Baofeng UV-21R vs Retevis A3

The Baofeng UV-21R is the clear winner for most users.

The most important differentiator is price paired with owner satisfaction. The UV-21R costs $27 versus $108 for the Retevis A3, and owners report significantly better experiences with the Baofeng, rating it 4.5 out of 5 across 775 reviews compared to the A3's 3.6 out of 5 from only 31 reviews. The UV-21R also offers better listed specifications for the money, reflected in its 74 overall score versus the A3's 27. Both radios share identical feature sets—no DMR, APRS, or GPS—and comparable weight. We lack the A3's transmit power specification, so we cannot claim any advantage there, but the UV-21R's 6W output is solid for a budget handheld.

The UV-21R should appeal to budget-conscious operators and beginners who want a reliable entry point into amateur radio. The A3 might interest someone specifically seeking a radio in that weight range or with particular capabilities we haven't measured, though the limited owner feedback and premium price make it a harder sell.

Buy the Baofeng UV-21R unless you have specific needs the A3 addresses.