Icom ID-31a vs TidRadio TD-H3 - Which One is Better in 2025?

Trying to choose between Icom ID-31a and TidRadio TD-H3? 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.

FeatureIcom ID-31aTidRadio TD-H3
Image
Radio NameIcom ID-31aTidRadio TD-H3
Bands70cm2m, 70cm
Max Power 2m/70cm0/2.33.1
Digital ModeD-STAR3.6
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-Ion
Battery Volts7.4 v7.4 v
Rated mAh1150 mAh2500 mAh
Tested mAh mAh2510 mAh
Antenna ConnectorF-SMAM-SMA
Height w/ant235 mm305 mm
Width62 mm56 mm
Thickness w/clip44 mm52 mm
Weight232 g245 g
Color ScreenNoYes
GPSYesNo
USB-C ChargingNoYes
Review LinkLINKLINK
Book LinkLINK-
Price$180$36
Purchase LinkLINKLINK
CHIRP ProgramNoYes
Rating by PriceCA
Rating OverallBB
Conclusions

If you are interested in D-STAR and really could not care less about the 2m band (the Icom id-51a adds the 2m band), and analog is not a super important factor, then the Icom ID-31a is an excellent radio for you. For anything else, and I hate to say this, but the $500 Kenwood TH-D74 is a far superior radio in every respect except fitting into your pocket.

The Icom ID-31a is not a bad radio, it just, in my opinion, does not really live up to its price tag. Drop it down to $199 or even better, $179, and I would rate it much higher. If however you need to hit a 70cm Icom DSTAR repeater, then you might really like this radio.

My first impression out of the box is that the Tidradio is a nice, small form-factor, dual-band radio with some nice features for a bargain price. Using it for a while, that opinion hasn’t changed. Are there things I don’t like? Of course! No radio, especially in this price range, is everything I want in a radio.

So would I recommend it? Absolutely! At this price, it is a fantastic deal on a solid radio that should cover everything you need a basic dual-bander to do. This is particularly true for the newcomer to ham radio as it has all the features you need at a fantastic price, and drop-dead simple programming with the app using Bluetooth.

The Tidradio TD-H3 is an extremely good value.