Baofeng DM-5R vs Baofeng UV-5RM - Which One is Better in 2025?
Trying to choose between Baofeng DM-5R and Baofeng UV-5RM? 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 | Baofeng DM-5R | Baofeng UV-5RM |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Radio Name | Baofeng DM-5R | Baofeng UV-5RM |
| Bands | 2m, 70cm | 2m, 70cm |
| Max Power 2m/70cm | 2.6/2 | 7/5.5 |
| Digital Mode | DMR | - |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Battery Volts | 7.4 v | 7.4 v |
| Rated mAh | 2000 mAh | 2500 mAh |
| Tested mAh | mAh | 1780 mAh |
| Antenna Connector | M-SMA | M-SMA |
| Height w/ant | 303 mm | 332 mm |
| Width | 58 mm | 62 mm |
| Thickness w/clip | 43 mm | 53 mm |
| Weight | 215 g | 310 g |
| Color Screen | No | Yes |
| GPS | No | No |
| USB-C Charging | No | Yes |
| Review Link | LINK | LINK |
| Book Link | LINK | - |
| Price | $15 | $23 |
| Purchase Link | LINK | LINK |
| CHIRP Program | No | Yes |
| Rating by Price | D | B |
| Rating Overall | F | C |
| Conclusions | 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. | The Baofeng UV-5RM Plus is a good successor to the venerable UV-5R. It is slightly more expensive (still under $30 at the time of writing) and it doesn’t come with a drop-in charger, which I really like having. I also really do not like having to use the programming software to change simple options, and that red menu in small font is almost a deal-breaker for me. On the plus side, the Baofeng UF-5RM Plus is more comfortable in my hand, has a much easier to read screen when it is on, and puts out one of the most powerful and least messy signals of any radio even remotely in its class. Do I recommend the radio? For the money, yes. I probably won’t trade in my UV-9R Plus on it, even though technically it is a “better” radio. But yes, it is an excellent value for the money. |