BaoFeng radios are probably the best of the cheapest programmable radios. You definitely get a lot for what you pay, just don’t expect the highest possible quality.
I’ve had a UV-5R+ and BF-F9 V2+ for years. The biggest issue is they’re a pain to program, so buy a USB cable and use the program CHIRP. Also, if you’re going to buy replacement antennas, make sure they’ll fit; the antennas these use are a little non-standard for handheld radios but there’s a ton of antennas available that specify Baofeng compatibility so it’s easy to find if you’re looking.
They’re also an amazing way to break multiple FCC regulations nice and fast. At a minimum, at least look up what frequencies it’s polite to use. I really doubt most people will get the licenses they need to use most frequencies this thing can actually transmit on, though.
Second that… But one thing people can do for this radio and others, get your operator license for the GMRS/FRS/MURS bands. During an emergency, FCC won’t be knocking down your door if you use one of these, but they are not blessed to use everyday as a transmitter. Something about “part 95”. Guess they “bleed” too much. There is software out there allowing you to “customize” how these babies work.
Note that this is Version 1 of the radio. Version 2 (ten bucks more on Amazon) has been out for more than two years, and has some minor improvements, as this review describes.
“Can be operated on many business, public safety, ham, GMRS, FRS, and MURS frequencies.”
The Baofengs are not type-accepted for GMRS, FRS, or MURS. So, while they’re physically capable of doing so, it’s a terrible idea - and quite misleading on Woot’s part to fail to mention that doing so other than in a life-or-death emergency could lead to some serious fines.
(We had a case not far from here recently wherein a luxury car dealer was fined metric craploads of money for using FRS radios on their dealer lot.)
These are 100% illegal on FRS and even GMRS would be questionable even if you manage to program them correctly, which most people cannot. They are a dirty transmitter and essentially a disposable. If you get a year out of it, count yourself among the lucky ones. There are tons of accessories. You will need a programming cable, most of which have shoddy USB support, so you may or may not be able to even get the cable to work. And then you will need to know how to program it or know someone that does.