RadioRanked verdict
Updated Oct 2026Baofeng UV-5R Mini vs Baofeng UV-7B
Our pick
Baofeng UV-7B$25.49
The UV-5R Mini edges out the UV-7B despite a slightly lower overall score. The key differentiator is transmit power: the UV-5R Mini delivers a specified 2 watts, while the UV-7B's power rating is unknown. For handheld FM work, that confirmed extra power matters in practice. Both radios support CHIRP programming and lack DMR, APRS, and GPS. The UV-5R Mini is also 60 grams lighter at 200g, which counts for pocket carry and extended use. On price, the UV-7B costs five dollars less, but owners report slightly higher satisfaction with the UV-5R Mini at 4.6 out of 5 stars across 450 reviews versus 4.4 out of 5 from 98 reviews. The UV-5R Mini's larger review sample gives better confidence in what buyers experience.
Buy the UV-5R Mini if you want confirmed output power and lighter weight for regular pocket use. Buy the UV-7B only if budget is your absolute priority and you can verify its transmit power meets your needs independently.
The UV-5R Mini is the better choice for most users.
By use case
Which should you buy?
First-time amateur radio licensee
Its slightly higher beginner rating and Bluetooth feature make it a smoother starting point.
UV-7BBudget-conscious backup communication unit
The UV-7B offers slightly more features and a better overall score for the price.
UV-7BOperator needing maximum channel memory
The UV-7B provides 1000 channels, which is superior to the 999 channels of the UV-5R Mini.
UV-7BLocal repeater monitoring and use
The UV-5R Mini's specific 'best for' use case suggests it is optimized for local repeater operations.
UV-5R Mini Dual-bandAdvanced field use with Bluetooth connectivity
Bluetooth integration on the UV-7B adds modern convenience for field use.
UV-7B
Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-5R Mini
- 60g lighter (200g vs 260g)
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-7B
- 21% cheaper ($25.49 vs $32.47)
- 0% more memory channels (1,000 vs 999)
- Has Bluetooth
- Has color TFT display
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng UV-5R Mini
$32.47 on AmazonBaofeng UV-7BPICK
$25.49 on AmazonMore head-to-heads