RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng K5 Plus vs Quansheng UV-K5(8)
Our pick
Quansheng UV-K5(8)$27.99
The Quansheng UV-K5(8) is the better choice for most buyers.
The most important differentiator is weight and confirmed power output. The Quansheng is nearly 100 grams lighter at 200g versus 290g, and it delivers a specified 5W of transmit power. The Baofeng K5 Plus lists no transmit power figure, which is a significant gap in the data. Both radios share identical feature sets (no digital modes, no GPS, no Bluetooth) and both support CHIRP programming. Both have matching 4.5/5 owner ratings, though the Quansheng benefits from a larger sample of 686 reviews versus 506. The Quansheng also costs only five dollars more despite the better specs.
The Baofeng K5 Plus appeals only to buyers with a strict budget ceiling under $25 and no weight sensitivity. The Quansheng UV-K5(8) is the pick for anyone who values lighter carry, confirmed output power, and wants evidence of real-world owner experience.
Buy the Quansheng UV-K5(8) unless you absolutely cannot spend $28.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-constrained first-time licensee
Costs less and its analog VHF and UHF operation covers local repeaters for a new licensee.
Baofeng K5 PlusHiker or portable operator carrying gear all day
At 200g with 5W output, it is lighter to carry for portable operating than the alternative.
Quansheng UV-K5(8)Hands-on firmware tinkerer and experimenter
CHIRP support and open source firmware testing make it the better choice for hands-on experiments.
Quansheng UV-K5(8)Listener wanting more than basic monitoring
Wideband reception and a higher feature score suit a listener who wants more than basic monitoring.
Quansheng UV-K5(8)Household spare or loaner radio buyer
Its lower price makes it the easier choice to keep as a spare or loaner radio.
Baofeng K5 Plus
Reasons to choose Baofeng K5 Plus
- 5x more memory channels (999 vs 200)
Reasons to choose Quansheng UV-K5(8)
- 90g lighter (200g vs 290g)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng K5 Plus
Search on AmazonQuansheng UV-K5(8)PICK
$27.99 on AmazonKeep researching
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