Tidradio TD-H8 vs Baofeng DM-5R - Which One is Better in 2025?

Trying to choose between Tidradio TD-H8 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.

FeatureTidradio TD-H8Baofeng DM-5R
Image
Radio NameTidradio TD-H8Baofeng DM-5R
Bands2m, 70cm2m, 70cm
Max Power 2m/70cm5/4.22.6/2
Digital Mode-DMR
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-Ion
Battery Volts7.4 v7.4 v
Rated mAh2500 mAh2000 mAh
Tested mAh2460 mAh mAh
Antenna ConnectorM-SMAM-SMA
Height w/ant324 mm303 mm
Width62 mm58 mm
Thickness w/clip52 mm43 mm
Weight315 g215 g
Color ScreenYesNo
GPSNoNo
USB-C ChargingYesNo
Review LinkLINKLINK
Book Link-LINK
Price$44$15
Purchase LinkLINKLINK
CHIRP ProgramYesNo
Value ScoreAF
Performance ScoreBC
Ergonomics Score-B
Conclusions

Would I recommend the Tidradio TD-H8? Absolutely. It is a nice radio that performs well, with excellent items included in the kit for an extremely reasonable amount of money. I like the H3 too, but it is just too small for my hands. With this, you get a lot of the same great features of the H3 on steroids. When you couple the radio with their Odmaster Bluetooth programming software, you have a really nice combination.

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.