RadioRanked verdict
Updated Nov 2026Radioddity DB50 vs TYT TH-9800
Our pick
TYT TH-9800$219.99
The TYT TH-9800 is the better choice for most buyers.
These radios are functionally identical on paper: both deliver 50W, support CHIRP programming, and lack DMR, APRS, and GPS. The decisive differentiator is weight. The TYT weighs 1200g versus the Radioddity's 1850g, a substantial 650-gram gap that matters if you're mounting this in a vehicle or carrying it frequently.
Price favors the TYT by $30, and owner ratings show 804 Amazon reviewers reporting 4.0/5 stars versus 115 reviewers at 4.3/5 for the Radioddity. The larger sample size for the TYT gives you more confidence in what owners actually experience, even though the Radioddity's smaller group rates it slightly higher.
The Radioddity DB50 makes sense only if you specifically need the extra weight for some reason, which is unlikely in a mobile radio.
Choose the TYT TH-9800 unless weight is irrelevant to your installation. The TH-9800 combines better weight, lower price, and feedback from a much larger owner base, making it the practical winner here.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-minded buyer wanting a capable mobile on a tight budget
It costs less than the alternative while adding 10m and 6m FM access and an 800-channel memory.
TH-9800Technician or General operator wanting HF-adjacent FM mobile access
Its 10m and 6m FM coverage lets operators use a single mobile without a separate HF rig.
TH-9800Traveling ham wanting one mobile across four major FM bands
It covers 10m, 6m, VHF and UHF in a lighter 1200g package for frequent relocation.
TH-9800Operator needing a detachable front panel for theft deterrence
The DB50 offers a detachable front panel, which the TH-9800 does not provide.
DB50Buyer wanting high-power 50W VHF and UHF with dual-watch monitoring
Its 50W output and dual-watch monitoring across two frequencies suit operators focused on 2m and 70cm work.
DB50Buyer prioritizing a higher feature score over lower cost
The DB50 earns a higher feature score, which matters more to buyers who want richer radio functions.
DB50
Reasons to choose Radioddity DB50
- No clear advantages in this comparison
Reasons to choose TYT TH-9800
- 6% more memory channels (800 vs 758)
- 650g lighter (1200g vs 1850g)
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Radioddity DB50
Search on AmazonTYT TH-9800PICK
$219.99 on AmazonKeep researching
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