Skip to main content

RadioRanked verdict

Updated Aug 2026

Baofeng 5RM vs Radtel RT-920

Our pick

Baofeng 5RM$25.99

The Baofeng 5RM is the clear winner here. This is a straightforward comparison favoring the budget option with better performance across the board.

The single most important differentiator is the overall quality and user experience gap reflected in their scores. The 5RM scores 73/100 versus the RT-920's 61/100, a meaningful 12-point advantage that speaks to superior build quality, reliability, and usability despite costing less than half the price.

The Baofeng 5RM should appeal to budget-conscious operators and those building their first radio collection who want genuine value. The Radtel RT-920 makes sense only for niche users who specifically need its particular feature set or have already experienced compatibility issues with Baofeng products.

For most amateur radio operators, the 5RM delivers better bang for your dollar. It costs $31 less, delivers more transmit power at 10W versus 8W, and includes CHIRP support for hassle-free programming. Unless you have specific technical requirements that only the RT-920 addresses, spending the extra money here represents poor value. Start with the 5RM and invest your savings into a quality antenna or other accessories that will genuinely improve your operations.

Winner
Baofeng 5RM
Runner-up
Radtel RT-920

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • First-time, budget-conscious beginner

    Its lower price point and high channel count make it ideal for learning the hobby.

    Baofeng 5RM
  • Portable operations and emergency preparedness

    The higher power output and robust features are better suited for emergency use cases.

    Baofeng 5RM
  • Field operator needing Bluetooth connectivity

    The integrated Bluetooth feature offers convenient connectivity for field use.

    RT-920
  • Beginner exploring ham radio on a budget

    Its wide-band monitoring capability is excellent for initial exploration of the spectrum.

    RT-920
  • Operator needing maximum channel capacity

    With 999 channels, the Baofeng offers superior memory capacity for complex setups.

    Baofeng 5RM

Reasons to choose Baofeng 5RM

  • 45% cheaper ($25.99 vs $47.04)
  • 25% more TX power (10W vs 8W)
  • 4% more memory channels (999 vs 960)
  • 14% more battery (2500 mAh vs 2200 mAh)
  • Has CHIRP compatibility
  • Has color TFT display
  • IP65 water resistance
  • FCC equipment authorization on file

Reasons to choose Radtel RT-920

  • Has Bluetooth

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng 5RMSpecRadtel RT-920
$25.99
Price
$47.04
76
Overall Score
63
+20% for winner
10.00W
TX Power (High)
8.00W
+25% for winner
999
Memory Channels
960
+4% for winner
2500 mAh
Battery
2200 mAh
+14% for winner
1.77in TFT Color
Display
IP65
IP Rating
Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Black
color
Standard
1
unitCount
1
Black
Color
Standard
7.4 Volts
Voltage
7.4 Volts
VHF/1.25M/UHF
Tuner Type
UHF/VHF
5RM
Model Number
RT-920
1X 5RM radio, 1X charging base station, 1X Type C charging cable, 1X 6.1" antenna, 1X 15.12" 771 antenna, 1X 2500mAh battery, 1X handset with mic, 1X Belt, 1X hand strap, 1X user manual
Built-In Media
1x RT-920 Main unit, 1x 2200mAh Li-ion Battery,1x Dual band antenna,1x Belt Clip, 1x Type C charging Cable,1x Power supple with USB port,1x English User Manual
144-174MHz, 420-470MH
Frequency Range
144-148Mhz/420-450Mhz
BF-F8HP Pro, BaoFeng AR-5RM, BaoFeng UV-5R, baofeng k5 plus, weather radio
Compatible Devices
Smartphones, USB-C devices
1.77inch colour screen, 10W power, Frequency copy, USB C charging
Additional Features
Bluetooth programming,noise reduction, Type-c,AM/FM Reception,Spectrum

Made your choice?

Baofeng 5RMPICK

$25.99 on Amazon

Radtel RT-920

$47.04 on Amazon

Keep researching

Related Buying Guides

More head-to-heads

Related Comparisons