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Top 3 Best Cheap DMR Radios For 2025

Finding a great DMR radio on a budget can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but I’ve done the legwork for you.

In this guide, I’m breaking down the top 3 budget DMR ham radios, and I’ll give you the honest scoop on their pros and cons. No fluff, just real talk based on my own experience and the feedback from other users like you.

Stick with me, because by the end, you’ll know exactly which radio offers the best bang for your buck. Let’s dive in!

Number 3. Radioddity GD-77

Radioddity GD-77 is a dual-band DMR ham radio that’s earned its place among the top budget-friendly options out there. If you’re into DMR or thinking of getting started, this little radio packs a punch, eventhough it does come with some quirks that you need to be aware of.

First off, the GD-77 doesn’t feel cheap, and that’s saying something at this price point. It’s got a solid, rugged build that can take a few knocks. Also it’s lightweight, easy to hold, and not as bulky as some of the competitors like the MD-390 . Plus, the 2200mAh battery is pretty good; it gives you decent longevity, though don’t expect miracles if you’re running it hard on full power .

Now, let’s talk about what this radio can do. The GD-77 is a dual-band radio, which means you get both VHF and UHF coverage. This is a big deal because many of the cheaper DMR radios, like the MD-380 or MD-390, only give you UHF . This flexibility is fantastic, especially if you’re switching between analog and digital modes frequently. The radio also boasts 1024 memory channels, which is slightly more than the MD-380/390, but honestly, that’s probably overkill for most users .

One thing to note is that the stock firmware is functional, but if you want to unlock the true potential of this radio, you need to install the OpenGD77 firmware. This open-source firmware transforms the GD-77 from a good radio into a great one by adding features like additional power levels, a better display, and improved audio settings .

When it comes to programming things get a bit tricky. DMR has a learning curve, and the GD-77 is no exception. Programming this radio isn’t as straightforward as it could be, especially if you’re new to DMR. The software can be finicky, and the instructions aren’t always clear . However, once you get the hang of it, the radio performs admirably. If you’re struggling, I’d recommend finding a pre-made codeplug or joining a DMR group online to get some help .

On the performance side, the GD-77 does a solid job. The receiver is sensitive, and the audio quality—both transmit and receive—is clear and loud. Some users have noted a slight digital “squealing” noise at lower volumes, but this isn’t a dealbreaker . The radio also scans mixed analog and digital channels effectively, making it versatile for monitoring different types of communications .

One downside, however, is the display. It’s pretty basic compared to more expensive models, and while it gets the job done, it’s not going to wow you with high-resolution graphics . Also, the radio can only hold 10,000 contacts in its DMR-ID list, which might be a limitation if you’re in a heavily populated area or want to load a global contact list .

So, how does the GD-77 stack up against other budget DMR radios? Compared to the TYT MD-380 or MD-390, the GD-77 has the edge with dual-band capabilities and a slightly better build quality . It’s also more feature-rich if you’re willing to mess around with firmware updates. That said, the MD-380 is often praised for its ease of use, so if you’re looking for something that’s more plug-and-play, the MD-380 might be worth considering.

All in all the Radioddity GD-77 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to get into DMR without breaking the bank. It’s not perfect—you’ll need to be patient with the programming, and the stock firmware leaves a lot to be desired. But once you get it set up, it’s a reliable, versatile, and powerful little radio that can handle both analog and digital modes with ease. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge and don’t mind tinkering, the GD-77 is hard to beat in this price range.

Number 2. Baofeng DM-1701

Baofeng DM-1701 is our choice for the brand’s best DMR. It has the most consistent performance and availability amongst Baofeng’s DMR offerings.

The company has made other forays into the DMR segment, with the Baofeng UV-5R themed DM-5R, but that was unsuccessful. The newer iteration to this line, Baofeng RD-5R has input from Radioddity as well and looks promising. However, there are still a few kinks to work out there.

All that brings us back to the Baofeng DM-1701, which has been fairly reliable and stable.

If you look at the TFT color display, the menus, and the features, Baofeng DM-1701 seems very similar to the TYT MD-UV380. The Baofeng radio has a significantly larger form factor and a different design.

Besides, even though there are similarities between the menus and the programming software for both radios, they don’t appear to be cross-compatible. For example, you wouldn’t be able to use a codeplug from the MD-UV380 and move it seamlessly to the Baofeng DM-1701.

The similarity of interfaces probably comes down to the fact that the DM-1701 is sold by Radioddity, which also maintains its software. Radioddity was also involved with the MD-UV380.

One of the effects of this overly-complicated family tree is that the Baofeng DM-1701 is compatible with Open GD77. If you prefer this approach to DMR, the 1701 is a good companion.

Even though it’s squarely in the budget DMR category, the radio has quite a few features. It’s quick and easy to program the radio through the included programming cable. Usually, it is better to use a programming cable since the radio has room for 3,000 channels, 10,000 digital talk groups and 120,000 contacts.

A bigger contact memory is desirable to have the ever-growing contact list for DMR, but the available option is good enough and can handle the popular options. Users can also add to the list manually, or even program the radio directly from the panel.

Baofeng DM-1701 allows manual programming and is full panel programmable. One downside of computer programming is that the software is only available for Windows; Mac and Linux aren’t supported.

As a DMR device, it is compatible with Tier I and Tier II making it very capable at communication. It switches between analog and digital modes easily. When in conventional analog mode, the radio works on the 2m and 70cm bands (136-174 MHz and 400-470 MHz).

Its RF output is at 1W, 2W, and 5W. That’s good enough and allows a good range of communication, assuming there’s a DMR repeater within range. Power comes from a 2200 mAh Li-ion battery, which is more than sufficient to allow a decent use time for the radio.

Overall, Baofeng DM-1701 is a decent DMR radio, with good features and an attractive price tag.

Number 1. TYT MD-380

Though presented as a low-cost radio, TYT Radio MD-UV380 is a capable device. It might seem rough around the edges, but it runs on a solid platform and delivers good performance.

The appearance of the TYT MD-UV380 matches its budget roots. It looks plain, average at best, and its body could perhaps be better served with a sturdier feel.

The front of the radio can be seen as three sections, each of which is roughly the same size. Going from the bottom to the top, the three sections are the keypad, the color display, and the speaker.
One side of the radio holds the PTT and associated buttons, while the other has room for a conventional 2-pin connector for the mic and headset.

The screen is bright, but not very crisp, and shows relevant information clearly. The screen clarity is useful as you wade through menus or program the radio. MD-UV380 is front panel programmable and users can handle most of the functions right from the keypad. However, using the software can make several things move faster, like adding contacts to the radio.

You will need a programming cable for some setup options though. TYT provides its own software to make this work, though users may try other firmware options as well.

Notable specs on the radio include a dual-band (VHF/UHF) function, TDMA digital function, dual display, and dual standby. It is compatible with DMR Tier I and Tier II and can work with analog and digital combined. All these are very desirable features in a DMR radio and quite impressive for a radio at this price range.

To make things work smoothly for several hours, the radio draws power from a 2000 mAh Li-ion battery. The battery provides good backup, though charging it through the radio’s cradle can take excruciatingly long. You should probably consider buying an additional battery so an option is available while the other battery gets charged.

Of course, how long the battery lasts will also depend on the usage and power consumed by the radio. The transmit power here is 5W (high) and 1W (low). Although, those who intend to use the radio as a hotspot can program it to go as low as 100 mW.

Overall, TYT MD-UV380 is a feature-rich and capable DMR Handheld Transceiver with a proven track record. It’s fairly easy to use and the radio runs on a tried, tested, and trusted system.

So what do you think? Which of these is the best budget DMR radio for you?

Or do you think another cheap DMR radio is better?

Tell us in the comments below.