Baofeng BF-5RH PRO vs Yaesu FT-65R (Alt)
Side-by-side comparison of specs, features, and scores.
Our Take
The Baofeng BF-5RH PRO is the clear winner here. It outperforms the Yaesu FT-65R across nearly every meaningful metric at half the price.
The most important differentiator is transmission power combined with feature set. The Baofeng delivers double the TX power at 10W versus 5W, includes GPS and APRS for location tracking and emergency beaconing, and maintains CHIRP compatibility for flexible programming. The Yaesu offers none of these capabilities and scores a disappointing 38/100 overall compared to the Baofeng's 86/100.
The BF-5RH PRO suits budget-conscious operators and those wanting modern features like APRS and GPS without breaking the bank. The FT-65R might appeal only to someone with an existing investment in Yaesu ecosystem accessories, though even then the feature deficit is hard to justify.
Buy the Baofeng BF-5RH PRO without hesitation. At this price point and performance level, it's the obvious choice for most amateur radio operators. The Yaesu simply doesn't justify its higher cost or lower capability score, making it difficult to recommend in any practical scenario.
Reasons to choose Baofeng BF-5RH PRO
- 46% cheaper ($69.99 vs $129.90)
- 100% more TX power (10W vs 5W)
- 3x more memory channels (640 vs 200)
- 163% more battery (2500 mAh vs 950 mAh)
- Has APRS support
- Has built-in GPS
- Has Bluetooth
- Has CHIRP compatibility
- Has color TFT display
Reasons to choose Yaesu FT-65R (Alt)
- No clear advantages in this comparison
$69.99 on Amazon
★ 4.6 (286 reviews)
$129.90 on Amazon
★ 4.4 (37 reviews)
Specifications
| Spec | Baofeng BF-5RH PRO | Yaesu FT-65R (Alt) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 | $129.90 |
| Overall Score | 86 | 39 |
| TX Power (High) | 10.00W | 5.00W |
| Memory Channels | 640 | 200 |
| Weight | — | — |
| Battery | 2500 mAh | 950 mAh |
| Display | 1.77in TFT Color | — |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 |
| FCC Authorization | Authorized | Authorized |
| Color | Black | Clear,White |
| Frequency Range | HAM | 144-148 MHz (2M), 420-450 MHz (440) |
| Special Feature | Battery Saver Mode, GPS/APRS, Emergency Alarm,1.77 TFT in Color Screen, 640 Channels in 10 Zone, AM/FM/VHF/1.25M/UHF, Multi-band,FM,Suitable for Survival Gear, One Key Frquency Copy, Weather Alert | Programmable |
| Included Components | 1× CH340 Programming Cable, 2X Earpiece with mic ,2x Belt clip,2 x Hand strap, 2×18.89 inch Tactical Antennas,2×805S Antennas, 2×Original antenna,2× AirBand antenna, 2×BF-5RH Pro Ham Radio Handheld,2×2500mAh USB-C Battery, 2×USB-C charger with cable, 1 x Hand Strap 1 x User's Manual | 1,950 mAh Li-Ion Battery pack, 3.5-Hour Rapid Charger |
| Model Number | 5RH Pro | FT 65 ft-65R |
| Built-In Media | 1× CH340 Programming Cable, 2X Earpiece with mic ,2x Belt clip,2 x Hand strap, 2×18.89 inch Tactical Antennas,2×805S Antennas, 2×Original antenna,2× AirBand antenna, 2×BF-5RH Pro Ham Radio Handheld,2×2500mAh USB-C Battery, 2×USB-C charger with cable, 1 x Hand Strap 1 x User's Manual | 1,950 mAh Li-Ion Battery pack, 3.5-Hour Rapid Charger |
| Mfr Part Number | 5RH Pro | FT-65R |
| Waterproof Rating | IP54 | IP54 and Mil 810 C/D/E |
| Compatible Devices | UV5RH Radio | Two-way radios operating on 2M (144-148 MHz) and 440 (420-450 MHz) frequency bands and accessories such as the SSM-512B earpiece |
| Additional Features | Battery Saver Mode, GPS/APRS, Emergency Alarm,1.77 TFT in Color Screen, 640 Channels in 10 Zone, AM/FM/VHF/1.25M/UHF, Multi-band,FM,Suitable for Survival Gear, One Key Frquency Copy, Weather Alert | Programmable |
| Battery Average Life | 72 Hours | 10 Hours |