Baofeng UV-K5 vs Baofeng UV-S9 - Which One is Better in 2025?
Trying to choose between Baofeng UV-K5 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.
| Feature | Baofeng UV-K5 | Baofeng UV-S9 |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |
| Radio Name | Baofeng UV-K5 | Baofeng UV-S9 |
| Bands | 2m, 70cm | 2m, 70cm |
| Max Power 2m/70cm | 6/5 | 5/2.3 |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Battery Volts | 7.4 v | 8.4 v |
| Rated mAh | 2500 mAh | 2200 mAh |
| Tested mAh | 1780 mAh | mAh |
| Antenna Connector | M-SMA | M-SMA |
| Height w/ant | 328 mm | 246 mm |
| Width | 62 mm | 58 mm |
| Thickness w/clip | 53 mm | 42 mm |
| Weight | 315 g | 215 g |
| Color Screen | Yes | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| USB-C Charging | Yes | No |
| Review Link | LINK | LINK |
| Book Link | - | LINK |
| Price | $24 | $33 |
| Purchase Link | LINK | LINK |
| CHIRP Program | Yes | Yes |
| Rating by Price | F | C |
| Rating Overall | F | D |
| Rating Ergonomics | C | - |
| Conclusions | The Baofeng UV-K5 Plus is a well-rounded beginner radio with some nice accessories and reasonable performance. Where it really falls short is in its spurious emissions. This is the single worst radio I have ever seen. It is so bad that it single-handedly lowers the average of all Baofeng radios 61% (so I omit it as an outlier). So would I recommend the K5Plus? LOL! There are a ton of better radios out there, pick anything but this. The Baofeng UV-5RM Plus is a better radio and a better value. Just stay away from this horrible piece of.....equipment. | 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. |