Baofeng UV-5RM vs Baofeng UV-9R Plus - Which One is Better in 2025?
Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-5RM and Baofeng UV-9R Plus? 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-9R Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Radio Name | Baofeng UV-5RM | Baofeng UV-9R Plus |
| Bands | 2m, 70cm | 2m, 70cm |
| Max Power 2m/70cm | 7/5.5 | 3.75 |
| Digital Mode | - | 2 |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Battery Volts | 7.4 v | 7.4 v |
| Rated mAh | 2500 mAh | 4800 mAh |
| Tested mAh | 1780 mAh | mAh |
| Antenna Connector | M-SMA | M-SMA |
| Height w/ant | 332 mm | 275 mm |
| Width | 62 mm | 64 mm |
| Thickness w/clip | 53 mm | 45 mm |
| Weight | 310 g | 272 g |
| Color Screen | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| USB-C Charging | Yes | No |
| Review Link | LINK | LINK |
| Book Link | - | LINK |
| Price | $23 | $23 |
| Purchase Link | LINK | LINK |
| CHIRP Program | Yes | Yes |
| Value Score | B | B |
| Performance Score | C | A |
| Ergonomics Score | - | A |
| 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-9R Plus is a little trickier to use than a UV-5R, it requires different accessories and programming cable, transmits less power and is less frequency accurate, but I would rather carry it than the UV-5R every day of the week and twice on Sundays. It sounds better, fits in my hand better, has nicer buttons, is supposedly waterproof, has a bigger battery, and has a nicer belt clip. Sometimes, it is not about the charts and graphs, sometimes it is about what you want to carry. Odds are if you see me carrying a Baofeng, the Baofeng UV-9R Plus will be it. |