AnyTone AT-D890UV vs Baofeng UV-5R Plus

The Baofeng UV-5R Plus emerges as the clear winner despite its simpler feature set, primarily due to its superior overall score of 64/100 versus the AT-D890UV's 48/100, combined with an unbeatable price point that's nearly eight times lower.

The single most important differentiator is value proposition. The UV-5R Plus delivers solid performance at $37, while the AT-D890UV costs $299 for inferior ratings. Though the AnyTone offers DMR capability, a digital mode gaining traction in amateur radio, this advantage doesn't translate to better overall performance scores.

The UV-5R Plus suits budget-conscious newcomers and experienced operators wanting a dependable backup radio. The AT-D890UV appeals to committed DMR enthusiasts willing to pay premium pricing for digital mode capability despite lower overall performance metrics.

Unless you specifically need DMR functionality and can accept below-average overall performance, the Baofeng UV-5R Plus is the rational choice. It offers better value, higher scores, and CHIRP software support for easy programming. The AT-D890UV makes sense only if DMR is non-negotiable for your particular operating requirements.