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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Baofeng UV-5RM Pro vs Radtel RT-470X

Our pick

Baofeng UV-5RM Pro$59.99

The UV-5RM Pro is the clear winner for most amateur radio users.

The most important differentiator is feature set. The UV-5RM Pro includes APRS and GPS capabilities, making it suitable for location tracking and emergency response work. It also delivers 10W of transmit power, a meaningful advantage for range-dependent operations. The Radtel RT-470X offers CHIRP programming support and an IP54 weather rating, which are genuine strengths, but we lack its transmit power specification, limiting our ability to compare performance directly. The RT-470X is lighter and costs half as much, which matters for budget-conscious operators.

Owners report slightly higher satisfaction with the UV-5RM Pro (4.5 out of 5 from 394 reviews versus 4.1 out of 5 from 256), though both radios show solid feedback.

Buy the UV-5RM Pro if you want proven APRS and GPS features, solid power output, and what owners report as reliable performance. Buy the RT-470X if your budget is tight, you need weather sealing, prefer CHIRP programming, or operate primarily on a single frequency band.

The UV-5RM Pro justifies its premium price through documented capabilities that expand what you can do with your radio.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • First-time POTA/SOTA field operator

    Its higher power and GPS features make it ideal for outdoor activations.

    UV-5RM Plus GPS Ham
  • Ultra budget-conscious beginner hobbyist

    This radio offers core functionality at a significantly lower price point.

    RT-470X
  • Operator needing multi-band receiving capability

    The built-in multi-band receiver makes it versatile for local simplex operations.

    RT-470X
  • Advanced operator needing high feature set

    The greater memory and advanced features support complex digital modes.

    UV-5RM Plus GPS Ham
  • Emergency preparedness/prepper use

    Its robust features and higher power make it reliable for critical communications.

    UV-5RM Plus GPS Ham

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-5RM Pro

  • 3x more memory channels (640 vs 256)
  • Has APRS support
  • Has built-in GPS
  • FCC equipment authorization on file

Reasons to choose Radtel RT-470X

  • 50% cheaper ($29.99 vs $59.99)
  • 12% more battery (2800 mAh vs 2500 mAh)
  • 34g lighter (267g vs 301g)
  • Has CHIRP compatibility
  • IP54 water resistance

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng UV-5RM ProSpecRadtel RT-470X
$59.99
Price
$29.99
77
Overall Score
66
+16% for winner
10.00W
TX Power (High)
—
640
Memory Channels
256
2.5× difference
301g
Weight
267g
+12% difference
2500 mAh
Battery
2800 mAh
+12% for winner
Color LCD
Display
1.77in TFT Color
—
IP Rating
IP54
Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Black-2
color
Standard
Black-2
Color
Standard
7.4 Volts
Voltage
7.4 Volts
UHF/VHF
Tuner Type
FM/AM
UV-5RM
Model Number
RT-470X
2×BAOFENG 5RM radio, 2×2500mAh lithium-ion battery; 2×original headphones; 2×hand microphone; 2×BF-771 high gain antenna; 2×original antenna; 2×power adapter; 2×belt clip ; 2 × hand strap; 1 × programming cable; 1 × user manual
Built-In Media
1x Radtel RT-470X Ham Radio,1x 2800mAh Type-C Battery, 1x 7.87-inch Dual Band 145/435 Antenna, 1x 39-inch USB-C Charger Cable, 1x Belt Clip with Metal Piece, 1x English User Manual,1x AC Power Adapter with USB Port (FCC ID: 2AZSA-RT470X)
Hand Microphone, Original Headphones, High Gain Antennas (BF-771), Original Antennas, Other Two-Way Radios using the same frequency bands and channels
Compatible Devices
K-connector
Battery Saver Mode
Additional Features
Air band RX, Chirp Programming, Multi-band TX/RX, Type-C Charger, Wireless Copy frequency
24 Hours
Battery Average Life
8 Hours
1 Year
Warranty Description
1 Year Warranty

Made your choice?

Baofeng UV-5RM ProPICK

$59.99 on Amazon

Radtel RT-470X

$29.99 on Amazon

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