Baofeng UV-5RM vs Baofeng UV-3R - Comparison in 2025

Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-5RM and Baofeng UV-3R? 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-5RM	Baofeng UV-3R
Image
Radio Name	Baofeng UV-5RM	Baofeng UV-3R
Bands	2m, 70cm	2m, 70cm
Max Power 2m/70cm	7/5.5	1/.4
Battery Type	Li-Ion	Li-Ion
Battery Volts	7.4 v	3.7 v
Rated mAh	2500 mAh	1500 mAh
Tested mAh	1780 mAh	mAh
Antenna Connector	M-SMA	M-SMA
Height w/ant	332 mm	174 mm
Width	62 mm	55 mm
Thickness w/clip	53 mm	40 mm
Weight	310 g	147 g
Color Screen	Yes	No
GPS	No	No
USB-C Charging	Yes	No
Review Link	LINK	LINK
Book Link	-	LINK
Price	$23	$45
Purchase Link	LINK	LINK
CHIRP Program	Yes	Yes
Rating by Price	B	F
Rating Overall	C	D
Conclusions	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.	The Baofeng UV-3R Plus is a good little radio and while there is nothing particularly wrong with it, it is seriously outclassed by the UV-5R for the same amount of money.