Best handheld radio for around $100

[WRXX916]

I'm sure this has been asked a ton, but based on radios getting better every year with upgrades, what's the best handheld radio around $100 (good quality)? I like the Tidradio TD-H8 but may goto the TD-H9. 

TIDRADIO TD-H9 10W APRS GPS Bluetooth Ham GMRS Walkie-talkie – Tidradio https://share.google/DePuDrXP0cveiJhCk

 

 

I like the GPS on this radio (deer hunting with family). Is all the extra bells and whistles needed, probably not. Are Tidradio's crap, should I go to something else? Looking for some ideas....

 

Edit - Maybe the Wouxun for double?

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-q10g.html

For a new guy getting into the hobby, what's a good starting radio? 

 

[WRXX916]

Looks like problems on the H9 release, i'll hold off on the purchase. 

 

 

[labreja]

Here is some information from  @Lscott. He likes commercial radios, as do I, especially Kenwood.

https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/263-tk-3170jpg/?context=new

I found this on Ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226190723292?epid=2256116195&itmmeta=01KF0RF0V9YWCN6SVSJTAZ2YFG&hash=item34aa0488dc:g:tUAAAOSwLRpmafA8

Hope this helps.

 

[WRUE951]

For around $100..  you won't find any difference between a $100 radio's and a $30 Baofeng radio..  In fact you may find many of the $100 radios are rebranded Baofeng,s all made in the same china child labor camp..  

[SteveShannon]

If I were in the market for a $100 radio, I’d add $40 and get the Yaesu FT-60.  It doesn’t have APRS, but it does have a metal chassis and a pretty decent reputation.  I don’t have one but reviews are good.

[labreja]

I have had a Yeasu FT-60 for a few years now.  I like it so much I bought a second as a backup.

[WRXX916]

3 hours ago, WRUE951 said:

For around $100..  you won't find any difference between a $100 radio's and a $30 Baofeng radio..  In fact you may find many of the $100 radios are rebranded Baofeng,s all made in the same china child labor camp..  

Good info, thank you. Correct, there is better radios for a little bit more. I'm looking at the Btech now. This one also has the GPS tracking. Still need to do my research (reviews) online on this radio. 

https://a.co/d/b4sRCcQ

 

[RoadApple]

19 hours ago, WRXX916 said:

I'm sure this has been asked a ton, but based on radios getting better every year with upgrades, what's the best handheld radio around $100 (good quality)? I like the Tidradio TD-H8 but may goto the TD-H9. 

TIDRADIO TD-H9 10W APRS GPS Bluetooth Ham GMRS Walkie-talkie – Tidradio https://share.google/DePuDrXP0cveiJhCk

I like the GPS on this radio (deer hunting with family). Is all the extra bells and whistles needed, probably not. Are Tidradio's crap, should I go to something else? Looking for some ideas....

Edit - Maybe the Wouxun for double?

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-q10g.html

For a new guy getting into the hobby, what's a good starting radio? 

 

I have a Tidradio H8 2nd Gen.  I've been happy with it.   

* From what I've read, I would agree that it might be best to hold off on the H9 for a while.

[WRUE951]

7 hours ago, WRXX916 said:

Good info, thank you. Correct, there is better radios for a little bit more. I'm looking at the Btech now. This one also has the GPS tracking. Still need to do my research (reviews) online on this radio. 

https://a.co/d/b4sRCcQ

 

you might ask yourself if GPS is important to you.  I have 4 radios with GPS. I didn't buy them for the purpose of using the GPS  function, it just came with the radio models I bought.  I have never used the GPS functions on those radios.  Also keep in mind, some of the GPS features require another 'like' radio for the GPS to function together..  In other words, your position information on Btech will only share that GPS Information on another BTECH radio with same features.  Bluetooth is an option on radios that makes more sense and more universal..  I have Bluetooth on many of my radios and I do use it often..   Are you shopping for your first GMRS radios?   If so you may look at the Baofeng UV-5G Plus, less than $30 on Amazon..  Nice entry GMRS radio to get your feet wet..   Personally, im not a fan of BTECH, I've never had luck with them other than target practice out in the desert. 

[TNFrank]

The BTech BF-F8HP Pro is well under $100 and has a lot of great features and the CPS is really good too. It's one of my favorite HT's.

 

[MSnow]

Maybe look into the Radtel 880-G, if you really want the APRS tho I think the Kenwood HT and Yeasu are considered best, but those are 5 times the price your wanting to pay.

[Lscott]

6 hours ago, MSnow said:

Maybe look into the Radtel 880-G, 

I personally wouldn't recommend Radtel RT-880G. I just went a few rounds trying to program one for a buddy and showing him how it works. The programming software works sort of OK, BUT the radio firmware has some significant bugs. Oh, the programming software has NO help files so you have to guess at some of the stuff, program the radio, don't work, makes changes and repeat. I don't see the radio as supported by CHIRP either.

To organize the couple hundred channels I programmed in I used the zone feature of the radio. Trying to switch zones basically doesn't work. Messing around with the radio trying it, myself and my buddy, we got the radio so mucked up it had to be reprogrammed with the saved code plug more than once. There were a few more anomalies it seems.

Doing some research on the zone switching issue online I found out there are other bugs in the firmware. I had flashed the most current version they had as of a few weeks ago when I programmed it. 

Everyone seems to fall in love with these cheap Chinese radios, CCR's, but they're cheap for a reason. Crappy undocumented programming software, significant radio firmware bugs and less than robust electrical design of the electronics. That's how they cut the price.

[WROQ359]

Depends on what you are looking for...... If you want a simple to use radio with not a lot of bells and whistles, no color screen then go with the Wouxun 905G. Solid radio easy to program and use. If you are looking for something with more color and options then the Wouxun 935G is a popular model. 

[WRZK526]

On 1/14/2026 at 4:27 PM, WRXX916 said:

I'm sure this has been asked a ton, but based on radios getting better every year with upgrades, what's the best handheld radio around $100 (good quality)? I like the Tidradio TD-H8 but may goto the TD-H9. 

TIDRADIO TD-H9 10W APRS GPS Bluetooth Ham GMRS Walkie-talkie – Tidradio https://share.google/DePuDrXP0cveiJhCk

 

 

I like the GPS on this radio (deer hunting with family). Is all the extra bells and whistles needed, probably not. Are Tidradio's crap, should I go to something else? Looking for some ideas....

 

Edit - Maybe the Wouxun for double?

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-q10g.html

For a new guy getting into the hobby, what's a good starting radio? 

 

Midland GXT3000 $160 for two so $80 each. Repeater capable easy to program durable and they come with extra batteries. One for use, one for back up or to loan or sell to someone if they buy a new charger about $25. 

[WRYZ926]

The problem with GMRS radio that have GPS built in is that there is no set industry wide standard. So Brand A will not exchange GPS info with Brand B, etc etc.

Baofeng/B-Tech radios will not exchange GPS info with any other brands. Each manufacturer uses their own protocols. I have a couple of Wouxun radios with GPS and I have just turned that feature off since they will only exchange GPS info with outer Wouxun radios. Plus GPS will drain the HT battery quicker.

I would not bother with any GMRS radio with GPS until there is some type of industry wide standard.

Talking about Amateur band radios, you have analog APRS which will send out location information as long as there is a GPS unit built into or connected to the radio. Range is going to be limited unless there is an APRS gateway/repeater within range.

[WRZK526]

41 minutes ago, WRZK526 said:

Midland GXT3000 $160 for two so $80 each. Repeater capable easy to program durable and they come with extra batteries. One for use, one for back up or to loan or sell to someone if they buy a new charger about $25. 

My mistake they do not come with extra batteries. But they have lithium Ion and last a long time. You can also use alkaline batteries in them. 

[maddogrecurve]

On 1/15/2026 at 10:30 AM, WRXX916 said:

Good info, thank you. Correct, there is better radios for a little bit more. I'm looking at the Btech now. This one also has the GPS tracking. Still need to do my research (reviews) online on this radio. 

https://a.co/d/b4sRCcQ

 

May I ask why GMRS would need GPS?  I have not been involved in the GMRS scene in a few years.  I got my HAM license 4 years ago, so I have been on those frequencies.

[SteveShannon]

2 minutes ago, maddogrecurve said:

May I ask why GMRS would need GPS?  I have not been involved in the GMRS scene in a few years.  I got my HAM license 4 years ago, so I have been on those frequencies.

I use GPS with GMRS when I’m out launching high powered amateur rockets. Because I’m out in the hills of sw Montana my fellow rocketeers are able to see my location on their radios (people in my rocketry group use Garmin Rhino radios). Also, if I find someone else’s rocket I can mark the location and give it to them so they can retrieve it.