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Top 3 Best Handheld DMR Radios In 2025

Looking for the best Handheld DMR Radios? You’re in the right place.

I’ve compiled a list of the top 3 radios for any budget.

We’ll explore a budget-friendly radio, a premium DMR radio for advanced users and our number one choice that stands out from the rest.

Stick around to find the perfect dmr radio for your needs.

Our Top Picks

• Radioddity GD-77 – Best Budget Handheld DMR Radio
• Motorola R7 – Best Premium Handheld DMR Radio
• AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus – Our Top Choice

Why Should You Trust Us?

WhollyOutdoor has been a trusted resource for outdoor gear reviews since 2018, with a focus on ham radios that cater to enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Paul Dudley, the founder and editor, isn’t just a name on the page—he’s a ham radio fanatic who’s spent years tinkering with radios and exploring the outdoors. His passion fuels every review, ensuring you get clear, honest, and practical advice tailored to help you find the perfect DMR radio, whether you’re new to the hobby or a seasoned operator.

How We Chose The Best Handheld DMR Radios

Choosing the top handheld DMR radios isn’t about grabbing the flashiest options or the ones with the loudest buzz. It’s about zeroing in on what truly counts for users—whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned operator. Here are the key factors that shaped the picks, all while keeping the you needs front and center.

Key Criteria for Selection

The goal was to balance performance, usability, and value, with a keen eye on details that matter in everyday use. Here’s how it all came together:

• Durability: Radios had to stand up to real-world challenges—dust, rain, or an accidental tumble. Rugged designs, solid casings, and high IP ratings (where available) were non-negotiable.
• Functionality: Features like dual-band support (VHF and UHF) offered versatility for analog and digital modes. Memory channels and contact storage needed to hit the sweet spot—enough for flexibility, but not overwhelming.
• Performance: Clear audio, sensitive receivers, decent range, and smooth mixed-mode scanning were must-haves. Battery life also got a hard look—no one wants a radio that quits mid-shift.
• Usability: DMR programming can be a beast, so intuitive interfaces and readable displays stood out. Premium models earned bonus points for extras like noise-canceling mics or hands-free options.
• Value: Budget picks had to punch above their weight, while premium radios needed to justify their cost with standout features or rock-solid reliability.

Breaking It Down: What Mattered Most

Here’s a closer look at the priorities in a handy table:

Factor	Why It Matters	What Stood Out
Build Quality	Survives tough conditions like dust, water, and drops	Rugged casings, IP ratings
Features	Meets diverse user needs, from basic to advanced	Dual-band, GPS, Bluetooth, ample storage
Performance	Ensures reliable communication	Clear audio, good range, strong battery
Ease of Use	Simplifies the DMR learning curve	Intuitive menus, crisp displays
Price-to-Value	Delivers bang for the buck	Affordable power or premium excellence

3 Best Handheld DMR Radios Review

3. Radioddity GD-77 – Best Budget Handheld DMR Radio

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.

2. Motorola R7 – Best Premium Handheld DMR Radio

Motorola intends for the R7 to be its flagship handheld dmr radio, so it gets top-of-the-line features, options, and performance. It also gets a big price tag, making this a premium option. And there are several good reasons for its flagship status. The build quality is great, the display is remarkable, the audio quality is phenomenal, and there are many impressive features.

Looking at the build quality, the radio is fairly compact, though not tiny, and the casing is dependable. Motorola R7 is rated IP68, which means it is dustproof and waterproof.

The color display is pretty good too. It’s clear, crisp, and shows good detail. While the backlight is good and works fairly well in the sun, the display also has something of a transflective touch. This keeps the display visible even in the sun and without the backlight.

Plus, the menus are very well laid out, and general information is easy to understand. Motorola R7 is also available in the no-display variant, but that ends giving up several features that make this such an impressive handheld transceiver.

Similar thoughtful implementation is visible in the audio quality. The speaker is very clear and offers great audio. Motorola has also done some thoughtful engineering for the transmitted audio. There are two microphones on this transceiver.

The microphone at the back catches ambient noise and works for noise cancellation. Meanwhile, the microphone at the front works conventionally and picks up audio from the user.

As with conventional ham radios, this one too offers a maximum 5W transmit power on VHF and 4W on UHF. It also works on the 800/900 MHz band, though the transmit power is limited to 2.5W for this band.

That said, this is a digital radio at heart and prefers to work with DMR where the magic of MotoTRBO shines. Other features for the Motorola R7 include GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.2, and it can handle third-party apps. Even though this is a business ham radio, it gets quite close to being a smartphone as well.

Overall, Motorola R7 is a remarkable handheld DMR radio that shows good range, has clear communication, and is convenient to use. It is expensive, but its capabilities can very well justify the price tag.

1. AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus – Our Top Choice

AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus is one of the better known DMR radios. This versatile radio is feature-rich and although not cheap, it does offer good value for money. Available features include built-in GPS, Bluetooth, and the ability to transmit and receive APRS transmissions.

The ability to work with APRS is kind of a big deal here. AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus model series is one of the first (perhaps the first) radio manufactured in China to include APRS. Conventionally, this technology shows up in radios manufactured in Japan, for devices within the Yaesu ecosystem.

The radio does a decent job of TX and RX using APRS. It’s not ideal, and can be annoyingly buggy at times, but it can get the job done.

Though it is the newer model, AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus is pretty much the same as AnyTone AT-D878UVII. These handheld radios have the same appearance, dimensions, and interface.

The important difference here is that the Plus model gets room for 500,000 contacts. That’s a significant upgrade over the 200,000 contacts in the previous models.

The higher number of contacts is a functional necessity for DMR radios. The number of contacts in the worldwide DMR database is more than 200,000 at this point. While the older models will continue to function, they will lose some contacts.

On that note, for whatever reason, the company has chosen to go with this weird naming scheme. This radio’s model name is AT-D878. Everything else represents iterations of the product. I think it would be more sensible to give the device a product name that’s easier for the customers.

The radio is compatible with DMR Tier I and Tier II. So, it shouldn’t have trouble communicating with any DMR radio on the market.

While it works on digital transmission, it works as an analog transceiver as well. As a dual-band radio, AT-D878UVII Plus works with VHF and UHF bands. Shifting between digital and analog modes is quick and pain-free.

The radio works on an impressive 3100 mAh battery. That’s enough to provide the radio with a lot of juice and it makes good use of it.

The maximum RF output power on VHF is 7W, though users can also choose 5, 2.5, or 0.2W. Similarly, UHF has max TX power at 6W, though 5, 2.5, and 0.2W are also available.

On that note, 5W is usually the max RF output for handheld ham radios. While more power seems alluring, it’s likely not a healthy choice. Smart money is on using low power and letting a good antenna or repeater do its job.

An interesting thing here is the Bluetooth PTT. It’s a button on a small strap that allows the user to speak on the radio without actually handling it. The button’s a nice touch for going hands-free, though the DMR radio supports other means as well.
You could connect any Bluetooth headphones or headset with the radio for communication.

There are other interesting features as well, like built-in GPS and front face programming with VFO channels. The presence of FFP allows users to add repeaters and other frequencies directly to the handheld radio, without first going through programming.

Even with the FFP, there’s a lot to learn and understand about this handheld DMR radio. Though increasingly popular, it’s still a new technology that people are still getting familiar with.

Overall this is the best value handheld DMR Radio and will not disappoint you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Handheld DMR Radios

1. What is a Handheld DMR Radio?

A handheld DMR radio is a portable two-way communication device that uses Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) technology. Unlike traditional analog radios, DMR radios convert your voice into digital signals, offering clearer audio and more features. They’re popular among ham radio enthusiasts and professionals because they can switch between digital and analog modes, work on VHF and UHF bands, and handle advanced functions like GPS or Bluetooth.

2. How does DMR differ from analog radios?

DMR differs from analog radios by using digital technology instead of analog waves to transmit sound. This means better audio clarity, less static, and the ability to send data like text messages or location info. Analog radios are simpler and often easier to use, but they lack the extra features and range efficiency that DMR provides, especially in crowded signal areas.

3. Can a Handheld DMR Radio work with analog radios?

Yes, a handheld DMR radio can work with analog radios if it’s dual-mode capable. Many DMR radios, especially dual-band ones supporting VHF and UHF, let you switch between digital and analog modes. This flexibility is great for talking to older analog systems or other DMR users, making them versatile for mixed communication setups.

4. What does dual-band mean for DMR radios?

Dual-band for DMR radios means the device operates on both VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) bands. This gives you more options—VHF is better for open areas with longer range, while UHF works well indoors or in cities with obstacles. It’s a key feature for users needing adaptability across different environments.

5. Why is programming a DMR radio tricky?

Programming a DMR radio is tricky because it involves setting up digital settings like talk groups, channels, and contact lists, which aren’t needed for analog radios. The software can be confusing, and instructions aren’t always beginner-friendly. However, with practice or help from online DMR communities, it gets easier to customize for your needs.

6. What’s the benefit of a high IP rating on a DMR radio?

A high IP rating on a DMR radio means it’s built to resist dust and water, like an IP68 rating for full dustproofing and submersion protection. This is a big deal if you’re using it outdoors in rain, dust, or rugged conditions—it keeps the radio working when a less durable one might fail.

7. How many contacts can a DMR radio store?

How many contacts a DMR radio can store depends on the model—some hold 10,000, while others can manage up to 500,000. More contacts are useful in busy areas or for accessing global DMR networks, but for most users, even 1,000 is plenty. Check the radio’s specs to match your needs.

8. What’s the deal with firmware updates for DMR radios?

Firmware updates for DMR radios are software upgrades that can improve performance or add features, like better audio or power options. Some radios shine with stock firmware, but others need updates—like open-source ones—to unlock their full potential. It’s a bit of tinkering, but worth it for tech-savvy users wanting more control.

9. Are premium DMR radios worth the extra cost?

Whether premium DMR radios are worth the extra cost depends on your needs—yes, if you want top-tier features like crisp displays, noise-canceling mics, or GPS. They’re built tougher and perform better in tough spots, but for basic use, a budget model with solid dual-band support and clear audio might be enough without breaking the bank.