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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Baofeng GT-5R vs Baofeng UV-28

Our pick

Baofeng UV-28$47.19

It depends on your priorities and budget. The GT-5R costs half the price of the UV-28, while the UV-28 offers significantly more power (10W versus 4W), GPS capability, and Bluetooth connectivity. The single most important differentiator is transmit power: the UV-28's 2.5x advantage matters substantially for range and reaching distant repeaters. However, owners of the GT-5R report a slightly higher satisfaction rating (4.4 out of 5 from 1145 reviews versus 4.1 out of 5 from 44 reviews), though the UV-28's smaller review sample introduces more uncertainty. The GT-5R should appeal to budget-conscious operators who prioritize affordability and reported owner satisfaction, while the UV-28 suits those needing higher power output and modern features like GPS and Bluetooth, provided they accept the weight penalty and higher cost. If extended range or location tracking matters to your use case, the UV-28 justifies its expense. If you're price-sensitive and primarily need basic VHF/UHF capability, the GT-5R delivers solid value.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Budget-constrained first-time licensee

    It costs less and its simple controls suit a new ham learning the basics of VHF and UHF.

    GT-5R 5W Dual Band
  • Club loaner or backup radio

    Its low cost makes it easier to lend out or leave in a go-bag without worrying about loss or damage.

    GT-5R 5W Dual Band
  • Field coordinator for SOTA or emergency deployment

    Its 10W transmitter, GPS, and Bluetooth support longer reach and easier coordination in the field.

    UV-28
  • ARES or RACES emergency responder

    Its 1000-channel memory and higher power suit organized net work and wider repeater coverage.

    UV-28
  • Operator prioritizing ultra-light portability

    At 227g it is considerably lighter than the 360g UV-28 for pack-in, hike-in activations.

    GT-5R 5W Dual Band
  • Dual-band monitoring enthusiast with a larger channel list

    Its 1000 memory channels and higher feature score make it better for monitoring many frequencies.

    UV-28

Reasons to choose Baofeng GT-5R

  • 58% cheaper ($19.99 vs $47.19)
  • 133g lighter (227g vs 360g)

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-28

  • 150% more TX power (10W vs 4W)
  • 8x more memory channels (1,000 vs 128)
  • 22% more battery (2200 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
  • Has built-in GPS
  • Has Bluetooth
  • Has color TFT display
  • FCC equipment authorization on file

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng GT-5RSpecBaofeng UV-28
$19.99
Price
$47.19
66
Overall Score
75
+14% for winner
4.00W
TX Power (High)
10.00W
2.5× difference
128
Memory Channels
1000
7.7× difference
227g
Weight
360g
+59% difference
1800 mAh
Battery
2200 mAh
+22% for winner
LCD
Display
Color LCD
No grant found
FCC Authorization
On file, scope unconfirmed
Black
color
Black
1
unitCount
1
Black
Color
Black
UHF/VHF
Tuner Type
UHF VHF
GT 5R
Model Number
UV-28 Plus
BAOFENG GT-5R Ham Radio x 1, Battery x 1, Belt Clip x 1, Hand Strap x 1, Desktop Charger & Adapter x 1, Headset x 1
Built-In Media
1 x Headset, 1 x Belt Clip, 1 x Wrist Strap, 1 x High-Gain ANT, 1 x Speaker Mic, 1 x UV-28 PLUS Ham Radio, 2 x 2200mAh Li-ion Battery, 1 x Desktop Charger with Adapter
144 - 148 MHz
Frequency Range
UHF VHF
Baofeng UV-5R series accessories
Compatible Devices
Repeater, Smartphone
Dual Band, Lightweight, Long Range, Rechargable, Voice Operated Transmission
Additional Features
CHIRP Compatible, Digital Display, GPS, Long Range, Wireless APP Programmable
18 Months Warranty & Lifetime Support
Warranty Description
18 Months Warranty & Lifetime Support
Not Water Resistant
Water Resistance Level
Not Water Resistant

Made your choice?

Baofeng GT-5R

$19.99 on Amazon

Baofeng UV-28PICK

$47.19 on Amazon

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