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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Icom IC-7300 vs Xiegu G90

Our pick

Xiegu G90$420.00

The Xiegu G90 is the clear winner for most amateur radio operators, despite the IC-7300's higher overall score.

The single most important differentiator is price combined with portability. The G90 costs less than 40 percent of the IC-7300 while weighing less than half as much. For buyers prioritizing value and mobility, this gap is decisive. The IC-7300 justifies its cost only if you need 100 watts of transmit power instead of 20, full 6-meter coverage, or a Class 4 receiver versus Class 3. Owners report nearly identical satisfaction for both radios (4.6 versus 4.5 stars across hundreds of reviews), so neither enjoys a reliability or user experience advantage in real-world use.

The IC-7300 makes sense for operators who need full legal power output and established dealer support, or who operate 6 meters regularly. The G90 is the choice for budget-conscious operators, portable field use, or anyone for whom 20 watts and HF-only coverage suffices.

Buy the G90 unless you specifically need the IC-7300's extra power or 6-meter capability. The price and weight savings are substantial enough to matter for most operators, and owner ratings show you sacrifice nothing in satisfaction.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Dedicated home shack operator needing 6m capability

    The IC-7300's inclusion of the 6m band makes it superior for modern HF operations.

    IC-7300
  • Portable field operator prioritizing weight and size

    At 1.6kg, the Xiegu G90 is significantly lighter than the Icom IC-7300, making it better for travel.

    G90
  • Beginner focused on ease of use and portability

    The G90's lower power output and smaller size make it perfect for a self-contained field station setup.

    G90
  • Advanced operator needing high transmit power (100W)

    The IC-7300 offers 100W of output, which is crucial for long-distance DX contacts.

    IC-7300
  • Operator wanting a comprehensive all-in-one station

    Its full feature set, including the waterfall and multiple bands, makes it a powerful desk setup.

    IC-7300
  • CW operator needing robust features in a compact package

    The G90 provides all necessary modes (SSB/CW) while maintaining excellent portability for field use.

    G90

Reasons to choose Icom IC-7300

  • 400% more TX power (100W vs 20W)
  • Better receiver (85 vs 70 receiver score)

Reasons to choose Xiegu G90

  • 65% cheaper ($420.00 vs $1199.95)
  • 2570g lighter (1630g vs 4200g)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Icom IC-7300SpecXiegu G90
$1199.95
Price
$420.00
79
Overall Score
82
+4% for winner
100.00W
TX Power (High)
20.00W
5.0× difference
85
Receiver Score
70
+22% for winner
direct-sampling
Receiver Architecture
direct-sampling
SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY
Modes
SSB, CW, AM, FM
HF, 6m
Bands
HF
Yes
Built-in Antenna Tuner
Yes
Yes
Spectrum Waterfall
Yes
101
Memory Channels
—
4200g
Weight
1630g
2.6× difference
—
Display
Color LCD
Not required (Part 97 amateur)
FCC Authorization
Not required (Part 97 amateur)
Black
color
black
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

Icom IC-7300

$1199.95 on Amazon

Xiegu G90PICK

$420.00 on Amazon

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