10 Best Baofeng Handheld Ham Radios 2025 in the United States

The Baofeng 5RM is a versatile handheld ham radio designed for users who need reliable communication across multiple settings like agriculture, construction, security, and outdoor activities. It supports a wide frequency range including VHF, UHF, and additional bands such as 1.25M and 350MHz, which makes it flexible for various communication needs. With a 10-watt power output, it offers a decent long-range reach—up to around 8 kilometers in good conditions—suitable for most outdoor and work environments. The battery is a 2500mAh rechargeable lithium-ion type, providing reasonable usage time and convenient USB Type-C charging, which is a welcome upgrade for ease and speed of charging. The radio’s 1.77-inch screen is relatively large for this category, making the interface easier to navigate. It supports up to 999 memory channels and allows programming through several methods including direct keypad entry, computer software, and CHIRP, catering to both beginners and more experienced users.

Additional features like NOAA weather alerts, an emergency alarm, and an integrated flashlight add practical value, especially for outdoor and emergency situations. However, the radios are not water-resistant, which could be a drawback for users needing rugged durability in harsh weather or wet conditions. The package includes 10 units with batteries, chargers, earpieces, and accessories, making it ideal for group use or organizations needing multiple radios. In summary, the Baofeng 5RM provides strong multi-band functionality, solid power, and user-friendly features at a good value but lacks weatherproofing, so it is best suited for general outdoor use where water exposure is limited.

The BAOFENG UV-5RM is a solid choice for anyone looking for a versatile handheld ham radio that covers a wide frequency range including VHF, UHF, FM, AM, and NOAA channels. Its upgraded 10W power output, combined with a long high-gain antenna, supports stable communications up to around 10 miles under ideal conditions, which is great for outdoor activities like hiking or camping. The included 2500mAh battery with USB Type-C charging offers decent battery life, suitable for day-long use, though heavy users might want spare batteries for extended outings.

This model features a clear 1.8-inch color display that makes reading frequencies and settings easier compared to older models with monochrome screens. It supports a large memory of 999 channels, making it convenient to store and quickly switch between frequencies. The one-click frequency copy and scanning functions simplify setup, particularly helpful for users new to ham radios or in situations where quick channel access is important.

Durability is enhanced by a water-repellent design, though it isn’t fully waterproof, so some care around moisture is advised. The package comes with hand microphones, earpieces, and belt clips, which add to ease of use and privacy during conversations. The radio offers many features like VOX, DTMF, and power-on password protection, though using some advanced functions may require a bit of learning. The BAOFENG UV-5RM delivers good power, extensive frequency support, and user-friendly features at a reasonable price, making it well-suited for outdoor enthusiasts, amateur radio hobbyists, and those needing reliable two-way communication in various environments. Beginners may appreciate the simple frequency copy feature, but some patience might be needed to fully master all its capabilities.

The Baofeng UV-5R 20-pack is a versatile set of handheld ham radios, ideal for groups needing reliable communication over medium distances, such as farms, security teams, or event staff. It supports both VHF and UHF frequency bands, which covers a wide range of channels and makes it compatible with many communication setups. With up to 128 memory channels and features like adjustable squelch, CTCSS/DCS codes, and an emergency SOS alarm, it offers good flexibility for customizing and managing communication.

The radios include a clear LCD display with backlight and user-friendly functions like voice prompts and scan mode, helping users navigate settings easily. Battery life is powered by 1800mAh rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which should be sufficient for typical daily use but might require recharging during extended outings. One drawback is the radios are not water-resistant, so they need to be protected from rain or wet conditions.

The package includes all necessary accessories like earpieces, chargers, belt clips, and straps, making it convenient to deploy right away. Not designed for the toughest environments, these radios still provide a solid choice for groups needing affordable, easy-to-use ham radios with good channel capacity and essential extras, offering long-range capability of up to around 5 km.