Best Police Scanner for 2024

The best police scanner informs you of any police activity in your area or along the path you're taking, assisting you in avoiding any potential dangers to yourself or others. Police scanners today use digital technology to transmit crystal-clear, static-free signals, as opposed to the abrupt broadcasts of antiquated analog scanners. With access to extensive GPS databases, many police scanners make it easy to locate nearby frequencies and automatically fill the device's local channel list.

Desktop scanners and handheld walkie-talkies are common types of police scanners. There are even apps that can transform your smartphone into a police scanner. Continue reading to learn more about the qualities of a good police scanner and why the models listed below are the top choices.

1. Uniden BearTracker 885 - Best Overall

Despite being one of the more expensive choices on this list, the Uniden Beartracker 885 is a feature-rich CB radio and digital trunk tracking police scanner.  Since it has GPS, it can use its database to automatically choose nearby channels (which is weekly updated). The scanner handles all of the complicated programming so you don't have to do it while driving. It has weather warnings, PA functionality, and other features, and the LCD is clearly visible.

This is a great tool for communication, safety, and general peace of mind for anyone who travels frequently. It functions as an alternative to a radar detector by alerting you when a nearby public safety transmission is present. The BearTracker 885 supports wireless microphones and contains a noise-canceling microphone that aids in clear dialogues. 

PROS:

• Hybrid trunk-tracking and CB radio scanner

• GPS is available

• Has a noise-canceling mic

CONS:

• Pricey

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2. Uniden BC365CRS - Best Budget

Being a 500 Channel Scanner, the Uniden BC365CRS can also be used as a weather notification device, an AM/FM radio, and FM broadcast radio. Fire and police   police and fire bands, as well as airplane, amateur radio, and marine communications can be searched thanks to its 500 channels distributed among 10 Banks.

The BC365CRS requires three AA batteries, and it comes with an antenna and an AC adapter in the package. It's not the best choice to bring with you when you're on the go because this is intended to be a tabletop scanner.

Your geographic location and the kind of transmissions you're hoping to receive will have some influence on the reception. The majority of users claim that they are able to hear radio, police, and fire signals clearly, although some agencies' transmissions might not be picked up by this simple, analog, non-trunking scanner. Therefore, it's recommended to compare the compatibility with your local agencies.  

PROS:

• Reasonably priced

• Helpful features

• Good reception

CONS:

• Relatively antiquated

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3. Uniden HomePatrol-2 - Best for Home Use

The Uniden HomePatrol-2 digital scanner with a pre-programmed database has an ergonomic stand that makes it easy to use in any room of the house. It is a highly useful scanner. The Uniden is a highly recommended digital scanner that can be set up and operating in a matter of minutes and includes specialized capabilities like rapid record and playback. No programming is required; simply input your zip code, and HomePatrol-2 will load all of the local police, fire, and EMS channels. It also contains channel information for Canada and the US from radioreference.com. 

The HomePatrol-2 is lightweight and convenient to carry along. It  also introduced a touch screen to the market for the first time. Rechargeable batteries for Uniden last from five to six hours. A typical USB power brick can be used to connect the device's included USB charging cord.

PROS:

• Lightweight

• Easy to use

• Rechargeable batteries are included 

CONS:

• No power adapter.

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4. Uniden BCD996P2 - Best Digital

Although there aren't many manufacturers in the police scanner market (as you can probably guess by quickly skimming this list), Uniden is a significant participant in the scanner industry. The Uniden BCD99P2 is one of the best scanners available because it is designed to be a one-stop shop for both analog scanning and digital transmissions. The BCD99P2 probably serves all your needs, even though it comes in a relatively sizable package.

The BCD99P2 can locate adjacent radio signals and perform location-based scanning. Additionally, the TrunkTracker V scanner provides constant spectrum coverage from 25 MHz to 1.3 GHz. You'll have enough choices to cover all of your local systems if you take into account the 25,000 various dynamically allocated channels, which can be recalled using the unit's user-friendly internal memory. All of this is contained in a small 11 x 3.75 x 8.5-inch device with a vivid display and simple controls.

PROS:

• GPS compatibility

• Fully featured

• Contains plenty of accessories

CONS:

• Some features require payment to be upgraded. 

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5. Uniden Bearcat BC75XLT Handheld Scanner - Best Analog

The Uniden BC75XLT is a fantastic option for enthusiasts of analog scanners because it allows for connections to channels for military aircraft, public safety, and racing. The BC75XLT is a very pick-up-and-go analog scanner because of its unmatched built-in search functionality, which instantly discovers channels for marine, police, air, fire, weather, etc.

The scanner's memory can hold 300 channels, or 30 channels overall across 10 different banks. This makes it easy to check each stored channel for active communications. Additionally, the BC75XLT can discover and detect adjacent transmissions with the use of Close Call RF capture technology, even if they aren't pre-installed into a channel. The BC75XLT is a lightweight, hand-held device that runs on two AA batteries. As long as you're in a strong signal area, it generally has good reception. 

PROS:

• Portable and compact

• Close-call RF technology

• Basic design

CONS:

• Some areas have weaker reception.

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Here’s our recommendation on how to pick out the best police scanner. The BearTracker 885 is a great option for truckers or anyone who spends a lot of time on the road because it comes with a GPS, CB radio, and noise-canceling microphone. The Uniden Bearcat BC365CRS is a nice model to check out if you're looking for a cheap handheld choice. Try out the free 5-0 Radio Police Scanner app to practice scanning