RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026ABBREE AR-30W vs Retevis A3
Our pick
ABBREE AR-30W$86.96
The AR-30W comes out ahead based on better listed specifications for the price. Both radios lack published transmit power figures and neither supports DMR or APRS, making the specs effectively tied on core features. The decisive difference is GPS—the AR-30W includes it while the A3 doesn't. At nearly identical prices, this is a meaningful advantage for users wanting position tracking or emergency location capabilities. The AR-30W also scores significantly higher on RadioRanked's composite metric, which reflects better specifications relative to cost.
Owner feedback slightly favors the AR-30W. Buyers report 4.0 out of 5 stars across 7 Amazon reviews, compared to 3.6 stars from 31 reviews for the A3. While the A3 has more reviews, the AR-30W's higher rating represents what current owners report about their experience.
The AR-30W is the better choice for anyone valuing GPS functionality or wanting better listed specs at the same price point. The A3 might appeal only if you specifically prefer its form factor or have other unstated requirements, though the evidence doesn't support that case here.
Buy the AR-30W unless you have specific reasons favoring the A3 that aren't reflected in these specifications.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-constrained buyer wanting the lowest price
It costs less than the Retevis A3 while still covering VHF and UHF with 500 channels and GPS.
ABBREE AR-30WNew licensee building a first shack
Its beginner-friendly setup and GPS feature make it a practical first radio for a new licensee.
ABBREE AR-30WVehicle installation for RV or truck
It suits mobile use in vehicles and coordinated net operations better than the Retevis A3.
ABBREE AR-30WNOAA weather monitoring and repeater use
Its 999-channel memory and 6m band coverage make it the stronger choice for NOAA and repeater monitoring.
A3Experimenter wanting basic multi-band coverage
Adding 6m to VHF and UHF gives experimenters broader basic band access than the ABBREE AR-30W offers.
A3Licensed technician on a budget-free upgrade path
Its larger channel memory and extra band suit a licensed technician who wants more room to grow.
A3
Reasons to choose ABBREE AR-30W
- 21% cheaper ($86.96 vs $109.99)
- Has built-in GPS
- Has color TFT display
Reasons to choose Retevis A3
- 100% more memory channels (999 vs 500)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
ABBREE AR-30WPICK
$86.96 on AmazonRetevis A3
$109.99 on AmazonMore head-to-heads

