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RadioRanked

RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

Baofeng K5 Plus vs Retevis HA1UV

Our pick

Retevis HA1UV$69.99

$69.99 on Amazon

The Baofeng K5 Plus is the better choice here. Both radios have identical feature sets and the same overall score, making listed specifications effectively a tie. The critical differentiator is price: at $23, the K5 Plus costs less than half the HA1UV's $56, a substantial gap that matters for budget-conscious operators or those building out multiple radios.

The HA1UV's IP67 rating is its only hardware advantage, offering weather protection the K5 Plus lacks. However, owners of the K5 Plus report 4.5 out of 5 stars across 506 reviews, compared to the HA1UV's 4.6 out of 5 from just 47 reviews. The K5 Plus has far more owner feedback, giving you better visibility into what buyers actually experience.

The K5 Plus suits operators prioritizing value and want established user feedback at an entry-level price point. The HA1UV makes sense only if you specifically need IP67 weather sealing and can justify tripling the cost.

Get the Baofeng K5 Plus unless you operate in harsh outdoor conditions requiring the dust and water resistance the HA1UV provides.

Runner-up
Baofeng K5 Plus
Baofeng K5 Plus
Search on Amazon
See full review and specs
Winner
Retevis HA1UV
Retevis HA1UV

$69.99

$69.99 on Amazon
See full review and specs

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Budget-conscious buyer wanting the lowest entry cost

    It costs less than the alternative while covering the same VHF and UHF bands for local repeater use.

    Baofeng K5 Plus

  • Brand-new Technician licensee buying a first radio

    Its beginner-friendly design and CHIRP support make it easier for a new Technician to program.

    HA1UV

  • Outdoor user needing a weather-resistant handheld

    Its IP67 rating resists dust and water, which the Baofeng does not offer.

    HA1UV

  • Casual monitor wanting many stored channels

    Its 999-channel memory far exceeds the alternative's 256 channels, and it weighs less.

    Baofeng K5 Plus

  • Hiker prioritizing the lightest portable radio

    At 290 grams it is lighter than the alternative's 337 grams, easing long days in the field.

    Baofeng K5 Plus

Reasons to choose Baofeng K5 Plus

  • 4x more memory channels (999 vs 256)
  • 47g lighter (290g vs 337g)
  • FCC equipment authorization on file

Reasons to choose Retevis HA1UV

  • Has color TFT display
  • IP67 water resistance

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng K5 PlusSpecRetevis HA1UV
—
Price
$69.99
46
Overall Score
59
+28% for winner
999
Memory Channels
256
3.8× difference
290g
Weight
337g
+16% difference
—
Battery
2800 mAh
—
Display
Color LCD
—
IP Rating
IP67
Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Black
color
Black
1
unitCount
1
Black
Color
Black
UHF
Tuner Type
U/V band
K5 Plus
Model Number
HA1UV
User Manual
Built-In Media
1 x 2800mAh lithium_ion battery, 1 x Belt clip & Hand strap, 1 x Data cable, 1 x HA1UV two way radio, 1 x Type-C charging cable & Charging base
[Frequency-based compatibility]: 136-174 MHz (VHF) and 400-480 MHz (UHF)
Compatible Devices
Repeater, Speaker, two way radio with the same frequency and the same CTCSS/DCS
Rechargable
Additional Features
Handheld Ham Radio with Cable;IP67 waterproof;NOAA Weather Receiver;Type-C Rechargeable;VFO
no
Warranty Description
We provide 2 year warranty and 30 days no reason to return;2 year warranty for radio body and 1 year warranty for accessories. Beyond the warranty period: We still offer maintain service, buyers are required to afford corresponding costs. We processed in the most hassle-free way possible.You just need to contact with us on Amazon ,we will reply you within 12 hours

Made your choice?

Baofeng K5 Plus

Search on Amazon

Retevis HA1UVPICK

$69.99 on Amazon

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