RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng K5 Plus vs Radtel RT-860
Our pick
Radtel RT-860$36.99
The Baofeng K5 Plus is the clear winner for budget-conscious buyers.
The most important differentiator is price paired with owner satisfaction. Both radios lack published TX power specs and share the same feature set—no DMR, APRS, or GPS. The K5 Plus costs $16 less while being slightly heavier at 290g versus the RT-860's 255g. Where it matters most, the K5 Plus scores 56 to the RT-860's 45, reflecting better listed specifications relative to price. More tellingly, owners report significantly higher satisfaction with the K5 Plus at 4.5/5 from 506 reviews compared to the RT-860's 3.9/5 from 139 reviews. That gap represents real buyer experience across a much larger sample size.
The K5 Plus suits users prioritizing value and owner-reported reliability. The RT-860 appeals only if the lighter weight is essential for your use case, though at $39 you're paying a premium with lower owner satisfaction to show for it.
Get the Baofeng K5 Plus unless weight is a critical factor in your specific application.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-conscious first-time licensee
Costs less and feels easier for learning radio programming basics as a new licensee.
Baofeng K5 PlusCasual scanner monitoring local channels
Lower price suits casual monitoring of local channels without spending much.
Baofeng K5 PlusEmergency kit builder on a budget
Lowest cost lets you stock spares for an emergency kit without overspending.
Baofeng K5 PlusHiker carrying a radio on long trails
Lighter at 255 grams, so it adds less load for hikers covering long distances.
RT-860Operator needing maximum channel storage
Holds 1024 channels, more than the alternative's 999, for large repeater and simplex lists.
RT-860
Reasons to choose Baofeng K5 Plus
- Has CHIRP compatibility
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Reasons to choose Radtel RT-860
- 3% more memory channels (1,024 vs 999)
- 35g lighter (255g vs 290g)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng K5 PlusPICK
Search on AmazonRadtel RT-860
$36.99 on AmazonMore head-to-heads