9 Best Ham Radios 2026

The world has seen the rise and fall of many technologies. Some were rendered obsolete with the rise of newer, better systems. While others simply faded away.

It’s a testament to the importance of ham radio that it’s still an absolute necessity today despite its introduction over 100 years ago.

This article deeply delves into the world of communication devices, highlighting the best ham radio for work, hobby, or play.

Best Overall – BAOFENG BF-F8HP

The Baofeng BF-F8HP is an upgrade on the UV-5R. The significance of this upgrade is that Baofeng took an excellent ham radio and made it even better.

This ham radio has a 30% larger battery than its predecessor and a more durable cover – thanks to its hardened, durable radio shell that can withstand the worst abuse. Moreover, it features twice the power at 8W compared to the 4W of the UV-5R.

It’s a versatile radio that features twice the antenna performance and a programming cable for easy use with the PC. The standout feature of this ham radio isn’t the frequency range but the ease of use.

It’s high-quality enough for the savviest hobbyist and easy to learn and operate for the newbie. The radio works amazingly well with CHIRP and Baofeng software.

You can buy a longer antenna to improve the experience. It also has a comprehensive manual that walks you through the radio’s features.

Moreover, the handheld radio has multiple power settings as low as 1W up to 8W for full power. The frequency range isn’t the broadest on the list, but it’s still 136-174 MHz for VHF and 400-520 MHz for UHF.

The radio ships with a 2100mAh battery, CH-5 antenna, CH-5 110V adapter, belt clip, wrist strap, and user manual.

You’d need to program the radio for specific channels and reduce power to prevent issues with the military or FCC! Yep, the radio is that powerful. Non-licensed holders are limited to 1.5W and are only allowed a limited number of frequencies.

Pros

• Exceptional battery life
• It has three power levels 1W, 4W, and 8W
• Durable hardshell design
• Comprehensive user manual
• Fantastic price
• It has all the accessories

Cons

• The antenna has terrible reception
• It doesn’t always ship with described parts

Best Premium – YAESU FT-991A

The FT-991A is a ham radio designed to take care of needs you didn’t know you had. The construction is exceptionally high-quality and fits into a compact solid housing that can put out up to 100W of pure output power.

It looks high-tech but is very user-friendly and easy to program. The price is reasonable when you consider the capabilities of this radio, providing all-band coverage for TX/RX and is loaded with tons of features.

Firstly, the FT-991A is for users who want to step up their game and go “full send” on a “real” radio. In addition to C4FM, it covers the entire band spectrum from 160 meters to 70 centimeters.

This radio is an all-in-one juggernaut that saves you the cost of owning multiple radios. It’s an excellent option for ham enthusiasts who enjoy receiving and transmitting various frequencies.

Moreover, the radio shines brightly as a ham shack base transceiver; it’s still compact enough to sit in a truck dash. However, the 12.99lbs  doesn’t make it the best ham radio for mobile use.

There are so many things to love about this device, but the touchscreen LCD is arguably the best feature. The waterfall display makes it easy to pinpoint signals, and the color is fantastic.

The 100w power output is strong enough to communicate with other ham users worldwide when used with the perfect antenna.

The only drawback with this device is the steep learning curve to come to grips with the radio. It could also do better than 100 memory channels for the price.

Still, the FT991-A is an excellent investment that keeps paying dividends as you get used to it.

Pros

• Loaded with features
• Vibrant touchscreen LCD
• Rugged portable housing
• All-band coverage
• Dynamic Real-time Spectrum Scope

Cons

• Not for novice ham users
• 100W drops to 50W for VHF/UHF

Best Budget – BAOFENG UV-5R

The UV-5R is an excellent choice for people who want to own a ham radio without putting a dent in the wallet. It’s incredibly low-priced and equally as reliable as the high-end products from the same manufacturer.

The output is an impressive 8W and features two rechargeable battery configurations, 1800 or 3800 mAh. Depending on your pick, you can get from 36 to 72 hours of standby time. The radio has VHF with a frequency range from 136 – 174 and UHF from 40 – 520 MHz.

You’ll also find an inbuilt FM radio that lets you listen to your regular programs and news reports. Moreover, there’s an inbuilt flashlight for when you’re in the great outdoors.

Let’s be clear; this radio might be cheap, but it isn’t a Citizen’s Band radio and requires a license to broadcast. The high-grade antenna significantly increases the transmission range and signal clarity.

Besides, the radio is easy to use, and the quality is excellent for the price. Other eye-catching features include dual lock, dual-band, and dual display. You’ll also love the keypad lock that prevents you from accidentally changing the station.

The UV-5R consists of an extended antenna, desktop charger, 1800maH battery, belt clip, user manual, and hand strap.

This radio isn’t approved for General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). The ham bands are limited to FCC-licensed users with a technician-level license. Still, it’s an affordable way to enjoy the basics of ham radio operation.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Dual-band and frequency
• It has a keypad lock
• Builtin LCD
• Low battery notification
• Amazing price
• Inbuilt FM radio
• Extended battery life (3800 mAh)

Cons

• Not for general use
• The user manual lacks depth
• Can break easily

PRESIDENT LINCOLN II

The Lincoln II ham radio is an upgrade on the Lincoln. It has various exceptional features, including a multi-color interface.

The first Lincoln had noisy receiver issues, while other users complained of the inaccuracy of the S meter. These issues pushed President Electronics to create Version II. Now, the receiver is way better.

The receiver is excellent, extremely quiet when used in a vehicle, and requires no adjustments. Further, the transmit audio works fine, has lots of power and has a truckload of software features that make using a ham radio easy.

The radio has impressive sensitivity and can detect a tone at -127 dBm. More importantly, the power output is as advertised, and the DIN size is a snug fit for most vehicles. This radio is a gift that keeps giving, ensuring you find surprising new features even after prolonged use.

Lincoln II’s eye-catching quality is the TX clarity. Most users think the microphone is low quality because of its lightweight design, but they couldn’t be more wrong. This radio features an electret condenser mic specially designed for the dual filter.

Most people make the mistake of changing the microphone, which won’t work correctly with the radio’s tuned circuit.

Moreover, the clarifier is unlocked from the factory, making it a moot point to modify. You’ll love that the frequency counter switches to SWR once it’s keyed up. The NB/ANL works perfectly, and it’s all controlled by the top left button.

The volume control feature is the only minor annoyance. With a regular radio, once you switch it on and slowly turn up the volume control, the audio increases accordingly.

However, this ham radio goes from low to high with nothing in between. The radio is superb, with great sensitivity and impressive power output.

Pros

• TX audio quality is superb
• Covers 10 and 12-meter bands
• Power output is topnotch
• DIN size fits most trucks
• The unlocked clarifier doesn’t need modification

Cons

• Too expensive for Citizen Band use 
• Volume control could be better

XIEGU X6100 HF

Xiegu is quickly gaining ground in the ham radio market with the entry of the X5105 and G90. The manufacturer is renowned for its high-end radios with superb displays, and the X6100 isn’t any different.

The X6100 features WIFI and Bluetooth connectivity – a rare sight for a ham radio under $1000. The X6100 is a significant upgrade on the X5105 with an 800×480 high-resolution screen. It also has a 10W output connected to an external source and audio recording.

Xiegu also assures users of extra functionality through firmware updates. Xiegu was thoughtful enough to include a DC cable and adapter that helps to charge the internal battery.

The significance is that you don’t need to go out of your way to buy an external battery if 5W is enough for your use.

Interestingly, the X6100 has a rugged smooth aluminum chassis that’s rugged and hard to dent. The display is this radio’s best feature with vibrant color, contrast, and resolution that’s fantastic. It isn’t a touchscreen, but still easy to navigate without issues.

The menu can be slightly confusing, but you only need a few minutes to get a handle on things. The audio quality is better than the X5105 but still harsh with a bit of splatter when turned up high.

Additionally, the receiver is extremely sensitive and can easily block adjacent signals. The obvious drawback of this ham radio is the internal battery that hardly lasts up to an hour.

However, a firmware update by the manufacturer seems to solve this issue. The X6100 guarantees Xiegu’s place as the low-cost leader for HF transceivers.

Pros

• Portable design
• Exceptional Antenna Tuning Unit
• Vibrant color display
• The menu is easy to navigate
• Rugged, high-quality casing

Cons

• Not the best for shortwave listening
• Battery life isn’t the best

ICOM 2300H

The ICOM 2300H is the best ham radio for users that need durable gear they can hook up to a vehicle. The sound quality is gold, with the ability to hit local repeaters with ease. Further, the compact size makes it a snug fit for a vehicle dash.

The 65W offers real power extending its capabilities, including range. The LCD is customizable, and you change it from green to amber. You’ll also love the 207 alpha-numeric memory channels that offer plenty of options.

You can buy a programming cable to simplify the setup. The ham radio also features weather alerts that ensure you’re on top of impending storms and take adequate precautions.

Moreover, the radio