RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng BF-F8HP vs Radioddity GD-168
Our pick
Radioddity GD-168$139.99
The BF-F8HP is the better choice for most buyers.
The single most important differentiator is price and owner feedback. The BF-F8HP costs $45 versus $140 for the GD-168, yet owners report nearly identical satisfaction (4.5 versus 4.2 stars). The BF-F8HP also delivers higher transmit power at 8W compared to 5W. The GD-168 adds digital modes (DMR and APRS) and weighs 66 grams less, which matter only if you need those specific features. The BF-F8HP supports CHIRP programming, making frequency management easier for many users. Both radios have similar overall scores despite their price gap, reflecting the BF-F8HP's stronger value proposition.
Buy the BF-F8HP if you want a proven budget handheld with strong owner support and don't need digital modes. Buy the GD-168 only if you specifically require DMR or APRS capability and the lighter weight justifies tripling your cost.
The BF-F8HP is the smarter purchase for general amateur radio use. You get comparable owner satisfaction at one-third the price, better power output, and proven popularity backed by over 15,000 reviews versus 12 reviews for the GD-168.
By use case
Which should you buy?
First-time licensee learning VHF and UHF basics
Its simple controls and low price make it a forgiving first radio for new licensees.
BF-F8HP PRO 10W Tri Band Two-Way Radio, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation RX, USB-CBudget-constrained buyer wanting a basic field backup
It costs less than the alternative and covers VHF and UHF for basic field backup use.
BF-F8HP PRO 10W Tri Band Two-Way Radio, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation RX, USB-COperator moving into DMR digital voice
It supports DMR, which the other radio lacks, along with APRS and a larger channel bank.
Radioddity GD-168Ham who wants APRS and a color screen
It adds APRS and a color screen, giving it a higher feature score for position reporting.
Radioddity GD-168Operator storing many repeaters and contacts
Its 4000-channel memory holds far more repeaters and contacts than the 128-channel alternative.
Radioddity GD-168Hikers prioritizing a lighter handheld for summit activations
At 220 grams it is lighter than the Baofeng, which matters on long carries.
Radioddity GD-168
Reasons to choose Baofeng BF-F8HP
- 39% cheaper ($84.89 vs $139.99)
- 60% more TX power (8W vs 5W)
- 11% more battery (2000 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
- Has CHIRP compatibility
Reasons to choose Radioddity GD-168
- 31x more memory channels (4,000 vs 128)
- 66g lighter (220g vs 286g)
- Has DMR digital mode
- Has APRS support
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng BF-F8HP
$84.89 on AmazonRadioddity GD-168PICK
$139.99 on AmazonKeep researching
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