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If you're planning to travel in avalanche country, an avalanche beacon is a mandatory piece of rescue equipment. It's the tool you use to locate someone buried underneath the snow, so that you can pinpoint them with a probe and dig them out with a shovel. Those three pieces together – beacon, probe, shovel – represent the triad of tools you need to carry for effective avalanche rescue.
Our team of AMGA-certified backcountry ski guides and avalanche course instructors spent an entire season testing the best beacons on the market. We compared them side by side, putting them in the hands of both novice users and avalanche professionals. We recognize that this is an expensive piece of gear, so we walk you through key considerations to help you home in on the best overall value.
For most backcountry travelers, we recommend the highly capable Mammut Barryvox 2. It's fast and accurate, performing nearly as well as the top-tier models we tested, but at a much more reasonable price.
For an even more affordable beacon, the tried-and-true BCA Tracker 3+ is the best bang for your buck. It's incredibly intuitive, which makes it a great option for anyone new to the backcountry.
Editor's Note: We updated our review of avalanche beacons on April 27, 2026, after retesting the BCA Tracker 3+ and Tracker S.
New to the Backcountry?
If you're here shopping for your first avalanche beacon and haven't taken an avalanche course yet, this video by Backcountry Access offers a brief overview of a beacon search and the terminology we'll use in this review.
The Barryvox 2 was also affected by the same voluntary recall as the Barryvox S2. If you have any concerns, please visit their recall page.
For most backcountry travelers, the Mammut Barryvox 2 is just right. The Barryvox 2 is fast and accurate, with on-screen directions that are easy to understand. With an improved search range compared to the previous version, it can pick up the buried person's signal from farther away. Increased range also allows you to use wider “search strips” across the debris field, covering more ground with fewer passes and potentially reaching a burial victim sooner. If you're working through complex scenarios where multiple people have been buried, the prominent “flag” button will allow you to mute a signal that you've already located, so you can find the next person. “Even in tricky rescue scenarios, this beacon always kept me on track, which helped keep stress levels to a minimum,” confirms our lead tester. Really, that's what the Barryvox 2 is all about – it's a well-refined beacon that helps you work through an avalanche rescue efficiently.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Stated Max Range
70 m
Measured Range
65 m
Flagging Feature
Yes
Digital or Analog Modes
Digital
Stated Battery Life (in "Send")
450 Hours
The one cutting-edge feature we wish Mammut included in the Barryvox 2 is a Guided Fine Search. This proprietary feature uses animated arrows to walk you through the “fine search” phase, the final, and often, most stressful part of a beacon search, where you're trying to home in on the spot closest to the person buried. Since this is the point where you transition from searching to probing to digging, precision counts. “This feature seems like it's geared towards new and inexperienced users,” muses our lead tester. “It's strange that Mammut didn't include it in this beacon.” For now, if you want a beacon that offers animated guidance, you'll have to pony up for the Mammut Barryvox S2. While the Barryvox 2 lacks the step-by-step guidance of the S2, it still uses clearly marked arrows and distance readings for a fast, reliable search. In our tests, the Barryvox 2 performed nearly as well as the S2 or the even longer-ranged Pieps Pro IPS. If you're trying to decide between these three top-scoring beacons, we recommend weighing your needs against the affordability of the highly capable Mammut Barryvox 2.
The Barryvox 2 significantly improves upon the lag time of its predecessor. This beacon is faster than ever before, and just as accurate. Credit: Dom Rickicki
By keeping features to a minimum, the ultra-intuitive design of the Backcountry Access Tracker 3+ has made the Tracker series the best-selling beacon series of all time. A low-profile casing makes this beacon noticeably less bulky when worn in the chest harness, and it's just as comfortable to carry in a reinforced beacon pocket with an internal tether. In a life-or-death game of minutes, every second counts, and the Tracker 3+ was consistently one of the fastest beacons in our tests to find a single burial target. “One of my favorite things about this beacon is its precision during a fine search,” praises our lead tester. It's stressful when there's a lag between your movement and the distance readings on the screen. This is especially true during the “fine search,” the final stage of a beacon search when you're trying to get as close as possible to your target. Because the screen on the Tracker 3+ updates almost instantly, you won't accidentally walk past the victim while waiting for the numbers to change.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Stated Max Range
50 m
Measured Range
42 m
Flagging Feature
No (Signal Suppression)
Digital or Analog Modes
Digital
Stated Battery Life (in "Send")
250 hours
Avalanche accidents involving two or more people make up only a small percentage of overall incidents. So the BCA Tracker 3+ was intentionally designed to act fast during the most common rescue, which involves only one person at a time. As a result, it doesn't include the same “flagging” function that has become a typical feature on other reasonably affordable options like the Mammut Barryvox 2 and Black Diamond Recon X. If two people are buried, this flagging function tells your beacon to ignore the first signal after you find that person, so that you can more easily find the second. While the Signal Suppression function on the Tracker 3+ works similarly, it is a temporary “mask” that only lasts for one minute, rather than a permanent “mark.” It requires more practice to master because you have to manage that 60-second window while moving toward the next target. However, the sheer speed and simplicity of the Tracker 3+ make it a highly competitive option – and for the beginner, simplicity is often a safety feature in itself.
BCA's unique Signal Suppression mode is similar to other beacons' flagging functions, but it suppresses only one signal for only one minute. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The S in the Backcountry Access Tracker S stands for simple, and that is the design aspect that drives this beacon: simple to understand, simple to use. The Tracker S uses the same processor and interface as the BCA Tracker 3+, which makes it fast, accurate, and incredibly dependable for the most common rescue scenario: finding a single burial victim. The Tracker S is also slim, lightweight, and comfortable enough to wear all day, whether in the chest harness or in a specialized beacon pocket with an internal tether. The casing on this beacon has been upgraded with a rubberized coating that improves durability and grip, and the larger top dial that switches between Off, Send, and Search is notably easier to operate while wearing gloves.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Stated Max Range
55 m
Measured Range
42 m
Flagging Feature
No (Signal Suppression)
Digital or Analog Modes
Digital
Stated Battery Life (in "Send")
250 hours
Savvy readers will notice that the Tracker S and the Tracker 3+ performed almost identically in our tests. While these are functionally the same beacon, there are two important differences. First and foremost, you cannot update the software on the Tracker S. Sometimes, manufacturers will release software updates for these devices, much like you periodically install on your computer, to fine-tune their search and send functionality. While the Tracker 3+ includes a micro-USB port so that you can plug it into your computer to update, the Tracker S does not. The other difference is that it doesn't include a motion-sensed “auto-revert” mode. In the event of a second avalanche coming down while you're searching for someone already buried, you would be invisible to other rescuers. While the Tracker 3+ will automatically revert to Send, the Tracker S will not. Neither of these is a dealbreaker – the Tracker S is still a fast, accurate, high-value option. They are, however, the tradeoffs you should expect by saving a few bucks.
The Tracker S has an updated switch that is larger and has a visible lock, both of which make it easier to switch modes, especially when you're wearing gloves. Credit: Dom Rickicki
On November 8, 2024, Mammut issued a voluntary recall for the Barryvox S2. Mammut quickly rectified the issue, and only a short production run was affected. If you have any concerns, we suggest visiting their recall page and following their instructions to see whether your beacon was affected.
Even though its price tag suggests a professional-grade beacon, the Mammut Barryvox S2 remains a great option for beginners thanks to its Guided Fine Search. The “fine search” – the final few feet of a beacon search where you're moving your beacon close to the snow surface in an attempt to find the lowest distance between you and the buried person – is often the most difficult part of a search. “Any avalanche instructor will tell you that most beginners struggle with learning how to bracket properly,” explains our lead tester. “Bracketing” is the traditional method for a fine search, where you use a precise, gridded pattern to create “brackets” around the strongest signal. The S2's Guided Fine Search all but eliminates the need for traditional bracketing, instead walking you through this process with animated arrows that are incredibly intuitive to follow. For this reason, the S2 stands out for its ability to simplify complex rescues, which alleviates stress, even for seasoned users.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Stated Max Range
70 m
Measured Range
65 m
Flagging Feature
Yes
Digital or Analog Modes
Both
Stated Battery Life (in "Send")
450 Hours
"While beginners loved the new guided fine search, that single feature may not be worth the extra cost for most people," admits our lead tester. Most other features of the Barryvox S2 are also designed to handle complex rescues in which more than one person has been buried. It's our fear that these additional features won't be appreciated, or worse, never used by the majority of backcountry travelers. For most people, we recommend the more affordable Mammut Barryvox 2. Even though it doesn't feature the same Guided Fine Search, it's still one of the fastest and most accurate beacons during the most common rescue scenario: searching for only one burial victim. The premium Barryvox S2, on the other hand, is perhaps only matched by the Pieps Pro IPS. Because the S2 needs to process complex data to provide step-by-step guidance, it can feel like it “lags” if you move too quickly. This requires you to move at a slow, deliberate pace with this beacon (which is actually what instructors recommend during a fine search, anyway). The Pro IPS, on the other hand, features a lightning-fast processor, which means it has virtually no lag (but it doesn't offer step-by-step guidance, either).
Mammut's new guided fine search is incredibly useful, especially for beginners. Follow the on-screen prompts slowly, and you'll flow right to the target. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Pieps issued a voluntary recall for beacons sold between October 1st, 2023, and November 22nd, 2024. If you have any concerns about your beacon being affected, please visit their recall page.
The speed and accuracy of your beacon make a big difference in avalanche rescue, but so does range, and the Pieps Pro IPS offers the longest signal range of any beacon on the market. In our side-by-side testing, it consistently picked up a signal first, on average 20 feet earlier than comparable models. While this may sound negligible, it represents the difference between moving full speed toward a buried signal rather than wandering around searching for one. A longer range means you can use wider “search strips” when trying to acquire that initial signal – if you're able to search a debris field with fewer passes, you can potentially find that burial victim faster. Another standout feature is its advanced EMI (electromagnetic interference) protection. Any electronic device – like a phone, radio, smartwatch, or snowmobile – puts out electromagnetic energy that can interfere with a beacon's signal. If the Pro IPS detects EMI while you're searching, it prompts you to use narrower “search strips” – to walk a tighter path through the search area to ensure you don't miss a buried signal. If it detects EMI while you're transmitting, it automatically boosts your signal to try to overcome the interference. Thanks to its advanced EMI protection, the Pro IPS is our top recommendation for anyone who carries a lot of electronics in avalanche country, such as ski patrollers, photographers, and search-and-rescue (SAR) workers.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Stated Max Range
80 m
Measured Range
72 m
Flagging Feature
Yes
Digital or Analog Modes
Both
Stated Battery Life (in "Send")
400 Hours
While its unmatched range is certainly a benefit to anyone involved in an avalanche rescue, we agree with how Pieps markets the Pro IPS – we really only recommend this high-end beacon to professionals and other highly experienced backcountry travelers. The closest competitor to the Pieps Pro IPS is the Barryvox S2. The Guided Fine Search on the Barryvox S2 uses animated arrows to walk you through this final phase of a beacon search, when you're closest to the victim, and precision is paramount – this makes the S2 a professional-grade beacon that's even useful for beginners. For folks with lots of experience, deciding between the S2 and the Pro IPS may come down to personal preference: Do you want a beacon that offers automated guidance if you freeze during a stressful rescue? Or do you want a beacon with a lightning-fast processor, with virtually no signal lag, so that you can use your expert judgment to act quickly? We recognize that this is a pretty high-level question based on a fair amount of experience – for more recreational backcountry skiers and riders, we recommend going instead with the reliable, simple BCA Tracker 3+ or the more refined Mammut Barryvox 2.
If it detects any electromagnetic interference (such as the kind coming from the phone taking this video), the Pro IPS automatically adjusts its search strip width. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Product Comparison Table
The best beacon is the one you have put the time into understanding and can use effectively. Credit: Dom Rickicki
How We Tested
We've purchased and compared dozens of avalanche beacons over more than a decade of testing. Our team compared these beacons side-by-side over an entire season, putting them head-to-head in hundreds of tests to compare speed, accuracy, range, ease of use, and the utility of their features. In the hands of fellow avalanche professionals and never-ever users, we recorded their average rescue times in single and multi-burial scenarios. We calculated their average range in a signal search, analyzed how quickly and accurately they led us to a target during a coarse search, and examined their precision in a fine search. We looked for consistency and repeatability of each model's performance in each test and across user types to best assess the pros and cons of each competitor.
Our testing of avalanche beacons is divided into five rating metrics:
Speed(30% of overall score weighting)
Interface(25% weighting)
Accuracy(20% weighting)
Multiple Burials(15% weighting)
Range(10% weighting)
For more detailed info on our testing process, check out our full How We Test article.
Why Trust GearLab
Leading our test team is review editor Dom Rickicki. Dom is a faculty instructor with the Silverton Avalanche School in Silverton, CO, and Head Guide at KMAC Guides in Estes Park, CO. He spends over 100 days each winter backcountry skiing, splitboarding, teaching avalanche courses, and ski guiding. Dom is a professional member of the American Avalanche Association, has completed his Pro Level 2 – the pinnacle of avalanche education in the US – and is an AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide.
Ian Nicholson laid the groundwork for this review. Ian is an IFMGA/UIAGM guide and a part of the AMGA instructor team, where he teaches and examines ski guide courses. He is also a former avalanche forecaster and works on AIARE's national training team, instructing professional-level avalanche courses and training future avalanche instructors. He estimates that he has personally taught over 100 recreational-level AIARE courses over the years.
We tested all of the best beacons on the market side-by-side to directly compare their capabilities. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Analysis and Test Results
Increased participation in backcountry skiing alongside rapid technological advancement has led us from the first digital avalanche beacon in 1997 to the list of modern beacons included in this review. Through extensive side-by-side testing, we have sorted today's top options to help you decide which beacon is right for you. Our test team strives for excellence in their field – the expert advice in our review is based upon seasons of teaching avalanche rescue courses and continuing professional development in the snow and avalanche industry.
Part of deciding which beacon is right for you is understanding how you will use it. Clearly, all backcountry travelers carry a beacon in case of an avalanche. But there is a big difference between how a recreational backcountry skier and a snow safety professional will use a beacon. Industry professionals often participate in advanced search and rescue training, including examinations that test their ability to locate multiple buried beacons. In their work as guides, forecasters, and ski patrollers, they are the most knowledgeable users and will likely be looking for a beacon with advanced features to help them accomplish these challenging rescue tasks.
Base model beacons like the Mammut Barryvox 2 offer the same processors as their pro-model siblings, in a more user friendly and cheaper package. Credit: Dom Rickicki
A recreational backcountry skier or rider, on the other hand, is likely less concerned with these advanced search and rescue techniques and more concerned with being able to quickly and effectively perform a rescue. This demographic of backcountry users should be most concerned with the most common avalanche rescue scenario – a single-person burial, which makes up 85% of avalanche accidents. With this in mind, we heavily weighted our testing metrics toward the things we recognize as most beneficial for people performing single-burial rescues.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
We highlight awards for specific user groups because beacons, like many things, aren't a one size fits all sort of product. Certainly, like many things, the more you spend, the more features you receive. However, with beacons, the most feature-rich option might not actually help you find someone faster. This is because the most capable beacons are frequently designed with more complicated interfaces. Because they are generally less straightforward to use – especially against the clock of trying to save someone's life – an ultra-capable beacon geared towards a pro might be a poor choice for a new user or a novice who doesn't practice as frequently.
The tried-and-true BCA Tracker 3+ has been trusted by folks in the backcountry for years for its speed in single-burial rescues. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The great news, financially speaking, is that for one- to two-person burials, which comprise 95% of avalanche accidents, every beacon we tested is more than capable of performing this task. The better news is that the most intuitive beacons tend to be in the middle of the price range. One beacon that particularly fits this description is the BCA Tracker 3+. It's fast, easy to use, and the price is right – at its price point, it's an incredibly capable beacon, and therefore a great value. If you're shopping on a particularly tight budget, the BCA Tracker S is functionally the same as the Tracker 3+; you just can't update its software. (Admittedly, this rarely happens. It's really only when manufacturers notice they can make a small tweak to eke out slight improvements in performance, like making a transmitting signal less prone to interference.)
The Tracker S is functionally the same as the Tracker 3+, but also features a more durable, rubberized casing. Credit: Dom Rickicki
If you're seeking a beacon with more advanced features but don't want to spend top dollar, the Arva Neo BT Pro is the lowest-priced professional-level beacon in our test. Nestled nicely between those two options is the Mammut Barryvox 2, which offers some advanced functions, including a flagging function, in an altogether user-friendly package.
The Arva Neo BT Pro is as fully functional as other professional-grade beacons, but at a much more reasonable price point for the aspiring ski guide or rookie ski patroller. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Seek Out Professional Training
We highly recommend taking an avalanche course with SAS (Silverton Avalanche School), AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education), American Avalanche Institute (AAI), or any other American Avalanche Association endorsed provider. If you haven't taken a course in the last 5-10 years, you should consider retaking one, as a lot has changed within the curriculum in recent years. Even if someone has taken a course several years prior, we always have students retaking Rec Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue courses, and all of them find it incredibly practical to refresh their knowledge.
When we're in a rescue scenario we don't rise to the occasion, we fall back on our training. Seek out professional training to best prepare yourself for the worst case scenario, and more importantly, how to avoid ever having to face that situation. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Speed
In a game of minutes, seconds count. After 15 minutes under the snow, a person's chance of survival decreases significantly. With that in mind, we wanted to assess a beacon's ability to bring us quickly into our target and help us pinpoint its location without hassle. Each manufacturer's processor is a little different, and some handle incoming information faster than others. To assess this, we considered a beacon's ability to keep up during a coarse search and how quickly we were able to refine the lowest distance reading during a fine search.
Some beacons handled the coarse search well but began to lag in the fine search phase. Others struggled in the coarse search, especially at the maximum extent of their range, but were able to handle a fine search quite well. For our scoring purposes, we combined the coarse and fine search speeds into one total score to paint an overall picture of a beacon's processing speed. For example, upon signal acquisition, the Ortovox Diract Voice would often send you the long way around a flux line only to direct you to turn around. But once it was in the fine search, it smoothed out and provided quick distance readings.
For speedy searching, it's hard to beat the proven processor included in the BCA Tracker4. The instant-feedback display makes it easy to refine distance readings to the lowest possible number during a fine search. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The Tracker line from Backcountry Access (BCA) is well known for its speedy processor, and the Tracker4, Tracker3+, and Tracker S all logged top scores in our speed tests. These beacons are almost akin to having a tape measure in your hand, reeling you into your target. According to BCA co-founder Bruce Edgerly, BCA beacons are designed with a real-time display that provides distance and direction information as soon as the beacon receives it. (Most other beacons on the market use a delayed-action display, whose more complex processors are designed to work in conjunction with advanced flagging functions.) Although the speed of a BCA beacon comes at the cost of a true flagging function, given that 85% of rescues are single victims, the tradeoff may be worth it.
The “lag” between your movement and the updated numbers on the Barryvox 2's screen has greatly improved over the last generation. However, “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” is still the mantra with this beacon. Credit: Dom Rickicki
However, with an updated processor, the Mammut Barryvox 2 and Barryvox S2 gave the Tracker line a run for its money. Even though these two beacons still technically have a delayed-action display, there is virtually no lag, unlike what we experienced regularly with the two previous models. Interestingly, our search times with the base-model Barryvox 2 were faster than with the S2, even with the guided fine search function. (Though we could attribute that to well-honed training.) The Pieps processor has always been heralded for its speed, and the Pro IPS even improves upon older models. While it's not as fast in a coarse search as other top models, it more than makes up for it during the fine search phase.
The Pro IPS is especially efficient at handling multi-burial scenarios, where it can quickly toggle between buried targets. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Practice Makes Perfect
No matter how fancy your new beacon is, proper training and regular practice are essential to executing an efficient rescue. Experienced backcountry enthusiasts and avalanche professionals can find and excavate multiple beacons in under seven minutes, while an unpracticed novice can easily take 25 minutes or more to uncover a single burial.
Studies have shown that the chances of survival drop significantly after 15 minutes underneath the snow. Other studies indicate that average rescue times – from the moment a person is caught in a slide to when their airway is exposed – are around 20 minutes. Considering that time is not on your side, wouldn't you and your partners like to be faster than the average?
A faster beacon leaves you more time for digging, and the fastest beacon is the one you've practiced with the most. If you have a beacon park nearby, use it; there's no better way to get in a lot of reps. But nothing quite beats professional instruction.
Interface
Performing an actual avalanche rescue is, without a doubt, incredibly stressful. All of the training and practice we do is ultimately to help reduce the stress of the situation so that we can operate effectively. When choosing a beacon, we think it is important to find a product that is easy to use because the last thing you want to be doing in that situation is fighting with your tools. Although an intuitive interface is helpful, you need to spend enough time practicing with your beacon so that you understand its functions inside and out. While some beacons are easy to learn to use right out of the box, others require a fair amount of time with the user manual.
We can't stress enough how important it is to read the user manual that comes with your new beacon. Still, our favorite beacons are the ones we can almost fully understand without any required reading. Their switches are easy to operate, buttons are clearly labeled, screens are easy to read, systems are easy to navigate, and any special features are quick to learn. Base models – like the Barryvox 2 and Recon X – score higher in this regard than their more complex siblings, which require significantly more time to understand and practice with.
The Recon X is a simple and easy-to-use beacon that's perfect for folks just learning about avalanche rescue. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The exception to that rule is the Barryvox S2. With an advanced suite of features, it's easily one of the most capable and most complex beacons on the market. However, all of those features are optional, and if a new user wants a simple beacon, the S2 can be that too. The new guided fine search feature also makes this beacon particularly approachable for users of any skill level. Even if you've never used a beacon before, this incredibly helpful feature will walk you through the intricacies of a fine search without any technique – just follow the on-screen instructions.
You don't need snow to practice with your beacon. Some pre-season, dryland training with the Barryvox S2 shows us just how easy the Guided Fine Search function is to use. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The Ortovox Diract Voice is also notable for its straightforward interface. This is the only beacon currently on the market that features voice commands, designed to guide you through an inherently stressful situation. Beyond that unique feature, its switch is easy to flip, the screen is bright and easy to read, and the flagging function is front and center with a single button easily identified by a flag.
At their most basic, beacons are only numbers and arrows, but the Diract Voice adds an audio component to help you hit your target. This beacon also features a unique power button and search switch that's very easy to operate.
All of the feature-rich pro beacons are inherently more complex, but there are a few notable differences in ease of use. While the Pieps Pro IPS and Arva Neo BT Pro are both Bluetooth-enabled and require a connection to an app to change settings, you can access all settings directly on the Barryvox S2. Bluetooth connectivity is nice for initial setup, but we ultimately decided we preferred the simpler approach of the Barryvox S2. Since we could toggle between settings directly on the beacon, we could more easily test features in the field, allowing us the opportunity to better personalize the setup of the Barryvox S2.
A pro-level beacon like the Arva Neo BT Pro has a more complicated interface than a simpler base model beacon. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Accuracy
A beacon that allows you to zip to the target at a rapid speed is nothing if it doesn't put you close to the right spot to begin probing. To assess accuracy, we first considered the accuracy of the distance and direction readings during the coarse search phase. Once we began a fine search, we measured the size of a bracket – the lowest distance reading along the X and Y axes – relative to where we got a positive probe strike. In order to maintain consistency between each test, we only allowed for one bracket in the fine search to get the lowest number. The tester was allowed to move once, front-to-back, to a low point and then once, left-to-right, to refine their search – one full bracket.
Fine search accuracy is a bit of a funny thing, as it is all based on rescue practice. We practice with buried targets that are much smaller than a human body, typically a buried backpack. The idea is that it imitates a worst-case scenario burial where someone is buried vertically (thus, the surface area we have to probe is smaller). With that disclaimer, every single beacon in this test brought us within one meter of a target – a reasonable distance easily probed with proper technique. The average burial depth for accidents in the United States is 75 cm to 130 cm, so we buried our targets 1 m deep.
The Pieps processor on the Recon X is smooth, easy to follow, and incredibly accurate. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The conclusion we came to is that with a careful, well-practiced fine search (with only one bracket) and proper probing technique, you will quite often get a strike within the first or second probe ring of your search. Among all the beacons in our test, we noted little difference in accuracy during a search for a single target. However, multiple burials did change both the speed and accuracy results of our tests – this is explained further in the Multiple Burials section.
While the distance readings on the Tracker 3+ update quickly, you'll notice that the simple arrows are less precise than those on other models we tested. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Where we did notice a difference in accuracy between beacons was in the coarse search phase. Some, like the Recon X, provided smooth and accurate distance readings throughout the coarse search. Other beacons, like the Arva Neo BT Pro, particularly struggled at the maximum extent of their range. Even though the Neo BT Pro initially acquired a strong signal, once we began moving, the numbers would fluctuate up and down for the first 10-15 meters of the coarse search before becoming consistent. Then, as we neared the fine search phase, the distance would sometimes drop quickly, causing us to drop into bracketing sooner than we anticipated. While more experienced users were able to adapt to these unexpected changes, novice users found them confusing.
The lag between your movement and the distance readings on the Neo BT Pro's screen is pretty significant. Watch closely as the numbers drop from 1.5 meters to 1.1 meters with very little movement. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The most accurate beacons in our tests are those from Black Diamond. The Recon X is simply the base model of the more advanced Guide BT, and both operate using the time-tested Pieps processor. (Black Diamond acquired Pieps in 2012, although BD's parent company announced the sale of Pieps in May 2025.) We successfully probed targets on the first or second strike more often with a Black Diamond beacon in our hands. That said, the Mammut Barryvox 2 and Barryvox S2 are highly competitive. The updated Mammut processor no longer has a noticeable lag, which makes it nearly as smooth as the Pieps-powered beacons.
The Guide BT brings a lot to the table for new and professional users alike. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Multiple Burials
As you increase the number of burials, you increase the complexity and challenge of the rescue effort. Fortunately, multiple burial scenarios comprise only 15% of recorded avalanche accidents – of that 15%, only 5% involved more than two burials. Even if these situations don't make up the majority of rescues, it is still important that we practice them, as we always train to better prepare ourselves for the worst-case scenario. The best beacons for multiple burial scenarios offer specialized functions for identifying the number of victims, an easy-to-use flagging or marking function, and a powerful processor that won't get bogged down by multiple signals. (Note that we will use the terms “flagging” and “marking” interchangeably in our discussion, as they are functionally the same.)
A Disclaimer on Multiple Burial Capability
Unless you are a snow safety professional or an aspiring pro training for exams, we don't recommend purchasing a beacon solely for its capabilities in complex rescue. Rather, we recommend purchasing the beacon that is easiest to use in the majority of real-world rescues, which typically involve one and sometimes two burials.
As far as marking functions go, there are a few options available. BCA's Signal Suppression – included in the Tracker S, Tracker3+, and Tracker4 – is perhaps the most basic. It allows you to suppress only one signal at a time, and it automatically reverts to the closest signal after one minute. For one- and two-person burials, the BCA system, although less advanced, surely gets the job done. However, for more complex scenarios, users of these beacons must be well-trained in alternative search methods.
Much like a marking function, BCA's Signal Suppression mode “masks” a signal. While this function is particularly fast in single-burial scenarios, it can suppress only one signal at a time, which is less useful when you're dealing with multiple burials. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The most useful multiple burial function, the nearly ubiquitous “flagging” function, should be right at your fingertips, not buried behind menus. This design concept is embodied in base model beacons like the Recon X, and Barryvox 2. Their flagging function – which will block out the incoming signal from the closest beacon – is located front and center on a single button, and they all have the ability to flag more than one signal. The tradeoff for this flagging function, as compared to the single mark with BCA's Signal Suppression, is processing speed. As you increase the number of incoming signals, these beacons tend to lag more, particularly in a fine search.
A beacon like the Barryvox 2 is easy to use for single burials, but still includes a flagging function in case you end up dealing with a multiple-burial scenario. Credit: Dom Rickicki
For recreational users, our favorite beacon for handling multi-burial scenarios is the Mammut Barryvox 2. Even bombarded with multiple signals, the highly capable Mammut processor still provided us with accurate distance readings and generally correct direction arrows. While the Barryvox 2 did lag under the burden of four signals, so did every other beacon we tested at this price point. The processor in the BCA beacons didn't lag quite as much in multiple burial scenarios, but their distance and arrow readings jumped around and were harder to follow than those on the Barryvox 2.
The Big Picture Mode on all BCA Tracker models, including the Tracker 3+, will display the distances to all the signals it receives. But it's up to you to choose and move towards the closest one. Credit: Dom Rickicki
The most advanced tools are found in pro-level beacons. The Pieps Pro IPS, Barryvox S2, and Neo BT Pro all offer top-of-the-line functionality to help a rescuer solve the most complex rescue scenarios, including the option to switch to an analog mode. These beacons allow you to flag multiple signals and scroll through a list of burials. The Barryvox S2 and Neo BT Pro offer the most advanced scrolling features, which allow you to see each signal and its distance from you, flag or unflag signals (within a certain proximity), and the ability to choose which signal you want to follow to prioritize closer victims. The Pro IPS, on the other hand, offers a unique Scan mode that highlights the number of burials within 20, 40, and 60 meters, which now includes the ability to scroll through the closest three burials. Similarly, Big Picture mode, which is included on all three Tracker models from BCA, allows a rescuer to quickly build a mental map of a multi-burial scenario by flashing between every signal within range.
Pro-level beacons, like the Guide BT, offer extra features for complex multiple burial situations that many professionals train for. Credit: Dom Rickicki
For highly experienced users, our favorite beacon for multiple burial scenarios is the Mammut Barryvox S2. Its advanced functions are the easiest to operate while still providing us with the most unique options for handling complex situations. While the Neo BT Pro is impressive considering its price point relative to the Barryvox S2, unfortunately, it suffers from less accurate distance and direction readings under the burden of more than three signals. The S2 isn't quite as fast as the Pieps Pro IPS in a fine search. However, it isn't nearly as easy to triage a scene with the Scan function on the Pro IPS, compared to the scrolling function on the S2. While we've determined our preference, ultimately, it seems like a toss-up between the faster processor of the Pro IPS and the easier-to-operate interface of the Barryvox S2.
Many of the pro-level functions found on the Neo BT Pro, like the ability to scroll through signals, are typically only found on more expensive models. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Range
A beacon's range is the furthest distance at which it is able to acquire a signal. A longer range is better not only because you can pick up a signal earlier in your search, but it also means you can increase the distance of your search strip width, allowing you to cover ground more quickly during the signal acquisition phase.
The range that manufacturers list is measured under conditions of “ideal coupling”, when the antenna of the transmitting beacon and the searching beacon are perfectly aligned. This coupling of the two flux lines provides you with the longest possible receiving distance for a beacon.
This is compared to a real-world scenario where the buried beacon orientation is unknown and likely not ideal. For our tests, we measured the distance at which each beacon acquired a strong, consistent signal. We then averaged those distances across all of our test runs to better understand each beacon's range under more realistic conditions. The measured range for every single beacon in our test is lower than the manufacturer's stated range – we measured an industry average of 45 meters.
The Pieps Pro IPS is now the highest-scoring beacon in our range tests, with an average measured range of a whopping 72 meters. Previously, the Arva Neo BT Pro was the only beacon even close to this range. Now, the Barryvox 2 and S2, along with the Pro IPS, all consistently acquire signals at more than 60 meters. Compared to these other beacons, the Neo BT Pro unfortunately suffers from poor accuracy at the maximum extent of its range and is difficult to follow until it is within 50 meters of a target. The Pieps Pro IPS suffers a bit from a similar issue, but is much more composed than the sporadic Neo BT Pro.
Electronic interference from commonly carried items like radios, cell phones, heated gloves, smart watches, and GoPros can all affect a beacon's effective range. Be sure to keep your beacon at least 50 cm from these objects while searching. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Interestingly, we are finding that most of the new long-range beacons suffer a bit with consistency at the maximum extent of their range. The Barryvox S2, which had the second-longest recorded range of 65 meters, also struggled to lock into an accurate signal. Unlike the Neo BT Pro – with which we would have to fully stop to try and let the beacon catch up – the slight range discrepancies with the Barryvox S2 hardly interrupted our search. We also noted that beacons with shorter ranges – like those from Black Diamond and BCA – were the most reliable at the extent of their range, which was, as it turned out, right around 45 meters.
The quicker you pick up a signal the sooner you can start moving towards your target. Credit: Dom Rickicki
Conclusion
This review is designed to help lay out the nuanced differences between the avalanche beacons on the market today. Although they do not guarantee survival, beacons significantly enhance the chances of a positive outcome if you or a partner are caught and buried in an avalanche – you aren't just buying a beacon for yourself but also for your friends and backcountry partners. We understand that the importance of choosing the right one can be overwhelming. While some models are designed to suit specific user groups, remember that every beacon in our review fits the bill. But considering all of the ways you can save money while buying gear, an avalanche beacon is likely not the best piece of equipment to skimp on.
