Baofeng UV-7B vs Retevis RT85

The Baofeng UV-7B emerges as the clear winner here, primarily due to its significantly better overall score and half the price. While the RT85 offers a confirmed 5W transmit power that the UV-7B lacks in specifications, this advantage doesn't overcome the UV-7B's superior performance rating and exceptional value proposition.

The single most important differentiator is the 8-point overall score advantage, which suggests the UV-7B delivers notably better real-world performance across the criteria that matter most to users. For a radio at this price point, that gap is substantial and meaningful.

Budget-conscious operators and those new to ham radio should buy the UV-7B, as its low cost and higher score make it an excellent entry point. The RT85 suits users who specifically need verified 5W output power and don't mind paying double for it.

We recommend the Baofeng UV-7B for most buyers. Unless you have a specific requirement for the documented 5W transmit power, the UV-7B's better overall rating and half the cost make it the smarter purchase. Both support CHIRP programming, so operation is straightforward either way.