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-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 Greaval Baofeng UV-5R 3-pack is a solid choice for anyone needing reliable handheld ham radios, especially beginners or small groups. It covers a wide frequency range on both UHF and VHF bands, ensuring compatibility with many other radios. With 128 memory channels, you have plenty of room to store different frequencies for quick access. The radios offer three power levels, allowing you to adjust between longer range and conserving battery life.

Included are rechargeable 1800 mAh lithium-ion batteries that can last up to 20 hours, suitable for extended use, along with a car charger for added convenience. The radios are compact and water-resistant, enhancing durability for outdoor or worksite use. Their digital display and simple interface make operation easier, even for less experienced users. The set also includes essential accessories like earpieces and a programming cable, so compatible parts are ready to use. While water-resistant, they should be kept away from heavy rain or submersion, and a license is required for legal operation.

Programming the radios may require some initial learning, but the included programming cable facilitates the process. This package provides a convenient, cost-effective solution for group communication over moderate to long distances, making it suitable for hobbyists, event coordinators, and small business teams.