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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Nov 2026

Baofeng UV-82HP vs Wouxun KG-UV9D Plus

Our pick

Wouxun KG-UV9D Plus$179.99

The Baofeng UV-82HP is the clear winner here. This is a straightforward comparison where one radio outperforms the other across nearly every meaningful metric.

The single most important differentiator is the overall score gap. The UV-82HP scores 65/100 while the Wouxun limps in at 33/100, a massive 32-point spread that reflects real-world performance differences. The UV-82HP also delivers higher transmit power at 7W versus 5W, and it's CHIRP-compatible for easier programming, while costing just $50 versus $180.

The Baofeng UV-82HP is the obvious choice for beginners, budget-conscious operators, and anyone seeking reliable dual-band performance without breaking the bank. The Wouxun KG-UV9D Plus might appeal only to users with specific legacy system requirements or those who already own compatible accessories, but even then the performance gap is hard to justify.

Our recommendation is simple: buy the Baofeng UV-82HP. It delivers superior performance at one-third the price and scores significantly higher in testing. Unless you have a compelling technical reason to choose otherwise, there's no rational argument for spending $130 more on the lower-scoring radio.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • First-time licensee starting local contacts

    Its higher beginner score and CHIRP programming support make it a friendlier entry point for new operators.

    UV-82HP
  • Budget-constrained buyer wanting VHF and UHF

    It costs far less while still covering both VHF and UHF bands for local and repeater use.

    UV-82HP
  • Operator needing basic repeater access

    It offers 7W of transmit power against 5W, giving it an edge for reaching repeaters from marginal locations.

    UV-82HP
  • Monitoring airband and broadcast frequencies

    Its 999-channel memory and wider receive coverage suit scanning across many frequencies at once.

    KG-UV9D Plus
  • Operator wanting a high-capacity channel list

    Its 999 memory channels far exceed the Baofeng's 128, suiting users managing large channel lists.

    KG-UV9D Plus
  • Lightweight outdoor secondary radio user

    At 214 grams it is lighter than the Wouxun and has a higher portability score for carrying outdoors.

    UV-82HP

Reasons to choose Baofeng UV-82HP

  • 40% more TX power (7W vs 5W)
  • 36g lighter (214g vs 250g)

Reasons to choose Wouxun KG-UV9D Plus

  • 8x more memory channels (999 vs 128)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Baofeng UV-82HPSpecWouxun KG-UV9D Plus
—
Price
$179.99
53
Overall Score
41
+30% for winner
7.00W
TX Power (High)
5.00W
+41% for winner
128
Memory Channels
999
7.7× difference
214g
Weight
250g
+16% difference
1800 mAh
Battery
—
Covers the electronics only (Part 15B)
FCC Authorization
On file, scope unconfirmed
Black
color
Black
685256254850 757440563366
UPC
726312619104
Black
Color
Black
8.4 Volts
Voltage
7 Volts
UHF, VHF
Tuner Type
UHF
UV-82HP
Model Number
KG UV9D Plus
[INF] Other two-way radios, walkie-talkies, or ham radios compatible with UHF and VHF frequencies, tuner technology, and power levels
Compatible Devices
RM
VOX Talk Around Mode, Battery Saver Mode
Additional Features
Dual Receiving, Duplex Work on A&B Areas (TX on one area while RX on the other area simultaneously), Output Power VHF H:5W,M:2W,L:1W UHF H:4W,M:2W,L:1W, RX on the same/different bands of A&B areas simultaneously, UHF/VHF or VHF/UHF Cross-Band Repeater
Waterproof
Water Resistance Level
Waterproof
2.5"D x 7"W x 8.1"H
Item Dimensions D x W x H
1.97"D x 3.94"W x 5.12"H

Made your choice?

Baofeng UV-82HPPICK

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Wouxun KG-UV9D Plus

$179.99 on Amazon

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