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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Baofeng UV-5RM Plus vs Quansheng TK11

Our pick

Baofeng UV-5RM Plus$59.99

The Baofeng UV-5RM Plus is the clear winner here. The single most important differentiator is price combined with owner feedback: the UV-5RM costs $37 less and has significantly more reviews (352 vs. 15), with owners reporting 4.6/5 satisfaction versus 4.2/5 for the TK11. Both radios are functionally similar, lacking DMR, APRS, and GPS, and both skip IP ratings. The UV-5RM's known 10W transmission power and CHIRP compatibility are practical advantages over the TK11's unknown power spec and lack of CHIRP support. The UV-5RM is also marginally lighter at 290g.

The UV-5RM Plus should appeal to budget-conscious operators who want a proven entry-level radio backed by strong owner confidence. The TK11 makes sense only if you have specific reasons to prefer it, though the thin review sample makes it hard to assess whether owners' lower rating reflects genuine shortcomings or just fewer users.

Buy the Baofeng UV-5RM Plus. It costs less, has better documented owner satisfaction across a much larger sample, and offers CHIRP support that the TK11 lacks. Unless you have particular brand loyalty or feature needs not reflected here, the UV-5RM is the smarter choice.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Budget-conscious new license holder

    It offers far superior features and memory capacity for the low price.

    UV-5RM Plus
  • Casual local simplex communication only

    Its simplicity and low cost make it perfect for basic, local analog use.

    TK11
  • Field team needing multiple channels

    The high channel count and CHIRP support are essential for organized field work.

    UV-5RM Plus
  • Beginner needing a simple loaner radio

    Its basic nature reduces complexity, making it ideal for a temporary loaner unit.

    TK11
  • Operator needing basic repeater monitoring

    Its superior features and memory management greatly exceed the basic needs of monitoring.

    UV-5RM Plus

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-5RM Plus

  • 38% cheaper ($59.99 vs $96.99)
  • Has CHIRP compatibility
  • Has color TFT display

Reasons to choose Quansheng TK11

  • 67% more battery (3000 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
  • 6g lighter (284g vs 290g)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng UV-5RM PlusSpecQuansheng TK11
$59.99
Price
$96.99
71
Overall Score
33
2.2× difference
10.00W
TX Power (High)
—
999
Memory Channels
999
290g
Weight
284g
+2% difference
1800 mAh
Battery
3000 mAh
+67% for winner
Color LCD
Display
—
Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)
FCC Authorization
Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)
Black
color
Black
2
unitCount
1
Black 2Pack Full Kit
Color
Black
UV-5RM
Model Number
UV-K5
2×UV-5RM radio, 1×Programming Cable, 2×Earpieces, 2×Speaker Mic, 2×Tactical antennas, 2×Original antenna, 2×Charging base, 2×USB-C charging cables, 2×2500mAh battery, 2×belt clip, 2×Hand strap, 1×Instruction manual
Built-In Media
Handheld Radio
136-512 MHz
Frequency Range
350-490 MHz
Programming Cable, Speaker Mic, Tactical Antenna, Earphones, Weather Radios
Compatible Devices
Smartphone
Copy Frequency, NOAA Weather Receiver, Tactical Antenna, Type C Charging
Additional Features
Dual Band, Lightweight, Long Range, Rechargable
1 Year
Warranty Description
This item can be returned in its original condition for a refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Not Water Resistant
Water Resistance Level
Waterproof

Made your choice?

Baofeng UV-5RM PlusPICK

$59.99 on Amazon

Quansheng TK11

$96.99 on Amazon

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