Baofeng UV-28 vs Baofeng UV-82

The UV-82 is the better choice for most users.

The single most important differentiator is price and owner feedback. The UV-82 costs $26 versus $45 for the UV-28, and owners report significantly higher satisfaction on the UV-82 with a 4.4/5 rating across 830 reviews compared to 4.1/5 from just 44 reviews on the UV-28. This broader owner consensus matters.

The UV-28 offers higher transmit power (10W versus 5W), GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity, which justify its higher price for users who specifically need those features. However, for straightforward handheld communications, the UV-82 delivers what most operators need at half the cost while being lighter and more proven in the field based on owner reports.

The UV-82 is the practical choice for budget-conscious operators and those new to the hobby. The UV-28 suits users who prioritize GPS navigation or Bluetooth connectivity and can justify the expense.

Go with the UV-82 unless GPS or Bluetooth are must-haves for your use case. The price advantage and depth of owner feedback make it the smarter baseline recommendation.