If you've been looking at Baofeng radios for more than five minutes, you've probably hit the same wall everyone else does: there are a dozen models, they all sound roughly the same on paper, and the price differences don't always make sense. UV-5R this, K5 that, UV-25 Plus, DM-32UV — what's the actual difference, and which one should you actually buy?
That's exactly what this guide is for. I went through every model Baofeng currently makes — the ones that work on ham radio bands, not the GMRS-only versions — and broke down what each one does well, who it's built for, and whether the price is worth it. By the end, you should know exactly which radio fits your situation and your budget.
A quick note on bands: “tri-band” means a radio covers UHF, VHF, and the 1.25M band. Most of these are dual-band (UHF/VHF) — I'll flag the tri-band ones. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Start Here: The Cheapest Way To Get On the Air
GT-5R Pro — $22.99
Best for: First-timers who want USB-C and airband at a low price.
The GT-5R Pro is one of the most affordable ways to get on the air. Dual-band UHF/VHF, airband receive, NOAA weather, and CHIRP programming. For twenty-two bucks, you can't argue with what's in the box.
UV-5R — $16.99
Best for: The lowest price in the family — for buyers who want the original.
The model that started it all. At $16.99 it's the cheapest way into the UV-5R family. 4 watts, 128 channels, dual-band UHF/VHF. Every YouTube tutorial, forum thread, and troubleshooting guide was written about this radio. It's the reference point every other variant is compared to.
UV-5R 25th Anniversary Edition — $29.99
Best for: Buyers who want the iconic look with modern conveniences.
Same platform as the original with two meaningful upgrades: a transparent shell with anniversary badge and custom keycaps, and a USB-C rechargeable battery instead of the old barrel charger. If the look appeals to you, the USB-C alone is worth the seven-dollar premium over the base model.
UV-5RM Plus — $26.99
Best for: Most people, most situations. The default recommendation.
10 watts, USB-C, 999 channels, airband receive, CHIRP compatible. Around the same price as the 25th Anniversary, but you're getting more power and a bigger channel capacity. If you don't know which UV-5R to get, this is where you start.
This is also the multi-band pick in the family — airband and wider receive than the standard UV-5R.
UV-5RM Plus GPS — $36.99
Best for: Hikers, event volunteers, anyone who needs GPS capability.
Same platform as the UV-5RM Plus with GPS added. If you're running comms at a public event, working in search and rescue, or just want your coordinates accessible in an emergency, this is the option. Ten dollars more than the base model.
If GPS is your main reason for buying, this is the family's GPS option — also see the dedicated GPS picks below.
UV-5R Mini — $18.99
Best for: Travelers, go-kit builders, anyone who needs compact.
A smaller UV-5R. 1.44-inch color screen, USB-C charging, available in a few case colors (quartz, amber, grey). The tradeoff is a smaller battery — shorter runtime between charges. If size and weight are a priority — long hikes, travel, compact emergency kit — the Mini is purpose-built for that.
Tri-Band Radios
K6 — $23.99
Best for:Cheapest tri-band, with USB-C charging.
Tri-band UHF/VHF/1.25M at 5 watts, 999 channels, 2600mAh battery, and USB-C charging — so it tops up from the same cable as your phone. This is the budget way into tri-band. The step up from here is the K5 Plus, which adds 10W tri-power output (10/7/4W) — so if you want more reach, that's the upgrade, not this.
K63 — $29.99
Best for:Tri-band buyers who want wireless frequency copy.
Costs a little more than the K6, but the K63's standout feature is wireless frequency copy — program it off another radio without a cable, which is handy in the field. 6 watts, 999 channels, 2600mAh battery. If you don't care about USB-C and want the fastest no-cable setup, this is the pick over the K6.
K5 Plus — $24.99
Best for: Buyers who want tri-band with more power and range.
The K6's bigger sibling. Tri-band UHF/VHF/1.25M with 10W tri-power output (10/7/4W), so you get more reach than the K6 when terrain or distance calls for it. If 1.25M is active in your area — some rural and mountain regions still use it — and you want power to match, this is the one. App programming, NOAA weather receive.
UV-21R — $24.99
Best for: Users who want tri-band + a large screen in a compact body.
1.77-inch color screen, tri-band, wireless frequency copy, USB-C charging. Puts useful information front and center without the bulk of a full-size radio. If you want the screen size but don't need GPS, this sits at a natural intersection of features and price.
GPS Radios
UV-7B — $28.99
Best for: Buyers who want GPS + color screen at mid-range price.
1.77-inch color display, GPS, dual-band, 1000 channels, USB-C charging, app programming. At $28 this is the most feature-per-dollar option in the mid-range. If you're comparing this against a base UV-5R, the UV-7B wins on specs almost every time. It should be higher on everyone's consideration list than it typically is.
UV-32 — $37.99
Best for: Buyers who want dual-band + GPS + large color display.
10 watts, dual-band UHF/VHF, GPS, 2-inch color display, 1000 channels, CHIRP compatible. If you want GPS and a big screen but don't need 1.25M band coverage, this is the more economical choice versus the tri-band options.
For a GPS radio that's also part of the UV-5R family, see the UV-5RM Plus GPS above.
Rugged and Waterproof
UV-9R — $33.00
Best for: Outdoor users, wet environments, anyone who needs waterproof.
Not every radio handles rain well. The UV-9R is IP57 rated — dust-tight and survives brief submersion in water. For field work, maritime environments, or just operating in unpredictable weather, IP ratings matter. Most Baofeng models have no water resistance rating at all. If durability in wet conditions is on your list, this is the option at $33.
Most Features: The Flagships
UV-25 — $45.99
Best for: Heavy daily users who want the biggest battery and airband.
The UV-25 keeps dual-band UHF/VHF but adds a 5200mAh battery — significantly larger than most models — airband receive, and frequency copy. 10 watts, USB-C charging, 999 channels. If you use your radio regularly — weekly nets, field days, event support — the battery life alone is worth the forty-six dollar price.
UV-28 Plus — $49.99
Best for: Buyers who want tri-band + GPS + compact form factor.
Tri-band UHF/VHF/1.25M, GPS, 1.77-inch color screen, app programming, 2200mAh battery. Similar feature set to the UV-32 but with tri-band coverage and a different form factor. Compare the two side-by-side — the shape and hand feel differ enough that one may suit you better than the other.
This is the tri-band sibling to the UV-32 in the GPS section above — if GPS is your main driver, compare the two.
UV-25 Plus — $54.99
Best for: Users who want the most complete Baofeng.
Tri-band UHF/VHF/1.25M, GPS, 5200mAh battery, 2-inch color display, 1000 channels, and fall detection alert. The radio can send a notification if it detects a hard fall and doesn't detect movement afterward. If you're operating in a professional or semi-professional context — search and rescue, event management, emergency prep — the UV-25 Plus is the most capable Baofeng available. The price reflects everything that's been built into it.
Going Digital: DMR
DM-32UV — $69.99
Best for: Operators ready to move from analog into DMR digital.
The DM-32UV is Baofeng's DMR radio — it works on DMR Tier II, which means when you hit a DMR repeater network, you get clearer audio and better spectrum efficiency than analog. Dual-band UHF/VHF, 2-inch color display, 4,000 channels, 50,000 contacts, receives FM, AM, and NOAA with alert.
DMR is where a lot of analog users eventually land. If you're getting serious about digital operation, this is Baofeng's most capable entry point into that world. Programming is more involved than a standard analog radio — plan to spend some time with it.
Which Should You Buy?
Here's the short version:
- First radio, tightest budget → UV-5R ($16.99)
- Cheapest current model with USB-C + airband → GT-5R Pro ($22.99)
- Smallest / most packable → UV-5R Mini ($18.99)
- Most people, most situations → UV-5RM Plus ($26.99)
- Iconic UV-5R look + USB-C → UV-5R 25th Anniversary ($29.99)
- Cheapest tri-band → K6 ($23.99)
- Tri-band with more power (10W) → K5 Plus
- Need GPS → UV-5RM Plus GPS ($36.99) or UV-7B / UV-32
- Waterproof → UV-9R ($33.00)
- Most complete Baofeng → UV-25 Plus ($54.99)
- Going digital → DM-32UV ($69.99)
These aren't hard rules — your specific situation drives which one makes sense. But if you're starting out and feeling lost, the UV-5RM Plus is the right default. It's what most people end up buying, and for good reason.
What to Watch Out For
Buy from an authorized seller. Counterfeit Baofeng radios exist and they don't perform like the real thing. Buy direct from Radioddity or a known authorized dealer — the savings aren't worth the frustration of a knockoff.
Check your local regulations. Know what you're allowed to transmit on before you key up. Some frequencies require specific license privileges.
CHIRP programming works on most of these. It's free, works on Windows and Mac, and there's a massive community of users who've documented every quirk. Plan to spend an evening learning it — it's not complicated, just unfamiliar at first.
If you upgrade the antenna, get the right connector. Every Baofeng here uses a reverse SMA connector, so a standard SMA antenna won't thread on without an adapter. Order the right connector type or a Baofeng-specific antenna and save yourself the headache.
If you have questions about a specific model or need help picking the right radio for your situation, drop a comment below.
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