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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Aug 2026

AnyTone AT-D890UV vs Baofeng K5 Plus

Our pick

Baofeng K5 Plus$23.64

The Baofeng K5 Plus is the clear winner here. Despite the AnyTone AT-D890UV's DMR capability and professional positioning, the K5 Plus delivers superior overall performance at a fraction of the cost, earning a 57/100 score versus 48/100.

The single most important differentiator is value proposition. The K5 Plus costs $25 while the AnyTone commands $299, yet still outperforms it on our overall rating scale. This 12-fold price difference cannot be justified by the AnyTone's DMR support alone, especially when both radios lack APRS, GPS, and CHIRP compatibility.

The AnyTone AT-D890UV appeals to DMR enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for digital mode capability and potentially superior build quality, despite lower performance metrics. The Baofeng K5 Plus is the obvious choice for budget-conscious operators seeking reliable handheld performance without unnecessary complexity.

For most amateur radio operators, the Baofeng K5 Plus represents exceptional value and should be your default selection. Only consider the AnyTone if DMR network participation is a non-negotiable requirement for your operating activities.

Runner-up
AnyTone AT-D890UV
Winner
Baofeng K5 Plus

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Emergency net operations and ARES use

    Its DMR capability and large channel memory support complex emergency nets.

    AT-D890UV
  • New amateur radio licensee on a budget

    It offers basic VHF/UHF functionality for learning radio fundamentals cheaply.

    Baofeng K5 Plus
  • Advanced hobbyist needing multi-mode comms

    The AT-D890UV supports advanced digital modes crucial for serious operators.

    AT-D890UV
  • Casual monitoring of local repeaters

    Its simplicity and low cost are perfect for basic local monitoring tasks.

    Baofeng K5 Plus
  • Operator needing regional talk group support

    The extensive memory and DMR features handle large regional talk groups easily.

    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 K5 Plus

  • 92% cheaper ($23.64 vs $299.00)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

AnyTone AT-D890UVSpecBaofeng K5 Plus
$299.00
Price
$23.64
50
Overall Score
57
+14% 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
compact
Blue
color
Black
1
unitCount
1
Blue
Color
Black
AT-D890UV
Model Number
K5 Plus
Power Supply
Built-In Media
User Manual
Digital Display
Additional Features
Rechargable
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 K5 PlusPICK

$23.64 on Amazon

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