Skip to main content

RadioRanked verdict

Updated Sep 2026

Icom IC-7100 vs Xiegu G106

Our pick

Xiegu G106$236.55

The Xiegu G106 is the clear winner for most amateur operators. The single most important differentiator is price paired with owner satisfaction: the G106 costs roughly one-quarter as much as the IC-7100, yet owners report 4.4 out of 5 stars across 130 reviews compared to the IC-7100's 3.5 stars from just 20 reviews. The IC-7100 offers 100 watts, multiband capability across HF through UHF, and six modes including digital voice, making it the choice for operators who need full-featured mobile or base station operation and higher power. The G106 should appeal to QRP enthusiasts, portable operators, or budget-conscious hams entering HF who value lightweight performance and proven owner satisfaction. For most buyers, the G106's exceptional value and strong owner feedback make it the safer recommendation unless you specifically require the IC-7100's additional bands, power, or mode capabilities.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Mobile operator needing multi-band capability

    The IC-7100 offers integrated VHF and UHF bands alongside HF, making it highly versatile.

    IC-7100
  • Budget-conscious CW operator needing portability

    Its low price point and lightweight design make the Xiegu an ideal minimalist choice for portable operation.

    G106
  • Advanced digital mode user (D-STAR)

    The IC-7100 includes dedicated D-STAR support, which the G106 lacks.

    IC-7100
  • UL backpacking or QRP field setup

    The Xiegu's extremely low weight and simple controls are perfect for minimalist, off-grid use.

    G106
  • Operator needing a full shack upgrade (VHF/UHF)

    The IC-7100 provides comprehensive multi-band coverage necessary for serious base station work.

    IC-7100
  • Beginner focused solely on HF and CW

    It offers enough functionality for a beginner focusing only on basic HF communication modes.

    G106

Reasons to choose Icom IC-7100

  • 1900% more TX power (100W vs 5W)
  • Has D-STAR

Reasons to choose Xiegu G106

  • 77% cheaper ($236.55 vs $1049.95)
  • 1580g lighter (720g vs 2300g)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Icom IC-7100SpecXiegu G106
$1049.95
Price
$236.55
58
Overall Score
68
+18% for winner
100.00W
TX Power (High)
5.00W
20.0× difference
47
Receiver Score
47
superhet
Receiver Architecture
direct-sampling
SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, DV
Modes
SSB, CW, AM
HF, 6m, VHF, UHF
Bands
HF
No
Built-in Antenna Tuner
No
No
Spectrum Waterfall
No
495
Memory Channels
—
2300g
Weight
720g
3.2× difference
LCD
Display
—
Not required (Part 97 amateur)
FCC Authorization
Not required (Part 97 amateur)
Black
color
Black
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

Icom IC-7100

$1049.95 on Amazon

Xiegu G106PICK

$236.55 on Amazon

Keep researching

Related Buying Guides

More head-to-heads

Related Comparisons