What's the Best Police Scanner?
2021's best police scanner is the Uniden SDS100 digital police scanner.
While the SDS100 is the best overall police scanner, there are several other quality scanners to meet your unique needs.
Here is a video of our Top 4 Police Scanners of 2021
Skip to view the "best police scanner" for every situation.
If you’re new to police scanners or confused about what to buy you can:
- Which police scanner do I need?
- View our Police Scanner Buyer’s Guide
- Call us at 737.777.9876
Best Police Scanner of 2021
2021 Best Police Scanner
Best Overall Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS100 Features
- Software & frequencies included.
- Simulcast capable.
- NXDN/DMR/ProVoice EDACS capable*.
*With paid Uniden software upgrade
Why is the Uniden SDS100 the best overall police scanner?
- Top selling & most popular police scanner on the market.
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Handheld scanners are the most popular type; 75% of sales.
- Customizable color touchscreen.
- Fastest scanner on the market.
- Waterproof.
- Can charge and run at the same time.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Quick Jump
Best Police Scanner by Format
There are 2 formats that police scanners can monitor:
Digital
Digital scanners can monitor:
Analog
Analog scanners can monitor:
Police Scanner Sales by Format
Why Digital is the Best Police Scanner Format?
- Digital scanners can monitor both frequencies (digital & analog).
- Digital scanners have numerous improvements over all other formats from improved range, prolonged battery life, condensed size, better software & better user experience, to name a few.
- Emergency communication in the US (Police, Fire, EMS, Etc.) is moving to digital, if it was not already done so in your area.
- 90% of sales are digital.
- With a digital scanner you'll be set for years and years even if this format is not required in your area yet.
- Since 2013, the Uniden SR30C is the only new analog police scanner to hit the market. As all other formats are becoming more obsolete, manufacturers have stopped developing new non-digital scanners.
Best Digital Police Scanner
What is a Digital Police Scanner?
Digital police scanners can pick up both police scanner formats; digital & analog.
Digital Police Scanner (view all)
- Uniden: SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP, BCD536HP, HomePatrol-2, BCD996P2, BCD325P2, BearTracker885
- Whistler: TRX-1, TRX-2
Best Overall Digital Police Scanner
Best Cheap Digital Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS100 Features
- Software & frequencies included.
- Simulcast capable.
- NXDN/DMR/ProVoice EDACS capable.
Why is the Uniden SDS100 the best digital police scanner?
- Top selling & most popular police scanner on the market.
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Handheld scanners are the most popular type; 75% of sales.
- Customizable color touchscreen.
- Fastest scanner on the market.
- Waterproof.
- Can charge and run at the same time.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best Analog Police Scanner
What is an Analog Police Scanner?
Analog police scanners can pick up analog frequencies, but cannot monitor digital frequencies.
Analog Police Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Analog Police Scanner
Best Cheap Analog Police Scanner
Top Uniden SR30C Features
- 500 channels.
- Alpha tagging.
- Keypad & screen are backlit.
Why is the Uniden SR30C the top Analog Police Scanner?
- 500 channels is the most of any analog police scanner.
- Close-call feature allows for easy local scanning.
- Great reviews.
Best Police Scanner by Type
There are 2 types of police scanners:
Handheld
Handheld scanners are like a walkie-talkie in that they can be carried anywhere.
Home & Vehicle Police Scanner
Home & vehicle police scanners can be used in one location or installed in the dashboard of a vehicle like a CD player.
Best Police Scanner Type
Why Handheld is the Best Police Scanner Type
- 70% of all police scanner sales are handheld.
- Handheld police scanners have the same range as home & vehicle.
- Home & vehicle are more expensive than comparable handhelds.
- Handhelds can be used anywhere; unless you have a real need for a stationary scanner, we highly recommend a handheld.
- Handhelds offer the same features as home & vehicle.
Best Handheld Police Scanner
What is a Handheld Police Scanner?
Handheld police scanners are like a walkie-talkie in that they can be carried anywhere.
Handheld Police Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Handheld Police Scanner
Best Cheap Handheld Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS100 Features
- Software & frequencies included.
- Simulcast capable.
- NXDN/DMR/ProVoice EDACS capable.
Why is the Uniden SDS100 the best Handheld Police Scanner?
- Top selling & most popular police scanner on the market.
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Handheld scanners are the most popular type; 75% of sales.
- Customizable color touchscreen.
- Fastest scanner on the market.
- Waterproof.
- Can charge and run at the same time.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best Vehicle or Car Police Scanner
What is a Vehicle or Car Police Scanner?
Vehicle or car police scanners can be installed in the dashboard of a vehicle like a CD player.
Vehicle or Car Police Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Vehicle or Car Police Scanner
Best Cheap Vehicle or Car Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS200 Features
- Simulcast digital capable
- Color screen
Why is the Uniden SDS200 the top Vehicle or Car Police Scanner?
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best Home or Base Police Scanner
What is a Home or Base Police Scanner?
Home or base police scanners are used in one location.
Home or Base Police Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Home or Base Police Scanner
Best Cheap Home or Base Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS200 Features
- Simulcast digital capable
- Color screen
Why is the Uniden SDS200 the top Home or Base Police Scanner?
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best Police Scanner by Use
There are 8 use categories of police scanners:
Best Police, Fire & EMS Police Scanner
Police, Fire & EMS police scanners can be used to monitor all emergency communication.
Best Railroad Police Scanner
Rail scanners are used to monitor railroad communication including train to train, train personnel as well as train yard communication. All rail communication on the US uses analog format.
Best Airplane Scanner Civilian
Airplane or aviation scanners are used to monitor civilian air communication. All civilian air communication uses analog format.
Best Airplane Scanner Civilian & Military
Airplane or aviation scanners are used to monitor civilian & military air communication. While all civilian air communication uses analog, most military aviation communication uses digital.
Best NASCAR Scanner & Racing Radio
Race scanners are used at race tracks to hear all the action as the races including driver to crew, race officials & more.
Best Bug-Out Bag Police Scanner
Bug-out bags police scanners are commonly used by preppers or survivalists and are kept in their go-bag in case of an emergency.
Best Weather Scanner
Weather scanners are commonly used to monitor emergency weather bands during extreme weather such as hurricanes or earthquakes.
Best Marine Scanner
Marine scanners are commonly used in bay cities like Baltimore to hear all the marine chatter.
Best Police, Fire & EMS Police Scanner
What is a Police, Fire & EMS Police Scanner?
Police, fire & EMS police scanners can be used to monitor all emergency communication.
Police, Fire & EMS Police Scanner (view all)
- Uniden: SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP, BCD536HP, HomePatrol-2, BCD996P2, BCD325P2, BearTracker885, SR30C, BC125AT, BC355N
- Whistler: TRX-1, TRX-2, WS1040
Best Overall Police, Fire & EMS Police Scanner
Best Cheap Police, Fire & EMS Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS100 Features
- Software & frequencies included.
- Simulcast capable.
- NXDN/DMR/ProVoice EDACS capable.
Why is the Uniden SDS100 the best Police, Fire & EMS Police Scanner?
- Top selling & most popular police scanner on the market.
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Handheld scanners are the most popular type; 75% of sales.
- Customizable color touchscreen.
- Fastest scanner on the market.
- Waterproof.
- Can charge and run at the same time.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best Railroad Police Scanner
What is a Railroad Police Scanner?
Rail scanners are used to monitor railroad communication including train to train, train personnel, as well as train yard communication.
Railroad Police Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Railroad Police Scanner
Best Cheap Railroad Police Scanner
Top SR30C Features
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market
- Keypad & screen are backlit
- 500 channels
Why is the SR30C the top Railroad Police Scanner?
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market for ease bringing to the railyard.
- All rail communication uses analog format so any police scanner on the market will work to monitor all rail communication.
Best Airplane Scanner Civilian
What is an Airplane Scanner Civilian?
Airplane or aviation scanners are used to monitor civilian air communication. All civilian air communication uses analog format.
Airplane Scanner Civilian (view all)
Best Overall Airplane Scanner Civilian
- Uniden SR30C
Best Cheap Airplane Scanner Civilian
Top Uniden SR30C Features
- Close Call RF Capture Technology
- Direct Access - lets you directly access any channel.
Why is the Uniden SR30C the top Airplane Scanner Civilian?
- 500 channels is the most of any analog police scanner which allows users to save all the channels of even the largest airports.
- Close-call feature allows for easy air scanning at any airport without needing extensive programming.
- All civilian aviation communication, except military, uses analog, so any police scanner on the market will work. If you want to monitor civilian as well as military a digital scanner is required.
Best Airplane Scanner Civilian & Military
What is an Airplane Scanner Civilian & Military?
Airplane or aviation scanners are used to monitor civilian & military air communication. While all civilian air communication uses analog, most military aviation communication uses digital.
Airplane Scanner Civilian & Military (view all)
- Uniden: SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP, BCD536HP, HomePatrol-2, BCD996P2, BCD325P2, BearTracker885
- Whistler: TRX-1, TRX-2
Best Overall Airplane Scanner Civilian & Military
Best Cheap Airplane Scanner Civilian & Military
Top Uniden SDS100 Features
- Software & frequencies included.
- Simulcast capable.
- NXDN/DMR/ProVoice EDACS capable.
Why is the Uniden SDS100 the best Airplane Scanner Civilian & Military?
- Top selling & most popular police scanner on the market.
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Handheld scanners are the most popular type; 75% of sales.
- Customizable color touchscreen.
- Fastest scanner on the market.
- Waterproof.
- Can charge and run at the same time.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best NASCAR Scanner & Racing Radio
What is a NASCAR Scanner & Racing Radio?
Race scanners are used at race tracks to hear all the action at the races including driver to crew, race officials, & more.
NASCAR Scanner Race Scanner (view all)
- Uniden: SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP, BCD536HP, HomePatrol-2, BCD996P2, BCD325P2, BearTracker885, SR30C, BC125AT, BC355N
Best Overall NASCAR Scanner & Racing Radio
Best Cheap NASCAR Scanner & Racing Radio
Top SR30C Features
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market
- Keypad & screen are backlit
- 500 channels
Why is the SR30C the top NASCAR Scanner & Racing Radio?
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market for ease bringing to the railyard.
- All rail communication uses analog format so any police scanner on the market will work to monitor all rail communication.
Best Bug-Out Bag Police Scanner
What is a Bug-Out Bag Police Scanner?
Bug-out bag police scanners are commonly used by preppers or survivalists and are kept in their go-bag in case of an emergency.
Bug-Out Bag Police Scanner (view all)
- Uniden: SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP, BCD536HP, HomePatrol-2, BCD996P2, BCD325P2, BearTracker885
- Whistler: TRX-1, TRX-2
Best Overall Bug-Out Bag Police Scanner
Best Cheap Bug-Out Bag Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS100 Features
- Software & frequencies included.
- Simulcast capable.
- NXDN/DMR/ProVoice EDACS capable.
Why is the Uniden SDS100 the best Bug-Out Bag Police Scanner?
- Top selling & most popular police scanner on the market.
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Handheld scanners are the most popular type; 75% of sales.
- Customizable color touchscreen.
- Fastest scanner on the market.
- Waterproof.
- Can charge and run at the same time.
- Uniden is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best Weather Scanner
What is a Weather Scanner?
Weather scanners are commonly used to monitor emergency weather bands during extreme weather.
Weather Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Weather Scanner
Best Cheap Weather Scanner
Top SR30C Features
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market
- Keypad & screen are backlit
- 500 channels
Why is the Uniden SR30C the top Weather Scanner?
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market for ease bringing to the railyard.
- All rail communication uses analog format so any police scanner on the market will work to monitor all rail communication.
Best Marine Scanner
What is a Marine Scanner?
Marine scanners are commonly used in bay cities like Baltimore to hear all the marine chatter.
Marine Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Marine Scanner
Best Cheap Marine Scanner
Top Uniden SR30C Features
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market
- Keypad & screen are backlit
- 500 channels
Why is the Uniden SR30C the top Marine Scanner?
- Most compact & lightest scanner on the market for ease bringing to the railyard.
- All rail communication uses analog format so any police scanner on the market will work to monitor all rail communication.
Best Police Scanner by Brand
There are 2 brands of police scanners:
Uniden
Uniden is the largest and oldest police scanner manufacturer in the world.
Whistler
Whistler is the second-largest police scanner manufacturer founded in 1971. Most of their scanner models begin with WS.
Best Police Scanner Brand
Why Uniden is the Best Police Scanner Brand
- Largest manufacturer
- Invest in technology
- Release more software updates than Whistler
- Superior support
- 75% of the market
- Uniden is a billion-dollar corporation
Best Uniden Police Scanner
What is a Uniden Police Scanner?
Uniden is the largest and oldest police scanner manufacturer in the world.
Uniden Police Scanner (view all)
- Uniden: SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP, BCD536HP, HomePatrol-2, BCD996P2, BCD325P2, BearTracker885, SR30C, BC125AT, BC355N
Best Overall Uniden Police Scanner
Best Cheap Uniden Police Scanner
Top Uniden SDS100 Features
- Software & frequencies included.
- Simulcast capable.
- NXDN/DMR/ProVoice EDACS capable.
Why is the Uniden SDS100 the best Uniden Police Scanner?
- Top selling & most popular police scanner on the market.
- Digital (can monitor all frequencies) is the most popular format: 90% of sales.
- Simulcast capable; a form of digital affecting some areas of the county.
- Handheld scanners are the most popular type; 75% of sales.
- Customizable color touchscreen.
- Fastest scanner on the market.
- Waterproof.
- Can charge and run at the same time.
- Uniden Is the largest police scanner retailer in the world.
Best Whistler Police Scanner
What is a Whistler Police Scanner?
Whistler is a police scanner manufacturer.
Whistler Police Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Whistler Police Scanner
Best Cheap Whistler Police Scanner
Top Whistler TRX-1 Features
- Digital capability allows for monitoring of all scanner formats.
- NXDN capable.
- Case & color inserts included.
Why is the Whistler TRX-1 the top Whistler Police Scanner?
- Top selling & best reviewed Whistler scanner on the market.
- Case included to protect scanner and for styling; unique to this scanner only.
- Great reviews & easy to use.
Best Police Scanner - Other
Here are 3 other ways you can find the perfect police scanner for you:
Best Cheap Police Scanner
Cheap police scanners are analog police scanners that are very limited in what they can monitor.
Best Police Scanner Antenna
Police scanner antennas help increase the reception range of any police scanner.
Best Cheap Police Scanner
What is a Cheap Police Scanner?
Cheap police scanners are analog police scanners that are very limited in what they can monitor.
Cheap Police Scanner (view all)
Best Overall Cheap Police Scanner
Top Uniden SR30C Features
- Most compact scanner on the market.
- Keypad & screen are backlit.
- 500 channels.
Why is the Uniden SR30C the top Cheap Police Scanner?
- The SR30C has room for 200 channels.
- All rail communication uses analog format so any police scanner on the market will work to monitor all rail communication.
- The smallest scanner on the market for ease bringing to the railyard.
Best Police Scanner Antenna
What is a Police Scanner Antenna?
Police scanner antennas help increase the reception range of any police scanner.
Police Scanner Antenna (view all)
- On Set Remtronix Scanner Antenna, Glass Mount Police Scanner Antenna, Hustler Vehicle Magnet Mount Antenna, ProComm Vehicle Magnet Mount Scanner Antenna
Best Overall Police Scanner Antenna
Best Cheap Police Scanner Antenna
Top On Set Remtronix Scanner Antenna Features
- Best on-set antenna for digital scanners
- 6+dB gain over the stock antenna (25-50% increase over stock antenna)
- 7" flexible whip with BNC or SMA connector
Why is the On-Set Remtronix Scanner Antenna the top Police Scanner Antenna?
- On Set Remtronix Scanner Antenna can pick up all scanner frequencies (multi band) from all directions (omnidirectional).
- Can be used on any police scanner, but excels with 700-900MHz UHF bands.
- While scanner reception varies wildly based on location, topography, frequencies, etc. (anything from a roof, a hill, or a h4 breeze can interfere). This antenna should increase reception by 25-100%.
Best Police Scanner App
What is a Police Scanner App?
Police scanner apps are a great way for users to get into scanning. What you can hear on scanner apps is very limited & they have been shut off during emergencies, including the Boston bombing.
Police Scanner App
- IOS (Apple): Police Scanner +, Police Scanner ⁺, 5-0 Radio Police Scanner, Police Scanner Radio & Fire
- Android: Broadcastify, Scanner Radio - Fire and Police Scanner, Scanner 911, Police Scanner
Best Overall Police Scanner App
Top Police Scanner + Features
- Free to download and use.
- Easy to use user experience.
- Most downloaded Scanner App.
Why is the Police Scanner + the top Police Scanner App?
- Easy to use user experience.
- Great way to get into scanning. While what you can hear is very limited it's a great way for new users to experience scanning.
