The company reports that Retevis employs more than 500 staff, has sold over 40 million units, serves more than 10 million users, and maintains a presence in over 170 countries and regions. These figures are self-reported by the company rather than independently audited statistics.2

Origins: 2008–2010

Retevis’ corporate history began in 2008 with the establishment of the predecessor to what is now described as Ysair Technology Co., Ltd. The company entered the two-way-radio market in 2009 by selling radio products before launching the RETEVIS brand in 2010 and commencing development of its own two-way-radio hardware.3 The name RETEVIS is stated to be an abbreviation derived from “REdefine TElecommunications VIsion Signpost.”4

International expansion

In 2011, Retevis established overseas warehouses and service operations, including facilities in the United States and Canada, as part of its international expansion strategy. This was followed by the development of a broader global distribution and service network.5 One of the brand’s early notable products was the H777, introduced in 2013, which Retevis describes as a classic commercial walkie-talkie that became significant for the brand’s growth.6

Creation of specialised product lines

In 2016, Retevis organised its portfolio into three principal segments to address distinct market needs:7

• Ailunce: Amateur-radio products
• MateTalk: Business and professional radio products
• EZTalk: Consumer-oriented radios

This segmentation allowed the company to target hobbyist, commercial, and everyday consumer markets separately. In 2018, the company introduced the Retevis Ailunce HD1, described as its first self-developed amateur-radio model featuring front-panel programming (FPP). By 2019, Retevis reported that cumulative worldwide sales had exceeded 20 million units.8

Brand development: 2023 onward

Retevis undertook a major brand-identity update in 2023, repositioning itself as a more professional and internationally oriented communications brand. That same year, it introduced proprietary CPS software for analogue radio programming via the Ailunce HA1G.9 Recent developments have emphasised proprietary hardware and software integration. In 2024, Retevis highlighted the RB658 and RB58 commercial radios featuring Bluetooth and app integration. In 2025, it released the Ailunce H1, described as its first digital radio with both hardware and software developed in-house, alongside the MateTalk E2 intrinsically safe DMR radio.10

Retevis offers a product portfolio that extends beyond basic consumer walkie-talkies to include professional and specialised communication equipment.

Portable two-way radios

Portable handheld radios remain the company’s core category. These devices are intended for use in construction sites, security teams, warehouses, manufacturing plants, hotels, events, and outdoor activities such as hunting, camping, and hiking, as well as for family and general business communication. The company offers radios across various frequency systems and regulatory markets, including UHF, VHF, FRS/GMRS-oriented products for North America, and PMR-oriented products for European markets. Specific frequencies, power levels, licensing requirements, and permitted uses depend on the individual model and local regulations.11

Business and professional radios

The professional segment is represented primarily by the MateTalk product family. These products target organisations requiring structured radio communications for applications such as construction, security, manufacturing, warehousing, hospitality, large facilities, and industrial operations. Retevis positions these offerings as part of broader communication solutions rather than standalone hardware.12

Amateur radio

Retevis participates in the amateur-radio market through its Ailunce brand. Ailunce products cater to radio enthusiasts and operators seeking advanced capabilities, including multi-band operation, programmable channels, digital and analogue communication, GPS, APRS on applicable models, computer programming, and sophisticated configuration options. The Ailunce HD1 is among the best-known products in this line, which has since expanded to include newer digital models.13

Mobile radios

Unlike handheld units, mobile radios are designed for installation in vehicles or fixed platforms. Retevis offers mobile radios for off-road vehicles, trucks, fleet communication, outdoor activities, and remote-area communication. This category includes models such as the RT98 and newer releases.14

Repeaters

Retevis produces radio repeaters to support professional radio networks. Repeaters receive and retransmit signals, extending coverage significantly beyond the range of direct user-to-user communication. These are marketed for use in large construction sites, factories, campuses, warehouses, hotels, commercial facilities, and wide-area private radio networks, specifically addressing coverage extension in complex environments.15

Consumer and outdoor radios

The EZTalk line targets consumers and recreational users. Radios in this category are designed for camping, hiking, hunting, cycling, motorcycling, kayaking, family activities, and children’s games. Models often prioritise features such as waterproofing, floating capability, compact construction, simple controls, and long battery life over advanced professional specifications.

The Retevis ecosystem is divided into three broad sub-brands:

Ailunce

Targeted at amateur-radio enthusiasts, Ailunce offers radios and programming capabilities that are generally more advanced than the company’s basic consumer walkie-talkies.16

MateTalk

Focused on business and professional users, MateTalk emphasises workplace coordination, reliability, safety, and specialised radio solutions for commercial and industrial communication.

EZTalk

EZTalk concentrates on accessible two-way communication for families, outdoor enthusiasts, children, and recreational activities.17

Retevis operates across several generations of radio technology.

Analogue radio

A substantial portion of the portfolio consists of conventional analogue FM two-way radios. These units are widely used for short- and medium-range voice communication due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Digital radio

The company has increasingly adopted digital radio technology, including DMR-oriented professional products and newer digital amateur radios. The Ailunce H1, launched in 2025, was described as the first Retevis digital radio developed entirely in-house for both hardware and software.18

Bluetooth and smartphone integration

Newer professional products incorporate Bluetooth and smartphone app connectivity, marking a shift from traditional standalone hardware towards integrated communications systems.

CPS and programming software

Retevis has developed proprietary Customer Programming Software (CPS) for certain products, enabling users to configure channels and radio settings via computer.

Retevis states that its products comply with applicable international certification standards, including FCC and CE, depending on the specific product and market. The company maintains a library of declarations of conformity and certificates for individual models on its website.19 However, FCC and CE markings do not constitute blanket certification for all Retevis products worldwide; permitted frequencies, transmit power, licensing requirements, and legal use are model- and jurisdiction-specific. For example, FCC documentation has identified Shenzhen Retevis Technology Co., Ltd. as an applicant or manufacturer associated with Retevis-branded equipment.20

Retevis’ corporate history is linked to Ysair Technology Co., Ltd., described on the company’s European website as a private group headquartered in Shenzhen, China, and established in 2008.21 Regulatory filings for individual products may also identify entities such as Shenzhen Retevis Technology Co., Ltd. Consequently, it is necessary to distinguish between the RETEVIS brand, the corporate group behind it, and the specific legal entity listed for regulatory purposes. The public-facing brand and corporate entities may vary by market and product.

Retevis positions itself as an international radio brand. Current corporate information claims a presence in over 170 countries and regions, with more than 40 million units sold, over 10 million users, more than 500 employees, and production capacity exceeding 4,000 units per day. These figures are self-reported and should be treated as company claims rather than independently verified market statistics.22 The company has established regional websites, distribution networks, warehouses, and customer-service operations for different markets, reflecting an international strategy that has been central to the brand since the early 2010s.23

Retevis serves a diverse range of market segments:

• Consumer market: Inexpensive walkie-talkies for families, children, travellers, and outdoor users.
• Outdoor market: Radios marketed for hiking, camping, hunting, cycling, kayaking, and motorcycling.
• Commercial market: Employee coordination radios for warehouses, hotels, restaurants, retail environments, factories, and construction sites.
• Industrial market: Specialised products for demanding environments, including intrinsically safe radios. The MateTalk E2, for instance, is listed with ATEX and IECEx certification documentation.24
• Amateur-radio market: Technically sophisticated equipment for hobbyists under the Ailunce brand.

Retevis articulates its core philosophy with the phrase “We are together.” Its stated mission is to apply communication technology to specific usage scenarios and to “redefine radio communication,” with a vision to “Make communication easier.”25 The company lists its brand characteristics as reliable, cooperative, passionate, innovative, pragmatic, and professional. This positioning reflects an evolution from selling inexpensive two-way radios towards providing scenario-specific wireless communication solutions.26

Retevis provides manuals, firmware, programming software, technical documentation, FAQs, and product support resources through its website. The company advertises the following support terms:

• 24 months of free repair coverage for radio devices
• 6 months of coverage for accessories
• 3 months of coverage for earpieces
• Paid repair services after the warranty period
• Lifetime technical support
• 24/7 customer-service availability

Warranty conditions may vary by market and product, so buyers should verify applicable regional warranty terms before purchase.

Retevis occupies a distinct position in the two-way-radio industry. It is not primarily positioned like traditional high-end professional manufacturers such as Motorola Solutions, Hytera, or Kenwood. Instead, it has historically competed by offering a broad range of radios at accessible price points while gradually expanding into more sophisticated professional and amateur equipment. Its product spectrum ranges from consumer walkie-talkies to outdoor, business, amateur, mobile, repeater, and digital industrial radio systems. This breadth is one of the company’s defining characteristics.

The timeline above is based primarily on Retevis’ published corporate history.

Retevis is generally understood as a large, internationally oriented value-to-midrange radio brand with an extensive catalogue. Its strengths include a wide product range, accessible pricing, strong presence in consumer and outdoor segments, increasing investment in amateur radio, a growing professional portfolio, availability of programming software and accessories, international distribution, and development of digital and specialised industrial radios.

Limitations vary significantly by product category. Basic Retevis walkie-talkies and professional systems from manufacturers like Motorola or Hytera are not necessarily intended for the same market; specifications regarding durability, interoperability, network management, after-sales support, encryption, certification, and system integration can differ considerably. Therefore, assessing whether a specific Retevis model is appropriate for a particular application is more relevant than evaluating the brand as a whole.

Retevis is a Shenzhen-based Chinese wireless-communications brand that began selling two-way radios in 2009 and formally established the RETEVIS brand in 2010. It has grown from a supplier of affordable walkie-talkies into an international communications company offering consumer and outdoor radios, commercial and industrial two-way radios, amateur-radio equipment under Ailunce, professional products under MateTalk, consumer products under EZTalk, mobile radios, repeaters, accessories, and increasingly digital communication systems. The company states that it serves users in more than 170 countries and has sold over 40 million units.

1. About Retevis | Leading Two-Way Radio & Repeater Solutions | Retevis Walkie Talkie
2. About Us
3. About Us – Retevis
4. Retevis Consumer Two Way Radios
5. Retevis UHF Two Way Radio | Portable UHF Walkie Talkie
6. Retevis Two-Way Radio & Repeater Solutions Directory
7. Retevis Blog | Two-Way Radio Tips, Guides & Reviews
8. Mobile Radios | Compact, High Power and Long Range | Retevis
9. Two Way Radio in Activity
10. Retevis Declaration of Conformity | CE, FCC, and Safety Certificates
11. Shenzhen Retevis Technology Co., Ltd.
12. Retevis Walkie Talkie | Built for Clear & Instant Comms
13. manuals.plus
14. A Brief History of Radios and Retevis’ Role in Modern Communication
15. manuals.plus
16. Form to Contact Retevis
17. Outdoor Walkie Talkies for Consumers and Professionals | Retevis
18. retevis.com
19. Advanced Walkie Talkies, Built for Communication | Retevis
20. Retevis | Advanced Walkie Talkies, Built for Communication
21. Retevis Our Guarantee
22. Retevis H777 Affordable Business FRS Radio
23. Retevis Two Way Radio
24. Retevis Two Way Radio
25. RETEVIS | LinkedIn
26. RETEVIS | LinkedIn