Midland WR400 vs WR120B: Which NOAA Weather Radio Is Better for Home Preparedness?

Last updated: February 2026 | By the ISOPREP Team

Midland makes two of the most popular NOAA weather radios on the market: the premium WR400 and the budget-friendly WR120B. Both receive the same NOAA weather alerts, but the price gap between them is substantial. Is the WR400’s feature set worth triple the cost, or does the WR120B deliver everything you actually need? We tested both side by side through storm season to give you a definitive answer.

Quick Verdict

The Midland WR400 is the better choice for households that want a “set it and forget it” premium alert system with color display, AM/FM radio, and alarm clock functionality — it replaces multiple bedside devices. The Midland WR120B is the smarter buy for most preppers who simply need reliable NOAA alerts at the lowest possible price. Both receive identical alerts with the same speed; the difference is entirely in the user experience and extra features surrounding that core function.

At a Glance: Midland WR400 vs Midland WR120B

Feature	Midland WR400	Midland WR120B
Price	~$80	~$30
NOAA Channels	All 7 + Canada	All 7
S.A.M.E. Localized Alerts	Yes	Yes
Display	Color LCD	Monochrome LCD
AM/FM Radio	Yes	No
Alarm Clock	Yes	Yes (basic)
Alert Types Filterable	Yes — full customization	Yes — basic filtering
Backup Battery	3x AA	3x AA
Power Source	AC adapter + battery backup	AC adapter + battery backup
Our Rating	9.0/10	8.3/10
Best For	Premium home alert station, bedside use	Budget-friendly reliable alerts

Midland WR400 Overview

The Midland WR400 positions itself as more than a weather radio — it’s a complete desktop weather and information station. The large color LCD display immediately sets it apart from budget competitors, showing weather alerts in an easy-to-read format with color-coded severity levels. At a glance, you can distinguish between a routine forecast update and a life-threatening tornado warning.

Beyond NOAA reception, the WR400 includes a full AM/FM radio, making it a genuinely useful everyday device rather than something that sits silently on a shelf until disaster strikes. This dual-purpose design is clever from a preparedness standpoint: a device you use daily for morning news or music is one you’ll definitely have plugged in and functional when severe weather hits. The alarm clock functionality adds another daily-use reason to keep it bedside and powered on.

The S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology works identically to the WR120B — you program your county FIPS code and receive only alerts relevant to your specific area. The WR400’s advantage is in the setup process: the color screen and more intuitive menu system make programming noticeably easier than the WR120B’s basic interface. You can also filter alert types more granularly, silencing minor weather advisories while keeping warnings and emergencies at full volume.

The WR400’s weaknesses are its price (roughly $80 at retail) and its reliance on AC power for full functionality. While it has a 3xAA battery backup that maintains alert capability during outages, the display and AM/FM features are limited on battery power. For a deeper dive, see our full Midland WR400 review.

Midland WR120B Overview

The Midland WR120B is the no-frills workhorse of the NOAA weather radio world. At roughly $30, it’s one of the most affordable ways to get reliable, localized severe weather alerts in your home, and it has become a go-to recommendation among preparedness experts for exactly that reason.

The WR120B receives all seven NOAA weather channels and supports S.A.M.E. technology for county-specific alerts — the exact same alert data that the WR400 receives. When a tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warning, or other emergency alert is issued for your area, the WR120B sounds an alarm at up to 90 decibels. That’s loud enough to wake most people from a dead sleep, which is precisely the point.

The design is straightforward: a compact white box with a small monochrome LCD, minimal buttons, and a telescoping antenna. The display shows the current channel, alert status, and time. Programming the S.A.M.E. code is functional but not intuitive — the small screen and limited buttons make initial setup a bit tedious. Once programmed, however, the unit runs reliably for years without any interaction needed.

What the WR120B lacks is everything beyond core alert functionality. There’s no AM/FM radio, no color display, and no advanced alert filtering beyond basic S.A.M.E. programming. The alarm clock function is basic. The speaker quality is functional rather than pleasant. This is a device that does one thing — alerts you to severe weather — and does it well for a very low price.

The WR120B has the same 3xAA battery backup system as the WR400, ensuring it continues to alert during power outages. For most apartment dwellers and home preppers, this is all you need. Read our full Midland WR120B review for more details.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Build Quality and Durability

Both radios are designed for stationary indoor use, so ruggedness isn’t their primary design goal. The WR400 feels more premium with a larger, sturdier enclosure and better button feel. The WR120B’s compact plastic body is lighter and feels more budget-oriented, but it’s perfectly adequate for sitting on a shelf or nightstand for years. Both use the same 3xAA battery backup system and standard AC adapters. Neither is designed for outdoor or portable use — for that, check our emergency radio roundup.

Features and Functionality

The WR400 wins handily on features. The color display, AM/FM radio, and enhanced alert filtering justify its premium positioning. The ability to use it as a daily AM/FM radio and alarm clock means it replaces multiple devices and stays in active use — which matters enormously for emergency preparedness. A radio you use every day is one you’ll definitely have working when a tornado warning drops at 3 AM.

The WR120B counters with simplicity. Fewer features mean fewer things to break, fewer menus to navigate, and faster setup for people who just want alerts. There’s something to be said for a device that does exactly one thing reliably.

Portability and Weight

Neither radio is designed to be portable, but the WR120B is noticeably more compact. In an apartment where counter space is limited, or if you want to place multiple radios throughout your home, the WR120B’s smaller footprint is advantageous. The WR400 is a proper desktop unit that commands its space. For a portable weather radio to include in a go-bag, neither is the right choice — consider the Midland ER310 instead.

Value for Money

The WR120B is one of the best values in all of emergency preparedness. For roughly $30, you get the exact same NOAA alert functionality that keeps you safe during severe weather. The WR400’s additional $50 buys AM/FM radio, a color screen, and better user experience — nice-to-haves that don’t change the core safety function. If weather alerts are your primary goal, the WR120B is the clear value winner. If you want a multi-function device that replaces a radio and alarm clock, the WR400’s premium justifies itself.

Who Should Choose the Midland WR400?

• Bedside users who want an alarm clock, AM/FM radio, and weather radio in one device
• Anyone who values an easy setup process — the color screen makes S.A.M.E. programming much simpler
• Households that want a “daily use” weather radio they’ll listen to regularly, ensuring it’s always ready
• People near the Canadian border who need Canadian weather channels
• Gift buyers who want a premium-looking preparedness device for someone’s home

Who Should Choose the Midland WR120B?

• Budget-conscious preppers who want reliable alerts at the lowest price
• Multi-radio buyers who want weather radios in several rooms — three WR120Bs cost less than one WR400
• Apartment dwellers with limited counter or shelf space
• Minimalists who just want weather alerts without extra features
• Already own an alarm clock and AM/FM radio and don’t need those functions duplicated

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Midland WR400 worth the extra money over the WR120B?

It depends on whether you’ll use the extra features. If you want a bedside device that replaces your alarm clock and provides morning radio alongside weather alerts, the WR400 is absolutely worth the upgrade. If you already have an alarm clock and just need weather alerts, the WR120B delivers the same alert performance for roughly a third of the price. The core safety function — waking you up during a tornado warning — is identical.

Can these radios work during a power outage?

Yes. Both have 3xAA battery backup that activates automatically during power outages. They’ll continue to receive and sound NOAA alerts on battery power. The WR400’s color display and AM/FM functions may be reduced on battery power, but the critical alert function remains fully operational on both units. We recommend keeping fresh batteries installed at all times and checking them every six months.

What are the main differences between the Midland WR400 and WR120B?

The three main differences are: the WR400 has a color LCD display (vs monochrome), the WR400 includes AM/FM radio reception (the WR120B does not), and the WR400 costs roughly $80 versus $30 for the WR120B. Both receive identical NOAA weather channels, both support S.A.M.E. localized alerts, both have 3xAA battery backup, and both will sound loud alarms for weather emergencies. The WR400 also offers more granular alert-type filtering and Canadian weather channels.

Our Bottom Line

Every home should have a NOAA weather radio — that’s not debatable for anyone serious about emergency preparedness. The question is whether to spend $30 or $80. For pure preparedness, the Midland WR120B delivers everything you need at a price that makes it easy to buy multiples for different rooms. The Midland WR400 is the better product overall, with features that encourage daily use and ensure it’s always plugged in and ready.

Our recommendation: start with the WR120B if you’re on a budget, or go straight to the WR400 if you want a single premium device. Either way, program your S.A.M.E. code, install backup batteries, and rest easier knowing you’ll be alerted when severe weather threatens. For more options, see our Best NOAA Weather Alert Systems for Home guide.