RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng UV-26 vs Retevis RA79
Our pick
Retevis RA79$34.99
The Retevis RA79 is the stronger choice. Both radios share identical feature sets: no digital modes, GPS, Bluetooth, or IP rating. We lack the RA79's transmit power and UV-26's weight, so we cannot compare those specifications. The decisive factor is price and owner feedback. The RA79 costs $31 with a known price point, while the UV-26's price is unknown. Owners report slightly higher satisfaction with the RA79 (4.5 out of 5 from 278 reviews versus 4.4 out of 5 from 94 reviews), and the RA79 includes CHIRP programming support, which the UV-26 lacks. This makes the RA79 more accessible for users who want to program frequencies on a computer.
Buy the Retevis RA79 if you want transparent pricing, CHIRP support, and what owners report as slightly better satisfaction. Buy the Baofeng UV-26 only if its unknown price turns out significantly lower than $31 and its transmit power advantage justifies the missing programming flexibility.
The RA79 wins on available information and practical features.
By use case
Which should you buy?
First-time licensee choosing an easy-to-use handheld
Its higher beginner-friendliness rating makes it the easier starting point for someone new to handheld operation.
RA79Budget-conscious ham exploring VHF, UHF, and 1.25m
It costs less while still covering VHF, UHF, and 1.25m for low-risk band exploration.
RA79Emergency preparedness station needing wider reach
Its 10W transmit output and 999 memory channels suit preparedness stations needing wide reach.
Baofeng UV-26Repeater user wanting a richer feature set
It offers a higher feature rating and a much larger channel memory for managing many repeater and simplex frequencies.
Baofeng UV-26Field operator carrying a radio during outdoor activities
Its 225g weight and lower cost suit field users who carry the radio for long stretches.
RA79
Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-26
- 5x more memory channels (999 vs 200)
- 79% more battery (2500 mAh vs 1400 mAh)
- Has color TFT display
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Reasons to choose Retevis RA79
- Has CHIRP compatibility
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng UV-26
Search on AmazonRetevis RA79PICK
$34.99 on AmazonMore head-to-heads