Icom IC-705 vs Kenwood TS-890S

The IC-705 is the clear winner for most users.

The single most important differentiator is use case. The IC-705 is a portable HF transceiver with built-in battery, multiband capability including VHF/UHF, and a price tag under $1700. The TS-890S is a desktop HF-only station radio at $4700 that requires external power. Beyond that, the IC-705 owners report 4.9 out of 5 stars across 34 reviews, while TS-890S owners report 4.3 out of 5 across just 3 reviews. The IC-705 also has superior receiver-quality rating (4 of 5 versus 5 of 5), though the TS-890S does edge it out there.

The TS-890S delivers 100 watts versus the IC-705's 10 watts and includes a built-in antenna tuner, which matters for serious fixed-station HF work. The IC-705 sacrifices power and tuning convenience for portability, multiband reach, and dramatically better owner feedback.

Buy the IC-705 if you want portable HF capability, VHF/UHF access, or a sub-$2000 entry point. Buy the TS-890S only if you operate from a fixed location and need 100-watt HF performance with minimal tuner adjustment.

The IC-705 wins on value and user satisfaction for the broadest audience.