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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

AnyTone AT-D890UV vs Baofeng AR-5RM

Our pick

AnyTone AT-D890UV$309.00

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.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • First-time Technician licensee starting out

    Its simpler operation and higher beginner score make it a gentler introduction to handheld radio.

    Baofeng AR-5RM
  • Budget-conscious buyer testing the hobby

    It costs far less, letting new operators try the hobby without a large investment.

    Baofeng AR-5RM
  • Emergency communications and ARES volunteer

    Its DMR support and large 4000-channel memory suit served talk groups and emergency nets.

    AT-D890UV
  • Operator using regional DMR talk groups

    Digital voice capability and a higher feature score cover the multi-mode needs of established networks.

    AT-D890UV
  • Casual simplex frequency monitor

    Its 999 memory channels and low cost handle basic monitoring without the complexity of advanced features.

    Baofeng AR-5RM
  • Experienced hobbyist seeking multi-mode capability

    Advanced users wanting deep feature sets will find the AT-D890UV's digital modes and programming depth worthwhile.

    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

  • Has CHIRP compatibility

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

AnyTone AT-D890UVSpecBaofeng AR-5RM
$309.00
Price
—
49
Overall Score
48
+2% for winner
4000
Memory Channels
999
4.0× difference
293g
Weight
—
3100 mAh
Battery
—
Color LCD
Display
—
Covers land mobile only (Part 90)
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-D890UVPICK

$309.00 on Amazon

Baofeng AR-5RM

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