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RadioRanked verdict

Updated Oct 2026

Radtel RT-880 vs Retevis A3

Our pick

Radtel RT-880$65.12

The Radtel RT-880 is the clear winner here. Both radios share identical feature sets: no DMR, APRS, or GPS, and neither lists TX power or IP ratings. The critical differences come down to price and what owners report.

The RT-880 costs $34 less at $74 versus $108, and owners give it substantially higher marks. The RT-880 has a 4.3/5 rating from 207 Amazon reviews, indicating consistent positive feedback across a large sample. The Retevis A3 manages only 3.6/5 from 31 reviews, suggesting less satisfied buyers and based on far fewer opinions. We don't know the RT-880's weight, but this is missing data rather than a problem.

The single most important differentiator is owner satisfaction: the RT-880 owners report notably better experiences across a much larger review base.

Buy the RT-880 if you want solid value with strong owner backing. Buy the Retevis A3 only if you specifically need to know its exact weight or prefer exploring a less-reviewed option, though the price premium is hard to justify given the feedback gap.

The RT-880 is the smarter choice for most users.

By use case

Which should you buy?

  • Experienced operator needing high channel count

    The RT-880 offers a superior 1024 channel memory for complex operations.

    RT-880
  • New beginner needing simple multi-band coverage

    The A3 provides basic multi-band functionality suitable for a first-time licensee.

    A3
  • Budget-conscious operator needing reliable basics

    The A3 is slightly cheaper and sufficient for basic NOAA monitoring and repeater use.

    A3
  • Advanced technician needing maximum features

    The RT-880's higher channel count and better feature set suit experienced users.

    RT-880
  • Portable operator covering multiple regions

    The RT-880's superior channel capacity helps manage diverse operational areas.

    RT-880

Reasons to choose Radtel RT-880

  • 40% cheaper ($65.12 vs $107.99)
  • 3% more memory channels (1,024 vs 999)
  • Has color TFT display

Reasons to choose Retevis A3

  • 4% more battery (2500 mAh vs 2400 mAh)

Spec battle

Spec-by-spec breakdown

Radtel RT-880SpecRetevis A3
$65.12
Price
$107.99
54
Overall Score
27
2.0× difference
1024
Memory Channels
999
+2% for winner
—
Weight
286g
2400 mAh
Battery
2500 mAh
+4% for winner
TFT Color
Display
—
No grant found
FCC Authorization
No grant found
Standard
color
Green
1
unitCount
1

Made your choice?

Radtel RT-880PICK

$65.12 on Amazon

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