Baofeng UV-17R vs Baofeng 5RH Pro - Which One is Better in 2025?

Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-17R and Baofeng 5RH Pro? 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.

FeatureBaofeng UV-17RBaofeng 5RH Pro
Image
Radio NameBaofeng UV-17RBaofeng 5RH
Bands2m, 70cm2m, 70cm
Max Power 2m/70cm3/3.17/4
Battery TypeLiLi-Ion
Battery Volts7.4 v7.4 v
Rated mAh1800 mAh2500 mAh
Tested mAh1410 mAh1780 mAh
Antenna ConnectorM-SMAM-SMA
Height w/ant323 mm329 mm
Width59 mm62 mm
Thickness w/clip52 mm42 mm
Weight305 g320 g
Color ScreenYesYes
GPSNoYes
USB-C ChargingNoYes
Review LinkLINKLINK
Price$24$33
Purchase LinkLINKLINK
CHIRP ProgramYesNo
Receiver Sensitivity 2m/70cm131/129-
Value ScoreAB
Performance ScoreDC
Ergonomics ScoreB-
Conclusions

Would I recommend the Baofeng UV-17R? No. It doesn’t feel too bad, and the screen is pretty nice, and I do like the buttons on the front. The problem is the screwed-in battery is inconvenient, the PTT button is too low, and the spurious emissions massively reduce and already mediocre power output. Even the original UV-5R is, in my opinion, a superior beginner radio.

I really like the Baofeng 5RH Pro radio, and I really dislike that my kit not come with a drop-in charger, although some kits do. That isn’t a big problem for me because I have several radios on this platform, so I can use their drop-in charger for this radio. For you, though, you have to ask yourself how badly you want a drop-in charger and choose your kit accordingly. Then again, the 5RM desktop charger only adds another $10.

Other than that, I think the Baofeng 5RH Pro offers an excellent bang for your buck for features and usability, with my only reservations on the radio itself being the use of the screen in bright sunlight and the lack of a guard next to the volume knob.