Baofeng UV-5R vs Baofeng UV-5R Plus

The UV-5R is the clear winner here. Both radios share identical listed specifications: same weight, both CHIRP-compatible, both lacking DMR, APRS, GPS, and published IP ratings. The UV-5R's single most important advantage is price. At $16 versus $20, you're paying $4 more for the Plus model while gaining no documented improvements. The UV-5R also has considerably more owner feedback to rely on, with 10,207 Amazon reviews versus 1,818 for the Plus, all reporting the same 4.5 out of 5 stars.

We cannot determine the Plus's transmit power from available data, so we cannot claim superiority either way on that spec. However, the combination of lower price and substantially larger review volume makes the UV-5R the logical choice. Owners report the same satisfaction level with both, but the original UV-5R has far more voice in that consensus.

The UV-5R is the right pick for anyone seeking an entry-level handheld without spending extra for unspecified improvements. The Plus makes sense only if you have specific features in mind that justify the premium, but those features aren't documented here. Buy the UV-5R.