RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band vs Radtel RT-950 PRO
Our pick
Radtel RT-950 PRO$96.00
The Radtel RT-950 PRO is the stronger choice for most buyers, despite its higher price.
The single most important differentiator is feature set. The RT-950 PRO adds APRS, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity, making it genuinely useful for location tracking and digital integration. The K5 Plus offers none of these. The K5 Plus does deliver roughly 2.5 times the transmit power at 10W versus 4W, which matters for range, but that advantage alone doesn't offset the RT-950's capabilities.
Price is the K5 Plus's main appeal at $34 versus $87. Owners report favorably on both: the K5 Plus at 4.4/5 from 216 reviews and the RT-950 at 4.1/5 from 371 reviews. The K5 Plus buyers are slightly more satisfied, though both enjoy solid ratings. Neither radio lists an IP rating, so weather resistance is unknown for both.
The K5 Plus suits budget-conscious operators who prioritize raw transmit power and want a basic, straightforward radio. The RT-950 PRO is built for users who need modern features like GPS and APRS for emergency response, hiking, or digital coordination.
Choose the RT-950 PRO unless budget is your absolute constraint.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-constrained first-time licensee
Costs less and offers simpler operation, a sensible start for a newly licensed operator.
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-BandOperator wanting 1.25m band access
Only this radio covers the 1.25m band, with 10 watts of transmit power.
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-BandTemporary public service deployment volunteer
Its 10-watt output and 1.25m coverage suit temporary public service deployments.
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-BandAPRS and GPS position-reporting enthusiast
Built-in APRS, GPS, and Bluetooth make this radio the better choice for position reporting.
Radtel RT-950 PROSecondary portable emergency kit buyer
Its APRS, GPS, and Bluetooth features add useful functions to a backup emergency kit radio.
Radtel RT-950 PRO
Reasons to choose Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band
- 150% more TX power (10W vs 4W)
- 4% more memory channels (999 vs 960)
- 14% more battery (2500 mAh vs 2200 mAh)
- Has CHIRP compatibility
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Reasons to choose Radtel RT-950 PRO
- Has APRS support
- Has built-in GPS
- Has Bluetooth
- Has color TFT display
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band
Search on AmazonRadtel RT-950 PROPICK
$96.00 on AmazonMore head-to-heads