BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld

BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld — image 1
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld — image 2
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld — image 3
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BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld — image 6
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld — image 7
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld — image 8
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld — image 9
75%
25%
86%
App Programming Experience
91%
Value for Money
67%
GPS Functionality
78%
Transmission Audio Clarity
83%
Receiver Coverage
79%
Battery Life
62%
Build Quality & Durability
77%
Display Readability
63%
Range Performance
74%
Channel & Zone Organization
81%
Included Accessories
72%
Setup & Learning Curve
58%
Firmware & Software Stability
84%
Weight & Portability
More

Overview

The BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld arrived in early 2025 as a notable step up from the brand's older UV-5R lineup, bringing GPS and Bluetooth app programming to a price point where neither feature was expected. It covers dual-band transmission on UHF and VHF, while the receiver reaches across aviation, NOAA weather, AM, and FM — a genuinely wide listening range for a radio this affordable. USB-C charging removes one long-standing complaint about Baofeng gear, and the 1.77-inch color display makes the interface feel less dated. Worth noting: you need a valid ham license to transmit legally.

Features & Benefits

What stands out most about the UV-28 Plus is the Bluetooth app programming — no cables, no CHIRP software, no fumbling with a PC. You pair your phone, push channels, and you're done. The built-in GPS won't replace a dedicated navigation device, but it gives you real-time coordinates and lets teammates share locations, which is genuinely useful during group hikes or emergency drills. The 2200mAh battery handles a full day of moderate use comfortably, and the USB-C port means one cable does everything. With 1000 channels across 10 zones, it scales well beyond beginner needs.

Best For

This ham radio makes the most sense for first-time HT buyers who want a capable radio without diving into complex setup rituals. Hikers, campers, and off-road groups will appreciate having GPS and comms in a single unit. Emergency preparedness households benefit from the NOAA and aviation band monitoring — useful when conditions change fast. If you're coming from an older UV-5R and feel limited by its dated interface and cable-only programming, the UV-28 Plus is a logical, low-risk upgrade. It's not built for wet environments, so keep that in mind for kayaking or rainy-season use.

User Feedback

Across roughly 87 ratings, this Baofeng handheld sits at 4.1 stars — solid for a radio this new to market. Buyers consistently praise the app programming experience as meaningfully easier than anything in the previous generation. The included accessories — desktop charger, headset, high-gain antenna — earn positive mentions for a budget-tier package. On the critical side, GPS lock speed divides opinion; some users find it perfectly adequate outdoors while others expected faster acquisition. A few reviewers also flag that real-world range depends heavily on terrain and antenna quality, so the 10W spec should be treated as a ceiling, not a guarantee.

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Pros

  • Bluetooth app programming is genuinely easier than any cable-based Baofeng setup that came before it.
  • Built-in GPS enables real-time coordinate sharing with teammates during group outdoor activities.
  • Receives across aviation, NOAA, AM, FM, UHF, and VHF — one radio covers a lot of monitoring ground.
  • USB-C charging fits into any modern travel kit without hunting for proprietary cables.
  • The included accessories — desktop charger, high-gain antenna, headset — add real out-of-box value.
  • Transmission audio is clear and intelligible at short to mid range on both UHF and VHF.
  • 1000 channels across 10 zones gives hobbyists plenty of room to organize repeaters and group nets.
  • At one pound, the UV-28 Plus is comfortable to carry clipped to a bag or vest all day.
  • The 18-month warranty and stated lifetime support reduce the financial risk of a first HT purchase.
  • The 1.77-inch color display is a genuine readability upgrade over older monochrome Baofeng screens.

Cons

  • GPS lock acquisition is slow in tree cover or urban canyons, frustrating users who need quick fixes.
  • Zero water resistance makes this ham radio a risky choice for wet outdoor environments.
  • Real-world range falls well short of the 10W headline figure in hilly or heavily vegetated terrain.
  • The companion app has reported pairing instability on some Android devices, requiring re-pairing.
  • Firmware update paths are unclear, and software maturity is still catching up to the hardware feature set.
  • The included headset audio quality is mediocre and will likely need replacing for serious monitoring use.
  • Keypad programming for large channel lists is slow and tedious without the app.
  • Build materials feel plasticky under hard use and do not match the robustness of pricier competitors.
  • Screen brightness struggles in direct sunlight, making quick frequency checks harder outdoors.
  • New buyers are sometimes surprised to learn a ham license is legally required before transmitting.

Ratings

The BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld has been evaluated by our AI rating system after analyzing verified buyer reviews from global sources, with spam, bot activity, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out. The result is a transparent scorecard that reflects where this budget-tier handheld genuinely impresses and where real users have run into friction. Both the highlights and the rough edges are represented honestly below.

App Programming Experience
86%
Buyers consistently describe the Bluetooth-based programming as a genuine relief compared to older Baofeng cable workflows. Setting up channels wirelessly via a smartphone app — without hunting for drivers or CHIRP compatibility — is cited as one of the strongest reasons to choose this radio over its predecessors.
A handful of users report initial pairing hiccups on certain Android versions, and the app interface has a learning curve of its own for complete beginners. Those coming from other brands may find the app layout less intuitive than expected on first use.
Value for Money
91%
For what this ham radio delivers at its price point — GPS, Bluetooth programming, dual-band TX, and multi-band RX — buyers across skill levels agree that the feature-to-dollar ratio is hard to beat. The included accessories package adds to the perceived value significantly.
A few reviewers note that some competing radios at a slightly higher price offer better build materials or more refined firmware, so buyers prioritizing polish over features may want to stretch their budget. The value proposition is strongest for those who actually use the GPS and app features.
GPS Functionality
67%
33%
Hikers and group operators appreciate having real-time coordinates and basic location sharing built directly into the radio without a separate device. For trail coordination or emergency check-ins, the GPS delivers enough situational awareness to be genuinely useful.
Lock acquisition speed is a recurring complaint — in canopy-heavy or urban environments, some users waited noticeably longer than expected for a fix. The GPS is not navigation-grade and should not be treated as a replacement for a dedicated device; it is a coordination aid, not a mapping tool.
Transmission Audio Clarity
78%
22%
At short to mid range, most users report clean, intelligible audio on both UHF and VHF. Group users on camping trips and community repeaters generally found the outgoing audio quality acceptable and comparable to radios in a higher price bracket.
At the edges of usable range, audio degrades faster than some operators expected. A small number of users flagged background hiss on receive in noisy RF environments, which can be tiring during extended monitoring sessions.
Receiver Coverage
83%
The breadth of receive capability — covering aviation, NOAA weather, AM, FM, and both amateur bands — makes this Baofeng handheld a versatile monitoring tool beyond just ham use. Emergency preparedness users especially value the NOAA and air band listening without needing a second radio.
Receive sensitivity on aviation band is functional but not exceptional; aviation enthusiasts used to dedicated scanners will notice the difference. Selectivity in dense RF environments can also be an issue, with occasional bleed from nearby strong signals.
Battery Life
79%
21%
The 2200mAh cell handles a solid day of mixed transmit and receive use without requiring a top-up, which aligns well with typical camping or day-hike timelines. Users appreciate that USB-C charging means the radio fits into a modern charging setup alongside phones and headphones.
Heavy TX users — those running nets or doing extended field operations — will likely need a charge by late afternoon. The battery capacity is adequate rather than exceptional, and no spare battery is included in the box.
Build Quality & Durability
62%
38%
The radio feels reasonably solid in hand for its weight class, and the buttons have decent tactile feedback. Most casual users report no structural issues during normal outdoor handling over weeks of use.
The plastic chassis does not inspire confidence in rough conditions, and there is zero water resistance — a real drawback for outdoor use in unpredictable weather. Several buyers mention that the UV-28 Plus feels slightly less robust than some similarly priced competitors from other brands.
Display Readability
77%
23%
The 1.77-inch color screen is a clear upgrade over the monochrome displays on older Baofeng models. Channel names, frequencies, and status indicators are readable at arm's length in most lighting conditions, which matters when you are glancing at the radio mid-activity.
In direct midday sunlight, the screen brightness is not quite enough for comfortable reading without shading it. The interface font and menu layout feel functional rather than refined, and a few users found the menu navigation mildly confusing until they got familiar with it.
Range Performance
63%
37%
In open terrain or from elevated positions, the UV-28 Plus reaches respectable distances for a handheld at this tier. Users in rural and semi-rural settings generally report satisfactory performance for group coordination during outdoor activities.
The 10W output figure is a ceiling that terrain, vegetation, and antenna quality all chip away at quickly in real-world use. Urban buyers and those operating in hilly or forested areas should set practical range expectations well below the marketed maximum.
Channel & Zone Organization
74%
26%
Having 1000 channels spread across 10 zones gives serious hobbyists and repeater users meaningful organizational flexibility. Users managing multiple groups — a hiking club and a local ARES net, for example — appreciate being able to segment channels cleanly.
Setting up that many channels without the app becomes tedious, and keypad programming for large channel lists is slow. New users who have not yet discovered the app workflow sometimes find the channel management system overwhelming.
Included Accessories
81%
19%
The box contents are notably generous — a desktop charger, headset, high-gain antenna, belt clip, and wrist strap are all included. This out-of-box readiness is repeatedly praised by buyers who did not expect to receive usable accessories at this price tier.
The included headset is functional but unremarkable in audio quality; users doing long monitoring sessions or communications work will likely want to upgrade it. The desktop charger is a nice touch but the contact alignment requires some care to seat the radio correctly.
Setup & Learning Curve
72%
28%
Compared to legacy Baofeng radios, the UV-28 Plus is meaningfully easier to get started with, especially for buyers who use the app from day one. First-time ham radio owners report getting on a local repeater within an hour of unboxing.
The radio still assumes some baseline familiarity with ham radio concepts — newcomers who skip the manual may find certain menu options confusing. It is also worth emphasizing that a valid amateur radio license is required to legally transmit, which catches some buyers off guard.
Firmware & Software Stability
58%
42%
Most users report stable day-to-day operation with no spontaneous resets or major bugs during normal use. The core radio functions — transmit, receive, scan — behave consistently once the device is set up correctly.
Several reviewers have flagged occasional app connectivity drops requiring a re-pair, and firmware update paths are not clearly communicated by Baofeng. Given the radio launched in early 2025, the software maturity is still catching up to the hardware ambition.
Weight & Portability
84%
At one pound with battery, this ham radio sits in a comfortable carry zone — heavy enough to feel substantial but light enough to clip to a pack strap without fatigue. Hikers and commuters alike appreciate that it does not dominate pocket or bag space.
The overall form factor is on the wider side compared to some slim HT designs, which can make one-handed operation slightly awkward for users with smaller hands. It is not a radio you will forget is on your belt, but it is far from cumbersome.

Suitable for:

The BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld is an excellent fit for anyone entering the amateur radio hobby who wants real capability without a painful setup process. Newcomers who have recently passed their Technician exam will find the Bluetooth app programming far less intimidating than the cable-and-CHIRP workflow that has historically made Baofeng radios a chore to configure. Outdoor groups — hiking clubs, off-road convoys, search-and-rescue volunteers — benefit meaningfully from the built-in GPS, which lets teammates share coordinates without pulling out a separate device. Emergency preparedness households will appreciate the ability to monitor NOAA weather alerts and aviation traffic on a single radio, especially during severe weather events when situational awareness matters most. Existing Baofeng owners sitting on an older UV-5R-era radio will find the USB-C charging, color display, and wireless programming make this a low-friction, worthwhile step forward.

Not suitable for:

The BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld is not the right choice for buyers who need a rugged, weather-resistant radio for wet or harsh environments — it carries no water resistance rating, so rain, river crossings, or muddy field conditions could damage it. Operators expecting navigation-grade GPS will be disappointed; the built-in positioning is useful for sharing rough coordinates with a team, but it is not a substitute for a dedicated GPS unit in technical backcountry navigation. Anyone hoping to stretch range in dense urban canyons or heavily forested terrain should also temper expectations, as real-world performance depends heavily on local conditions and antenna quality rather than the 10W output figure alone. Serious DX operators or those running high-duty-cycle nets will likely outgrow this radio quickly and may be better served by a more refined HT from Yaesu or Kenwood. Finally, buyers who have no intention of obtaining a ham radio license should know that legal transmission requires FCC licensing — this is not a license-free FRS walkie-talkie.

Specifications

  • Model Number: The radio is officially designated the UV-28 Plus, carrying FCC ID 2AJGM-UV28PRO.
  • Power Output: Transmit power reaches up to 10W, though real-world effective range varies based on antenna quality, elevation, and terrain.
  • TX Bands: Transmits on both UHF and VHF amateur bands, covering the most common repeater and simplex frequencies used by ham operators.
  • RX Coverage: Receive capability extends beyond amateur bands to include FM broadcast, AM, aviation (air band), and NOAA weather channels.
  • Battery: A 2200mAh lithium-ion battery is included and supports a full day of moderate mixed-use operation before requiring a recharge.
  • Charging Port: The radio charges via a standard USB-C port, and a desktop cradle charger with adapter is included in the box.
  • Display: A 1.77″ color screen shows active frequency, channel name, signal strength, and key status indicators in a readable layout.
  • Channel Storage: Up to 1000 channels can be stored and organized across 10 programmable zones for flexible multi-group or multi-repeater use.
  • GPS: A built-in GPS module provides real-time latitude, longitude, and altitude data, with support for sharing coordinates with teammates.
  • Programming Methods: Channels and settings can be configured wirelessly via the Bluetooth companion app, through CPS desktop software, or directly on the keypad.
  • Water Resistance: The UV-28 Plus carries no water resistance rating and should be kept away from rain, splashes, and wet conditions.
  • Weight: The radio weighs approximately 1 pound with battery installed, making it comfortable for extended carry on a belt clip or pack strap.
  • Package Dimensions: The retail package measures approximately 9.73 x 7.95 x 2.32 inches, accommodating the radio and all included accessories.
  • Included Accessories: In the box: UV-28 Plus radio, 2200mAh battery, desktop charger with adapter, high-gain antenna, headset, belt clip, and wrist strap.
  • Voltage: The radio operates at 3.7 volts DC supplied by the included lithium-ion battery pack.
  • Warranty: Baofeng provides an 18-month warranty on the hardware along with a stated lifetime customer support commitment.
  • Availability Date: The UV-28 Plus became available on the Amazon marketplace in March 2025, making it one of Baofeng's most recently launched handhelds.
  • Certifications: The radio holds an FCC ID (2AJGM-UV28PRO), confirming it has passed federal radio frequency equipment authorization requirements for the US market.

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FAQ

Yes, a valid FCC amateur radio license is required to legally transmit on the ham bands this radio covers. You can listen freely without a license, but transmitting without one is illegal in the US. The good news is that the entry-level Technician exam is straightforward, and many new ham operators pass it within a few weeks of casual study.

The UV-28 Plus is primarily designed around its own Bluetooth companion app for wireless programming, and it also supports Baofeng's CPS desktop software. CHIRP compatibility for this specific model may be limited or require a community-developed driver, so if CHIRP is your preferred workflow, it is worth checking the CHIRP supported radio list before purchasing.

The GPS is best understood as a situational awareness and team coordination tool rather than a precision navigation system. It will give you a usable coordinate fix for sharing your location with teammates or checking your general position outdoors, but lock times can be slow under tree cover or in urban canyons. Do not rely on it as a replacement for a dedicated GPS device on technical backcountry routes.

Yes, the UV-28 Plus receives on the aviation (air band) frequency range, so you can listen to tower and ground communications for situational awareness. Keep in mind that transmitting on aviation frequencies is strictly prohibited and regulated — the receive-only capability is perfectly legal for monitoring, but this radio must never be used to transmit on air band frequencies.

Download the Baofeng companion app on your smartphone, pair it to the radio via Bluetooth, and you can push channels and settings wirelessly. It is genuinely faster and less frustrating than the old USB-cable-and-CHIRP process. If you prefer a no-phone option, you can also enter channels directly through the keypad, though that method becomes tedious for large channel lists.

No, the UV-28 Plus has no water resistance rating whatsoever. Light drizzle might not cause immediate damage, but you should not count on it. If you regularly operate in wet environments — kayaking, fishing, hiking in rainy climates — you will want a radio with an IP67 or similar rating instead.

Handheld-to-handheld in open flat terrain you might see a few miles, but in wooded areas, hilly ground, or dense neighborhoods that drops significantly. The 10W output helps compared to lower-power handhelds, but terrain and antenna choice matter far more than wattage alone. If you need reliable range over difficult terrain, using a local repeater will extend your reach dramatically.

Under typical mixed use — some transmitting, a lot of monitoring — most users get through a full day without needing a recharge. If you are transmitting heavily for extended periods, expect a shorter window. The USB-C port makes topping up easy with a standard power bank, which is worth having in your pack for all-day outdoor events.

It is one of the more approachable entry points available right now. The app-based programming removes the biggest barrier newcomers have historically faced with Baofeng radios, and the color display and wide receive coverage make it interesting to use right out of the box. Just make sure you get your Technician license before transmitting — studying for it alongside using the radio in receive mode is a great way to learn the hobby.

Absolutely — accessing local VHF and UHF repeaters is one of the most common use cases for this Baofeng handheld. You will need to program in the repeater frequency, offset, and any required CTCSS or DCS tone, which is straightforward through the app. Checking a local repeater directory like RepeaterBook will help you find active repeaters in your area.

Where to Buy

eBay
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld
In stock $49.99
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Radioddity
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld
In stock $49.99
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Baofeng
BAOFENG UV-28 Plus Ham Radio Handheld
In stock $57.99
Buy Now