Baofeng radios are the best budget-friendly options available for ham radio buyers. But Baofeng has a lot of different models. Buying the best baofeng ham radio could be tricky.

That is why we did all the hard work for you so that you can make the right decision when it comes to picking the perfect Baofeng radio.

If you are tired of going around in circles and don’t know which Baofeng radio you should buy, this detailed Baofeng radio review and buying guide will help you. So, gear up!

Which Is The Best Baofeng Handheld Ham Radio?

After using a lot of Baofeng Ham radios, I can say that the Baofeng BF-F8HP Dual Band Two-Way Radio is the best Baofeng radio. With 8-Watt output and a high-gain V-85 antenna for such a low price, makes BF-F8HP our top pick. The Baofeng BF-F8HP is a great choice for amateurs as well as experts. In case you are in a hurry and need a quick summary, here are the best Baofeng ham Radios picked by our experts.

1. #1. Baofeng BF-F8HP Dual Band Two-Way Radio – The Overall Winner
2. #2. BaoFeng UV-82HP High Power Radio – Budget Pick
3. #3. Baofeng UV-5RE+ 8 Watt Ham Radio
4. #4. Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R
5. #5. Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+
6. #6. Baofeng UV-5R
7. #7. Baofeng UV-5RA
8. #8. Baofeng BF-888S

Before I start with the list of the top 8 Baofeng ham radios to choose from, let me first answer a few questions that I think you must learn if you are still a rookie in the world of ham radio.

• Are Baofeng Ham Radios Legal in the USA?
• Do we need a permit to operate a ham radio in the USA?
• What Precautions do we need to take while using a ham Radio?

Sounds good? Let’s begin.

#1. Baofeng BF-F8HP Dual Band Two-Way Radio

Keeping aside my reservations, the Baofeng BF-F8HP is indeed the most potent ham radio the company has to offer.

Though this model has a maximum output of 8 watts, there are two more power settings. They are Low and Medium with 1 watt and 4 watts outputs, respectively. Depending on your output choice, the transmission power will change.

The frequency range that you can get with this model is 136 to 174 MHz for VHF and 400 to 520 MHz for UHF.

If you remember from the writeup earlier, for the UHF 70 centimeters band, the allowed frequency range is 430-440 MHz. The model offers 400 to 520 MHz for the UHF band. So, you need to program it before using it. You should not use a frequency above the allowed range. You can land yourself in trouble.

The transmission mode that Baofeng BF-F8HP uses is the semi-duplex mode (or simple). It means that you can transmit and receive, but not simultaneously.

The 2000mAh battery lasts for 24 hours if you continuously use it at medium power (5 watts). It will last for 20 hours tops if you use it at max power of 8 watts.

#2. BaoFeng UV-82HP High Power Dual Band Two-Way Radio BaoFeng UV-82HP Radio Review

The BF-F8HP wasn’t the only one from Baofeng with high power output. The UV-82HP is yet another one in the 8-Watt power output segment. Some of you may recall that Baofeng targeted the UV-82 series towards both commercial and amateur radio users.

However, the UV-82HP is a spin-off of the same UV-82 series but only for amateur ham enthusiasts.

What sets it apart is its 7/8-Watt power output that allows excellent range. Guess what? It also includes the V-85 high gain antenna! You get it, right? High power output plus a great dual-band antenna – that’s a recipe for long-range transmissions!

There are three different power settings available on this radio. They are – 1 Watt, 4 Watts, and 7/8 Watts. In case you want to use the VHF range, the power output you will need is 8 Watts. For the UHF range, you need 7 Watts. There are a total of 3 different frequency ranges available – UHF (400-520 MHz), VHF (136-174 MHz), and Commercial FM radio reception range of 65-108 MHz.

In case you wish to use the UHF range, make sure that you program your handheld radio to stay within the range 430-440 MHz. You can program the radio using its keypad or using a computer or a laptop. If you are using a desktop or a laptop, you will need a programming cable along with programming software.

The most exciting feature, in my opinion, is that it has a dual PTT button, which allows using two different frequencies by merely flipping the switch up or down. Pushing up will allow you to transmit to Frequency A while pushing down will allow you to transmit to Frequency B. You can even reconfigure the dual PPT switch to work as a single PPT button.

Also, the UV-82HP has the ability to send DTMF tones, which means that you can send caller ID or ANI to remote commands that usually required DTMF.

It is needless to say that, like any other amateur ham radio, it uses the semi-duplex transmission mode. You can transmit and receive, but you cannot do that simultaneously.

Here is the list of things you will get in the BaoFeng UV-82HP High Power Dual Band Two-Way Radio new package.

• The UV-82HP radio.
• A power adapter.
• A battery charger.
• One earpiece.
• A hand strap.
• A belt clip.
• One user manual.

#3. Baofeng UV-5RE+ 8 Watt Ham Radio Baofeng UV-5RE+ 8 Watt Ham Radio Review

In case you like the 8-Watt power output instead of the standard 5 Watts, the Baofeng UV-5RE+ may be a good option. This particular radio is one of the many variants you can find in the UV-5R series. The UV-5RE+ comes with some interesting upgrades, which include a Gamtaai NA-771 high gain retractable antenna and a cranked-up power output of 8 Watts. Together, they can increase the coverage range if that is what you are looking for.

Though it has an 8-Watt power output, you can use 5-Watt or 1-Watt power output as well.

In addition, the ham offers an acoustic tube earpiece to improve the sound output. Well, the earpiece does help, but the absence of a voice companding feature will surely make a dent in the overall sound quality.

You can read our in-depth Baofeng UV-5R Review here.

It comes with a 2800 mAh battery, hands-free operating with VOX function, LED light, low battery and emergency alert, 128 channels, 104 DCS, and 50 CTCSS codes for security, keypad lock, etc.

The frequency ranges that you get with the UV-5RE+ are 65-108 MHz (FM radio reception), 136-174 MHz (VHF), and 400-520 MHz (UHF). It works in a semi-duplex or simple transmission mode.

It is better that you program the ham before using it. You will not get a programming cable with the radio. You need to buy it separately. You may also save money by ditching the cable altogether. You can use the keypad for programming the gadget.

Things you will find in the new Baofeng UV-5RE+ 8Watt Ham Radio package.

• One the Baofeng UV-5RE+ Radio (or walkie talkie).
• One GAMTAAI NA-771R Antenna.
• One acoustic tube earpiece from GAMTAAI.
• One standard antenna.
• One 2800 mAh battery.
• One belt clip and one hand strap.
• One adapter and one desktop charger.
• One user manual in the English language.

#4. Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio with TIDRADIO 771 Antenna Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Review

You should not think of the Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio with TIDRADIO 771 Antenna as some cheap toy. It isn’t! It is a fully-functional two-way ham radio.

The radio offers both VHF and UHF with ranges 136-174 MHz and 400-520 MHz, respectively. The best part of the radio is the TIDRADIO 771 Antenna, which is a high gain. It means that you can talk with relative ease over long distances.

Yet another striking feature of the radio is its crystal clear voice output. The gadget achieves this with the help of the famous and reliable squelch technology known for effective voice companding.

The squelch technology cleanses the wave frequencies and provides a clear sound. This feature is especially helpful while using radio communications in areas with poor signals.

The Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R comes with a programming cable that will allow you to program your radio the way you want. However, to do so, you will need a software program on your computer. In case you don’t have a programming software on your computer, you can use the radio’s keypad to program it.

The ham radio has the ability to reject unnecessary calls; it comes with a spare battery, it has a power-saving mode, and the radio comes with 128 channels allowing you to save the most-used frequencies.

The Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio uses semi-duplex mode (or simple) for transmission.

If you are wondering about the things you will get in the package, here is the list:

• The device (Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio).
• One TIDRADIO 771 high gain antenna.
• One radio mic.
• Power adapter.
• 2 x 1800 mAh rechargeable Li-ion batteries.
• One Baofeng programming cable.
• Earpiece.
• Belt clip
• Battery charger.
• User manual.

Benefits of Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R:

• The high gain TIDRADIO 771 antenna increase the coverage range.
• It has a very long battery standby life, and the extra battery makes it a perfect companion in emergencies or long hiking.
• It comes with a controlled power consumption feature and squelch technology for voice companding.
• The programming cable comes with the package, eliminating the need for additional purchases.
• It also allows us to tune into FM radio frequency of 65 MHz to 108 MHz.

Cons of Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R:

• The low power output of 4 watts to 5 watts is a bit disappointing. Higher output would have increased its range significantly. However, to be honest, 4-5 watt is usually the standard output.
• It is capable of scanning only three frequencies per second.

#5. Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Dual-Band Two-Way Radio Review of Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Dual-Band Two-Way Radio

Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ radio is one of the many iterations of the UV-5R model. Weirdly enough, the Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Plus (USA Warranty) Dual-Band Two-Way Radio is no different from the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way Radio (Black) below (#5).

Albeit, there are a few upgrades that make it slightly better. It has the same set of features, which include FM transceiver (multiband with a frequency range of 65 MHz to 180 MHz), 104 DCS, and 50 CTCSS codes for maintaining the privacy of your communications, 128 channels, priority channel scanning, etc.

Yes, it has the same set of features! You will also get VHF and UHF ranges of 136 MHz to 174 MHz and 400 MHz to 520 MHz, respectively. You can enjoy hands-free operations with built-in VOX function.

Now the question is, what makes Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Plus (USA Warranty) different from the Baofeng UV-5R V Dual Band Two-Way Radio?

Only three things differ:

• It comes with an upgraded LED screen that has two colors. The screen is brighter.
• It has a metal casing, making the radio far sturdier.
• It can accommodate UV-5R 3800mah and 3600mah extended batteries.

It is needless to say that the support for the extended batteries is a plus point, which makes it a better option compared to the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way Radio (Black).

Metal casing and sturdy build might not be a big advantage. How you handle a radio makes a lot of difference, at least, that is what it is for me.

As before, it uses a semi-duplex or simple transmission mode where you can transmit and receive one at a time. Also, make sure that you program the radio before using it. You can use the keypad or a computer and a programming cable. However, if you are using a programming cable along with a cable, you will need programming software.

Here is the list of things you will get when you buy this radio.

• The Baofeng UV-5R V2+ radio.
• One rechargeable 1800 mAh Li-ion battery.
• One antenna.
• One earphone mic/headset.
• One adapter.
• One desktop charger.
• One hand strap and one belt clip.

Advantages of Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Plus (USA Warranty) Dual-Band Two-Way Radio

• Support for extended batteries makes it a better choice.
• Hands-free operation is great while driving.
• The metal casing makes it sturdy.

Disadvantages of Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Plus (USA Warranty) Dual-Band Two-Way Radio

• Poor antenna and low power output give it a very limited range.
• At 700 mW, the speaker output is poor.
• The included 1800 mAh battery can last up to 12 hours.
• No extra battery included.

#6. Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way Radio Baofeng UV-5R Review

Economical, compact, high channel capacity and easy programming, the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way Radio was once a popular choice for many amateur radio enthusiasts. Many people did upgrade to the 3^rd generation Baofeng BF-F8HP model, but this second-generation Baofeng UV-5R model remains popular.

This radio comes with three different frequency ranges, which are:

• For FM – 65 MHz to 180 MHz.
• For VHF – 136 MHz to 174 MHz.
• For UHF – 400 MHz to 520 MHz.

As before, you will have to program it to prevent any problems because the frequency range is higher than what a ham radio should have. Programming is quite easy. You can use either the radio’s keypad or you can opt for a computer or a laptop. In case you are going for a computer/laptop, you will need a programming cable and programming software.

What’s interesting about the Baofeng UV-5R model is its 50 CTCSS and 104 DCS coding. These are security codes that ensure that the communications are private.

The radio also offers the ability to scan priority channels and hands-free operation using voice-operated transmit.

This radio has a semi-duplex or simple transmission mode, which will allow you to both transmit and receive but one at a time. You cannot do both at once.

The items that you can find in the package are:

• The Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way Radio.
• One 1800 mAh Li-ion battery.
• One antenna.
• One headset/earphone mic.
• One adapter.
• One desktop charger.
• One belt clip and one hand strap.

You will also get an English manual with this radio.

Advantages of Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way  Radio

• The radio comes with a built-in VOX function to allow hands-free operation. VOX stands for Voice Operated Exchange.
• It has a built-in flashlight.
• It is capable of giving emergency and low-battery alerts.
• It has multiple power outputs. The maximum you can get is 5 Watts while the other two are 1 Watt and 4 Watts.
• It is lightweight and easy to use.

Disadvantages of Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two-Way Radio

There are several things I did not like about this radio. Here is the complete list of things that could have been better:

• At 700 mW, the speaker output is quite disappointing. It may cause problems in noisy areas.
• At 12 hours of peak usage, the battery life is quite disappointing, especially when you are taking the radio on multi-day hiking/trekking. Even in SHTF situations, 12 hours of battery life is a bit disappointing. Worse, the package doesn’t contain a spare battery. You need to buy an extra battery separately.
• The maximum power output is 5 watts, which is not great. It could have been a good option if the manufacturer included a separate high gain antenna. Unfortunately, even the antenna is not that great!

#7. Baofeng UV-5RA Ham Two Way Radio Dual-Band Transceiver Baofeng UV-5RA Ham Two Way Radio Review

Compact handheld ham radio for rookies, the Baofeng UV-5RA Two Way Radio is great to get started with ham radio experience. If you are thinking of getting great coverage, amazing features, this is not the correct one.

Because it belongs to the same UV-5R series family, you will find similar features. For instance, you will get a frequency range of 136-174 MHz for VHF and 400-52 MHz for UHF.

It comes with 128 channels capacity and allows hands-free operation using the VOX function. It, too, comes with 50 CTCSS and 104 DCS codes to keep your communications safe.

You can use the radio to tune into commercial FM radio on the frequency range 65-108 MHz.

Interestingly, this ham comes with a dual PTT or push-to-talk button, which will allow you to transmit on two different bands.

The dual PTT button will also allow you to program the radio. I will, however, suggest that you do so using a computer and a programming cable. You will have to buy the cable separately.

The max power output is 4 Watts, but it can also operate at a lower output of 1 Watt. The included battery can give 9 to 12 hours of peak usage.

It operates in a semi-duplex or simple transmission mode where you can transmit and receive, but one at a time.

Things you will find in the package:

• One Baofeng UV-5RA Two Way Radio.
• One 1800 mAh battery.
• One hand strap and one belt clip.
• One adapter and one desktop charger.
• One earphone.
• One antenna.
• One manual in the English language.

Advantages of Baofeng UV-5RA Two Way Radio

• It is very simple to use with dual PTT keys.
• It comes with a VOX function that allows hands-free operation.
• It has a very low price.

Disadvantages of Baofeng UV-5RA Two Way Radio

• The antenna is not great, and neither is the power output. These two things are important for better coverage.
• The build quality is terrible, and one sharp fall can be disastrous.
• The battery is disappointing too!

#8. Baofeng BF-888S Two Way Radio

If simplicity and fun are all that you are looking for from your first experience with ham radio without worrying about features, the Baofeng BF-888S might be the right choice for you. It is so simple that even children can use it.

The Baofeng BF-888S works in the frequency range 400 to 470 MHz. That’s the frequency range for UHF. You will not get FM or VHF frequency range.

The radio has two big knobs on the top. One knob will allow you to change the channel. There are total 16 available channels. Using this device, you can talk to just about anyone who has this device and is on your channel.

The other knob will let you turn on the radio. Twist it, and when you hear a voice, you will know that the radio is on.

The radio comes with a flashlight, one 1500 mAh battery, an antenna, intelligent charging, and surprisingly enough, VOX function. The VOX function will allow you to use the radio in a hands-free mode.

The ham radio has a long-range, and you can talk up to a distance of 6 kilometers.

Things you will find in the package:

• Baofeng BF-888S radio – 6 pieces!
• 6 earpieces.
• 6 desktop chargers.
• 6 Li-ion 1500 mAh batteries.
• 6 antennas.
• 6 belt clips.

Advantages of Baofeng BF-888S Radio

• It is very easy to use.
• It has a long range.
• It offers hands-free operation with VOX function.
• It is a computer programmable with a separate programming cable.
• It has a pretty clear sound.
• You can replace the battery with a more powerful battery.

Disadvantages of Baofeng BF-888S Radio

• The battery is quite a disappointment.
• You need to buy the programming cable separately if you want to program it.
• It allows only the UHF frequency range. It has no support for VHF and FM.

Important Things you should know before Buying a Baofeng Ham Radio

Okay, now that I have answered some basic questions that people usually ask, it is time to give you the list of top 8 Baofeng radios.

Conclusion of the Best Baofeng Radio

In case you have read the segment where I discussed how to select a ham radio, you will know that there are a few factors that play a vital role. What are they?

• Frequency range.
• Antenna.
• Power output.
• Battery.

Based on these parameters, the clear winner, in my opinion, is the Baofeng BF-F8HP Dual Band Two-Way Radio. It comes with a high gain antenna and up to 8 Watts of power output. It has a powerful 2000 mAh battery as well that can last up to 24 hours, depending on the frequency you are choosing.

That, however, doesn’t mean that the rest aren’t good. All the radios that I have listed here are great for amateur use. How efficiently you use it will depend on how much experience you have with ham radios.

If it is your first-time experience with ham radio, things can look a bit complicated, but as you keep exploring, you will get comfortable way sooner than you realize.

What precautions should you take while operating ham radios?

There are several things you should keep in mind to stay out of trouble. What are those things? Read on!

• You must have a Ham Radio license to transmit using amateur radios. The minimum you need is a ‘Technician’ license. You can use the radio to listen (not to send transmissions) if you don’t have a permit.
• Some ham radios (even the handheld ones like Baofeng) are quite powerful, and they can get into frequency ranges reserved for military use. If that happens, you can be at odds with the military or the FCC. You don’t want to be on their crosshairs. It would help if you programmed your radio to specific amateur channels or emergency channels to avoid such issues.

What are the benefits of using Baofeng ham radio?

Using ham radio has many benefits. Some of them are:

• They can become a lifesaver in emergencies like power grid failure, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, etc. when the internet or the cellular network do not work. Not only can the radio operators get in touch with their loved ones quickly, but they can also help emergency response teams in rescue efforts.
• Ham radios have long battery life, making room for long hours of communication during emergencies.
• Ham operators can communicate with astronauts present in the space station.

How should you compare different ham radios?

There are many things that you should be comparing. However, the essential features that you should compare are:

• What is the power output of the radios?
• What is the operating frequency range of the radios?
• What is the antenna size of the radios?
• Are the radios single-band or dual-band?
• What are the available transmission modes of the radios?
• What is the battery capacity of the radios?
• Are the radios user-friendly?
• What is an Amplifier?

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Do you know any other Best Baofeng ham radio? If yes, then do let us know about your

You can ask many questions, but the factors I mentioned above are the most important ones when it comes to comparing the handheld ham radios. It would help if you asked these questions even for Baofeng radios.

External Resources:

• Baofeng Radios
• Ham Radios