RadioRanked verdict
Updated Oct 2026Baofeng UV-82HP vs Radtel RT-860
Our pick
Baofeng UV-82HP$50.00
The Baofeng UV-82HP is the clear winner for most users.
The single most important differentiator is owner feedback. The UV-82HP has 4.4 stars from 4,820 Amazon reviews, while the RT-860 has 3.9 stars from only 139 reviews. This substantial difference in both rating and sample size gives us meaningful buyer evidence that the UV-82HP performs better in the hands of real users.
Specification-wise, the UV-82HP offers 7W transmit power and CHIRP programming support, while we lack the RT-860's transmit power figure. The RT-860 is slightly cheaper at $39 versus $50 and lighter at 255g versus 214g, though the weight difference is modest. The UV-82HP scores 67 overall compared to the RT-860's 45, reflecting better listed specs for the money.
The UV-82HP should appeal to anyone wanting a proven, capable budget handheld with solid owner support. The RT-860 might interest budget-conscious buyers willing to accept less documented performance, though the modest $11 savings hardly justify the lower ratings and missing specifications.
Get the Baofeng UV-82HP unless you have specific reasons favoring the Radtel's form factor or price point.
By use case
Which should you buy?
New operator needing basic repeater access
The UV-82HP offers superior features and power for starting repeater operations.
UV-82HPUltra budget buyer needing high channel count
The RT-860's massive 1024 channel memory is unbeatable at this low price point.
RT-860Portable outdoor communications and field use
Its higher transmit power and better overall feature set make it ideal for the field.
UV-82HPTechnician focused purely on local simplex comms
The RT-860 provides enough basic functionality without the added complexity.
RT-860Operator needing advanced features and future proofing
The inclusion of CHIRP and higher features makes the UV-82HP a better long-term choice.
UV-82HP
Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-82HP
- 41g lighter (214g vs 255g)
- Has CHIRP compatibility
- FCC equipment authorization on file
Reasons to choose Radtel RT-860
- 22% cheaper ($39.00 vs $50.00)
- 8x more memory channels (1,024 vs 128)
- 11% more battery (2000 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng UV-82HPPICK
$50.00 on AmazonRadtel RT-860
$39.00 on AmazonKeep researching
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