Baofeng UV-9R Plus vs Baofeng UV-9S - Which One is Better in 2025?
Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-9R Plus and Baofeng UV-9S? 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-9R Plus | Baofeng UV-9S |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Radio Name | Baofeng UV-9R Plus | Baofeng UV-9S |
| Bands | 2m, 70cm | 2m, 1.25m, 70cm |
| Max Power 2m/70cm | 3.75 | 4.1/2 |
| Digital Mode | 2 | - |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Battery Volts | 7.4 v | 7.4 v |
| Rated mAh | 4800 mAh | 2200 mAh |
| Antenna Connector | M-SMA | M-SMA |
| Height w/ant | 275 mm | 246 mm |
| Width | 64 mm | 58 mm |
| Thickness w/clip | 45 mm | 42 mm |
| Weight | 272 g | 215 g |
| Color Screen | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| USB-C Charging | No | No |
| Review Link | LINK | LINK |
| Book Link | LINK | LINK |
| Price | $23 | $35 |
| Purchase Link | LINK | LINK |
| CHIRP Program | Yes | Yes |
| Rating by Price | B | F |
| Rating Overall | A | C |
| Rating Ergonomics | A | F |
| Conclusions | 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. | The Baofeng UV-9S is a hard sell for me. The transmit audio quality is nice, and the frequency accuracy is above average but the cheap feel, clunky addition of a third band, and horrible feel in my hand makes it a radio that never leaves its box. I just don’t want to carry it. I feel like it was a rushed makeover of their excellent UV-9R. Overall I will just have to recommend people pass on the Baofeng UV-9S unless you just have to have a red radio that works on 1.25m. There are better radios for the same or less money like the UV-9R which is about the best Baofeng radio for the money out there. |