Baofeng UV-28 vs Y23UV-98PLUS

The Baofeng UV-28 is the better choice for most buyers.

Both radios share the same transmit power and weight class, but the UV-28 costs $35 less while offering CHIRP support for easier programming and a documented weight of 360g. The Y23UV-98PLUS adds APRS capability, which appeals to specific use cases like position tracking, but lacks CHIRP compatibility. Owners report 4.1 stars across 44 reviews for the Baofeng versus 4.0 stars from 16 reviews for the Y23, though this difference is marginal. The smaller review sample for the Y23 means less buyer feedback to evaluate.

The key differentiator is price and programmability. The UV-28's CHIRP support makes it significantly easier to manage frequencies on a computer, a real advantage for operators who work multiple repeaters or DMR networks. The Y23's APRS feature is valuable only if you need automatic position reporting.

The UV-28 suits general-purpose operators and those new to the hobby who want simpler programming. The Y23UV-98PLUS makes sense for users specifically wanting APRS tracking capability who don't mind manual programming.

Choose the Baofeng UV-28 unless APRS position reporting is essential to your operations.