RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Baofeng UV-5R Plus vs Quansheng TK11
Our pick
Quansheng TK11$96.99
The Baofeng UV-5R Plus is the clear winner here. Both radios share identical feature sets: no digital modes, no GPS, no Bluetooth, both CHIRP-programmable, and both lack published IP ratings. The single most important differentiator is price and what owners report.
The UV-5R Plus costs $20 versus $97 for the Quansheng. Owners report 4.5 out of 5 stars across 1818 Amazon reviews for the Baofeng, versus 4.2 stars from just 15 reviews for the Quansheng. The Quansheng is slightly heavier at 284g compared to 250g. We don't have TX power figures for either radio, so that doesn't help differentiate them.
The UV-5R Plus should appeal to anyone seeking an affordable entry point to handheld radio without losing owner confidence. The Quansheng might interest someone who specifically needs its particular features or form factor, but the price premium and thinner owner feedback don't justify the upgrade given these identical specs.
Buy the Baofeng UV-5R Plus unless you have a specific reason to prefer the Quansheng's design or features. At $20 with strong owner reports across a large sample, it's the practical choice.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-conscious buyer on a tight spending limit
Costs less than the alternative and still covers VHF and UHF with 128 channels.
UV-5R PLUS [5 Colors]First-time licensee learning the hobby
Supports CHIRP programming and has a more approachable setup for newcomers than the alternative.
UV-5R PLUS [5 Colors]Emergency preparedness backup radio buyer
Lower cost makes it easy to keep a spare radio in a go-bag.
UV-5R PLUS [5 Colors]Weight-conscious hiker or portable operator
At 250g it is lighter than the alternative, which matters on long carries.
UV-5R PLUS [5 Colors]Operator juggling many local simplex channels
Its 999 memory channels hold far more frequencies than the 128 on the alternative.
TK11
Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-5R Plus
- 34g lighter (250g vs 284g)
Reasons to choose Quansheng TK11
- 8x more memory channels (999 vs 128)
- 67% more battery (3000 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng UV-5R PlusPICK
Search on AmazonQuansheng TK11
$96.99 on AmazonKeep researching
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