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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Aug 2026

AnyTone AT-D890UV vs Baofeng AR-5RM

Our pick

Baofeng AR-5RM$21.84

The Baofeng AR-5RM is the clear winner for most users. Despite costing eleven times less than the AnyTone AT-D890UV, it achieves a significantly higher overall score of 65 versus 48, making it the better value proposition by nearly every measure.

The single most important differentiator is price paired with practical usability. The Baofeng's CHIRP compatibility means you can program frequencies on your computer rather than wrestling with the radio's interface, a massive advantage for casual operators. The AnyTone's DMR capability is its only real strength, but that feature justifies neither its premium cost nor its substantially lower overall score.

The Baofeng AR-5RM suits beginners, budget-conscious operators, and anyone wanting reliable VHF/UHF performance without complexity. The AnyTone AT-D890UV is only worth considering if you specifically need DMR digital mode operation and have already decided that feature's cost premium is acceptable to your use case.

Buy the Baofeng. Its combination of affordability, higher performance rating, and superior programming flexibility makes it the stronger radio. The AnyTone fails to justify its price regardless of its DMR feature.

Runner-up
AnyTone AT-D890UV

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Advanced hams needing DMR and multi-mode

    The AnyTone offers advanced DMR features and superior operational flexibility.

    AT-D890UV
  • Brand new, budget-conscious technician licensee

    The Baofeng provides an extremely affordable entry point for learning basic radio skills.

    Baofeng AR-5RM
  • Operators needing reliable emergency communication nets

    Its robust feature set and ARES focus make it ideal for organized emergency use.

    AT-D890UV
  • Casual monitoring or simplex frequency testing

    The Baofeng is perfectly adequate for simple, low-stakes frequency monitoring.

    Baofeng AR-5RM
  • Experienced hams upgrading from basic analog radios

    The AnyTone provides the necessary upgrade path to modern digital modes like DMR.

    AT-D890UV

Reasons to choose AnyTone AT-D890UV

  • 4x more memory channels (4,000 vs 999)
  • Has DMR digital mode
  • Has color TFT display

Reasons to choose Baofeng AR-5RM

  • 93% cheaper ($21.84 vs $299.00)
  • Has CHIRP compatibility

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

AnyTone AT-D890UVSpecBaofeng AR-5RM
$299.00
Price
$21.84
50
Overall Score
65
+30% for winner
4000
Memory Channels
999
4.0× difference
3100 mAh
Battery
Color LCD
Display
Covers a wireless feature only (Part 15C)
FCC Authorization
Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)
1.77 inches
size
small
Blue
color
Black
1
unitCount
1
Blue
Color
Black
AT-D890UV
Model Number
AR-5RM
Power Supply
Built-In Media
1 X Earpiece & 1 X Clip, 1 X Radio, 1X Type-c Cable & 1 X Base Charger, Antenna, Battery
UHF, VHF
Frequency Range
VHF UHF
Digital Display
Additional Features
Copy Frequency, Long Range, Noaa Weather Receiver
1 Year
Warranty Description
NO
Not Water Resistant
Water Resistance Level
Not Water Resistant

Made your choice?

AnyTone AT-D890UV

$299.00 on Amazon

Baofeng AR-5RMPICK

$21.84 on Amazon

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