EPIRB vs PLB: Which Emergency Beacon Should You Carry?
By Lance Greiner — General Manager, Boater's World · Former Platform GM, Travelcamp RV· August 2, 2025· 1 min read· Updated Aug 29, 2025
Lance Greiner is a career marine and automotive retail professional with more than 15 years of dealership management experience. He currently serves as General Manager at Boater's World in Florida, overseeing full mar…
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How We Evaluated
We researched and tested the top options, comparing them across key factors including performance, value, ease of use, and reliability. Our recommendations are based on hands-on evaluation and real-world usage data.
An EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) and a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) transmit the same 406 MHz distress signal to the same Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, which is monitored by the same network of search-and-rescue coordination centers. From the satellite's perspective, both are identical. From the boater's perspective, they solve different problems.
Top Picks
Category II EPIRB with built-in GPS, AIS transmitter, and a 28-hour battery life. The current best value in the EPIRB category.
| Type | Category II |
| GPS | Yes |
| AIS | Yes |
The smallest PLB with a digital display that confirms transmission. Strobe, infrared strobe, and 28-hour battery in a unit that fits in a PFD pocket.
| Type | PLB |
| Display | Digital confirm |
| Strobe | Visible + IR |
The Core Difference
An EPIRB is registered to a vessel. A PLB is registered to a person. An EPIRB is designed to be mounted on a boat, float free when the boat sinks, and broadcast for at least 48 hours. A PLB is designed to be worn on a person, fit in a pocket, and broadcast for at least 24 hours.
| EPIRB | PLB | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered to | Vessel | Person |
| Battery life | 48+ hours | 24+ hours |
| Float-free option | Yes (Category I) | No |
| Auto-activation | Yes (Category I) | Manual only |
| Size | Coffee can | Cell phone |
| Price | $500–$1,500 | $250–$500 |
Battery Life and Activation
EPIRB Category I units automatically deploy from a bracket as the boat sinks and activate when wet. Category II EPIRBs activate when you manually deploy and turn them on. PLBs are manual only — you must remove the antenna, extend it, and press a button. In a fast capsizing or fire, the Category I EPIRB is the only beacon that can save you if you don't have time to grab it.
Registration
Both EPIRBs and PLBs must be registered with NOAA (in the US) before they're useful. Registration is free and takes 10 minutes. An unregistered beacon will eventually summon rescue but with delays of hours while the Coast Guard identifies the vessel — registered beacons trigger response in minutes.
When to Carry Both
Any boat venturing more than 25 miles offshore should carry a Category I EPIRB mounted on deck and at least one PLB on a person — typically clipped to an inflatable PFD. The EPIRB summons rescue to the boat; the PLB summons rescue to you if you're in the water and the boat is not.
Top Picks & Comparison
| # | Product | Price | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | |
ACR GlobalFix V5 |
$649 | — | View on Amazon |
| #2 | |
ACR ResQLink View |
$369 | — | View on Amazon |