Baofeng DM-1701 vs Baofeng UV-21R

The UV-21R is the clear winner for most users.

The most important differentiator is price combined with owner feedback. The UV-21R costs $27 versus $44 for the DM-1701, yet owners rate it higher: 4.5 stars from 775 reviews compared to 4.1 stars from 76 reviews. That larger review sample gives you better evidence of real-world performance. RadioRanked's overall score favors the UV-21R at 74 versus 64, reflecting better listed specifications relative to cost.

The DM-1701 offers DMR digital mode capability, which matters if you need that specific protocol for your local repeater network. However, we're missing its TX power and weight figures, so we cannot fully assess that trade-off. The UV-21R includes CHIRP programming support and a confirmed 6W output, making it more versatile for frequency management and power flexibility.

The DM-1701 makes sense only if DMR compatibility is essential to your operations and those missing specs prove favorable. Otherwise, buy the UV-21R. It delivers better value, stronger owner confidence from a much larger user base, and standard features like CHIRP support at half the price.