AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus vs Baofeng DM-1701

The AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus is the clear winner for users who need a full-featured radio, while the Baofeng DM-1701 wins on price alone.

The most important differentiator is the feature set. The AnyTone includes APRS, GPS, and Bluetooth, none of which the Baofeng offers. The AnyTone also has an IP54 rating for weather resistance, while the Baofeng lists no IP rating. We lack the Baofeng's transmit power and weight specifications, so we cannot compare those directly. Both radios support DMR but neither supports D-STAR or C4FM.

The AnyTone suits users running digital modes who want location capability and smartphone integration, and can justify spending $250 for those features. The Baofeng suits budget-conscious operators whose primary need is basic DMR operation without auxiliary features.

Buyers should know the Baofeng's owners report a 4.1 out of 5 rating across 76 reviews, while the AnyTone's owners report 4.8 out of 5 from only 6 reviews. That larger review sample gives more confidence in what Baofeng buyers actually experienced, though the AnyTone shows strong approval among its reviewers.

Get the AnyTone if you use APRS or need GPS. Get the Baofeng if cost is your primary concern and you want basic DMR operation.