What Cobra Electronics Corporation does

Cobra Electronics Corporation is a privately-held US designer and distributor of mobile communications and automotive electronics products, operating as a brand under parent company Cedar Electronics since the company's founding in 1961. The product portfolio spans five categories: RAD Series radar/laser detectors ($119.95-$259.95), two-way radios (consumer GMRS/FRS, professional LMR, and DMR Tier II digital business radios under the Performa sub-brand), CB radios including dual-mode AM/FM models, VHF marine radios under the BlueBound sub-brand (floating, waterproof, Class-D DSC, GPS-enabled), and SC Series smart dash cameras with cloud video management. Underlying technologies include DSP noise cancellation, Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, ARC4 digital encryption for business radios, IP67 waterproofing, MIL-STD-810H certification, and a Drive Smarter connected ecosystem that shares over 100 million crowd-sourced alerts annually. Cobra led the FCC's 2021 decision to add dual-mode AM/FM capability for US CB radios, embedding its proprietary approach as the regulatory baseline.

The business operates a multi-channel distribution model combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce through cobra.com (with free UPS ground shipping on orders $80+, 30-day returns, and price match promise), mass retail placement including Walmart-exclusive distribution for the RAD 390 radar detector, Amazon marketplace listing for RAD 490i and RAD 700i, a dedicated Business Program for organizational buyers with tiered pricing, and exclusive international distribution through Airsys covering 12 European countries. Customer segmentation spans everyday drivers seeking radar detection, professional truckers and fleet operators needing CB communication, outdoor enthusiasts purchasing GMRS radios, SMB and enterprise buyers procuring DMR Tier II digital systems, marine/boating users requiring floating waterproof radios, and families seeking recreational walkie talkies. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $29.95 (HE150 children's walkie talkie 2-pack) to $399.95 (SC 400D 4K smart dash cam), with ID.me-based discounts for military and first responders and tiered bulk pricing for business accounts.

The company maintains a US-based design team and customer support operation with sales lines at 800-964-3138 and customer service at 800-543-1608. Headcount per firmographics is 101-250 employees. Cobra does not publicly disclose revenue; it is privately held under Cedar Electronics. Recent strategic activity has been aggressive: the RAD Series was refreshed in 2026 with the RAD 390 (Walmart exclusive), RAD 490i (Amazon), and RAD 700i flagship; the Performa Digital Series debuted in Europe via Airsys in 2026; the BlueBound marine sub-brand was formalized; and sub-brands TrailBlazer (GMRS enthusiast) and Performa (DMR/LMR business) have been segmented into distinct go-to-market motions.

Name

Cobra Electronics Corporation

Legal name

Cobra Electronics

Website

https://cobra.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cobra Electronics Corporation is a US-based designer and distributor of mobile communications and automotive electronics, including radar detectors, two-way/CB/marine radios, smart dash cams, and power inverters, sold to drivers, truckers, fleets, businesses, and outdoor enthusiasts via retail, marketplace, and direct channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Communications Electronics

NAICS

Electronics and Appliance Retailers (44921), Electronics and Appliance Retailers (449210), Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing (334210)

SIC

Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores (5731), Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Wholesale-Electrical Appliances, Tv & Radio Sets (5064)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Electronics & Gadgets DTC (CRAFACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

RF, Antennas & Wireless Components Retail (CRACAKAM)

Keywords

• Radar detectors
• Two-way radios
• CB radios
• Marine VHF radios
• Dash cameras

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Consumer Electronics Hardware Sales: Direct-to-consumer and retail sales of radar detectors, dash cams, two-way radios, CB radios, marine radios, and power inverters through e-commerce, retail, and marketplace channels.
2. Business Program Sales: Tiered business pricing for organizations purchasing Cobra products in bulk. Includes demo products, volume discounts, and dedicated business sales support.
3. Accessories and Replacement Parts: Sales of complementary accessories including antennas, mounts, charging docks, headsets, batteries, and cables for all product lines. Note: Accessories do not qualify for business program discounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cobra Electronics Corporation designs, manufactures, and sells mobile communications and automotive electronics for consumer and professional markets. Core product lines include radar and laser detectors, CB radios, two-way/walkie-talkies (GMRS, FRS, DMR Tier II/LMR), marine VHF radios, smart dash cameras, and vehicle power inverters. Sales channels span direct e-commerce at cobra.com, Walmart and Amazon retail, a dedicated B2B business solutions program with tiered bulk pricing, and exclusive European distribution via Airsys. The ecosystem is supported by the Drive Smarter and iRadar mobile apps that share more than 100 million community alerts annually.

Product overview

Cobra Electronics Corporation is a communication and automotive electronics company offering a diversified portfolio of consumer and professional products. The core offerings include RAD Series radar detectors for driver safety, two-way radios spanning consumer GMRS/FRS (TrailBlazer, RX, ACXT, HE series) and professional business use (Performa Digital DMR, Performa LMR, PX FRS), CB radios for truckers and recreational drivers (29/25 series, 75 All Road), marine VHF radios (BlueBound floating series, MR fixed-mount), and SC Series smart dash cams with cloud connectivity. The ecosystem is supported by mobile apps (Drive Smarter, iRadar) for connected features and Cobra Programming Software for radio configuration. Business Solutions provides tiered commercial pricing for organizations and fleets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BlueBound: Marine VHF radio sub-brand featuring floating, waterproof handheld and fixed-mount radios for boaters with features including GPS, DSC functionality, and noise cancellation technology.
• TrailBlazer
• Performa

Products and services

• RAD Series Radar Detectors Consumer radar and laser detector line offering instant-on detection with false-alert filtering, AutoLearn intelligence, and community-based alert sharing through the Drive Smarter app. Sold to everyday drivers and commuters seeking speed enforcement awareness.
• RAD 490i Radar Detector Mid-tier radar detector delivering up to 15% more detection range and 22% quieter operation than the prior model. Features USB-C connectivity, Bluetooth with Drive Smarter app integration, and is priced at $169.95.
• RAD 700i Radar Detector Flagship Cobra radar detector with AutoLearn intelligence, premium detection features, and firmware update capability. Priced at $259.95 and available via Amazon.com.
• RAD 390 Radar Detector Entry-level radar detector providing enhanced everyday driving safety at $119.95. Features improved detection range, advanced anti-falsing technology to reduce false alerts, and firmware update compatibility. Available exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com.
• TrailBlazer GMRS Two-Way Radios GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) two-way radios for outdoor enthusiasts featuring expandable range (over 2 watts power), removable antennas, repeater capability, and rugged durability with IPX2/IP54 ratings. Lineup includes TrailBlazer 250 ($99.95), TrailBlazer 450 ($129.95), and TrailBlazer 500 ($149.95); TrailBlazer 450 won the TWICE 2026 VIP Award.
• Performa Digital Series Business Radios DMR Tier II-compliant digital business radios comprising Performa 600 Digital (2W, compact, $229.95) and Performa 850 Digital (4W, extended range, $329.95). Features IP67 waterproofing, MIL-STD-810H certification, and ARC4 digital encryption. Designed for SMBs in hospitality, retail, warehousing, education, construction, and event production.
• Performa 400/450 Series Business Radios LMR (Land Mobile Radio) licensed business band radios with dedicated channels reducing crosstalk and static. Features IP67 waterproof/dustproof rating, USB-C connectivity, 18-hour lithium-ion battery, and M1 accessory compatibility. Available in 400/450 variants in 1-pack or 6-pack configurations with contact-sales pricing.
• PX Series Business Radios (PX650, PX280) License-free FRS (Family Radio Service) business radios including PX650 and PX280. Feature splashproof IP54 rating, VOX hands-free capability, and surveillance headset compatibility. Targeted at SMB buyers needing cost-effective team communications.
• 29 Series Professional CB Radios (29 LTD, 29 LTD NW, 29 LX, 25 LTD) Professional CB radios positioned as the trucker's #1 choice. Features 4 Watts power, 40 CB channels, dual-mode AM/FM (FCC 2021 standard), NightWatch illumination (NW), and 4-color LCD display (LX). Available in Classic AM/FM, Chrome AM/FM, and compact 25 LTD variants ($139.95).
• 75 All Road Wireless CB Radio Wireless CB radio with modular 2-piece design featuring Bluetooth connectivity, dual-mode AM/FM, DSP digital noise cancellation, and waterproof IP66 rating. Includes wireless USB-powered handset, optional steering wheel PTT button, and BlueParrott headset compatibility. Priced at $159.95 (regular $199.95).
• BlueBound Floating Marine VHF Radios New floating marine radio line featuring IPX7 waterproof rating, improved speaker output, noise cancellation, and Class-D DSC functionality. Includes BlueBound 150, 350, 650, and 1350 models with GPS capabilities on higher-end units, BURP water-ejection technology, Rewind-Say-Again, and NOAA weather alerts.
• SC Series Smart Dash Cameras (SC 400D, SC 250R, SC 220C, SC 201, SC 120/110) Smart dash cameras with 360-degree alert network, simultaneous multi-channel recording (front/rear/cabin), cloud video management, GPS tagging, and integration with the Drive Smarter app for community-based alerts. Models include SC 400D 4K ($399.95 regular, $299.95 sale), SC 250R 4K ($259.95), SC 220C QHD dual front/cabin ($199.95), SC 201 dual front/interior ($179.95), and pocket-size SC 120 QHD ($69.95). Compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Vehicle Power Inverters High-efficiency DC-to-AC power inverters providing up to 3,000 watts of reliable AC power for tools and appliances. Designed for professional daily use in independent and fleet environments.
• Family and Recreational Walkie Talkies (HE150, RX100-4, ACXT360) Two-way radios for families and recreational users. Includes HE150 kid-friendly walkie talkies ($29.95 2-pack), RX100-4 family 4-pack ($59.95), and ACXT360 weather-resistant 3-pack ($79.95 regular, $89.95). Designed for outdoor activities, vacations, and group coordination without cellular dependency.
• Drive Smarter Mobile App Mobile application providing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for Cobra radar detectors and dash cams. Extends detection range through shared network alerts (over 100 million alerts annually), provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and connects to the Cobra driver community for real-time road alerts and cloud video management.
• Cobra Programming Software Desktop-based radio programming software for TrailBlazer and Performa series radios. Enables channel bank creation, privacy code configuration, profile management, radio cloning, and batch programming. Runs locally on Mac or PC via browser-based interface and requires a USB-C programming cable.
• Cobra Business Solutions Program Bulk purchasing program for organizations, businesses, and professional drivers. Benefits include tiered pricing discounts, demo products, and dedicated sales support (1-800-964-3138 ext 3). Encompasses Business Communications solutions for professional radios and Trucking & Fleet Solutions for professional CB radios, power inverters, and smart dashcams.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 15% more detection range and 22% quieter operation in RAD 490i vs previous model
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AirsyscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 January 2026Distribution partnership for Cobra's PMR446 two-way radio solutions throughout the UK and broader European market. Airsys, a specialist distributor of professional communication solutions, represents Cobra's full product line serving hospitality, retail, warehousing, education, construction, and event production industries. Both CEOs highlighted shared commitment to quality and customer success as foundation for partnership, positioning it as milestone in Cobra's international growth.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Whistler Group: Whistler is a direct peer in radar/laser detectors and is explicitly named alongside Cobra as a key player in the global radar detector market. Comparable product positioning and channel overlap make it one of Cobra's most relevant comparables.
• Midland Radio: Midland directly overlaps Cobra's two-way radio business across consumer GMRS/FRS, CB radios, and weather radios. The companies target similar outdoor enthusiast, family, and small business customer segments.
• Uniden America: Uniden is one of the closest direct competitors to Cobra, offering radar detectors, CB radios, marine VHF radios, and consumer two-way radios in the same North American retail and DTC channels. Both brands compete head-to-head in the RAD and CB categories referenced in Cobra's market commentary.
• Valentine Research: Valentine Research is a focused, premium radar detector competitor named alongside Cobra in third-party market analyses. While narrower in product scope, it competes directly for the enthusiast/premium segment Cobra addresses with the RAD 700i.
• Icom: Icom is a direct peer in VHF marine radios and professional/business two-way radios, including DMR-tier products. Cobra's BlueBound marine line and Performa DMR series compete in the same category with overlapping commercial buyer segments.

Emerging players

• Nextbase: Nextbase is a leading dash cam specialist with strong consumer brand recognition and growing connected features. It competes with Cobra's SC Series in the smart dash cam category, particularly in the U.S. and European retail channels.
• Hytera: Hytera is a global challenger in DMR Tier II/III professional radio systems, directly competitive with Cobra's Performa Digital Series in the European and SMB segments. Relevant peer for Cobra's recent European market entry through Airsys.

Broad incumbents

• Motorola Solutions: Motorola Solutions is a broad incumbent dominating professional LMR and DMR digital radio systems for enterprise and public-safety customers — a market Cobra's Performa series targets at the SMB tier. Comparable technology category, larger scale, and deeper institutional relationships.
• Garmin: Garmin is a broad incumbent in automotive electronics, marine electronics, GPS, and dash cams — overlapping Cobra's SC Series dash cams and BlueBound marine lines. Significantly larger scale and broader category reach.
• Kenwood (JVCKENWOOD): Kenwood offers professional two-way radios, DMR/P25 infrastructure, and consumer audio products. It overlaps Cobra in business communications and marine electronics, operating as a broader incumbent with a wider product portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CobraElectronic
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Cobraelectronic
• Facebookfacebook.com/CobraElectronic
• Instagraminstagram.com/cobra_electronics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cobra-electronics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cobra Electronics Corporation