Voyager Max KA900

I absolutely love this radio. Previous models may have had a shortwave feature but lacked the ability to play MP3s from a micro SD card, another may have had bluetooth capabilities but no shortwave ( or vice versa). This model has everything combined in one radio, which in my humble opinion makes it one of the best radios in its price range. I've had mine for about 2 months now, using it every day and taking it everywhere I go. With 2 solid months of near constant use I have found very little negative to say about it. I'll get the minor complaints out of the way then get back to the praise. 1) The maximum volume is more than sufficient for my needs but it isn't nearly as loud as it looks. You can easily hear it across the house if it's quiet but this radio can't compete with much noise. That being said, I don't think it was really designed to. It's more of a personal radio meant for listening while gathered around a campfire or sipping iced tea on the porch or, if necessary, while in the basement during a tornado. 2) There is a slide on top of the radio that turns the reading light and flashlight on and off. It's possible for that slide to get nudged or moved without you realizing it which could drain the battery. You would probably notice the flashlight being on but the reading light is mounted under the solar panel. If the solar panel is in the "closed" position it is possible for the reading light to be on without you realizing it. This happened to me not long ago and the light was left on all night. I didn't catch it until the following afternoon and the radio still had a significant charge left. The display showed 1 bar which I have found will last for several hours with constant use. This tells me that either the reading light doesn't require much juice to operate, or the radio comes with a pretty good battery, possibly both. Either way, I was impressed. On a side note, when I first got my radio I held it upside down and the slide fell right out of it onto the ground. I picked it up and put it back and haven't had another issue with it since. 3) While overall the radio itself does seem to be sturdy and able to withstand some abuse the plastic the body is made of looks to be a little brittle. For instance, I think if it fell of my bed onto a hardwood floor it would probably shatter into a million peices. I find myself being overprotective and careful whenever I take it with me somewhere. Not exactly a bad thing I guess considering what it is. 4) One of the main selling points of this radio is it comes with an ability to charge the battery via a solar panel and a hand crank thereby allowing the user to listen to the radio indefinitely while away from any means of charging it the traditional way (ie, camping, disaster, alien invasion). I say "main" selling point because it is part of why I bought it. The solar panel and hand crank can and do charge the battery when used but they have limitations which I feel are described by the manufacturer rather well. Solar panels aren't very efficient at producing electricity, especially a very small one. This is by no means precise but if I were to guess I'd say it would probably take a week or 2 of direct sunlight to fully charge the radio. I don't remember what the manufacturer says so I could be way off, I'm only basing this on what I've seen while using my radio. The hand crank by my own experience isn't much better, maybe around 10 minutes of use with 10 minutes of cranking. Thankfully I already had a pretty good idea of what to expect from this before I bought the radio so I wasn't disappointed. If someone bought this radio expecting a full charge after sitting in the sun for a few hours they would likely be disappointed. Both methods of charging definitely work and have their merits. They would prove to be very useful in a pinch. Now on with the praise. 1) It plays MP3s and can read a micro SD card up to 32gb. 32gb is a lot of audio. I have 2527 tracks on mine, with room to spare. I like listening to music, old time radio shows, podcasts, a little bit of everything. If there's nothing playing over the air that interests me or I'm in a place with little or no reception I just play something from the SD card. This is my favorite feature of the radio. 2) It has a bluetooth feature that I have found to be more useful than I originally thought it would be. If I'm outside listening to something on my phone I like to connect it to my radio, it sounds much better playing through the radio. 3) you have the ability to charge other devices using this radio. This comes in handy when you're camping with a tablet or whatever. Just plug your device into the back of the radio and the radio acts like a battery pack. There is a small switch near where you plug in your device that determines which way the charge needs to go, "in" or "out". When you charge the radio itself the switch needs to be in the "in" position. When you want to charge your device move it to "out". 4) It can revive AM, FM, shortwave, and weather band. Having this many options makes it versatile and useful in many different situations. It also comes with a detachable antenna for shortwave that works great. Things like weather, show schedule, and physical surroundings ( buildings, mountains, etc) have a lot to do with your ability to pick up shortwave shows but it's a lot of fun when it happens. 5) The flashlight and reading light are very functional and more than bright enough to serve their intended purpose. I have used both and am very satisfied with them. 6) I like the handle. It makes it very easy to grab and go. It also seems to be very durable with a rubber hand grip in the middle. 7) It has a microphone, perfect for dictation or recording a memorable event. I have not yet used this feature but I like having the capability. 8) It has a lock function. This is useful if you're listening to the radio while on the go, as I often do. It prevents an accidental button push or knob twist from changing your radio station (or worse). While in lock mode none of the buttons (except the one you push to unlock the radio) will work nor will the top "tuner" knob do anything. For some reason though the bottom "volume" knob is still functional while the radio is locked. I have found this to be the case while listening to both "over the air" radio and MP3s. If this was intentional I'm not sure what purpose it would serve but I've had no issues with it. Overall despite the very minor imperfections I feel this is a very solid and useful radio and would definitely recommend it to anyone. I use mine every day and as I stated earlier have no real complaint or issue with it. I am very happy with my radio and, knowing what I know now about it, would definitely buy it again.

The Kaito Voyager Max KA900 is one of the most thoughtfully engineered emergency radios I’ve used—robust, feature-rich, and built with the kind of practical functionality you want in a real emergency tool. Right out of the box, the packaging is neat and protective, and the radio itself feels solid, well-constructed, and heavier in the hand in a reassuring way. Nothing about it feels cheap or rushed. The build quality is excellent. Buttons, dials, and the telescoping antenna operate smoothly with no wobble or looseness. The casing feels sturdy enough for travel, camping, or emergency storage, and the layout is intuitive despite how many features it includes. The sound quality was a pleasant surprise—clear, crisp, and fuller than most compact emergency radios. Whether listening to AM/FM, shortwave, or the built-in Bluetooth speaker, the audio holds up well. One of the standout engineering features is the power versatility. Between solar, USB, battery, and dynamo hand-crank charging, it gives you multiple ways to stay connected when power isn’t guaranteed. The hand crank is not gimmicky—it actually works. You can produce enough energy to top up your phone in a pinch, giving it an edge over cheaper models that struggle to deliver meaningful charging power. The solar panel performs well too, especially in steady sunlight. Reception across AM, FM, and SW bands is strong, with good station lock and minimal drift. For anyone who camps, lives in rural areas, or wants a dependable emergency tool for the home, vehicle, or go-bag, the KA900 strikes the right balance between capability and reliability. The only drawback is that it doesn’t come with a protective case. Given how well-built the radio is, a case would make storage and transport even better. That said, the radio’s value far outweighs this one missing accessory. Pros • Excellent build quality with a sturdy, reliable feel • Surprisingly good sound across all bands and Bluetooth • Multiple power options, including an effective hand crank • Strong AM/FM/SW reception with good tuning stability • Charges phones in emergencies • Exceptional value compared to higher-priced emergency radios Cons • No included carrying case For anyone serious about preparedness or simply wanting a reliable multifunction radio, the Kaito Voyager Max KA900 is a standout. It delivers the engineering, du

This is a pretty decent radio for AM/FM/SW and weather band. FM is very sensitive, AM a little less so (but I don't listen to much AM these days), the short wave band is divided up into the 12 most popular meter bands where the international broadcasters are, but there are not many left from the former glory days of radio. The Internet has largely replaced a lot of SW stations and most that remain do not broadcast in English. But SW is still good for the WWV time signals on 5.000, 10,000, and 15,000 MHz. An extra reel-wire antenna is provided, but I haven't used it much yet. The weather band is good and also the Alert function, but no SAME capability is provided. I also like the use of a single Li-ion 18600 battery, as I have several of these for other devices. I like the tuning features; smooth rotary knob and direct keyboard entry with very little muting. Have tried the Bluetooth feature and it works well. Have not yet tried a mini SD card. Also have not used the hand-crank or solar panel, but it's good to know they are available if needed. By the way, The solar panel can be used to prop the back of the radio up at an angle. Simply position the panel at 90 degrees. Now for what could be improved: 1. The sound can be quite strident at times. I'm not sure why the speakers are so small at only 1.5 inches each. And the grill holes don't even cover that size. why not use 2" speakers and bring them out closer to the outer edges of the radio. To tame the upper frequencies, there should be a tone button (treble-cut) control. A good place for it would be next to the Bluetooth button. This would also balance the button layout. 2. The antenna is way too short at only about 14", and it doesn't swivel (big oversight). Each of it's six sections is only a bit over two inches. Why not use 4 to 5 inch sections along with a swivel joint. Overall, With the improvements listed , this has the potential of being a great radio and I would buy it again with these improvements, even at a slightly higher price.

This is a new radio at the time I purchased on Amazon. I own a Kaito KA600 and wanted to compare what upgrades this new model provides. The KA900 solves some shortcomings IMO about the KA600 and adds some features. The KA900 adds a bluetooth receiver function, an MP3 player if you add files from a microSD card slot, stereo speakers, and a recording function. I wish Kaito had retained the RDS function on FM. The KA900 also has a larger rechargeable battery but no option for using alkaline batteries. (The KA600 had both battery powering options.) Kaito removed those push button switches on top of this radio; I am not turning on functions accidentally when I pick up the KA900 by the carry handle. It still does not have SSB and I am still not fond of the auto-mute on SW tuning. The KA900 comes with a separate 7-meter roll-up antenna to expand your SW reception. I use this type of antenna on my more-serious SW radios. It is definitely a good addition packaged with the KA900 since these emergency radios have too short an antenna for serious SWL. I compared the SW response on both the KA600 & KA900. Both my models list identical specs in the owners manuals, and there were slight sensitivity variances across the frequencies with and without the additional antenna. AM, WB, and FM sensitivities seem similar between both models. One quirk I found that is notable. The display would not light up despite me resetting the radio and changing the display set up. It appeared to be caused by the flashlight/reading light switch on top of the unit. It is a slider switch which you can push back farther than the 'off' detent. Moving it carefully into the off detent solved the display backlight problem. Overall, I like this radio. I really think it is closer to a 4.5-star rating. It is not a perfect 5 yet.

I love this radio. I was afraid it was going to be too big because it kind of looks big and Bloated to me and not small and trim like the ka700. I couldn't have been more wrong! The pictures are deceiving. It's actually very small and just perfect. I love having two speakers versus the one. The sound is really good and it does get loud enough. I was concerned about that. I use the Bluetooth all the time. I sync it to my tablet and then watch TV on my tablet (Cox Cable app) with the better sound coming through the radio. It works perfect in my home office or outside. I also use it to play my audiobooks from my phone when I'm in the house so I don't have to have my headphones on. I can't get AM in the house but I can get lots of AM channels outside when I use the extra antenna. That is good enough for me I don't typically listen to AM. If I listen to the radio is always usually FM and it gets great FM reception. The solar panel is not meant to charge the whole radio. It's meant to give you enough power so that you can listen to the radio when it's dead. That's what kaito customer service told me. I plan to buy another solar panel to plug into it actually charge it. I like the fact that it's an emergency radio but I can still use it everyday and get enjoyment out of it. If you can't get it to hold a charge, you probably forgot to pull the tab at the end of the battery. The battery comes out and is replaceable even though it says built in. I ordered another battery to have on hand on the Kaito website. Update.... you cannot put audible books on a SD card and play them on this device. Audible books only play on Audible compatible devices which this is not apparently from what I can tell. It's a generic MP3 player. I'm trying to find a workaround or a place that I can get some audiobooks that will play on it. You can play songs with no problem.

This could use some non skid pads on bottom. radio is so light in weight that you could shove it off the table. If you have used a radio with a swivel antenna be careful because you can snap this easily. It only goes up and down. It has a little wire antenna extender. Just another thing to lose in an emergency. Make sure to take the battery out if you try it out. I fully charged it and Wen I went to use it, dead. From the ratings I knew the hand crank is not very good for charging. I haven't figured out if the tiny solar panel will. Likely not very well. Oh well. Live and learn. If it falls on the floor just the heft and feel makes me think it will be lucky to still work. The radio is ok but the sound is how you would expect from a tiny pair of speakers. Not high fidelity or close. I won't buy it again because it needs babying. I hope it lasts if it falls or gets banged around.

Absolutely abysmal AM reception in Hollywood So Cal USA. The antenna is only extendable vertically, and does not allow any lateral adjustment. A KAITO T1 Compact Antenna is a necessary accessory. Over the last three days the KA900 only receives one weather channel. The hand crank is slow to charge the battery and the solar charging is worse. I recommend that any KA900 purchaser obtain additional button top 18650 batteries and compatible charger in case city power is unavailable or this radio is used for camping. When the the few FM stations are detected the sound is robust. The auto scan works but is ineffectual on the AM band. As the radio has no carrying case a separate moldable foam filled case is a necessity. The unit is portable, however due to the control placement and without a carrying case it will be subject to knob and button damage. Spelling in the literature and on the product packaging needs to be reviewed by someone with a command of the American version of the English language and syntax. I will be keeping this unit, however I cannot recommend it until KAITO design and engineering departments redesign and improve the antenna gain on ALL frequencies. I expect better at this price point. The manufacturer/distributer in Montclair CA can contact me via Amazon to advise me how I or they can improve this radio's performance. A failure of contact within 14 days from 7/13/2026 will result in a reduction to 1 star and a return of the product for a refund.

At first I wasn't looking at this model but when I found a lightening deal that put it below the cost of other models, I decided to purchase. I am not regretting it. I probably won't use the text reader and a few other features but they are there so someone will find them useful. You can read all about the different features so I'll skip listing them. What I will point out is that I find the control buttons somewhat... not difficult but they don't work instantly. It's like the controls go to sleep and you have to wake them up by pushing a button once and THEN push a button to activate that control. Once I figured that out then all was well. I find the sound quality reasonable. I have a Bluetooth speaker that gives better sound but as is an all-in-one unit, I am not knocking anything. Solar panel works to keep it charged but doesn't not charge it up from zero. The reading light was turned on during transit (or when I unboxed it, I don't know) so the battery died by the next day or two. I placed the unit in a sunny window all day but the battery didn't charge up enough for more than a couple of minutes of radio time. Crank works too but that will take a lot of effort to change up a completely dead battery. The battery is removable and can be changed out for a fresh one. Use your standard battery charger (for 18650 batteries) or use Micro USB or 6v power supply (center positive).

Imagina que empieza a llover, suena un trueno y de repente se va la luz, tu teléfono está menos de la mitad de carga y no tienes más fuentes de iluminación que el móvil... Pues con un aparato como este radio de emergencias, tendrás un gran aliado, ya que el problema de la iluminación (al menos en las próximas horas) quedará solucionado, así como el de información y de fuentes alternativas para recargarlo. Para probarlo en las condiciones más parecidas a las de una contingencia, emergencia o apagón, se usó durante una salida de campamento al río, lejos de luz eléctrica y servicios básicos, teniendo un sobresaliente desempeño; con tan solo un cuarto de carga de batería se pudo escuchar noticieros durante dos días seguidos, usar la luz de lectura para iluminar una casa de campaña y poner música durante la tarde. La recepción en FM es muy buena y en AM y SW, muy buena en la noche. No es un producto para audiofilos, no escucharás música con mucha definición, pero si con calidad y claridad en momentos de emergencia, dónde puede que sea tu única fuente de información o entretenimiento.