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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Baofeng UV-82HP vs Retevis A3

Our pick

Baofeng UV-82HP$50.00

The Baofeng UV-82HP is the clear winner for most users. It offers substantially better listed specifications for the money, with higher transmit power, CHIRP compatibility for easy programming, and a lighter weight package at half the A3's price. The UV-82HP's overall score of 67 reflects these advantages plus strong owner feedback: 4,820 Amazon reviewers rate it 4.4 out of 5 stars. The Retevis A3, by comparison, lacks known TX power specifications and CHIRP support, with only 31 Amazon reviews averaging 3.6 stars.

The single most important differentiator is the UV-82HP's significantly lower price combined with better-specified features and substantially more owner reporting. This gives you more confidence in what you're buying.

Buy the UV-82HP if you want proven value, strong user consensus, and full-featured capability in an affordable handheld. Buy the A3 only if you have specific research indicating it meets needs the UV-82HP doesn't, since our available data doesn't support that case.

The Baofeng UV-82HP is the straightforward recommendation for amateur radio operators seeking budget-conscious performance with community validation.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • First-time operator needing basic VHF/UHF

    The UV-82HP offers better general features and a higher beginner score for local use.

    UV-82HP
  • Budget-constrained NOAA monitoring and repeater use

    The A3's high channel count and focus on basic multi-band coverage are ideal for monitoring.

    A3
  • Portable outdoor use and general local contacts

    Its superior features and higher axes score make it better for varied outdoor operations.

    UV-82HP
  • New licensed tech needing basic multi-band coverage

    The A3 is specifically suited for basic multi-band coverage and monitoring needs.

    A3
  • Operator needing a secondary, simple backup radio

    The UV-82HP provides more robust features while remaining highly budget-friendly.

    UV-82HP

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-82HP

  • 54% cheaper ($50.00 vs $107.99)
  • 72g lighter (214g vs 286g)
  • Has CHIRP compatibility
  • FCC equipment authorization on file

Reasons to choose Retevis A3

  • 8x more memory channels (999 vs 128)
  • 39% more battery (2500 mAh vs 1800 mAh)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng UV-82HPSpecRetevis A3
$50.00
Price
$107.99
67
Overall Score
27
2.5× difference
7.00W
TX Power (High)
—
128
Memory Channels
999
7.7× difference
214g
Weight
286g
+33% difference
1800 mAh
Battery
2500 mAh
+39% for winner
Covers GMRS only (Part 95E)
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Black
color
Green

Made your choice?

Baofeng UV-82HPPICK

$50.00 on Amazon

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