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Best Cheap DMR Radios in 2026
For most budget DMR buyers, get the Baofeng DM-32UV. Choose the Retevis RT3S if OpenGD77 appeals to you, or spend more on the AnyTone D168UV for the stronger long-term programming ecosystem.
Quick Picks
Cheap DMR radios are no longer limited to old hardware with tiny contact lists. The best current models give you a useful codeplug capacity and active software support without forcing you into premium-radio pricing.
Baofeng DM-32UV
The strongest current low-cost feature set: 4,000 channels, GPS, digital APRS, USB-C and a large color screen without moving into premium DMR pricing.
- + 4,000 channels and 50,000 digital contacts
- + GPS, digital APRS, USB-C and current manufacturer software
- − Proprietary CPS; no CHIRP support
Retevis RT3S
The better tinkering choice because the stock radio remains supported while the OpenGD77 project gives advanced users a completely different firmware path.
- + 3,000 channels and optional GPS
- + Active stock firmware plus active OpenGD77 support
- − The older hardware platform is less polished than newer USB-C radios
AnyTone AT-D168UV
Spend more for this when you value AnyTone’s mature CPS workflow, huge contact capacity and established DMR ecosystem more than GPS or Bluetooth.
- + 4,000 channels, 10,000 talkgroups and 500,000 contacts
- + Current AnyTone CPS and firmware support
- − No GPS or Bluetooth on this entry-level AnyTone
Cheap DMR Radio Comparison
| Radio | Best For | Capacity | GPS / APRS | Programming | Main Tradeoff | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baofeng DM-32UV | Best cheap DMR for most | 4,000 ch / 50K contacts | GPS + digital APRS | Manufacturer CPS | Newer platform; no CHIRP | Current price → |
| Retevis RT3S | OpenGD77 / tinkering | 3,000 channels | GPS optional | Retevis CPS / OpenGD77 | Older charging/interface design | Current price → |
| AnyTone AT-D168UV | Budget step-up | 4,000 ch / 500K contacts | No | AnyTone CPS | Costs more than the cheapest radios | Current price → |
| Baofeng DM-1701 | Established low-cost alternative | 3,000 ch / 120K contacts | No | Radioddity CPS / OpenGD77 | Older platform and Windows-oriented stock CPS | Current price → |
| TYT MD-UV390 | Rugged budget option | Large DMR codeplug support | Variant dependent | TYT CPS / OpenGD77-compatible family | Manufacturer specs conflict on exact channel capacity | Current price → |
| Radioddity GD-168 | Feature-heavy stretch pick | 4,000 ch / 500K contacts | APRS | CPS / USB-C programming | Costs more; published power specs conflict | Current price → |
Swipe to compare →
Which Cheap DMR Radio Should You Buy?
1. Baofeng DM-32UV — Best Cheap DMR Radio for Most People
The DM-32UV is the reason this old buyer guide needed more than a cosmetic update.
Baofeng’s current radio gives you DMR Tier II and analog operation, 4,000 channels, 250 zones, 50,000 digital contacts, GPS, digital APRS, text messaging, USB-C charging and a two-inch color display.
That puts it far beyond older “cheap DMR” radios whose low price came with tiny contact databases, old charging hardware and weak software support.
I would not make the purchase because of the large transmit-power number in the marketing. Small handheld power differences are rarely the limiting factor when the actual path is radio → repeater or radio → hotspot.
The reasons to buy it are much more practical: modern charging, enough memory to build a substantial codeplug, GPS/APRS capability and a current software platform.
The main software caveat is that Radioddity explicitly says the DM-32UV is not supported by CHIRP. That is not automatically a problem—advanced DMR radios normally use their own CPS anyway—but you should know that you are buying into the model-specific programming workflow.
If this is your first DMR radio, read our complete DMR radio and codeplug guide before trying to import hundreds of channels on day one.
Best for: buyers who want a genuinely modern DMR handheld while keeping the initial hardware cost low.
Skip it if: third-party firmware support or a long-established DMR software ecosystem matters more to you than the feature list.
2. Retevis RT3S — Best Cheap DMR Radio for OpenGD77
The RT3S remains relevant in 2026 for a reason that has almost nothing to do with being new.
Retevis still sells both GPS and non-GPS versions, with up to 3,000 channels, a 2000 mAh battery, analog/DMR operation and current stock programming software.
But the more interesting reason to choose it is OpenGD77.
The current OpenGD77 project explicitly supports the MD-UV380/390, Retevis RT3S and related hardware family. A stable 2026 firmware release remains active, and the project’s current forums continue to have RT3S users and updates.
OpenGD77 can substantially change the user interface and amateur-radio workflow, but I would not install it before you understand the stock radio. Third-party firmware introduces its own flashing procedure, backup requirements and learning curve.
If you simply want to make one DMR repeater contact as quickly as possible, the newer DM-32UV or AnyTone may be easier choices.
Best for: experimenters who value OpenGD77 and want inexpensive hardware with a very active enthusiast community.
Skip it if: you want the newest charging hardware and the simplest out-of-box ownership path.
3. AnyTone AT-D168UV — Best Budget Step-Up
The AT-D168UV is the radio I would buy when “cheap” means avoiding a premium 878 rather than spending the absolute minimum possible.
AnyTone currently positions it as an entry-level dual-band DMR/analog handheld with 4,000 channels, 10,000 talkgroups and capacity for 500,000 digital contacts.
The package includes two batteries and two antennas, while USB-C handles charging and programming.
What it deliberately does not give you is part of its appeal: no GPS and no Bluetooth.
If you only want a good DMR handheld, that can be a much more rational compromise than paying for every feature on the AT-D878UVII Plus.
The real reason I would stretch the budget is support. AnyTone USA still provides dedicated AT-D168UV CPS and firmware downloads, and the radio belongs to the same broader programming ecosystem as one of amateur DMR’s most established handheld families.
If you decide you actually want APRS, GPS, Bluetooth or deeper functionality, compare it with the higher-end choices in our main DMR radio guide.
Best for: somebody who wants a large modern DMR database and mature programming ecosystem without paying for flagship features.
Skip it if: GPS/APRS or the lowest possible purchase price is your priority.
4. Baofeng DM-1701 — Best Established Cheap Alternative
The DM-1701 survives this refresh because unlike the discontinued GD-77, Radioddity is still actively selling and supporting it.
The current model supports 3,000 channels, 10,000 talkgroups and 120,000 contacts, along with dual-band analog/DMR operation, SMS and full front-panel programming.
The programming cable is included, which matters in this price class because a “cheap” radio loses some of its value if you immediately need to buy another cable.
It also remains compatible with the OpenGD77 family. That gives advanced owners a second software path after they have learned the stock radio.
The downside is age. Its stock software workflow is more old-fashioned than the latest USB-C models, and Radioddity’s documentation remains strongly Windows-oriented.
Wholly Outdoor has actually reviewed this radio, so it also has something most of the newer recommendations do not yet have on this site: first-hand owned-media coverage.
Best for: buyers who want a proven inexpensive DMR platform, included programming cable and an OpenGD77 upgrade path.
Skip it if: modern charging and newer hardware matter more than platform familiarity.
Watch Our Baofeng DM-1701 Review
Our original review gives you a closer look at the DM-1701 itself. Use this updated article for the current 2026 market ranking.
5. TYT MD-UV390 — Best Rugged Budget DMR Radio
The MD-UV390 is the old-school recommendation that still earns its place because TYT has not abandoned the platform.
TYT currently lists IP67 construction, dual-band analog/DMR operation, a color display, recording, messaging and two-slot operation.
More importantly, TYT released MD-UV380/390 firmware in March 2026 and MD-UV390 programming software 2.42 in January 2026.
That tells us more about whether an older radio is still worth buying than the year its case design first appeared.
There is one specification problem worth flagging: TYT’s current page is internally inconsistent about channel capacity, listing different figures in its feature and detailed-specification sections. I would therefore not choose the UV390 based on which seller advertises the largest memory number.
Choose it because you need the IP67 enclosure and like the mature MD-UV380/390 ecosystem, which also overlaps with OpenGD77-supported hardware.
Best for: outdoor use where water/dust resistance matters more than owning the newest interface.
Skip it if: USB-C convenience and a more modern stock user experience are priorities.
6. Radioddity GD-168 — Best Feature-Heavy Stretch Pick
The GD-168 is for somebody who wants to stretch the cheap-radio budget but still stop well below flagship DMR territory.
Radioddity currently gives it 4,000 channels, 10,000 talkgroups, 500,000 contacts, USB-C charging/programming and two included batteries.
It also supports APRS functions, roaming, Talker Alias and recording.
The included battery bundle is easy to underestimate. A cheap radio plus an immediate spare-battery purchase can close the price gap to a better-equipped model surprisingly quickly.
I would ignore the headline power figures. Radioddity’s current product page is internally inconsistent: the marketing sections describe one maximum output while the detailed transmitter table publishes higher figures.
That is not a reason to reject the radio, because wattage is not why I would choose it anyway. The appeal is the modern capacity, USB-C workflow and included accessories.
Best for: somebody willing to stretch the budget for 500,000 contacts, APRS, USB-C and two included batteries.
Skip it if: you are already close enough to premium DMR pricing that an AnyTone 878-class radio becomes affordable.
Why the Radioddity GD-77 Is No Longer a Pick
The GD-77 was the old article’s third recommendation and it had a legitimate place in budget DMR for years.
That is no longer enough reason to recommend buying one today.
Radioddity now marks its GD-77 product variants as discontinued and sold out.
The radio still has value to people who already own one—especially because OpenGD77 continues to support the platform—but a buyer guide should recommend products a new buyer can reasonably purchase and support going forward.
What Are You Really Giving Up With a Cheap DMR Radio?
Going cheap does not necessarily mean worse digital audio.
The important compromises tend to appear elsewhere:
- smaller or less refined displays;
- older charging systems;
- smaller contact databases;
- less mature CPS software;
- fewer firmware updates;
- no Bluetooth;
- no GPS or APRS;
- simpler receiver architecture;
- less documentation and fewer shared codeplugs.
That is why I would rather buy a supported budget radio than an abandoned radio with a slightly better specification.
Software Support Matters More Than Another Watt
DMR is unusually dependent on software.
A normal analog memory may only need frequency, offset and tone.
A DMR channel adds:
+ COLOR CODE
+ TIME SLOT
+ TALKGROUP / CONTACT
+ RADIO ID
+ ZONE ORGANIZATION
= WORKING DMR CHANNEL
You will usually build and maintain that configuration in the manufacturer’s CPS.
So when comparing two inexpensive radios, ask:
- Can I still download the current CPS?
- Is the firmware still available?
- Can I export/import CSV data?
- Does the manufacturer document firmware updates?
- Is there an active user community?
- Is there a recovery path if I make a mistake?
For the complete first-codeplug workflow, use our main DMR guide and radio programming guide.
OpenGD77: A Reason to Buy Older Hardware — Sometimes
OpenGD77 is a community-developed firmware project aimed specifically at amateur-radio use.
Its current supported hardware includes families such as:
- Radioddity GD-77;
- Retevis RT3S;
- TYT MD-UV380/390;
- Baofeng DM-1701;
- several related radios.
The project released a current stable build in May 2026 and remains active.
That makes the RT3S, DM-1701 and MD-UV390 more interesting than their hardware age alone suggests.
50,000 vs 500,000 DMR Contacts: Does It Matter?
Not as much as marketing makes it sound.
The large contact number normally refers to the radio’s caller database—the list that can translate an incoming numerical DMR ID into a callsign or name on the display.
It does not mean:
- 500,000 channels;
- 500,000 talkgroups;
- 500,000 repeaters;
- 500,000 people you can automatically contact.
A larger database is convenient if you want a broad caller database loaded locally.
It does not improve RF performance and it does not make a poorly built codeplug work.
Cheap DMR vs a Better Analog Radio
Do not buy a cheap DMR radio merely because digital sounds more advanced.
DMR only makes sense when DMR itself solves something you want:
- your repeaters use it;
- your club uses it;
- you want access to DMR networks or talkgroups;
- you use a DMR hotspot;
- you specifically want DMR’s digital/data workflow.
If you mainly want local analog repeaters and simplex, a better analog handheld can be simpler and more enjoyable.
Compare those options in our best handheld ham radio guide.
And if you have not chosen between DMR, D-STAR and System Fusion, read the digital voice comparison before buying anything.
What to Avoid
- Do not buy the discontinued GD-77 as though it were still the default budget recommendation. Existing owners can keep using it, but new buyers now have better current choices.
- Do not choose a DMR radio by wattage. A bad codeplug or inability to reach the repeater will not be fixed by a small handheld-power difference.
- Do not assume CHIRP programs every digital radio. Many DMR radios require their own model-specific CPS.
- Do not flash OpenGD77 before saving the stock configuration and understanding the process. Third-party firmware is a choice, not a requirement.
- Do not buy by contact-database size alone. A huge caller database does not improve actual radio performance.
- Do not download a giant random codeplug as your first setup. Program and prove one repeater first.
- Do not assume two radios with similar menus use interchangeable firmware. Use files intended for the exact model and hardware revision.
- Do not buy DMR at all if your useful local digital infrastructure is another system. Choose the ecosystem first.
Related Wholly Outdoor Guides
The broader guide for serious radios, codeplugs, DMR IDs, talkgroups, hotspots and setup.
Make sure DMR is actually the right digital ecosystem before buying.
The backup-first workflow for CPS software, cables and configuration files.
Compare analog and digital handheld choices when DMR is optional rather than mandatory.
A better antenna or location may matter more than replacing a working radio.
See what you gain by stepping above the cheap-DMR category.
Cheap DMR Radio FAQ
What is the best cheap DMR radio in 2026?
For most price-sensitive buyers, I would start with the Baofeng DM-32UV because its current combination of 4,000 channels, GPS, digital APRS, USB-C and 50,000 contacts is difficult for older low-cost platforms to match.
What is the cheapest DMR radio worth buying?
The DM-1701 remains a legitimate inexpensive choice and has an OpenGD77 path. The DM-32UV is the stronger modern value when the price difference is small.
Is the Radioddity GD-77 still worth buying?
Not as a normal new-radio recommendation. Radioddity now marks the GD-77 as discontinued. Existing radios remain useful, especially with OpenGD77, but I would not chase old stock instead of buying a supported current model.
Is the Retevis RT3S still good in 2026?
Yes, particularly if OpenGD77 interests you. Retevis still sells and supports the RT3S, while the OpenGD77 project remains active on the RT3S/MD-UV380 hardware family.
DM-32UV or DM-1701?
Choose the DM-32UV for the newer interface, USB-C, GPS, digital APRS and larger channel capacity. Choose the DM-1701 if its proven platform, included programming cable and OpenGD77 compatibility matter more.
RT3S or AnyTone D168UV?
Choose the RT3S for OpenGD77 and inexpensive experimentation. Choose the D168UV when the mature AnyTone programming ecosystem and 500,000-contact capacity matter more than third-party firmware.
Do cheap DMR radios sound worse?
Not automatically. DMR audio is digital, and inexpensive radios can work very well. The more important differences usually involve receiver quality, interface, firmware, contact capacity, battery system and programming software.
Do I need OpenGD77?
No. It is optional third-party firmware for supported radios. Many operators prefer it, but you can use the manufacturer’s stock firmware and CPS instead.
Do I need a DMR Radio ID?
You do not need one simply to own or receive with a DMR radio. Networked amateur DMR services commonly use registered digital IDs, so obtain one when your intended network/setup requires it.
Useful DMR Resources
- DMR Association — DMR Standards — explains DMR Tier II and two-slot TDMA.
- OpenGD77 — current supported-radio information, firmware and CPS discussions.
- Radioddity Downloads — current GD-168 and other Radioddity software/manual resources.
- AnyTone Downloads — current AT-D168UV CPS and firmware.
- TYT Downloads — current MD-UV380/390 firmware and CPS files.
- RadioID.net — digital ID registration for supported amateur DMR network use.
Operating note: Purchasing or receiving with a radio does not automatically grant transmitting privileges. Use only frequencies, modes and power levels permitted by the licence and regulations that apply where you operate. Some radios are sold in regional variants with different programmed frequency ranges or features.