Baofeng BF-F9V2 vs Baofeng BF-88ST - Which One is Better in 2025?

Overall, I really like this Baofeng BF-F9V2+ as a UV-5R replacement. It improves on the original in signal strength and a little in clarity, gives you a bigger battery, and removes the useless BAND button. The only problem they introduced in the process really was the addition of a gloss screen, which may or may not bother you.

For me, I might instead of the Baofeng BF-F9V2+ pick up a BF-F8+ for the better screen or stick with my overall favorite cheap Chinese radio, the Baofeng UV-9R+ because I like the waterproof radio along with the better belt clip and little shield for the knob, but that is just me.

The Baofeng BF-F9V2+ is clearly a good replacement or upgrade for the UV-5R, and certainly one to keep your eye on.

Would I buy these Baofeng BF-88ST radios instead of something like the Motorola T100? Nope.

I know, you expected me to say that they would be good if you were an amateur radio operator and wanted something that could do both amateur radio and FRS, right? Not even.

The Motorola radios are far superior in the transmitted signal, the audio quality is superior, better features right out of the box, they have an LCD screen, and use standard batteries. The only place the Baofeng BF-88ST has the upper hand, aside from being $5 cheaper per pair, is that you can buy a programming cable (there goes your savings, and then some) and add features that the Motorola radios just can’t do.

If I wanted something for amateur radio and wanted to be cheap, I would just get the BF-888s instead of the Baofeng BF-88ST because I could put a much better antenna on them to give them a little more range.