RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng BF-F8HP vs Retevis RA89
Our pick
Baofeng BF-F8HP$84.89
The Baofeng BF-F8HP is the clear winner for most users.
The single most important differentiator is price paired with power output. The BF-F8HP costs $22 less and delivers a specified 8W of transmit power, while the RA89's power output is unknown. Both radios share identical feature sets (no DMR, APRS, GPS, Bluetooth, or digital modes) and nearly identical weight. The RA89 does include IP68 weatherproofing, which the BF-F8HP lacks, but this advantage doesn't outweigh the cost difference and known power advantage for most applications.
Owner ratings are effectively tied at 4.5 stars for both, though the BF-F8HP's rating comes from over 15,000 reviews versus the RA89's 278 reviews, giving more statistical weight to user feedback on the Baofeng. The BF-F8HP also carries RadioRanked's higher overall score, reflecting its stronger specification-to-price ratio.
Buy the BF-F8HP if you want proven reliability at the lowest price with confirmed 8W output. Buy the RA89 only if you specifically need IP68 weatherproofing and don't mind paying extra for an unspecified power rating.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-conscious buyer starting out in amateur radio
Costs less than the alternative while offering a simpler setup for newly licensed operators.
BF-F8HP PRO 10W Tri Band Two-Way Radio, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation RX, USB-CARES or RACES field deployment team
Its IP68 sealing suits rain, dust, and rough handling during emergency field deployments.
Retevis RA89Operators needing many stored channels for repeaters
Holds 200 channels, compared with 128, for operators tracking many repeaters and simplex frequencies.
Retevis RA89Hobbyist wanting more features for less money
Offers a deeper feature set with CHIRP support at a lower cost than the Retevis.
BF-F8HP PRO 10W Tri Band Two-Way Radio, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation RX, USB-CHikers prioritizing the lightest handheld on the trail
Weighs 286 grams, slightly lighter than the alternative, which matters on long hikes.
BF-F8HP PRO 10W Tri Band Two-Way Radio, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation RX, USB-C
Reasons to choose Baofeng BF-F8HP
- 9g lighter (286g vs 295g)
- Has color TFT display
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Reasons to choose Retevis RA89
- 56% more memory channels (200 vs 128)
- 25% more battery (2500 mAh vs 2000 mAh)
- IP68 water resistance
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng BF-F8HPPICK
$84.89 on AmazonRetevis RA89
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