RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

Baofeng BF-F8HP vs Baofeng UV-7B

Our pick

Baofeng BF-F8HP$84.89

The BF-F8HP is the clearer choice for most users. Both radios lack advanced features like DMR, APRS, and GPS, and neither has a listed IP rating. The critical difference is transmission power: the BF-F8HP delivers 8 watts while we don't have the UV-7B's TX specification. For handheld radio work, that's the single most important differentiator. The BF-F8HP is also slightly heavier at 286g versus 260g, though the difference is negligible.

Owner feedback slightly favors the BF-F8HP, with 4.5 stars from over 15,000 reviews compared to 4.4 stars from just 98 reviews. That larger review pool gives us much stronger evidence of what owners report experiencing. The price gap is $18, meaningful enough that budget matters, but the known 8-watt advantage and substantial owner feedback advantage justify the premium.

Buy the BF-F8HP if you want known transmit power and extensive owner experience. Choose the UV-7B only if budget is your absolute priority and you can confirm its TX specs separately.

We recommend the BF-F8HP as the safer purchase for someone serious about handheld radio use.

Winner

Baofeng BF-F8HP

$84.89

Good

$84.89 on Amazon

See full review and specs

Runner-up

Baofeng UV-7B

Average

Search on Amazon

See full review and specs

By use case

Which should you buy?

Budget-conscious field backup buyer
Costs less and adds Bluetooth and 1000 channels, making it the stronger budget pick.
UV-7B
First-time licensee wanting an easy start
Higher beginner-friendliness and a simpler 128-channel layout suit first-time licensees learning the basics.
BF-F8HP PRO 10W Tri Band Two-Way Radio, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation RX, USB-C
Club loaner or exam radio buyer
Bluetooth and 1000 channels suit shared club radios that need many programmed frequencies.
UV-7B
Operator needing a stated 8W transmit output
Rated at 8W, it offers a specified transmit output that the other radio does not list.
BF-F8HP PRO 10W Tri Band Two-Way Radio, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation RX, USB-C
Feature-focused buyer wanting Bluetooth support
Bluetooth support and a higher feature rating make it the better choice for feature-focused buyers.
UV-7B

Reasons to choose Baofeng BF-F8HP

11% more battery (2000 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
Has CHIRP compatibility
FCC equipment authorization on file

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-7B

8x more memory channels (1,000 vs 128)
26g lighter (260g vs 286g)
Has Bluetooth

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng BF-F8HPSpecBaofeng UV-7B

$84.89

Price

—

Overall Score

+49% for winner

8.00W

TX Power (High)

—

128

Memory Channels

1000

7.7× difference

286g

Weight

260g

+10% difference

2000 mAh

Battery

1800 mAh

+11% for winner

Color LCD

Display

Color LCD

Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)

FCC Authorization

No grant found

Black

color

Blue

unitCount

Black

Color

Blue

UHF, VHF

Tuner Type

UHF VHF

BF-F8HP

Model Number

UV-7B

baofeng

Built-In Media

1 x 1800mAh Battery, 1 x USB Charging Cable, 1 x Adapter, 1 x Headset, 1 x UV-7B Radio, 1 x Wrist Strap, Belt Clip

BF-F8HP

Mfr Part Number

QYWBAUVYQRPBT21

Two-way radios, headsets, earpieces, external antennas, and other devices operating on VHF (136-174 MHz) or UHF (400-520 MHz) frequencies, as well as accessories compatible with the UV-5R.

Compatible Devices

Repeater, Smartphone

Only BaoFeng Tech is Authorized to Resell, Software and Downloads Available at: https://baofengtech.com/bf-f8hp

Additional Features

1.77 inches Digital Display, APP Programmable via Bluetooth, Tri-band transmit, USB-C Rechargable, Voice Operated Transmission

1 year

Warranty Description

18 Months Warranty & Lifetime Support

Waterproof

Water Resistance Level

Not Water Resistant

Made your choice?