Baofeng UV-82 vs TYT MD-UV390

The UV-82 is the better choice for most operators.

The single most important differentiator is price. Both radios deliver identical transmit power at 5 watts, and their owner ratings show what buyers actually report: UV-82 owners rate it 4.4/5 across 830 reviews while MD-UV390 owners rate it 4.0/5 across 142 reviews. The MD-UV390 adds DMR capability and carries an IP67 weather rating, but costs four times as much. The UV-82 supports CHIRP programming while the MD-UV390 does not. We lack the MD-UV390's weight specification, so cannot compare portability directly.

The UV-82 suits operators who want basic VHF/UHF coverage, CHIRP compatibility, and a radio that owners broadly endorse, without spending significantly. The MD-UV390 makes sense for operators who specifically need DMR digital mode operation and require the IP67 weather protection that specification provides.

Buy the UV-82 unless you have a documented need for DMR digital operation. If DMR is essential to your use case, the MD-UV390's digital capability justifies its price despite the smaller owner review base and lower reported rating.