Looking to get into ham radio without blowing your budget? 2025 brings a range of affordable ham radios perfect for beginners. This guide breaks down the best cheap ham radios across four key categories: handhelds, mobile rigs, base stations, and SDR radios—so no matter your setup or license class, there’s something here for you.
Please see some of my videos linked below for a full review and features for each radio.
Best Cheap Handheld Ham Radios (HTs) for Beginners
Handheld radios (also known as HTs or Handy-Talkies) are the most common entry point for new operators. They’re compact, battery-powered, and perfect for local comms, portable operations, or emergency kits.
TIDRadio TD-H3 (VHF/UHF)
Probably my #1 cheap handhelds to get started with. Easy to operate and program via USB-C, has Bluetooth functions, audio sounds great. Comes in both Ham and GMRS versions.
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/HcX8z
TIDRadio Store 👉 https://tidradio.com/?ref=lnsvrdko
AliExpress 👉 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_opxmllE
Reception Coverage:
- FM: 50–76 MHz
- FM Broadcast: 76–108 MHz
- Airband: 108–136 MHz
- VHF: 136–174 MHz
- Extended VHF/UHF: 174–350 MHz, 350–400 MHz
- UHF: 400–470 MHz
- Additional UHF: 470–600 MHz
Transmission Coverage:
- VHF: 144–148 MHz
- UHF: 420–450 MHz
Quansheng UV-K5 (VHF/UHF)
This radio burst onto the scene and was discovered by hackers who created custom firmware to load onto the device. All rather cool – plus it works well on the 2m and 70cm amateur bands
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/gSGCO74
AliExpress 👉 https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olSfw8k
Reception Coverage*:
- FM: 50–600 MHz
- FM Broadcast: 88-108 MHz
- Airband: 108–136 MHz
- UHF: 400–470 MHz
*can run custom firmware to receive over 1 GHz with varying results*
Transmission Coverage:
- VHF: 144–148 MHz
- UHF: 420–450 MHz
Baofeng GT-5R
The GT-5R is basically a UV-5R – but better. It only transmits on 144-148 MHz & 420-450 MHz and is 100% FCC compliant when it comes to spurious emissions. Easy to use and program, a great choice for beginners.
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/AxPAFfR
Radioddity 👉 http://radioddity.refr.cc/haydenvk7hh
Reception Coverage:
- VHF: 136-174 MHz
- UHF: 400-480 MHz
Transmission Coverage:
- VHF: 144–148 MHz
- UHF: 420–450 MHz
Wouxun KG-Q10H
Slightly more expensive radio – but this is quadband! It has 6m, 2m, 70cm and for the US – 220 MHz. 4 Bands in one radio! Also IP67 rated so you can drop it in the river unharmed, NOAA weather mode with alerts, plus wideband receive plus more! Superhet receiver, so it’s much better than other budget handhelds.
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/1ala1
Reception Coverage:
- 50-54 MHz (AM/FM) RX
- 76-108 MHz (FM) RX
- 108-136 MHz (Airband, AM) RX
- 136-174 MHz (FM) RX
- 222-225 MHz (FM) RX
- 320-480 MHz (FM) RX
- 714-999 MHz (FM) RX
Transmission Coverage:
- 50-54 MHz FM
- 144-148 MHz FM
- 222-225 MHz FM
- 420-450 MHz FM
🚗 Best Cheap Mobile Ham Radios for Your Car or Shack
Mobile radios are great for higher output power and more robust features compared to handhelds. They’re usually mounted in vehicles or used in home stations with a power supply.
Retevis RT95 / Anytone AT-778UV (VHF/UHF)
One of the best cheap mobile radios out there. Check out my full review in the video below, too many features to list here.
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/fhZLw7B
Radioddity QT60 Pro (10 Meter Radio)
If you have your Technician (USA) licence – then you can operate on the 10 Meter band! This radio is great to dip your toes into HF – especially at the top of the solar cycle, or during spring summer months when the band is open!
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/pOZSO
Retevis Ailunce HS4 (10 Meter Radio)
Another decent unit for 10 Meters… built for those familiar with CB’s or moving from CB. Still a solid little radio worth considering.
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/mWAFL
Retevis MA1 (VHF/UHF)
This is a 50W Dualband radio. It does Airband reception, full duplex, has a superhet receiver and a detachable front head for mounting in the car plus much more!
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/MLEXW
🏠 Best Cheap Base Station Ham Radios (HF and Beyond)
Base radios are ideal if you’re looking to get on HF and work DX or work portable in programs such as POTA or SOTA. These are more powerful, more capable, and suited for more serious operating.
Xiegu G90 (HF)
This is the best budget HF radio. Gets you on the air on all HF bands, 20W and built in tuner. Great choice for POTA!
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/5hpmV
📶 Best Cheap SDR Radios (Software Defined Radios)
If you want to start off by listening in across a wide spectrum without spending much, SDRs are a great low-cost option. Some can even transmit with mods or add-ons.
Nooelec SDR Dongle
This is a great entry level SDR dongle for less than $40! This covered 100 KHz to 1.75 GHz right out of the box. Pair it with software such as SDR Console to receive all sorts of stuff all over the radio spectrum!
Amazon 👉 https://geni.us/5hpmV
Web-888
The Web-888 is a cutting-edge, affordable, and user-friendly Software Defined Radio (SDR) that runs in Browser that can be accessed from anywhere in the world! It’s open source, and packed full of features making this one of the BEST SDR’s out there.