Top Best 14 police scanner radio in December 2021

I purchased this maybe 6 months ago and this is the best investment I have made. I did a years worth of research before I bought it, having compared it to Uniden scanners of similar price range, etc.

The TRX-2 is the only scanner that comes already equipped with the availability to scan all the different digital modes like DMR, NXDN, etc. While other brands charge you extra, the tune of $75 for each digital mode.

While I kept reading the TRX-2 was not entirely favorable for reception of Simulcast systems, mine works just find picking up Simulcast in the state of Delaware. I did buy an aftermarket Diamond telescopic antenna although I can't promise it works any better than the factory provided one. It's just a habit I have since I operate ham radio as well.

There is a learning curve to using this scanner, and it may take you a while and some frustration to get the full hang of it, particularly the EZ-Scan software which can prove to be anything but at first... but if you take breaks and keep coming back to it while watching Youtube videos you'll see how it actually works and it is very powerful and customizable.

The object-oriented system it uses to enter and organize frequencies was weird to me at first, but once you understand the principle it actually makes it so much easier to manage and tweak all your personal preferences.

The original operators manual is lacking, not going to lie. But there is a gentleman who made a website called "Easier to Read Whistler WS1095/1098 Base/Mobile Scanner and Software Manual" please Google this and use that manual, it will save you a lot of frustration and trouble. Very thorough and easy to understand and teaches you about every single feature in the scanner.

You can mount this unit in your vehicle or use it at home on a desk. It comes with all the cabling and wiring for both. Includes data transfer USB cable for programming, all kinds of stuff and a fancy bag. Removable face plate with included CAT-6 cable to connect base to face plate in case you use it in your vehicle.

You will love this scanner, all of it's features, and ability to scan services like F/GM/MURS/CB and Public Services, Amateur Radio, and a bunch of others I can't think of right now.

You can program in frequencies for your area, and save it - then you can program in an entirely different state and county like if you're going on vacation and save it under a different profile, so when you get to your new destination you can just load the other scanning profile and boom - you're ready to go no matter where you are.

You can do everything right from the scanner also that you can do in EZ-Scan, although it's more tedious, but you don't have to have a computer to update your location with all the frequencies in your area. It downloads the Radio Reference Database directly to the SD card so you can do everything offline, too.

There is one more great source aside from Radio Reference Database which is included with this scanner, it is called "Digital Frequency Search" please Google this, and you will be able to add some DMR, NXDN, and P25 systems not shown on Radio Reference. It lets you simply copy and paste these frequencies into EZ-Scan and save them to your scanner. Not very hard at all and you get extra bonus systems/frequencies not listed on Radio Reference.

I did a lot of research to make sure I was getting the best scanner possible for the best price, and I can confidently say this TRX-2 (and I vouch the same for the TRX-1 also, the handheld version) is the best scanner with features for the price.

Please don't be fooled by people complaining this scanner is several years old and still hasn't come down in price. The reason, in my opinion, is because there isn't anything better still in the market today unless you spend over a thousand dollars. It is worth it's price as it is, maybe wait for a sale to make it really worth it. You won't be disappointed, I wasn't.

The greatest feature is the scanning of the channels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding CB radio. The weather channel automatically told me severe weather was coming even with it off/ You can change the front panel colors and the mic feels great in your hand.

Great product for the price. Forgot to buy an antenna though!

Works great! Make sure to use a good antenna and you'll get some nice distance!!

The write-up is in error to say that it is a 50-mile. This is a 65 mile, 40 watt. It is far superior to other models. You need a license for this, as well as follow the rules.

Great cb! Purchased for use in my International 4700, with 2 2ft antennas. Range, and clarity are good. Screen on it is also nice, also has weather bands. For the cost, it's a great functioning cb, and also looks great in the truck.

Great CB radio, many functions but still compact. Crisp clear display.

Easy to set up and works great. Wish was a little brighter on the display but happy with it.

A gift for my son who is a truck driver. He said it was the best so I hope it is and helps him on the road.

Works great has a great distance. Great lights I would purchase again

Very good product and very easy to install and use

this is a great CB unit, the only thing I would change if possible is the size, it's a fairly large unit so plan space accordingly

Easy to use, my husband loves it. Voices come in crystal clear

Great all in one kit. I was concerned about a "pre-tuned" antenna but it really was. I didn't connect to an SWR meter but range is great and sound is clear. The cable provided was the right length for my JKU Wrangler.

No problems. Everything I needed was there. Easy install and simple to use.

Item is well made and easy to install. The instructions were easy to follow, and all parts were there.

Installed my in a 2015 jeep unlimited rubicon. I put the speaker in the cloth net in front of the gear shift. Was worried the coaxial would not be long for unlimited but it is.

Easy to install works great ......................

Great radio for the price. Lot of features. Only downside is the volume control is very small.

Works as intended, arrived on time and undamaged. Nice radio. No issues so far.

We were looking for a more powerful radio to put into our motorhome. The fact that it has weather channels really made it a great choice for us. We were able to install it in place of our old radio and tested it in our driveway. Works great.

Easy install, did need to order a firestix antenna and mount. Works great

It took forever to ship. But he loves the cb radio.

Easy to install and works great! I'd recommend it.

I'm making the best of it I have not had any issuse

Grate scanner but you have to send it back to get programs that cost .

It took a while for us to figure out how to program it (turns out it just needed an update). Once we got it properly programmed we have thoroughly loved it. Battery dies pretty quick, but I recommend having two sets of rechargeable batteries and just switch them out as needed. Shipped and received quicker than expected.

Upgraded from HP1 to this and I am very pleased with it also love how easy it is to set up and use answer a few questions in setup then enter zip code and your done.

I’m still on the fence about this. The calls cut out or some are missed/not said at all.

Bought this as a gift for wife. Unit came shipped in a soft plastic package with dented manufacture box in it. Unit worked great for about a week before speaker died. Works fine with headphones still just dead speaker. Waiting on Exchange to come to see how the next one is.

I read reviews. And went on YouTube to see just how easy it is to use. Very easy. Basically plug it in and add zip code. Wait 30 sec. And I get all the towns near me and all the towns in interested in hearing. Done! Love it. Way better than my older scanner.

We have found this scanner to fit our needs perfectly. I suspect it would be fitting for the novice- (me), or an experienced user. I receive strong, clear broadcasts from our surrounding area using only the onboard antenna by just plugging in our area code.

Just not for me couldnt get to pick up local police

Having programmed my Radio Shack scanners by hand for years this was very simple to program. Not being able to decode P25 Phase II digital is not a big deal to me since that’s what my Uniden SDS200s are for. I am using this scanner to decode control channel data with Pro96Com.

Scanner is great now that I got it programmed. I purchased it because it said pre-programmed and not knowing anything about it I thought it would come ready to use. Not so, and Best Buy was of no help getting it programmed. Geek Squad said NO as soon as I mentioned it. Best Buy could not tell me even where to start to get it done. I really wanted to send it back but had got it as a gift for someone who really wanted it.

I finally had to call the company and they finally helped me get it done. Best Buy or their Geek Squad should have recommended this to me, but they didn't. It was like they didn't care I bought it and it was my problem.I would recommend the item, just don't depend of Best Buy helping you with it.

This is a great scanner. Being a newbie in scanner technology, I started with a hand scanner from Uniden and was very disappointed with the clarity of the sound with or without a mobile antenna. Not with this unit,, which has great sound with its own antenna and mobile. one con is the fact that it doesn't go to near broadcasts which the hand held did. I have not tried to program this unit as I have a Mac and not a Microsoft PC but it can be done with the unit itself with no problem. Hope this helps.

I purchased this for my father that is retired from the Fire Department. He still likes to know what is going on around town, so he requested a scanner. They don't make too many home models anymore so choices are limited, but this is a very nice unit! I would recommend to any scanner enthusiast.

Be forewarned, this scanner does NOT pick up Phase II conversations, which is what most Police/Fire departments are switching to. I truly enjoyed it for what it could pick up but, it just couldn't pick up what I wanted/needed it to. I couldn't find a scanner that Best Buy would offer that could pick up Phase II. Best Buy is on the cutting edge of technology, on pretty much everything electronic they sell, except scanners. Hopefully someone at Best Buy reads this and, goes in search of some newer technology in the scanner department.

Love it!!now that it is set up had a hard time at first but great Customer service!

Difficult to program. Unable to pick up local and state frequencies.Poor quality speakers. Mounting bracket to large.Had to shim with washers to attach to radio. Need to include frequencies for peoples areas. Also need to include how to program. Would not buy this radio again unless they fixed these issues

I use this scanner to receive a combination of Police, Fire and general public service agencies. In addition I separate agencies by memory bank so I can quickly expand my monitored systems for situations that arise, bad weather, aircraft comms etc. Programming is extremely easy with internet access. This unit monitors local emergency systems 24/7/365 without a problem. The ability to receive P25 Phase 1 systems was a requirement when I purchased it.

Love my radio! But I had to have someone else set it up for me. Took him a couple of hours! Works great

Gift for husband. Had a little bit of trouble programming the correct frequencies. He likes to listen to what is going on around us.

My first programmable scanner. Very difficult to program. Drivers not available for scanner cable. I had my scanner programmed professionally.

Now I'm waiting to receive so good scanner conversations and broadcasts. May need a better external antenna.

I bought it with free gift cards I had, hopefully it will prove to be a good scanner.

This was a Christmas gift for my husband. I was told that it was simple to set up and operate and that the Geek Squad would help him set it up and program channels if he wanted. Neither of those things were true when we tried to get assistance at our local Best Buy. He can't program it, Best Buy won't help so it is worthless and has never been used for its intended purpose.

This handheld scanner was so easly to use. Im so happy with it. I retired at the end of July 2021 as deputy coroner and this helps keep up what going on in the County I live in.

This digital police scanner WS1040 Whisler is made well but it is so hard to program you need to have a degree to program it. YouTube has some good videos to help but still not great. Yet does help. The scanner has some good qualities to it .

I would think long and hard if you are going to buy the WS1040 Whisler Digital Police Scanner. If you buy this make sure you have time to work on programming it, it may take a while

Get a plug to convert the attached antenna to a tv antenna... Could not pick up anything with the antenna from factory..

Great scanner would buy again. Only problem you have to program or have someone program it for you

This unit works better than expected. Not obviously expecting a 50 mile range LOL but this radio definitely is an upgrade over a hand held version. Might be considered a costly upgrade, but as with everything else you pay for what you get.

I received the package and it was incorrect instead of getting the mobile Micro mobile radio all I got was the microphone I'm very disappointed and then I was supposed to pick up the item at the store and Gateway Brooklyn on October 16th and the order is still not available

The radios worked great to communicate between the combine and auger cart driver during harvest. Very pleased with the purchase.

Worked great. Sufficient range to meet our needs and SUPER EASY INSTALL.

The picture is not what you get. The radio comes with the cheep Antenna the base modle has. The price is fair but not what I thought I was buying. I have always like shopping at Best Buy but this does not make me happy. I thought I was getting a deal and all this was the same thing everyone else has. It was a little misleading.

Bought for husband and he has been using it for long trips and seems to work great

Very high quality simple operation complete setup all in one kit.

This cb radio works great in my van. I have taken several trips and I was able to miss several wrecks in front of me.

Great way to call for help in case of an emergency. Portability is a definite plus. You need 9 AA BATTERIES. Many new additions to make use go smoother like battery life saver.

Used on a 500 mile trip and it worked great. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to buy.

i love best buy and the choice of this cb was my fault, it's great if you want a hundred dollar weather radio, but as a cb it sucks. it needs 9 batteries, so you have to constantly change them or buy rechargable ones. it has poor range. i was very disappointed.

that's a lie.....placed order at Jan 09 2021....support to get it by 21st then they changed it to 23rd until now...haven't see anything its was an gift for my cousin...just cancel it

My experience at first was overwhelming to learn all the different features overall very handy .

Not a Police Scanner .... Doesnt pick up any channels

I bought this not realizing that it is an analog-only scanner. Scanners can pick up two kinds of frequencies, analog and digital. In the 2000s, an analog scanner was great, but now many police departments are changing over to digital and/or encrypted waves, rendering this product useless. It will be completely obsolete in a decade.

I ordered, they shipped and all went well. the item came in good shape, all things needed were there in the box. Would recommend any one to purchase from Best Buy.

This scanner works great if your not looking for a digital picks up weather stations local fire and police as well has a great speaker and am fm radio would defentally check first if your area is digital as this scanner is not

This rating really isn't a true one because I am not tech savvy, didn't understand how to program it and had no one to help me. I returned it. Wish I didn't have to. Someone else may do better.

Could not get 1 police station on scanner. Radio and clock worked good.

Pretty decent scanner. The directions to program and scan are all over the place in the manual. Not good instructions on setting up. I’ve had other scanners and they where very simple set up

When I got this radio, it picked up the Weather Station great. However trying to program other channels going by the instructions in the manual were difficult. Thank goodness there's a lot of YouTube videos for it.

Programmed easily. I had previous experience with this brand and had frequencies all ready for input so it was up and scanning those within a few minutes. I have more channels available so will add additional channels later. Fm reception works well. Have not tried weather band since i have a weather radio.