Baofeng UV-25 vs Baofeng UV-5R Plus

The UV-5R Plus is the clear winner for most buyers.

The single most important differentiator is price and owner feedback. The UV-5R Plus costs $20 versus $54 for the UV-25, and owners report significantly higher satisfaction with 4.5 stars across 1,818 reviews compared to 4.3 stars from 89 reviews. While the UV-25 offers built-in GPS and higher transmit power at 10W, we don't have the transmit power figure for the UV-5R Plus, so we cannot claim the UV-25 is meaningfully more powerful. Both support CHIRP programming and lack published IP ratings.

The UV-25 appeals to users who specifically need integrated GPS capability and can justify the $34 premium for it. The UV-5R Plus suits most operators who want a budget-friendly, lightweight handheld with proven owner satisfaction and established CHIRP support.

Buy the UV-5R Plus if you need a reliable starter radio or backup without GPS requirements. Buy the UV-25 if GPS functionality justifies the cost premium for your use case. For most users, the UV-5R Plus delivers better value.