Sangean CL-100

Brand: Sangean Electronics

Sangean's tabletop alert radio is the one weather nerds compare to the Midlands. NOAA and Public Alert certified, it takes all seven channels and up to 25 programmable FIPS codes, then sorts messages into warning, watch and advisory with separate indicator lights. It stores up to 20 alert messages for later reading, holds five AM and five FM presets with EEPROM backup, adds FM RBDS station text, dual daily alarms, a sleep timer and an LCD with dimmer and contrast control.

A sensible pick for someone who wants the alert log and the wide angle display rather than a siren and nothing else. It costs more than a basic alert box and the menu structure feels like 2013, because it is. Mains powered with battery backup, so it belongs on a shelf at home, not in a backpack.