Baofeng UV-9R Plus vs Baofeng UV-S9 - Which One is Better in 2025?

Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-9R Plus and Baofeng UV-S9? 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.

FeatureBaofeng UV-9R PlusBaofeng UV-S9
Image
Radio NameBaofeng UV-9R PlusBaofeng UV-S9
Bands2m, 70cm2m, 70cm
Max Power 2m/70cm3.755/2.3
Digital Mode2-
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-Ion
Battery Volts7.4 v8.4 v
Rated mAh4800 mAh2200 mAh
Antenna ConnectorM-SMAM-SMA
Height w/ant275 mm246 mm
Width64 mm58 mm
Thickness w/clip45 mm42 mm
Weight272 g215 g
Color ScreenNoNo
GPSNoNo
USB-C ChargingNoNo
Review LinkLINKLINK
Book LinkLINKLINK
Price$23$33
Purchase LinkLINKLINK
CHIRP ProgramYesYes
Rating by PriceBC
Rating OverallAD
Rating ErgonomicsA-
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.

I am sorry, but I can not think of a single reason to buy the Baofeng UV-S9 Plus. It might be just a slight bit better than the UV-9S, but it is lacking one of its primary features.

'It isn’t like anyone really uses the 220MHz band, that isn’t the point. The Baofeng UV-S9 Plus is supposed to be tri-band, it is not, and everything else about the radio is fair at best.

Save your pennies for a few more weeks and buy something like the Baofeng UV-9R that is built very well and waterproof to boot. You will get a lot more enjoyment out of it than you will this Baofeng UV-S9 Plus.