RadioRanked verdict
Updated Aug 2026Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band vs Retevis RT95
Our pick
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band$25.99
The Baofeng K5 Plus is the clear winner here. Despite costing nearly five times less than the Retevis RT95, it delivers superior overall performance with a 68 versus 53 score and concrete 10W transmit power specifications compared to the RT95's unknown output.
The most important differentiator is price-to-performance ratio. The K5 Plus offers exceptional value for entry-level operators who need tri-band capability without breaking the bank, while the RT95's significantly higher cost fails to justify its lower performance metrics on paper.
The Baofeng K5 Plus is ideal for budget-conscious beginners or operators testing different bands before investing in premium equipment. The Retevis RT95 makes sense only if you have specific operational requirements not captured by these specs or need Retevis's particular warranty and support ecosystem.
The K5 Plus should be your default choice unless you have documented reasons to prefer the RT95. Get the Baofeng, learn on it, and upgrade to something genuinely premium once you know what features matter for your use case. Spending five times more for worse scores is difficult to justify no matter the brand loyalty.
By use case
Which should you buy?
First-time licensed amateur radio operator
Its high channel count and lower price make it ideal for learning multiple bands.
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-BandBudget-conscious mobile base station setup
The dedicated dual-band capability is better suited for home base experimentation.
Retevis RT95Portable operations for POTA/SOTA events
Its superior value and portability make it excellent for temporary field use.
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-BandOperator needing advanced digital features
While both support CHIRP, the RT95 is better for dedicated mobile setups.
Retevis RT95Buyer prioritizing maximum channel capacity
With 999 channels, the Baofeng offers significantly more frequency flexibility.
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band
Reasons to choose Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-Band
- 81% cheaper ($25.99 vs $139.99)
- 5x more memory channels (999 vs 200)
Reasons to choose Retevis RT95
- Has color TFT display
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng K5 Plus Tri-BandPICK
$25.99 on AmazonRetevis RT95
$139.99 on AmazonMore head-to-heads

