Come on, you didn’t get into this hobby because you’re the most fiscally responsible person (or you are, unicorn) so finding yet another thing to play with in this hobby is what makes it a never ending quest to play radio better and easier.
I currently am using DMR with my main hotspot, running on a Pi4 4GB with a mmdvm hat running WPSD and really enjoy it with my Yaesu FT-3D in cross mode (YSF2DMR). I would like something a bit easier to use though and one that’d allow me to connect to DMR repeaters around OKC as it seems to have a good group of people supporting it here in town and they’re the same group that is involved with the Oklahoma AREDN group.
So because I’m tired of watching Youtube and reading blogs, I decided to write this post to help consolidate my findings and hopefully help someone else in looking for a DMR radio, either HT or Mobile.
Let’s not sugarcoat this: picking the “best” DMR handheld radio (HT) can feel like sorting socks in a tornado. With enough models, features, and hype to make your ADHD brain tap out, it’s easy to get stuck in research purgatory. Lucky for you, I already did the work (and burned through a few brain cells) so you don’t have to.
TL;DR – DMR Radio Comparison Data
First Place: AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus
Price: ~$335
Bands: VHF/UHF
Channels: 4000
Contacts: 500,000
Screen: 1.77″ TFT color
Battery: 3100mAh, USB-C charging (newer versions)
APRS: Full support (Analog + DMR TX/RX)
GPS: Yes
Review: b3n.org
Why it’s the king:
- Full APRS. Not that watered-down “DMR location beacon only” garbage — real APRS.
- Dual-band, dual-time slot — ready for whatever you throw at it.
- Feels like a real tool, not a Happy Meal toy.
- Active firmware updates (meaning it’s not abandoned two months after you buy it).
- Killer battery life.
If you’re even half-serious about DMR, just buy it. Future you will thank you while you casually APRS your hiking adventures.
Second Place: BTECH DMR-6X2 PRO
Price: ~$300
Bands: VHF/UHF
Channels: 4000
Contacts: 500,000
Screen: 1.77″ TFT color
Battery: 3100mAh, USB-C charging
APRS: Full support
GPS: Yes
Review: Ham Radio Blog PD0AC
Why it almost wins:
- Cheaper than the AnyTone.
- Full APRS too!
- Sturdy, reliable, “I dropped it once and it laughed at me” kind of build.
- Programming is a smidge more annoying, but nothing your stubbornness can’t overcome.
If you want 95% of the 878’s power without blowing your wallet into orbit, this is the way.
Best Budget Pick: Radioddity GD-88
Price: ~$220
Bands: VHF/UHF
Channels: 4000
Contacts: 300,000
Screen: 2.0″ TFT color
Battery: 3000mAh
APRS: Full support (but firmware’s a little “special”)
GPS: Yes
Why you might want it:
- You’re DMR-curious but not ready to commit to a mortgage payment.
- You don’t mind a little “creative button pressing” and “quirky menus”.
- You can deal with Radioddity’s support strategy, which is basically “Here’s a manual. Good luck, warlock.”
TL;DR — The Final Verdict
If you’re serious about DMR and want the best, get the AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus. Period.
If you’re a little more budget-conscious but still crave quality, the BTECH DMR-6X2 PRO is a monster. If you’re broke or just want to dabble without risking divorce court, the Radioddity GD-88 is solid.
Bonus Round: Other Models You Might Stumble Upon (and Probably Shouldn’t Buy Unless You Like Suffering)
- TYT MD-UV380 / MD-2017: Dirt cheap, but no APRS and clunky menus.
- Radioddity GD-AT10G: UHF only — good luck finding a UHF-only world.
- Alinco DJ-MD5TGP: Weird UI and small battery.
| Manufacturer | Model | Type | Price (USD) | Bands Supported | Channels | Contacts | Colors | Antenna Connector | Screen Type | Battery Capacity | APRS Support | GPS Support |
| Ailunce (Retevis) | HD1 (GPS) | Handheld | $172.00 | VHF/UHF | 3000 | 200000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.77″ color LCD | 3200 mAh | Limited (Digital Beacon) | Yes |
| Alinco | DJ-MD5TGP | Handheld | $170.00 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 150000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.77″ TFT color | 1700 mAh | No | Yes |
| AnyTone | AT-D878UVII Plus | Handheld | $334.99 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 500000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.77″ TFT color | 3100 mAh | Full (Analog+DMR) | Yes |
| BTECH | DMR-6X2 PRO | Handheld | $299.89 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 500000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.77″ TFT color | 3100 mAh | Full (Analog+DMR) | Yes |
| Motorola | XPR 7550e | Handheld | $900 | VHF or UHF | 1000 | 1000 | Black | SMA-F (Motorola) | 2-line color LCD | 3100 mAh | No | Yes |
| Radioddity | GD-AT10G | Handheld | $169.99 | UHF | 4000 | 200000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.77″ TFT color | 3100 mAh | Limited (Analog TX) | Yes |
| Radioddity | GD-168 | Handheld | $199.00 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 500000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.77″ TFT color | 1800+2600 mAh | Limited (Analog TX) | Yes |
| Radioddity | GD-88 | Handheld | $219.99 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 300000 | Black | SMA-F | 2.0″ TFT color | 3000 mAh | Full (Analog+DMR) | Yes |
| TYT | MD-UV380 | Handheld | $89.00 | VHF/UHF | 3000 | 100000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.8″ TFT color | 2200 mAh | No | Optional |
| TYT | MD-2017 | Handheld | $120.00 | VHF/UHF | 3000 | 100000 | Black | SMA-F | 1.1″+1.8″ LCD mono | 2200 mAh | No | Optional |
| Alinco | DR-MD500T | Mobile | $379.95 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 300000 | Black | SO-239 | 1.77″ color LCD | N/A | No | No |
| AnyTone | AT-D578UVIII Plus | Mobile | $484.99 | VHF/UHF/220 | 4000 | 500000 | Black | SO-239 | 1.77″ TFT color | N/A | Full (Analog+DMR) | Yes |
| Connect Systems | CS800D | Mobile | $259.95 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 200000 | Black | SO-239 | 2-line mono LCD | N/A | No | No |
| Motorola | XPR 5550e | Mobile | $1000+ | VHF or UHF | 1000 | 1000 | Black | N-Type or Mini-UHF | 2-line color LCD | N/A | No | Yes |
| Radioddity | DB25-D | Mobile | $239.99 | VHF/UHF | 4000 | 500000 | Black | SO-239 | 1.77″ color TFT | N/A | Full (Analog+DMR) | Yes |
| TYT | MD-9600 | Mobile | $259.95 | VHF/UHF | 3000 | 100000 | Black | SO-239 | 1.8″ color LCD | N/A | No | Yes (model) |
