RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng DM-1701 vs Quansheng UV-K6
Our pick
Quansheng UV-K6$31.55
The Quansheng UV-K6 is the clear winner here. Both radios score identically at 64/100, but the UV-K6 costs $26 less while offering concrete advantages in the specs we have: confirmed 5W transmit power, CHIRP compatibility for easier programming, and a known weight. The DM-1701's transmit power is unlisted, making direct comparison impossible. What tips the scale decisively is owner feedback: the UV-K6 has earned a 4.4/5 rating from 398 reviews versus the DM-1701's 4.1/5 from 76 reviews. That's substantially more owner data and a higher satisfaction score, giving you real evidence of what buyers experience.
The single most important differentiator is price combined with owner satisfaction. For someone choosing between two identically-scored radios, the UV-K6 delivers better reported user experience at the lower cost.
Buy the UV-K6 if you want a budget handheld with strong owner feedback and CHIRP support. Buy the DM-1701 only if DMR capability is essential to your use case and you accept less pricing clarity and fewer owner reports to reference.
The UV-K6 is the sounder choice for most buyers.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-constrained buyer wanting the lowest entry cost
It costs less than the alternative while still covering both VHF and UHF for local monitoring and simplex use.
UV-K6New Technician licensee learning on local repeaters
Its higher beginner-friendliness score and simpler channel setup suit someone getting on the air for the first time.
UV-K6Emergency communication kit builder
Its 5W transmit power and lighter 234g body make it a practical basic unit to keep in a go-bag.
UV-K6Aspiring DMR operator wanting digital modes
It supports DMR digital mode, which the alternative lacks, along with a much larger 3000-channel memory.
DM-1701 DMRHobbyist seeking firmware flexibility and dual-band versatility
It has a higher feature score and offers more room for customization across VHF and UHF.
DM-1701 DMRCasual user exploring digital modes on a budget
It is the better pick for exploring DMR, though it costs more than the alternative.
DM-1701 DMR
Reasons to choose Baofeng DM-1701
- 15x more memory channels (3,000 vs 200)
- Has DMR digital mode
- Has color TFT display
Reasons to choose Quansheng UV-K6
- Has CHIRP compatibility
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng DM-1701
Search on AmazonQuansheng UV-K6PICK
$31.55 on AmazonKeep researching
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