10 Best Baofeng Handheld Ham Radios 2025 in the United States

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.

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-5R 8W handheld ham radios come in a pack of 10, making them ideal for groups like school teams or event management needing reliable communication devices. They cover both VHF and UHF frequency bands, providing flexibility for different communication needs. With 8 watts of power, these radios can reach up to about 8 kilometers under good conditions, which is decent for outdoor or team use, though not meant for extreme long-range communication. The 1800mAh batteries offer moderate battery life suitable for day-long use, and the radios include a power saver mode to extend usage.

The radios have 128 programmable memory channels allowing users to store many frequencies, which is a plus for versatility. The display is a simple LCD with adjustable backlight colors, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. The interface provides several useful functions like VOX (hands-free talk), scanning channels, dual watch, and emergency SOS alerts, enhancing safety and convenience.

In terms of durability, these radios are lightweight but not water-resistant, so they require care in wet or harsh environments. The package includes headsets, chargers, belt clips, and straps, which adds good value and convenience when equipping a team. Some drawbacks include limited water protection and potentially complex initial programming for users unfamiliar with ham radios. However, the radios offer solid performance and features at a budget-friendly price point, making them a strong choice for beginners or groups needing multiple units for reliable short to mid-range communication.