Baofeng UV-82 vs Retevis A3

The Baofeng UV-82 is the clear winner for most amateur radio users.

The single most important differentiator is value for money. The UV-82 costs $25 versus $108 for the Retevis A3, yet offers better listed specifications at a lower price. The UV-82 delivers known 8W transmission power and CHIRP compatibility for easy programming, while we lack the A3's TX power specification. Both radios share identical feature sets, lacking DMR, APRS, and GPS. The UV-82 weighs 20 grams less, a minor advantage in a handheld.

Owner feedback tells the real story. The UV-82 has a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 830 Amazon reviews, reflecting substantial real-world user experience. The A3 scores 3.6 from just 31 reviews, a much smaller sample that provides less reliable insight into typical ownership.

The UV-82 achieves a RadioRanked score of 70 versus 27 for the A3, reflecting significantly better specifications relative to its price point.

Buy the Baofeng UV-82 unless you have specific needs the A3 addresses that aren't apparent in these specs. Buy the Retevis A3 only if you've identified particular features or performance characteristics that justify the cost premium and accept the thinner owner feedback.