Baofeng UV-21 vs Baofeng UV-82 - Which One is Better in 2025?
Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-21 and Baofeng UV-82? 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 UV-21 | Baofeng UV-82 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Radio Name | Baofeng UV-21 | Baofeng UV-82 |
| Bands | 2m, 70cm | 2m, 70cm |
| Max Power 2m/70cm | 3.4/2 | 4.5/1.4 |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Battery Volts | 8.4 v | 7.4 v |
| Rated mAh | mAh | 2800 mAh |
| Tested mAh | 1460 mAh | mAh |
| Antenna Connector | M-SMA | M-SMA |
| Height w/ant | 327 mm | 281 mm |
| Width | 63 mm | 61 mm |
| Thickness w/clip | 54 mm | 48 mm |
| Weight | 300 g | 238 g |
| Color Screen | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| USB-C Charging | Yes | No |
| Review Link | LINK | LINK |
| Book Link | - | LINK |
| Price | $25 | $20 |
| Purchase Link | LINK | LINK |
| CHIRP Program | Yes | Yes |
| Rating by Price | A | C |
| Rating Overall | A | C |
| Rating Ergonomics | A | - |
| Conclusions | Do I recommend this radio? Sure. It provides a good, solid performing set of electronics housed in a comfortable exterior shell. It even comes with an antenna that isn’t complete trash. Would I recommend the Baofeng UV-21, UV-21R or UV-21 Pro? It’s a toss-up between the 21 and 21r as I am just not seeing a real difference, and I would stay away from the extra cost of the 21 Pro unless I really needed GPS in my car, in my phone, and in my radio. | I look at this radio as a slight upgrade to the UV-5R. It does everything the UV-5R does and has a few nice additions, making it a better value for the money. The only reason to choose a UV-5R over this would be if you had Baofeng UV-5R accessories such as batteries, then you might be better off with a Baofeng BF-F8HP, UV-5R, DM-5R, etc. If you needed a Baofeng waterproof radio, maybe the UV-9R would be a better choice. |