RadioRanked verdict
Updated Oct 2026Baofeng UV-5R vs Radtel RT-860
Our pick
Baofeng UV-5R$17.17
The UV-5R is the clear winner for most users. Both radios offer similar core specifications—neither includes DMR, APRS, or GPS, and both weigh around 250 grams. The decisive factors are price and owner feedback. At $16 versus $39, the UV-5R costs less than half as much while delivering known transmit power of 5 watts and CHIRP compatibility for programming. The UV-5R's owner rating of 4.5 stars from over 10,000 Amazon reviews represents substantial buyer feedback, whereas the RT-860's 3.9 stars come from only 139 reviews. We lack the RT-860's transmit power specification, so direct performance comparison is incomplete.
Buy the UV-5R if you want an affordable entry point with strong owner consensus and established CHIRP support. Buy the RT-860 only if you need features the UV-5R lacks or have specific knowledge the higher price delivers value for your use case—the available data doesn't support that conclusion.
The UV-5R remains the recommendation for newcomers seeking reliable, budget-conscious performance backed by extensive user experience.
By use case
Which should you buy?
First-time hobbyist needing basic features
The UV-5R offers more features and a higher beginner score for general learning.
UV-5ROperator needing maximum channel memory
The RT-860's 1024 channels provide significantly more capacity for logging.
RT-860Budget-focused user prioritizing low cost
The UV-5R is substantially cheaper and still provides excellent entry-level performance.
UV-5RUser focused only on basic analog VHF/UHF
The RT-860's dedicated analog focus simplifies the experience for basic users.
RT-860Portable field use requiring lightweight design
The UV-5R is slightly lighter and better suited for extended, portable operations.
UV-5R
Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-5R
- 56% cheaper ($17.17 vs $39.00)
- 5g lighter (250g vs 255g)
- Has CHIRP compatibility
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Reasons to choose Radtel RT-860
- 8x more memory channels (1,024 vs 128)
- 11% more battery (2000 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng UV-5RPICK
$17.17 on AmazonRadtel RT-860
$39.00 on AmazonKeep researching
Related Buying Guides
More head-to-heads