When it comes to recharging two-way radios, having a reliable charger ensures your radio is powered fully every time. Choosing the right charger for your needs makes all the difference in efficiency and convenience.
Here is a comprehensive guide to help you decide between the 3 main radio charger types:
- Single Bank
- Multi Bank
- In-Vehicle
But first, let's go over a few things to consider that’ll help find the best option for you.
Things to Consider
Before purchasing a two-way radio charger, here are a few things to consider. These considerations will help you decide the type of charger that works best for your fleet.
Number of radios: How many radios will you need to charge at once?
Environment: Will you be charging your radios in a fixed location or on the go?
Budget: How much do you need to budget to ensure all your radios are charged? This can correlate to the number of radios.
Compatibility: Choosing the wrong charger for your battery is the number one problem we see with customer's orders. You need to not only ensure it fits your radio but that the chemistry is also compatible. For example, if your battery is Lithium Ion you must have a charger that can charge lithium chemistry batteries and vice versa with Nickel chemistries. Tri-chemistry chargers can charge both nickel and lithium batteries in one charger.
Single Bank
A single bank charger charges one radio or battery at a time. These chargers are great for individuals or those with one to two radios and don’t need to charge multiple radios simultaneously.
Benefits of Single Bank: Single bank chargers are compact and don’t take up too much room on desks or small spaces. They are also lightweight and can be easily moved.

Multi-Bank
Multi-bank chargers typically come in six bank and twelve bank configurations and charge multiple radios at once. These chargers are an ideal choice for large organizations with several radios being used daily.
Benefits of multi-bank chargers: Multibank chargers save time by charging multiple radios at once. It's also more cost-effective than single bank chargers for those with large fleets.

In-Vehicle Chargers
In-vehicle chargers are designed to charge your radio on the go. If you operate out of a vehicle like the police, these chargers keep your radio powered during transit.
Benefits of in-vehicle chargers: These chargers are there for you during long shifts or where a fixed power source is limited. You can charge your radio without having to return to your office or central location.

What Features Make for a Great Charger
Fast Charging: Sometimes waiting long hours for your battery is not ideal. Most two-way radio chargers with fast charging fully recharge radios in less than 3 hours.
Smart Charging: Find chargers with technology that prevents over-charging and automatic recharging when a radio remains powered on.
Interchangeable pods: Some chargers, like ones from Waveband Communications, let you take out the pods inside the charger so it can be updated in the future to use with other radios.
Flexibility: Chargers that let you charge with or without the radio attached give you flexibility in the way you recharge.
In Summary
Choosing the right type of charger depends on your unique circumstances. Whether its for individual users, teams, or while on the go, theres a charger designed to meet your needs. Finding the right charger not only ensures your fleet of radios are operational but enhances productivity and efficiency.
About Waveband Communications
Waveband Communications has provided public safety and organizations with two-way radio accessories for over 20 years. Our chargers are compatible with all major radio makes and models. Browse our vast selection of chargers now. Have any questions? Reach out to us, we’d be happy to help.
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