Baofeng UV-9R Plus vs Baofeng UV-K5 - Which One is Better in 2025?
Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-9R Plus and Baofeng UV-K5? 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-K5 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Radio Name | Baofeng UV-9R Plus | Baofeng UV-K5 |
| Bands | 2m, 70cm | 2m, 70cm |
| Max Power 2m/70cm | 3.75 | 6/5 |
| Digital Mode | 2 | - |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Battery Volts | 7.4 v | 7.4 v |
| Rated mAh | 4800 mAh | 2500 mAh |
| Tested mAh | mAh | 1780 mAh |
| Antenna Connector | M-SMA | M-SMA |
| Height w/ant | 275 mm | 328 mm |
| Width | 64 mm | 62 mm |
| Thickness w/clip | 45 mm | 53 mm |
| Weight | 272 g | 315 g |
| Color Screen | No | Yes |
| GPS | No | No |
| USB-C Charging | No | Yes |
| Review Link | LINK | LINK |
| Book Link | LINK | - |
| Price | $23 | $24 |
| Purchase Link | LINK | LINK |
| CHIRP Program | Yes | Yes |
| Rating by Price | B | C |
| Rating Overall | C | C |
| 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-K5 Plus is a well-rounded beginner radio with some nice accessories and reasonable performance. I think there might be better radios in this class, but not by much, and you probably wouldn’t get the nice second antenna and drop-in charger. So would I recommend the K5Plus? Yes, but it is a tough call. The Baofeng UV-5RM Plus is a better radio overall, but it doesn’t come with a drop-in charger or a really nice extra antenna so that kinda stinks. They both have the horrible red menu color and require you to use programming software to do some simple tasks like change the screen timeout. In the end between those two, I would take this kit and be happy. |