Baofeng UV-5RA vs Baofeng UV-5RM

Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-5RA 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 UV-5RA	Baofeng UV-5RM
Image
Radio Name	Baofeng UV-5RA	Baofeng UV-5RM
Bands	2m, 70cm	2m, 70cm
Max Power 2m/70cm	5/2	7/5.5
Battery Type	Li-Ion	Li-Ion
Battery Volts	7.4 v	7.4 v
Rated mAh	1800 mAh	2500 mAh
Tested mAh	1210 mAh	1780 mAh
Antenna Connector	M-SMA	M-SMA
Height w/ant	245 mm	332 mm
Width	59 mm	62 mm
Thickness w/clip	45 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	$25	$23
Purchase Link	LINK	LINK
CHIRP Program	Yes	Yes
Rating by Price	C	B
Rating Overall	C	C
Conclusions	The Baofeng UV-5RA is literally a UV-5R in slightly new clothes, nothing more. If you prefer the looks (I don’t like the shiny face), then buy this one. If you want something less shiny, get the UV-5R. Either way, excellent radio for the price.	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.