Just got your Technician license and looking for your first radio?

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get on the air. In fact, some of the most popular beginner radios cost less than a tank of gas, and they’re more than capable of hitting local repeaters and making your first contacts.

This guide covers the best HAM radios under $100, with a focus on beginner-friendly handhelds that are easy to use, reliable, and actually worth your money.

Quick Picks: Best Budget HAM Radios

If you want the fast answer, here are the top options:

• Best Overall: Baofeng BF-F8HP
• Best Budget Pick: Baofeng UV-5R
• Best Modern Features: Baofeng UV-5RM (USB-C)
• Best for Tinkerers: Quansheng UV-K5
• Best for Outdoor Use: Retevis RA89

(You’ll find full breakdowns below.)

What to Look for in a Budget HAM Radio

If you’re new, don’t get overwhelmed by specs. Focus on what actually matters:

• Dual-band (2m/70cm): Covers most Technician-level activity
• Power (5–8 watts): Plenty for repeaters
• CHIRP compatibility: Makes programming way easier
• Battery life: Important for portable use
• CTCSS/DCS support: Required for most repeaters

Bottom line: You want something simple, reliable, and easy to learn on.

Best HAM Radios Under $100 (Detailed Reviews)

Best Budget Pick: Baofeng UV-5R

Best for: Absolute beginners who want the cheapest way to get started

The Baofeng UV-5R has been the go-to starter radio for years, and for good reason. It’s incredibly affordable, widely supported, and fully capable of getting you on the air.

• Dual-band (VHF/UHF)
• Up to 5 watts power
• 128 memory channels
• Huge community support

At under $25, this is about as low-risk as it gets. There are countless tutorials, programming guides, and accessories available, which makes the learning curve much easier.

The tradeoff:
The menu system isn’t the most intuitive, and build quality is basic—but for the price, it’s hard to beat.

Price: ~$20.00

Best Overall: Baofeng BF-F8HP

Best for: Beginners who want better performance without spending much more

Think of this as an upgraded UV-5R.

• Up to 8 watts output
• Larger 2100 mAh battery
• Improved antenna
• Three power levels

Those extra watts can make a real difference when trying to hit repeaters from indoors or at the edge of coverage.

It also benefits from strong documentation and U.S.-based support through BTECH.

Why it stands out:
You get noticeably better performance while still staying well under $100.

Price: ~$50.00

Best Modern Features: Baofeng UV-5RM (USB-C)

Best for: Beginners who want modern convenience

This is a newer take on the classic Baofeng formula, with features that feel much more current.

• USB-C charging (huge upgrade)
• Larger battery (~2500 mAh)
• Color display
• App-based programming (Bluetooth)

Being able to charge your radio with the same cable as your phone is more useful than it sounds—especially for portable use.

Why it stands out:
It removes a lot of the hassle that older radios have. USB-C charging and Bluetooth programming are welcome quality-of-life features.

Price: ~$30.00

Best for Tinkerers: Quansheng UV-K5

Best for: Curious beginners who want to experiment

This radio has developed a following for one reason: flexibility.

• Wide-band receiver (great for scanning)
• Open-source firmware support
• 200 memory channels

Out of the box, it works fine as a basic transceiver—but with custom firmware, it becomes much more powerful.

Important note:
Only transmit on frequencies you’re licensed to use.

Why it stands out:
It’s not just a radio—it’s a learning platform.

Price: ~$25.00

Best for Outdoor Use: Retevis RA89

Best for: POTA, hiking, and outdoor use

If you plan to use your radio outside, this one deserves serious attention.

• IP68 waterproof rating
• Up to 10 watts power
• Massive 3200 mAh battery
• Noise reduction features

Unlike most budget radios, this one can actually handle rain, dirt, and rough conditions.

Why it stands out:
It’s rugged and built for real-world use.

Price: ~$60.00

Quick Comparison

Radio	Price	Power	Best For
UV-5R	$20	5W	Cheapest option
BF-F8HP	$50	8W	Best overall
UV-5RM	$30	~8W	Modern features
UV-K5	$25	3–5W	Tinkering
RA89	$60	10W	Outdoor use

A Quick Note on Programming

Most beginner frustration comes from programming, not the radio itself. Consider using CHIRP to program your radio. CHIRP is free, open-source software that makes loading channels, repeater offsets, and CTCSS tones dramatically easier than navigating the radio’s front-panel menus. Every radio on this list is CHIRP-compatible.

Final Thoughts

The amateur radio community occasionally suffers from gear snobbery, the idea that you need expensive equipment to be a “serious” operator. Don’t buy into that. The radios on this list will get you on the air, help you work repeaters, let you participate in nets, and give you the on-air experience you need to figure out where you want to take the hobby next.

Start with something in your budget. Get on the air. Talk to people. Figure out what aspects of ham radio excite you most, whether that’s emergency communications, hiking with a handheld, digital modes, or chasing DX. Then let that passion guide your next equipment decision.

The best ham radio is the one you actually use. 73!

👉 If you’re brand new, check out my guide to getting your HAM license (link Article 2)