Baofeng UV-28 vs Retevis RT85

The UV-28 and RT85 target different priorities. The UV-28 delivers twice the transmit power at 10W versus the RT85's 5W, includes GPS functionality that the RT85 lacks, and costs seven dollars less. The RT85 is significantly lighter at 227g against the UV-28's 360g, making it the choice for users who prioritize portability. Both radios support CHIRP programming and lack published IP ratings, so weather sealing remains unknown for each. Owners of the UV-28 report a 4.1/5 rating across 44 reviews, while RT85 owners report 4.5/5 across 270 reviews. The most important differentiator is the power and feature gap: the UV-28 offers substantially more transmission capability and GPS tracking, while the RT85 prioritizes a lighter package.

Buy the UV-28 if you need the extra power output and GPS tracking for longer-range work or location capability. Buy the RT85 if weight is your primary constraint and you operate primarily in portable, lightweight applications where 5W power is sufficient. For most users balancing capability and price, the UV-28 offers more features at a lower cost, though the RT85's lighter weight matters significantly if fieldwork demands mobility.