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The Baofeng BF-F8 Plus a probably the best UV-5R variant I have ever tested. Is it a fluke or has Baofeng upped their game? Read on to see!
There are a lot of radios that are based on the UV-5R in some way. What I mean with the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus is that it is basically the same radio; plastics, battery, accessories, etc, but upgraded.
Isn’t that what the UV-6R, BF-F8HP, UV-5RA, and all the others are? Not really, read my reviews of those radios to see what they really are. Once I started putting the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus through my tests, I started getting excited, this looked to be the replacement for the venerable UV-5R we have all been waiting for.
Let me start with what caught my eye almost immediately when I turned it on. You know those pictures of Baofeng radios with the black screen and lighter text, reversed from all the other Baofeng radios out there? Yes, the ones that when you get the radio in it never has? Yeah, the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus has that screen, no kidding.
I have wanted one of these screens since I first saw the evidently photoshopped image of one for sale, but the radios never had one when they arrived. I have lost count of how many times that has happened. The Baofeng BF-F8 Plus has finally delivered.
With the backlight of the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus on the screen is what you see in the image above, almost white on dark blue. When the backlight turns off, the background turns jet black and the text stays that not quite white, grayish color. I will admit in low light it is a little harder to read than the standard UV-5R screen, but in good light or with the backlight on, it is awesome.
When comparing the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus vs UV-5R visually, the screen and sticker on the bottom are the only differences you will see. Of course, it even uses the same Baofeng BF-F8 Plus programming software, CHIRP. Comparing the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus vs BF-F8HP shows exactly what Baofeng can do when they have a little time, as this radio suffers from none of the things I hate about the BF-F8HP.
The menu system on the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus seems identical to the UV-5R, so it is easy to find what you are looking for. In fact, the manual for the radio literally is the UV-5R manual, go figure.
The transmitted signal from the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus is nicer than most Baofeng radios and just a tiny bit off dead accurate at 446Mhz. In addition, it adds some power behind that signal, just about on par with the F8HP, 5RA, and 6R. All three of those radios however have dirtier signals than this one, so my guess is this one will actually get you a usable signal further down the road.
Note that the BAND button is missing off the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus like most of the newer Baofeng radios. I was never really sure why that button was there anyway, and someone there seems to have been equally confused since it has been axed from just about all their radios.
My only complaint is that the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus I received has a rough spot in the power/volume knob. It is not that bad really, and it does not affect performance at all, but it is still a little irritating. If this was more than a $30 radio, I would send it back, but as it is, I will just keep it. It will probably loosen up over time anyway.
Photos
Baofeng BF-F8+ Test Results:
| Screen readability | Very Good |
| In-hand feel | Good |
| Included antenna | Very Good |
| Construction quality | Good |
| Belt clip | Good |
| Programmability | Good |
| Transmit audio | CLICK TO LISTEN |
| Maximum power output (2m/70cm) | 4.5 watts / 2 watts |
| Size | 241 * 59 * 44 mm |
| Actual weight | 7.4 oz |
| Baofeng BF-F8+ manual | CLICK TO DOWNLOAD |
| Programming software | CLICK TO DOWNLOAD |
| Baofeng BF-F8+ Overall score |  |
If you are interested, click here for an article on how I test radios.
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Conclusions
Every radio up until the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus I have compared to the UV-5R improves one thing but takes away something else. I can honestly say they got this one right, it is in my opinion the best radio out there in this price range except maybe the UV-9R Plus.
If you are looking to buy any Baofeng radio, look really hard at the Baofeng BF-F8 Plus.
I hope you enjoyed my Baofeng BF-F8 Plus review!
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Thanks for the review. I was going to purchase a uv-5r but got the F8+ instead. Very pleased with it so far. There is some confusing info in your review that maybe you can clear up: in your test results you rate the antenna as “very good” but in the Pros & Cons section under Cons your comment states “Not that great of an antenna”. So which is it, “very good” or “not that great”?
I just ordered the BF-F8+ here in the UK. Not sure if I will get the “white text on black background”. Not shown on web site or other searches. Would be a nice surprise if it is…
Pity Baofeng have so many variations and odd naming of products.. 22/04/2022
The baofeng uv-9r plus doesn’t exist anymore the are using a different set of pcbs and left out the fm module. Literally it is being sold as some type of regulation that would have not allowed to have the fm module with it. Could you test the current 2022 baofeng uv-9r plus and give us your feedback pls.
Regarding that rough patch on the volume knob, I fixed mine by slightly pulling the volume knob outwards (it comes off if fully pulled). It’s just the plastic grinding the case.
Yup, but mine was pretty bad and I had to pull the knob way up. I sanded it down and finally fixed the issue but that was a real bummer.
It is a shame that these reviews give no indication as to when they were published.
Usually a rough volume knob on these radios is due to the know being pushed down too far on the shaft and it is rubbing on the radio in some spots as it is turned. You simply have to pull it up ever so slightly to get enough clearance that it no longer rubs.
Good point, I have seen that as well and that absolutely should be the first thing you check. Unfortunately I have seen several cheap radios where that was not the issue.