Alinco DJ-MD5 vs Baofeng DM-5R - Which One is Better in 2025?

Trying to choose between Alinco DJ-MD5 and Baofeng DM-5R? 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.

FeatureAlinco DJ-MD5Baofeng DM-5R
Image
Radio NameAlinco DJ-MD5Baofeng DM-5R
Bands2m, 70cm2m, 70cm
Max Power 2m/70cm3.5/2.32.6/2
Digital ModeDMRDMR
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-Ion
Battery Volts7.4 v7.4 v
Rated mAh1700 mAh2000 mAh
Tested mAh1790 mAh mAh
Antenna ConnectorF-SMAM-SMA
Height w/ant278 mm303 mm
Width59 mm58 mm
Thickness w/clip51 mm43 mm
Weight266 g215 g
Color ScreenYesNo
GPSYesNo
USB-C ChargingNoNo
Review LinkLINKLINK
Book LinkLINKLINK
Price$100$15
Purchase LinkLINKLINK
CHIRP ProgramNoNo
Rating by PriceAF
Rating OverallBC
Rating Ergonomics-B
Conclusions

If I could only own one dual-band DMR radio, this Alinco DJ-MD5 would be the one. The extra money you spend on this compared to other comparable radios is justified with a better screen, more channels, better audio all around, USB programming cable, and better programming software.

If you are wanting to get into DMR digital radio as cheap as possible, the Baofeng DM-5R Plus is the radio for you. The antenna is junk on 2m but most hotspots are on 70cm anyway. I am not sure I would replace the antenna even though it feels like it will come apart any second, mainly because the analog signal the radio produces is so horrible a new antenna probably won't do any good anyway.

All of that being said, it does just fine on DMR. Want a cheap way to add DMR to your ham shack and don't plan on spending a lot of time using it? Then the Baofeng DM-5R Plus might be the perfect solution, but if it was something I was going to carry, I believe I would look elsewhere.