Top 3 Best  Digital Ham Radios In 2025

Searching for the best digital ham radio?

Choosing the right digital ham radio today requires a keen eye for detail and an understanding of the latest tech advancements. 

In this guide, we’re cutting through the jargon to bring you straightforward, expert analysis of the top models on the market. 

From the reliability of budget-friendly options to the sophistication of premium devices, we’ll explore key features that matter most to ham radio enthusiasts. 

If you’re looking to make an informed decision for your next purchase, keep reading as we dissect what sets these radios apart in functionality, durability, and overall performance.

Why Should You Trust Us?

At WhollyOutdoor, authenticity is our cornerstone. Founded by Paul Dudley, a ham radio enthusiast and avid outdoorsman, our reviews are grounded in real-life experience and hands-on testing. 

We’re committed to honesty and objectivity, ensuring our recommendations for digital ham radios are reliable and practical. With our blend of personal passion and expert insights, you can trust our guidance to be both informative and genuinely useful.

How We Choose the Best Digital Ham Radios

In our quest to identify the best digital ham radios for 2024, we delve deep into several critical factors, ensuring our recommendations stand up to the needs and expectations of ham radio enthusiasts.

1. Performance and Reliability: Our primary focus is on how effectively each radio transmits and receives signals. We test for clarity, range, and resistance to interference in various environments – urban clutter, remote wilderness, and everything in between. A radio’s ability to maintain a consistent, clear signal is paramount.
2. User Experience: We understand that a radio’s usability is as important as its technical prowess. This includes evaluating the ease of navigating menus, programming channels, and customizing settings. We also consider the learning curve for beginners versus seasoned users.
3. Feature Set: Here, we dive into what each radio offers beyond the basics. We’re looking at digital modes supported, connectivity options like Bluetooth or GPS, the number of channels, and any unique features that set the radio apart. We also examine the quality of displays, speaker output, and additional functionalities that enhance the overall ham radio experience.
4. Durability and Build Quality: Durability is critical, especially for ham radios used in various outdoor settings. We test each unit’s robustness, weather resistance, and overall build quality. This includes assessing materials used, construction, and whether the radio can withstand drops, moisture, and dust.
5. Battery Life: We measure how long each radio lasts under typical usage conditions. This involves testing battery life during continuous transmission, reception, and standby modes. We also note if the radio supports battery saving features and the availability of replaceable or higher-capacity batteries.
6. Price vs. Value: We balance the cost against the overall features and performance. Our goal is to identify radios that represent the best investment, whether for budget-conscious beginners or enthusiasts looking for high-end features. We consider the long-term value, factoring in durability and potential for upgrades or accessories.
7. Customer Feedback and Reviews: We sift through customer reviews for insights into long-term reliability, real-world performance, and customer service experiences. This helps us gauge how well radios live up to their promises over time and in diverse user scenarios.
8. Compatibility with Accessories and Software: We check each radio’s compatibility with widely-used accessories and the ease of integrating with popular software for programming and updates. This includes looking at the availability and user-friendliness of proprietary and third-party software, as well as the support for accessories like antennas, headsets, and carrying cases.

By meticulously evaluating each of these factors, we ensure that our selection of the best digital ham radios is comprehensive, well-informed, and most importantly, trustworthy for our readers.

3 Best Digital Ham Radios Reviews

1. AT-D878UVII Plus – Our Top Choice

This is one of the most popular and versatile DMR radios on the market today. While not the cheapest option, it delivers excellent value with a robust feature set that includes built-in GPS, Bluetooth, and both transmit and receive APRS capabilities. Its support for APRS is especially notable—it was one of the first Chinese-made radios to include this feature, which is typically found only in higher-end Japanese models.

What sets the Plus model apart is its 500,000-contact capacity, a major improvement over previous models. This ensures full compatibility with the global DMR database, which now exceeds 200,000 entries—making this feature essential for ongoing usability. The radio also supports both DMR Tier I and II, ensuring seamless communication with nearly any DMR system.

Functionality extends beyond digital: the AT-D878UVII Plus is a dual-band analog transceiver (VHF/UHF), and switching between modes is simple. It runs on a strong 3100 mAh battery, offers up to 7W transmit power, and includes Bluetooth PTT and headset compatibility for hands-free use. Front-face programming (FFP) allows adding repeaters and frequencies directly from the device, adding to its convenience.

In summary, the AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus offers the best combination of digital features, analog flexibility, and long-term usability for the average ham. It’s a well-rounded choice that balances performance and price, making it the ideal everyday digital HT for most operators.

2. Kenwood TH-D75A – Best Premium Digital Ham Radio

The TH-D75A stands out as the best premium digital ham radio due to its impressive combination of versatility, robust features, and premium build quality. While its price tag might initially seem high, it offers significant advantages that make it a worthwhile investment, especially compared to radios like the Yaesu FT-5D or the Icom ID-52.

First, the build quality is exactly what you’d expect from Kenwood—rugged and reliable, designed to handle daily use and outdoor conditions comfortably. Its audio quality is exceptionally clear, loud, and punchy, making it ideal for average users who regularly operate in noisy environments. Compared to its predecessor, the TH-D74, the audio improvements are noticeable, clearly surpassing budget radios and even slightly edging out the highly regarded ID-52.

Feature-wise, this radio is incredibly versatile, making it perfect for the typical user who wants a single device capable of handling multiple tasks. It includes built-in GPS and APRS functionality, paired with an internal TNC for seamless packet decoding, which can be effortlessly integrated with your smartphone via Bluetooth. Additionally, D-STAR compatibility ensures digital voice communication and reflector access. While it doesn’t vastly outperform the ID-52 on D-STAR alone, the inclusion of a wideband receiver capable of HF, VHF, and UHF reception sets it apart. It excels particularly on VHF/UHF bands—covering 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm—with reliable 5-watt transmission power.

The full-color transflective TFT display remains readable even in direct sunlight, enhancing outdoor usability for the average user. Although smaller than the ID-52’s screen, its clarity ensures ease of operation. The buttons are tactile, with a notably satisfying push-to-talk (PTT) button, and the USB-C port adds convenience for charging and programming, marking a significant modernization from older micro-USB ports.

All in all, the Kenwood TH-D75A is clearly the best choice if you are looking for the best digital ham radio if money is not an issue due to its all-in-one convenience—combining APRS, D-STAR, wideband reception, and exceptional audio quality. Although cheaper options like the FT-5D exist, they omit key features like D-STAR. Similarly, the ID-52 lacks built-in APRS, necessitating additional devices. For the any ham enthusiast seeking a reliable, feature-rich digital ham radio that does it all, the TH-D75A is an excellent and practical choice.

3. Radioddity GD-77 – Best Budget Digital Ham Radio

This radio 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 .

So, how does the GD-77 stack up against other budget digital ham 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What makes a digital ham radio different from an analog one? Digital ham radios use digital technology for transmission, offering clearer audio quality, enhanced signal stability, and more efficient use of bandwidth compared to analog radios.
2. Is a license required to operate a digital ham radio? Yes, similar to analog radios, operating a digital ham radio requires an amateur radio license issued by your country’s communications authority.
3. Can digital ham radios communicate with analog radios? Many digital ham radios have dual-mode capabilities, allowing them to communicate with both digital and analog radios.
4. What should I look for in terms of battery life? Aim for a radio with a battery life that can support your typical usage duration, ideally with features like battery saving modes and easy battery replacement options.
5. Are there specific features useful for emergency communication? Features like GPS, weather alerts, and the ability to switch between digital and analog modes are valuable for emergency communication.
6. How important is the radio’s display? A clear, readable display is crucial for ease of use, especially in varying light conditions. Touchscreen displays offer added convenience.
7. What kind of range can I expect from a digital ham radio? Range varies based on factors like power output, antenna type, and environmental conditions, but digital radios generally offer better range and signal penetration compared to analog ones.
8. How do firmware updates impact a digital ham radio? Firmware updates can significantly enhance the radio’s functionality, fix bugs, and add new features, making it important to choose a radio with regular software support.
9. What is the significance of GPS in a digital ham radio? GPS in digital radios aids in precise location tracking, which is beneficial for mapping, emergency situations, and using repeaters effectively.
10. Should I consider the radio’s compatibility with accessories? Yes, ensure the radio is compatible with a range of accessories like external microphones, antennas, and protective cases for greater versatility and improved performance.