Retevis A1 vs HamGeek APX-8000 - Which One is Better in 2025?
Trying to choose between Retevis A1 and HamGeek APX-8000? Below you'll find a side-by-side comparison of key features, specifications, and performance to help you decide which handheld radio best fits your needs. Click the link below for a full review and detailed test results.
| Feature | Retevis A1 | HamGeek APX-8000 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Radio Name | Retevis A1 | HamGeek APX-8000 |
| Bands | 2m, 70cm | 2m, 70cm |
| Max Power 2m/70cm | 2/3.7 | 3.6/1.8 |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Battery Volts | 7.4 v | 7.4 v |
| Rated mAh | 2200 mAh | 8800 mAh |
| Tested mAh | 2270 mAh | 2760 mAh |
| Antenna Connector | M-SMA | M-SMA |
| Height w/ant | 304 mm | 350 mm |
| Width | 60 mm | 75 mm |
| Thickness w/clip | 53 mm | 65 mm |
| Weight | 283 g | 390 g |
| Color Screen | No | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | No |
| USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Review Link | LINK | LINK |
| Price | $50 | $130 |
| Purchase Link | LINK | LINK |
| CHIRP Program | No | No |
| Rating by Price | C | D |
| Rating Overall | C | C |
| Conclusions | The Retevis A1 is an excellent balance of features for the price. With a few tweaks, I could see this easily being a leader in its price range. My biggest complaint is the screw holding the cover on the side, and honestly, I can take a rotary tool to that (after removing it from the radio of course) and make the edges much more rounded to save my thumb. I guess the bottom line is, would I recommend this radio? If you are looking for a good quality, durable, dual-band radio with some nice features, then yes, I believe I would. I have always liked the Baofeng UV-9R Plus as a budget dual-band waterproof radio, and I think this Retevis A1 takes that and substantially improves on it. If you really need to save that $10 difference, stick with the Baofeng UV-9R Plus, but if you can swing it, you will really enjoy the Retevis A1. | This is truly a unique radio and is actually pretty fun to use. I wish the performance lived up to the ascetics and added perks like the second screen, better speaker, better microphone, dual PTT, etc. I also wish it was programmable with CHIRP, alas it is not. So would I recommend it? That depends. If you are looking for something different that fits in your hand really well and has some really cool extra features, and of course can drop $130 on it, then yes. For most people who want a radio that works really well and won’t break the bank? No. Remember for the same money you could get something like the Yaesu FT-65 which, while not as cool and flashy, is a far better radio that will last a lot longer. |