Handheld Radio reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 311 Reddit reviews across 22 subreddits and 57 posts to rank the best Handheld Radio brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/gmrs, r/HamRadio, r/amateurradio, r/cbradio, r/flying. Top-rated brands include Yaesu (4.4/5), Baofeng (3.6/5), TidRadio (4.6/5).
Stats
Reviews311
Subreddits22
Posts57
Brands46
Products79
311 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Yaesu
4.4
(76)
"Definitely the best choice. 50 watt mobile in the jeep, 5 watt handheld on the hike."
"FT-70 is an excellent value HT that opens up digital / C4FM System Fusion while offering great analog."
"The VX-6R was my first radio too and remains one of my favorites 15 years later."
"Go the extra for VX6R. It is the most usable of any HT I have used in 20 years."
"Love my VX6."
"He said best. Yaesu VX-6R"
"Save up, get a VX6R. There is no comparison."
"If you can afford it, I recommend the Yaesu FT-60R."
"I bought a Yaesu vx6r tri bander for the ruggedness and water resistance."
"Get the Yaesu. You won't regret it."
#2
Baofeng
3.6
(57)
"I'm VERY HAPPY with the Baofeng GT-5R."
"8 watt Baofeng uv-5r8. Let me convince you to get one. $22 and I hit repeaters 30 miles away with ease from my deck."
"8 watt Baofeng uv-5r8. Let me convince you to get one. $22 and I hit repeaters 30 miles away with ease from my deck."
"Boa Fangs are great. Simple, functional and like 8$ a radio."
"Most comrades I know use the Baofeng UV-5R"
"About $30 each in the package with the additional AR-771 antenna (and yes, it makes a difference)."
"Great simple to use, pre programmed GMRS handheld for about $40"
"Baofeng uv-5r is the usual go to. excellent bang for buck."
"Baofeng UV-5G plus is a good, sturdy unit. I have two, and they do a great job."
"Uv5G plus is $27 right now on Amazon. Better then the uv5G or a uv5r configured for gmrs."
#3
TidRadio
4.6
(33)
"TidRadio TD-H3!"
"+1 for the Tidradio H3."
"Cheap, does great, has all the features, etc."
"IMO, TD-H3 is the most versatile of the choices listed. Bluetooth programming via phone is a game changer."
"TD-H3 all the way."
"The H3 has a ground-up community firmware brewing."
"The TidRadio H3 has more features than the TidRadio H8 and is smaller in size."
"Amazon thanks you all. You made me buy three of the H3 bad boys for my family."
"Highly recommend either the h3 or H8."
"H3 and H8. The H3 for more tinkering and listening to more bands, the H8 for a solid workhorse gmrs radio."
#4
Anytone
4.4
(16)
"Best for Sat is the Anytone AT-D878UVII PLUS. Built in GPS and built in Sat Tracker."
"Like most others have said the Anytone 878 UVII plus. I got one three weeks ago... Having a lot of fun with it now, my new go to radio"
"The Anytone 878 is an absurdly capable radio for the money."
"Anytone 878 is easily the most capable radio in that price range."
"Anytone 878 the model with everything, GPS, bluetooth, aprs."
"Anytone 878s are regarded as the best DMR ham radios but are outside your budget."
"I really enjoyed my AnyTone 878UVII+ but the first one owned had a bad solder joint at the antenna."
"If DMR is important than the Anytone 878UVII+ seems to be a good radio."
"HT: Anytone 878UVii+"
"AT 878. I connect it to the Bluetooth in my motorcycle helmet, or any old Bluetooth headphones"
#5
Wouxun
4.2
(14)
"Next to my icom id-52a ($600), the Wouxun UV9PX ($200) is my absolute favorite radio. It's got incredible bang for the buck."
"Best quality out of the ones you are considering IMO."
"I have a Wouxun Kg935G and love it."
"Yes, the Wouxun would be enough to get the job done."
"The Wouxuns have a super-heterodyne topology so they actually have decent RX perform."
"$$- Wouxun UV9PX"
"Landed on the Wouxon S88G due to ease of use for family, usb c charging and IP67 waterproof"
"In this price range you may also want to consider the Wouxun KG-805G."
"100+: KG935G"
"80 each: KG805G"
#6
Rocky Talkies
4.8
(8)
"Can’t recommend Rocky Talkies enough. I’ve used them bikepacking, backpacking, climbing, and paddling."
"Rocky Talkies!! Without a doubt."
"Rocky talkie fan here! Use it hiking, skiing (resort and backcountry), and when I am fly fishing!"
"Rocky talkies."
"I have both Baofengs and Rocky Talkies. I'm grabbing the Rocky Talkies every time for backcountry skiing due to the form factor and ease of use."
"I've got Rocky Talkies they're great."
"I have beat the shit out of my rocky talkies and they continue to work as good as the day I bought them."
"Rocky talkies are very popular, Also the BCA radios."
#7
Standard Horizon
4.0
(8)
"If you want to buy "ahead" I recommend the Standard Horizon HX890."
"Standard Horizon HX890 is solid choice."
"We used the HX890 and provided handheld for ship to shore, brief comms on land."
"I have the HX890. It's a solid radio."
"I also use a Standard Horizon HX210. Does the job for me, reasonable price and floats."
"Standard Horizon HX210. Does everything we want in a handheld at a really good price."
"We use on a VXone: Standard Horizon HX210 Floating Handheld for Racing."
"The 890 awoke randomly and set off the DSC, but didn't send the gps signal."
#8
Radioddity
4.4
(7)
"I ended up getting the Radioddity GM-30 Plus. This one kept getting recommended for beginners."
"I am quite happy with my GM-30 handhelds."
"I second/third the GM-30. It was my first and also gave my adult children each for xmas."
"Raddiodiy GM-30 Probably best bang for your buck option right here"
"30 each: Raddiodiy GM-30"
"Gm 30 is probably the best budget radio based on how many people here rep it."
"Radioddity GM-30 is a Dual-Band Receiver & Scanner."
#9
Cobra
4.3
(7)
"My MH-350 has never let me down."
"If you go with CB, I would suggest looking at the Cobra Road Trip package."
"I have a Cobra MRHH350 and it works pretty well"
"I use the cobra brand unit and I really like it."
"I have some Cobra ones, a bit chunky butv100% waterproof, usb chargable if needed, can get earpieces, generally really good."
"Instead, a $25 pair of Cobra FRS. Worked great."
"If you go with CB, I would suggest looking at the Cobra Road Trip package."
#10
Quansheng
3.7
(6)
"Start with a Quansheng uv-k6 with aftermarket firmware, then go from there based on your specific needs."
"Start with a Quansheng uv-k6 with aftermarket firmware, then go from there based on your specific needs."
"QUANSHENG UVK5(8)"
"Quansheng uv-k5 is actually very good, and it's incredibly hackable."
"$- Quansheng UV-K5(8)"
"I do have fun with my quansheng uv-k5 variant (I got the uv-5r plus)"
#11
ICOM
4.2
(5)
"Icom. Hands down the best."
"Icom M-25"
"We have a few different models. For example, we have very small Icom that is waterproof and floats."
"If you want a good radio get an i-com."
"Really ICOM and Yaesu are the two big names."
#12
Sporty's
4.2
(5)
"Very happy with it. Use it every time I fly to pick up the weather before starting the engine."
"I have a Sporty's PJ2. Nothing fancy, but the big advantage, IMHO, is your GA headset plugs directly into it."
"I have a Sporty's radio, and a friend of mine has a Yaesu radio. They both have excellent build quality."
"I tested my sportys handheld while on the ILS and it was accurate."
"The Sporty's handheld always seems to get praise."
#13
Icom
4.8
(4)
"+1 with Icom a16."
"Icom A16. 10-14k."
"The "best" would probably be an Icon A25 or a Yaesu. Both are excellent well made products."
"I saw the icon A25 and liked it."
#14
Ailunce
4.5
(4)
"Feature rich, and will resist water and dust."
"Ailunce HD-1 is the only right answer to this, best IP67/non Kenwood radio thats still a reasonable price by far."
"Ailunce HD1 is good, I've seen them touted quite a bit and some people say they're extremely durable."
"My first DMR radio was an Ailunce HD1, which is within your budget."
#15
Midland
3.6
(5)
"If you do not care about FM get a midland 75-822 that is cheaper than the Randy."
"I have a Midland 75-822 you can get it alone or with a cigarette lighter adapter and a deparate external antenna."
"I've got the GXT1000. No issues."
"MXT-500 is a very good radio."
"Another thing to keep in mind about the Midland GXT1000VP4."
#16
TYT
4.0
(4)
"TYT TH-UV88"
"If you're on a budget, consider the TYT TH-UV88 instead of the UV5R"
"USB-C battery from my UV13Pro does work on my TYT UV-88."
"The UV-88 is my favorite CCR now but the Quansheng UV-K5 is gaining on it."
#17
President
4.0
(4)
"My suggestion is to get a President Randy radio plus a car charger and a decent antenna like a Wilson 1000."
"President Randy would probably suit your needs."
"The President Randy would cover CB and with factory antenna and good conditions should get you 2-3 miles."
"Only my opinion but the Randy 3 is worth a look, solid radio."
#18
Motorola
3.8
(4)
"I have a demo unit Motorola XPR3300e in my office that looks like you could run it over with your car and keep talking on it."
"Motorola do a pretty solid job in my opinion."
"These motorola radios certainly do the trick and are at a very affordable price point."
"I used to use FRS radios for hunting, and the limit is direct line of sight within a few tens of yards."
#19
Rocky Talkie
5.0
(3)
"Rocky Talkie 5w GMRS handheld."
"Small, compact and they work."
"Great value, small company. Have had for two years work flawlessly."
#20
Retevis
4.3
(3)
"I have currently 13 of them running as crew radios within my company of tower climbers and they are beat on, rained on and they just keep working. Highly recommend."
"I hit a repeater in south end Louisville, KY with a Retevis RB85 handheld radio in Ferdinand, IN."
"I’m a fan of the retevis line of radios. Pretty good deals on the website and good quality radios."
#21
GMRS
4.0
(3)
"GMRS will work best for car to car with handhelds."
"Gmrs would be better imo. (From personal experience) have not tried a CB handheld though."
"License required (one license covers your immediate family, everyone else must have their own license), no test, $35.00 for a 10 year license."
#22
BTECH
3.7
(3)
"I have a Btech GMRS-V2. 5 watts."
"GMRS-V2 paired with the GMRS-50V2, full output power, fully programmable for all GMRS settings. Lowest cost 50W mobile"
"And I’d go with the btech 20v2. Not the best. Not the worst either. It’ll be a solid set up."
#23
Unknown Handheld Radio
3.7
(3)
"Awesome picks, I have the 9 and dig it."
"I'm going to add to the recommendation of a cheap radio."
"All that’s really important is a battery system you’re comfortable with."
#24
Uniden
5.0
(2)
"I went ahead and got an sds100. Can’t wait to mess with it."
"No radio scans as well as a scanner. Buy a Uniden scanner."
#25
C Crane CC Pocket Radio
4.0
(2)
"Cc pocket by C Crane is a good one."
"I went with their CC Pocket Radio."
#26
Btech
4.0
(2)
"I use the Btech GMRS Pro with a Smiley antenna and can talk in the 15-20 miles range to repeaters."
"100+: GMRS Pro."
#27
Explorer
4.0
(2)
"Explorer QRZ-1 radio has a USB-C rechargeable battery for $15 too."
"Just got my hands on the Explorer QRZ-1 with accessories for ~$20 courtesy of being a newly-licensed ham. It's a really nice radio. Best display of all the radios I have."
#28
BCA
3.5
(2)
"I run the BCA and so far it has been awesome, would recommend."
"I had a pair of Baofengs, but just picked up a BCA Radio out of frustration."
#29
CB
3.5
(2)
"CB for sure. If you used GMRS, every one of your friends would need to be licensed."
"Less than a mile, I'd expect a handheld CB or GMRS to work fine."
#30
Amazon B00JFJU5Y8
5.0
(1)
"I had a radio failure and was able to contact tower 12 nm out to get instructions."
#31
Tait
5.0
(1)
"Tait is the standard in NZ (Police, DoC, Transport Operators, Taxis, SAR, etc)"
#32
Cherokee
5.0
(1)
"Get a Cherokee AH-27F or the SSB version if you can find it."
#33
Smiley
5.0
(1)
"A great great antenna!"
#34
High Power HT
5.0
(1)
"Gets NOAA channels & FM radio."
#35
Radio Shack, Lafayette, Cobra, Midland
5.0
(1)
"Any good Radio Shack, Lafayette, Cobra, or Midland 5 watt handheld!"
#36
BTech
4.0
(1)
"I end up using my BTech gmrs V2 most of the time."
#37
Amazon
4.0
(1)
"Radios are around $20 and have ctcss. Most are 2 watts and will transmit a few miles."
#38
Retekess
4.0
(1)
"The speaker is good for the price, and it has line in, headphone out, and can play mp3s from a memory card"
#39
Sporty's PJ2
4.0
(1)
"The big advantage, IMHO, is your GA headset plugs directly into it, no adapter required."
#40
QRZ.com Jumpstart Program
4.0
(1)
"The radio is decent and quite a bit better than baofang and not expensive"
#41
Kenwood TH79a
4.0
(1)
"If you do get an HT, do yourself a favor and replace the antenna."
#42
Viking
4.0
(1)
"We just purchased 25 of the Viking VP5200 radios to be put in service."
#43
Tidland
4.0
(1)
"I have a tidland H8 as my handheld"
#44
Chinese
3.0
(1)
"My best suggestion for unkillable handhelds at $200 is to buy 10 cheap Chinese radios and just swap them out as they get damaged."
#45
Chinese HTs
3.0
(1)
"Under $100 puts you definitely into the Chinese HTs."
#46
Boofwang
3.0
(1)
"20ish bucks for a PAIR of them for the 'bulk' family members."
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
