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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Sep 2026

ABBREE AR-30W vs Retevis A3

Our pick

ABBREE AR-30W$99.96

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?

  • First-time licensee needing basic features

    The AR-30W offers more features and a higher beginner score for new operators.

    ABBREE AR-30W
  • Extreme budget-conscious experimenter

    The A3 is significantly cheaper and provides basic multi-band coverage for minimal cost.

    A3
  • Portable operations (POTA/SOTA)

    Its superior features and portability score make it better for varied outdoor deployments.

    ABBREE AR-30W
  • Basic NOAA monitoring and repeater use

    The A3's focus on analog VHF/UHF is perfect for dedicated monitoring applications.

    A3
  • Operators needing vehicle/RV communication

    The AR-30W is explicitly designed for vehicle installations and coordinated net ops.

    ABBREE AR-30W

Reasons to choose ABBREE AR-30W

  • 7% cheaper ($99.96 vs $107.99)
  • 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

ABBREE AR-30WSpecRetevis A3
$99.96
Price
$107.99
49
Overall Score
27
+82% for winner
500
Memory Channels
999
2.0× difference
—
Weight
286g
—
Battery
2500 mAh
Color LCD
Display
—
No grant found
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Black
color
Green
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

ABBREE AR-30WPICK

$99.96 on Amazon

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