Baofeng UV-6R Dual Band Radio Review

The Baofeng UV-6R seemed like it was the replacement for the UV-5R, it is not. In fact, in many ways, it seems like a step backward. Read on to find out why!

My guess is that the Baofeng UV-6R was someone’s vision of the future of the UV-5R by making it less like a box with a stick on it, and more rounded and colorful. I won’t say they failed, but I will say that they made a few missteps. Below we will look at a long of comparisons between the Baofeng UV-5R vs UV-6R (sometimes called the Pofung UV6R).

Let’s start with the Baofeng UV-6R is a solid radio. Not as physically solid as the UV-5R, but still something that you can certainly use and get a lot of use out of. There are no real failures here so if you have one, quit reading this and get out and enjoy it.

The first thing on the Baofeng UV-6R I don’t like, and the most important to me, is the PTT button being harder to press. To clarify, it seems a little harder to actually press the button in but the biggest problem is when you combine that with the change in the angle of your hand. This has you pressing a stiffer button in at a different angle which in and of itself makes it harder, and that combination makes it twice as hard.

If you grab the radio, use it a couple of times, and then that’s it, then the increased resistance in the button on the Baofeng UV-6R may not be a concern to you. If on the other hand, you use the radio frequently then you may find yourself replying to someone without the button engaging so you wind up repeating yourself after you realize what is happening.

My next issue is the belt clip which is screwed to the battery and not the radio. I do not like this at all. First, it appears from looking at the Baofeng UV-6R that you have a larger battery, but you don’t. Both this battery and the smaller battery for the UV-5R are both 1800mAh. Second, having the clip on the battery means you are screwed into the plastic instead of metal. Lastly, having a clip on every battery means you waste a lot of space, the batteries cost more because they include a clip, and you run the risk of damaging the battery if a clip breaks.

While I hate the placement of the clip on the Baofeng UV-6R, I do like the clip itself. They have strengthened it and made it open wider. I do wish the little piece at the bottom had a hook and not just a ninety-degree edge so it would make it harder to get yanked off my belt when I do something stupid.

One surprise my Baofeng UV-6R offered up was a really good sounding speaker, nicer than my UV-5R. Because of the design changes there is a lot of room for an improved speaker, and that is a welcome addition.

Another nice touch is that many of the surfaces on the radio has some form of grip on it making the Baofeng UV-6R easier to keep in your hand and use. Examples including larger ribs on the sides and a sharp dot pattern on the back of the battery and top rear of the clip. These little touches show that someone was listening to and acting on feedback.

Back on the downside is the base of the Baofeng UV-6R which causes it to not sit well upright on the desk. I have to admit that this bothers me more than I think it should but it is amazing how often I want to have the radio sitting on my desk. I tend to set it down, watch it wobble a little, and then fall over. The rounded edges everywhere make sure the Baofeng UV-6R doesn’t just fall over and with a single thud, but instead rocks and rolls a while making a huge racket. Very annoying.

The Baofeng UV-6R programming either by keypad or software is virtually identical to the Baofeng UV-5R.

While I hate spending most of this Baofeng UV6R review comparing the Baofeng UV-6R vs UV-5R, you pretty much have to. They are both good radios and both at about the same price point so a comparison is about the only way to figure out which to buy. You will see this played out in pretty much every Baofeng forum out there.

Photos

Baofeng UV-6R Test Results:

Screen readability	Good
In-hand feel	Good
Included antenna	Good
Construction quality	Good
Belt clip	Good
Programmability	Good
Transmit audio	CLICK TO LISTEN
Maximum power output (2m/70cm)	4.9 watts/1.4 watts
Size	251 * 62 * 50 mm
Actual weight	8.2 oz
Baofeng UV-6R manual	CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Programming software	CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Baofeng UV-6R Overall score

If you are interested, click here for an article on how I test radios.

FEATURES:
Up to 128 memory channels Frequency Range: 65-108 MHz (Only commercial FM radio reception). VHF: 136-174 MHz UHF: 400-520 MHz Up to 128 memory channels High power / low (5W/1W) selectable Incorporates 105 codes “DCS” and 50 privacy codes “CTCSS” programmable
PROS:	CONS:
Nice in-hand feel Better than the expected speaker Smart reuse of buttons for multiple functions Upgraded belt clip	PTT button harder to press Bigger battery but same 1800mAh Belt clip attached to the battery Keypad backlight poorly done Feels cheaper than the 5R/F8HP

Conclusions

I am not a huge fan of the Baofeng UV-6R but also don’t deny that it is actually a good radio. If you are not a heavy user of a handheld radio, want something slicker than a box with a stick on it, and value good audio, then this might be an excellent radio for you. Its actual performance is pretty good and the price is absolutely right.

Overall, the Baofeng UV-6R is a good, inexpensive radio.