RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

Baofeng UV-28 vs Radioddity GD-88

Our pick

Radioddity GD-88$154.99

The UV-28 edges out the GD-88 with a 75 to 73 overall score, but the choice between them hinges on your use case and budget. The UV-28 costs $45 versus $177 for the GD-88, a substantial difference. The GD-88 compensates with digital mode support (DMR and APRS), an IP54 weather rating, and lower weight at 318g. The UV-28 offers higher transmit power (10W vs 7W), GPS and Bluetooth, and supports CHIRP programming. Owners report 4.1/5 stars across 44 reviews for the UV-28 and 3.9/5 across 92 reviews for the GD-88. The single most important differentiator is that the GD-88 supports DMR and APRS digital modes while the UV-28 does not. If you need analog-only operation and want the lowest cost of entry, buy the UV-28. If you want digital mode capability and weather resistance and can spend more, buy the GD-88. For most casual users, the UV-28 offers the better value proposition at one quarter the price.

Runner-up

Baofeng UV-28

Good

Search on Amazon

See full review and specs

Winner

Radioddity GD-88

$154.99

Very Good

$154.99 on Amazon

See full review and specs

By use case

Which should you buy?

Budget-conscious first-time licensee
It costs far less and its beginner-friendly interface makes it an easy way to start learning local repeaters.
UV-28
Field coordinator for SOTA or emergency deployment
Its 10W transmit power, GPS, and large 1000-channel memory suit activators and ARES or RACES coordination work.
UV-28
Operator wanting digital DMR and APRS modes
It supports DMR and APRS, which the Baofeng lacks, and offers a stronger feature set for digital operation.
GD-88
Buyer prioritizing a lighter, more compact handheld
At 318g it is lighter than the 360g Baofeng, making it the better pick for longer carry sessions.
GD-88
Budget DMR adopter upgrading from analog
It adds digital mode capability with a 4000-channel memory and IP54 rating for outdoor use.
GD-88
Dual-band monitoring enthusiast on a tight budget
It covers VHF and UHF with CHIRP programming support at a lower cost than the Radioddity.
UV-28

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-28

43% more TX power (10W vs 7W)
Has Bluetooth
Has CHIRP compatibility
Has color TFT display

Reasons to choose Radioddity GD-88

4x more memory channels (4,000 vs 1,000)
36% more battery (3000 mAh vs 2200 mAh)
42g lighter (318g vs 360g)
Has DMR digital mode
Has APRS support
IP54 water resistance

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng UV-28SpecRadioddity GD-88

—

Price

$154.99

Overall Score

+18% for winner

10.00W

TX Power (High)

7.00W

+43% for winner

1000

Memory Channels

4000

4.0× difference

360g

Weight

318g

+14% difference

2200 mAh

Battery

3000 mAh

+37% for winner

Color LCD

Display

—

IP Rating

IP54

On file, scope unconfirmed

FCC Authorization

Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)

Black

color

black

unitCount

Black

Color

black

UHF VHF

Tuner Type

UHF, VHF

UV-28 Plus

Model Number

GD 88

1 x Headset, 1 x Belt Clip, 1 x Wrist Strap, 1 x High-Gain ANT, 1 x Speaker Mic, 1 x UV-28 PLUS Ham Radio, 2 x 2200mAh Li-ion Battery, 1 x Desktop Charger with Adapter

Built-In Media

3000mAh lithium-ion battery, programming cable

Repeater, Smartphone

Compatible Devices

[Other two-way radios on VHF/UHF bands & accessories with compatible connectors]

CHIRP Compatible, Digital Display, GPS, Long Range, Wireless APP Programmable

Additional Features

Uhf

18 Months Warranty & Lifetime Support

Warranty Description

18 Months Warranty & Lifetime Support

Made your choice?