Zombie apocalypse? Philips’ emergency radio with a built-in SOS alarm has your back

An emergency radio is hardly the most tantalising bit of tech compared to, say, the best smartphones or best headphones. But like plasters, fire extinguishers, and petrol cans, you’ll be thankful for one if the worst arises.

Enter Philips’ new TAR3500 – a portable AM/FM radio designed to keep working when everything else doesn’t, whether that’s on a camping trip, a power cut, or an unfortunate zombie apocalypse.

Power redundancy is very much on offer here – there’s a 5200mAh battery inside that’ll keep it going for up to 60 hours, and it’s replaceable if needed. When that runs dry, you’ve still got options – USB-C charging, a built-in solar panel, a hand crank, and even AAA battery backup if you’re really stuck. All that’s missing is a hamster wheel generator. It’ll also double as a power bank via USB-A, so you can top up your phone to carry on doomscrolling while the sirens blare on.

On the radio front, you get digital AM/FM tuning, a bright LED display, and a long extendable antenna. There are presets too – 20 for FM and 20 for AM – so you’re not endlessly scanning when you just want information or the Top 40 quickly. Audio comes via a 3W mono speaker with a 2.25-inch full-range driver, or you can plug in headphones if you’d rather keep things to yourself

Oh, and if things really do go wrong, there’s a dedicated SOS button that triggers a loud siren, a flashing light, and even an ultrasonic whistle designed to help rescuers locate you

Naturally, for an emergency radio, it’s also built to survive. The TAR3500 has an IP55 rating, so it’ll shrug off dust and rain, and it’s compact enough to throw in a bag or hang inside a tent using the attached strap. There’s a built-in flashlight and reading light too, which should come in handy once the sun’s gone down

Interestingly, this isn’t just aimed at hikers and campers – Philips points to EU guidance recommending households keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio as part of a 72-hour emergency kit, which isn’t the worst idea in the world.

If you’re a prepper with a passion for preparedness, the TAR3500 emergency radio launches in May, priced at €59.99. There’s no confirmed UK or US pricing at the time of writing.Read more: Best foldable phone in 2026 reviewed and rated

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.