Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band vs Retevis RA79

The Baofeng K5 Plus wins on price and raw power. At $26, it costs $9 less and delivers a specified 10W transmission, while the RA79's power output remains unknown to us. Both offer CHIRP compatibility, neither lists an IP rating, and both lack DMR, APRS, and GPS. The RA79 is measurably lighter at 225g versus 290g and owners report slightly higher satisfaction at 4.5/5 versus 4.4/5, though both ratings stem from substantial review counts (278 and 216 respectively). The K5 Plus's higher overall score reflects its lower price combined with strong owner feedback relative to its specifications.

The single most important differentiator is price versus weight: the K5 Plus undercuts by $9 and delivers known power output, but the RA79 weighs 65g less if portability matters to you.

Buy the K5 Plus if you want maximum value and confirmed transmit power at the lowest cost. Buy the RA79 if the lighter weight justifies the extra expense and you're comfortable with the unknown power specification.

Choose the K5 Plus for the better overall bargain, unless portability strongly influences your choice.