with no battery installed.
Does it come with an AC adapter?
Kaito’s own “with Adapter” listing includes one. Some retailer listings sell it separately, so check before you buy.
How long does USB charging take?
Kaito’s manual lists up to six hours from a computer USB port.
Bottom line
The Kaito KA500 Voyager packs AM, FM, two shortwave bands and NOAA weather alerts into one radio that runs on crank, sun, AA batteries, USB or wall power. Its small internal battery makes it a radio first and a phone charger second, but the AA backup and adjustable solar panel keep it running when other options fail. At $64.99 from Kaito, it’s a strong pick for an emergency kit, especially if you want shortwave.