Baofeng UV-5RM Plus vs Retevis RA79

The Baofeng UV-5RM Plus is the clear winner here. While the Retevis RA79 costs half as much, you genuinely get what you pay for in this comparison.

The single most important differentiator is the confirmed 10W transmit power on the Baofeng versus unknown specs on the Retevis. In amateur radio, TX power directly impacts your ability to establish reliable communications, especially in fringe coverage areas. The Baofeng's higher output gives you meaningful range advantages that justify its higher cost.

Both radios support CHIRP programming, which is excellent for avoiding manual frequency entry, but the Baofeng's superior overall score of 71 versus 60 reflects better real-world performance and build quality. The $30 price gap is negligible in the context of radio utility.

The Retevis RA79 makes sense only for absolute budget-conscious beginners who want to dabble risk-free, while the Baofeng UV-5RM Plus is the better investment for anyone serious about actually using their handheld.

We recommend the Baofeng UV-5RM Plus for nearly all buyers in this category.