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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Baofeng UV-28 vs Retevis A3

Our pick

Baofeng UV-28$58.99

The Baofeng UV-28 is the clear winner for most buyers. The single most important differentiator is price paired with specifications: the UV-28 costs less than half as much while delivering known TX power of 10W, GPS capability, and CHIRP programming support. The Retevis A3 is lighter and costs more, but we lack its TX power specification, and it omits GPS and CHIRP compatibility entirely.

Owner feedback slightly favors the UV-28, with 4.1 out of 5 stars across 44 reviews versus the A3's 3.6 stars from 31 reviews. This suggests buyers report better experiences with the Baofeng. RadioRanked's overall scores reflect better listed specifications for the money with the UV-28.

Buy the Baofeng UV-28 if you want the best value and need GPS or programmability via CHIRP. Buy the Retevis A3 only if weight savings matter critically and you don't need GPS or computer programming. For the vast majority of amateur radio users, the UV-28 offers more capability at a fraction of the cost.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • SOTA/POTA activators needing GPS and range

    The UV-28's GPS and superior features make it ideal for field operations.

    UV-28
  • Beginner monitoring NOAA and basic VHF/UHF

    The A3 provides sufficient basic multi-band coverage for initial monitoring needs.

    A3
  • Budget-conscious entry-level operator

    The UV-28 offers more features and channels for a lower entry price point.

    UV-28
  • Emergency communications and ARES deployment

    Its robust feature set and high channel count suit emergency field coordination.

    UV-28
  • New licensed user focused on simplicity and basics

    The A3's simpler feature set is less overwhelming for brand new licensees.

    A3

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-28

  • 45% cheaper ($58.99 vs $107.99)
  • 0% more memory channels (1,000 vs 999)
  • Has built-in GPS
  • Has Bluetooth
  • Has CHIRP compatibility
  • Has color TFT display
  • FCC equipment authorization on file

Reasons to choose Retevis A3

  • 14% more battery (2500 mAh vs 2200 mAh)
  • 74g lighter (286g vs 360g)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng UV-28SpecRetevis A3
$58.99
Price
$107.99
75
Overall Score
27
2.8× difference
10.00W
TX Power (High)
—
1000
Memory Channels
999
360g
Weight
286g
+27% difference
2200 mAh
Battery
2500 mAh
+14% for winner
Color LCD
Display
—
On file, scope unconfirmed
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Black
color
Green
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

Baofeng UV-28PICK

$58.99 on Amazon

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