These are Radio Scanners which do all you could ever want. Find a great range of scanners to listen to police frequencies and find police scanner codes, and to listen to Fire and EMS frequencies.
These are also the best mid price range scanners you can get. We have reviewed them and you can click on the links below for in-depth reviews or scroll down for a quick comparison report.
Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Scanner
Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X)
Scanner Comparison Table ($100-500)
| Model | Image | Programming | Description | Check Price Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Digital Scanner Radio |   | Digital | Simple Zip Code programming. Preloaded USA/Canada MicroSD card included. Easy updating via Internet. User upgradable CPU firmware. Spectrum Sweeper. Clock / Calendar. APCO P25 Digital Phase I & II.SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Only for use on Windows Operating Systems. CTCSS and DCS subaudible decoder. Dedicated SKYWARN/Weather button. | Check Price |
| Uniden SR30C Bearcat |   | Analog | 500-Channel Compact Handheld Scanner, Close Call RF Capture Technology, Turbo Search, PC Programming, NASCAR, Auto Racing, Public Safety, Police, Fire, EMS, Marine, Civil Air | Check Price |
Uniden HomePatrol-2 |   | Digital | Uniden HomePatrol-2 Color Touchscreen Simple Program Digital Scanner, TrunkTracker V and S,A,M,E, Emergency/Weather Alert, APCO P25 Phase 1 and 2! Covers USA and Canada, Quick Record and Playback | Check Price |
| Uniden BCD996P2 |   | Digital | Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner, 25,000 Dynamically Allocated Channels, Close Call RF Capture Technology, 4-Line Alpha display, Base/Mobile Design, Phase 2, Location-Based Scanning | Check Price |
| Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) |   | Analog | 9,000 Channels, TrunkTracker III Technology, Base/Mobile Design, Close Call RF Capture Technology with Location-Based Scanning, - Black Color | Check Price |
| Uniden BEARTRACKER 885 |   | Digital | Hybrid Full-Featured CB Radio + Digital TrunkTracking Police/Fire/Ambulance/DOT Scanner w/ BearTracker Warning System Alerts, 40-channel CB, 4-Watts power, 7-color display. | Check Price |
Don’t forget, you have a choice of either analog or digital scanners. If you look at the table above you can see that some are digital and some scanners are analog. The analog is more common and generally, though not always, cheaper. You are more likely to find these scanners out of the big cities – while in the cities mostly the scanners are generally digital. The digital scanners have better reception and better sound. If you live somewhere where there is no analog, you will have to spend a bit extra to get that digital scanner, which can then pick up both digital and analog signals. If you get an analog scanner though, it won’t pick up digital signals in your area. So, part of the choice you make for any radio scanner will be based on where you live.
Best Radio Scanners Under $500
A step above the previous price range, radio scanners in this category are equipped with much more features, a higher coverage area, and better audio quality.
Radio scanners in this price range can be either analog or digital. There are 2 analog radios in our list below, and 3 digital. But just because they’re analog, doesn’t mean that they’re not good enough. Some people prefer using analog radios, and if your city doesn’t plan on switching to digital any time soon, you’ll be perfectly happy with an analog one.
You can even expect to find programming software in these radios, along with GPS connectivity, storage for many more saved channels, and an overall better and higher-quality build.
As for channel compatibility, most radio scanners under $500 can pick up Motorola P25 Phase 1, DMR, Phase 2, and X2-TDMA channels.
To summarize, the best radio scanners under $500 can provide you with a solid range, the ability to pick up many digital frequencies and save them onto your storage, and overall better audio quality. So, if you’re looking for a scanner with all the bells and whistles without wanting to pay very high prices, consider buying one of these 5 scanners.
Whistler TRX-1 Scanner Radio
- Tuning Steps: 2.5, 3.125, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 25 kHz
- Frequency Coverage: 25-54 MHz; 108-174 MHz; 216-512 MHz; 764-960 MHz (minus cellular phone ranges); 1240-1300 MHz
- Speaker: Built-in 36mm 8 Ohms dynamic speaker
- Display: Full dot-matrix bitmap LCD (132×65)
- Weight: 7.4oz (210g)
- 2GB MicroSD Card
The Whistler TRX-1 is a digital radio scanner equipped with powerful features.
It has a traditional scanner design with the screen on the top and different buttons below it. What’s different is the strong and durable rubber casing that stretches around the whole scanner to protect it from damage when dropped. There’s also a clip on the backside to attach it to your belt.
Check out the latest price of the Whistler TRX-1 Radio Scanner on Amazon.
Since it’s a digital scanner, it can be easily programmed and updated from your PC. To store all your favourite channels and recordings, you have a 2GB microSD card, that’s already pre-loaded with the entire USA and Canada radio reference database.
As for compatible channels, the list includes MotoTRBO, MotoTRBO Connect Plus, MotoTRBO Linked Cap Plus, Capacity Plus, Hytera XPT, and NXDN.
To sum it up, the Whistler TRX-1 is a reliable scanner with amazing features, exceptional audio quality, and fairly easy to use layout.
Check out our in-depth review of the Whistler TRX Radio Scanner here.
Uniden BCD436HP
- Frequency Range: 25-512 MHz; 758-824MHz; 849-869 MHz; 894-960 MHz; 1240-1300MHz
- Frequency Steps: 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100 kHz
- 4GB MicroSD Card with USA and Canada Database
- Sentinel Software
The BCD436HP is the first-ever handheld radio scanner to feature Home Patrol-1. And just like many other scanners from Uniden, it’s very easy to use and operate.
It has a big backlit LCD display, with rubber buttons below it, and the high-quality plastic build feels solid in your hand.
As for the features, it has the usual Close Call from Uniden, in addition to GPS connectivity and Trunk Tracker technology.
Interested already? Check it out on Amazon here.
The GPS allows you to set the scanner to automatically scan for new channels based on your location, while the Trunk Tracker allows you to listen in to trunked systems, like APCO 25 Phase 1 and Phase 2, X2-TDMA, Motorola, EDACS, and LTR.
Overall, an easy-to-use scanner with a wide set of useful features.
Have a look at our in-depth review of the Uniden BSD436 Radio Scanner here.
Uniden HomePatrol 2
- 5-inch-high color touch display
- 100 channels per second scanning speed
- Frequency Range: 25-512 MHz; 758-824MHz; 849-869 MHz; 894-960 MHz;
- Frequency Steps: 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25
- 4GB MicroSD Card with the USA and Canada Database
We’ve come to one of the best and most popular radio scanners ever. The HomePatrol 2 owes much of its popularity to its ease of use. It’s so easy to use, that Uniden doesn’t even brand it as a radio scanner – it’s just HomePatrol – since it can be used by people who never used a scanner before.
Liking it? Have a look at the latest price on Amazon here.
It weighs just over a pound and you can take it anywhere you go. Additionally, it has a unique feature in its display – it works on touch. This only adds to the appeal and makes it that much easier to use.
As for the features, the most important one is the programming – all you need to do is just enter your zip code on the screen and the scanner will do the rest for you. From there on, you can record and replay your favourite transmissions thanks to the 2GB microSD card.
Further improving the ergonomic design, Uniden also made it possible to use this device in the car by mounting it to the dashboard. You can even connect it to your car speakers for better audio.
If you’re looking for a versatile and powerful scanner, the HomePatrol 2 has all you need and more!
Have a look at our in-depth review of the Uniden Home Patrol 2 here.
Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X)
- Channels: 9,000 maximum
- Supported step sizes: 5, 6.25, 7.5, 8.33, 10, 12.5,15, 20, 25, 50 or 100 kHz
- Scan Rate: 100 channels per second (conventional mode)
- Frequency Coverage: 25 – 512 MHz; 758 – 823.9875 MHz; 849.0125 – 868.9875 MHz; 894.0125 – 960 MHz; 1240 – 1300 MHz
The Uniden BCT15X is a full-featured analog scanner that can be used both as a base scanner and a mobile unit. It was released in 2009, and it was the first scanner to introduce some of its features.
It has a usual layout for a mobile base scanner, with a multi-functional knob at the far right, and a keypad with a backlit screen left to it.
When you get the scanner, you’ll already have the most common police, DOT, and Highway Patrol channels pre-programmed into it so you can listen right from the start.
Feature-wise, it has Uniden’s Close Call technology, and Trunk Tracker 3 that allows you to listen to the most popular trunking systems: Motorola Type I 800, Motorola Type II 800, 900, UHF, VHF, EDACS Wide, Narrow, SCAT.
Loving the Bearscanner? See how much it is here.
Additionally, you can get a GPS unit and connect it to your device to listen to channels wherever you are.
If your town uses analog signals, the Uniden BCT15X is the best option you can get for the price.
See our in-depth review of the Uniden BCT15X radio scanner by clicking here.
Uniden BEARTRACKER 885
- Frequency Range: CB: 26.965 – 27.405MHz / SCN: 25 – 960 MHz / WX: 162.400 – 162.550 MHz
- Microphone: 600 ohms, Dynamic Type
- 7-Color LCD Display
- Antenna Connection: BNC
- Scanning Speed: 85 channels per second
- Channel: CB: 40 AM (4W) / Scanner: FM Only
Next up in our list of the best radio scanners under $500 is the BEARTRACKER 885 from Uniden.
It’s both a full-featured CB radio and a digital scanner, all in one unit. Primarily, it functions as a CB radio, but also allows you to listen to public safety transmissions from the police, fire department, ambulance, and DOT.
Switching between the two is seamless – just press a button and you can listen to transmissions with the CB channels still active.
The scanner comes with a GPS receiver to scan channels automatically based on your location. Also, the BWS system will alert you of any public safety radio transmissions within a 3-5 mile radius.
And although the scanner has plenty of features, it’s still limited. It can’t be programmed with software, but still has a loaded database with all the US and Canada channels that is updated every week by Uniden themselves.
How good is that? Check out a more in-depth review here.
Whistler WS1040 Handheld Digital Scanner Radio
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| Model | Image | Programming | Description | Check Price Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whistler TRX-1 Handheld Digital Scanner Radio | | Digital | Simple Zip Code programming. Preloaded USA/Canada MicroSD card included. Easy updating via Internet. User upgradable CPU firmware. Spectrum Sweeper. Clock / Calendar. APCO P25 Digital Phase I & II.SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Only for use on Windows Operating Systems. CTCSS and DCS subaudible decoder. Dedicated SKYWARN/Weather button. | Check Price |
| Uniden SR30C Bearcat | | Analog | 500-Channel Compact Handheld Scanner, Close Call RF Capture Technology, Turbo Search, PC Programming, NASCAR, Auto Racing, Public Safety, Police, Fire, EMS, Marine, Civil Air | Check Price |
Uniden HomePatrol-2 | | Digital | Uniden HomePatrol-2 Color Touchscreen Simple Program Digital Scanner, TrunkTracker V and S,A,M,E, Emergency/Weather Alert, APCO P25 Phase 1 and 2! Covers USA and Canada, Quick Record and Playback | Check Price |
| Uniden BCD996P2 | | Digital | Digital Mobile TrunkTracker V Scanner, 25,000 Dynamically Allocated Channels, Close Call RF Capture Technology, 4-Line Alpha display, Base/Mobile Design, Phase 2, Location-Based Scanning | Check Price |
| Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) | | Analog | 9,000 Channels, TrunkTracker III Technology, Base/Mobile Design, Close Call RF Capture Technology with Location-Based Scanning, - Black Color | Check Price |
| Uniden BEARTRACKER 885 | | Digital | Hybrid Full-Featured CB Radio + Digital TrunkTracking Police/Fire/Ambulance/DOT Scanner w/ BearTracker Warning System Alerts, 40-channel CB, 4-Watts power, 7-color display. | Check Price |