RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

Baofeng K5 Plus vs TIDRADIO TD-H3

Our pick

TIDRADIO TD-H3$31.99

The TD-H3 is the better choice for most buyers.

The most important differentiator is Bluetooth connectivity. The TD-H3 includes it; the K5 Plus does not. This is the only meaningful feature difference between them. Both radios lack DMR, APRS, GPS, and D-STAR. Neither has a published TX power rating or IP rating. Both support CHIRP programming and weigh roughly the same, with the TD-H3 slightly lighter at 245g versus 290g.

Owners report nearly identical satisfaction: the K5 Plus scores 4.5/5 from 506 reviews while the TD-H3 scores 4.4/5 from 534 reviews. The price difference of nine dollars is negligible for radios in this category.

The K5 Plus appeals to buyers on the tightest budget who have no use for wireless connectivity. The TD-H3 suits anyone who values the convenience of Bluetooth pairing for audio or programming.

We recommend the TD-H3. For nine dollars more, you gain Bluetooth capability, lighter weight, and a marginally higher composite score. Unless your budget is absolutely fixed at twenty-three dollars, the TD-H3 is the more capable radio.

Runner-up

Baofeng K5 Plus

Average

Search on Amazon

See full review and specs

Winner

TIDRADIO TD-H3

$31.99

Good

$31.99 on Amazon

See full review and specs

By use case

Which should you buy?

Budget-conscious first-time licensee
Costs less than the alternative while covering VHF and UHF for local repeater access.
Baofeng K5 Plus
Beginner wanting easy Bluetooth and CHIRP setup
Offers Bluetooth and CHIRP support, making programming simpler than the Baofeng's analog-only setup.
TD-H3
Feature-focused upgrader seeking programmable flexibility
Bluetooth and CHIRP compatibility give it a higher feature score than the Baofeng.
TD-H3
Portable operator prioritizing lightweight carry
Weighs 245g against 290g, so it suits longer carry on portable outings.
TD-H3
Community repeater user with long channel lists
Holds 999 channels, far more than the alternative's 199, for large repeater lists.
Baofeng K5 Plus

Reasons to choose Baofeng K5 Plus

5x more memory channels (999 vs 199)

Reasons to choose TIDRADIO TD-H3

45g lighter (245g vs 290g)
Has Bluetooth

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng K5 PlusSpecTIDRADIO TD-H3

—

Price

$31.99

Overall Score

+47% for winner

999

Memory Channels

199

5.0× difference

290g

Weight

245g

+19% difference

—

Battery

2500 mAh

Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)

FCC Authorization

Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)

Black

color

1Pack Full Kits(Crystal)

unitCount

Black

Color

1Pack Full Kits (Black)

UHF

Tuner Type

UHF/VHF

K5 Plus

Model Number

TD-H3

User Manual

Built-In Media

1 x Airband Antenna, 1 x 771 Antenna, 1 x Standard Antenna, 1 x Desktop Charger, 1 x Belt Clip, 1 x TIDRADIO TD-H3 Ham Radio, 1 x USB-C Cable (Programming and Charging), Battery, Earpiece

[Frequency-based compatibility]: 136-174 MHz (VHF) and 400-480 MHz (UHF)

Compatible Devices

Ham Radio Handheld,such as baofeng uv-5r series quangsheng uv-k5 etc.

Rechargable

Additional Features

AM/FM Reception, Dual PTT/Dual Watch/Dual Display, One Key Frequency Match, USB-C Programming & Charging, Wireless Radio Replication

Warranty Description

30days

Not Water Resistant

Water Resistance Level

Water Resistant

Made your choice?