RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng UV-21R vs Retevis RT85
Our pick
Retevis RT85$49.99
The Baofeng UV-21R offers better listed specifications for the money, scoring 74 versus 64 on RadioRanked's composite scale. It delivers more transmit power at 6W versus 5W and costs $27 compared to the Retevis RT85's $50. Both radios share identical feature sets with no DMR, APRS, or GPS, and both support CHIRP programming. The most important differentiator is price and power: the UV-21R gives you more watts for half the cost.
The trade-off is weight. The RT85 is noticeably lighter at 227g versus the UV-21R's 300g, which matters if extended portability is your priority. Both radios report identical 4.5 out of 5 owner ratings, though the UV-21R has more reviews behind that score (775 versus 270), giving slightly stronger buyer feedback data.
Buy the Baofeng UV-21R if you prioritize transmit power and budget efficiency. Buy the Retevis RT85 if the weight difference justifies the extra cost for your use case.
For most buyers, the UV-21R's combination of lower price, higher power output, and stronger review volume makes it the better choice unless portability is critical.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-conscious first-time licensee on a tight start
It costs noticeably less and covers VHF, 220MHz, and UHF, giving new operators a wide starting toolkit.
UV-21R 6W Tri-BandOperator needing the most transmit power
At 6W it outputs more power than the 5W Retevis, which helps reach distant repeaters.
UV-21R 6W Tri-BandBuyer wanting a lighter, pocketable radio
At 227g it is noticeably lighter than the 300g Baofeng, which matters on long hikes or field days.
Retevis RT85Casual operator who wants CHIRP and simpler setup
It offers a higher beginner-friendliness score and supports CHIRP programming with a more approachable experience.
Retevis RT85Local ARES or simplex net volunteer with many channels
Its 999-channel memory far exceeds the Retevis 200 channels for storing large net and repeater lists.
UV-21R 6W Tri-BandBuyer wanting a richer feature set for the price
It delivers a higher feature score and broader band coverage than the Retevis at a lower price.
UV-21R 6W Tri-Band
Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-21R
- 20% more TX power (6W vs 5W)
- 5x more memory channels (999 vs 200)
- Has color TFT display
Reasons to choose Retevis RT85
- 73g lighter (227g vs 300g)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng UV-21R
Search on AmazonRetevis RT85PICK
$49.99 on AmazonKeep researching
Related Buying Guides
More head-to-heads