Baofeng AR-5RM vs Baofeng UV-5RM Plus

The UV-5RM Plus is the better choice for most users. The single most important differentiator is known transmit power: the UV-5RM Plus delivers 10W while the AR-5RM's output is unspecified, making real-world performance impossible to predict.

Beyond that, the UV-5RM Plus offers a larger, more powerful radio in the same feature class. Both support CHIRP programming and lack DMR, APRS, and GPS. The UV-5RM Plus weighs 290g with confirmed 10W output; the AR-5RM omits weight and power specs entirely. Owners report nearly identical satisfaction, with the UV-5RM Plus rated 4.6/5 from 352 reviews versus the AR-5RM's 4.5/5 from 1206 reviews, so buyer experience is comparable.

The AR-5RM appeals only to buyers with a strict budget ceiling of $22 and no need for known specifications. The UV-5RM Plus should go to anyone wanting a standard handheld with predictable power output and documented weight, willing to spend $60 for that certainty.

Get the UV-5RM Plus. The AR-5RM's missing specs create unnecessary guesswork about actual performance.