Name: Nooelec NESDR SMArt v5
Brand: Nooelec

2022

Introduced

Frequency	100 kHz - 1.75 GHz (HF via direct sampling below 25 MHz, VHF/UHF native)
Bands	HF (direct sampling), VHF, UHF
Power	RECEIVE ONLY.
Modes	All modes via SDR software
Weight	25 g (0.9 oz) - ~25g. USB dongle with brushed aluminum enclosure.
Connector	SMA-F
Year	2022

Connectors

antenna	SMA-F
usb	USB 2.0 (power + data)
power req	USB bus powered.

the premium RTL-SDR — USA/Canada built, 0.5PPM TCXO, aluminum case, 2-year warranty RTL2832U + R820T2/R860 tuner — 100 kHz to 1.75 GHz, up to 3.2 MHz bandwidth 0.5 PPM ultra-low phase noise TCXO (-138 dBc/Hz @1kHz, -150 @10kHz, -152 @100kHz) v5 improvements over v3: HF SNR up 15 dB, VHF/UHF SNR up 6 dB, tuning accuracy 4× better HF reception 100 kHz - 25 MHz via direct sampling (external antenna recommended, Ham It Up for best results) black brushed aluminum enclosure with integrated custom heatsink RF-suitable voltage regulator + shielded primary inductor (cleaner power = less noise) bundle includes: magnetic antenna base + 2m RG58 cable + 3 antenna masts (telescopic + 433MHz ISM + UHF) designed, developed, and fabricated in USA and Canada 2-year product warranty (vs 1-year for most competitors) compatible with all RTL-SDR software: SDR#, HDSDR, SDR Console, GQRX, SDR Touch, GNU Radio RECEIVE ONLY

Strengths

Built in the USA/Canada (not generic). A 0.5 PPM TCXO gives good frequency stability, and the v5 adds a 15 dB HF SNR improvement. It has an aluminum case with an integrated heatsink, an RF-grade voltage regulator, and a 3-antenna bundle with a magnetic base and 2 m cable, with a 2-year warranty and the Nooelec accessory ecosystem (SAWbird, LANA, Ham It Up).

Weaknesses

Receive only. An 8-bit ADC (the same RTL-SDR limit as all R820T2 dongles). Direct-sampling HF is adequate, but an upconverter is recommended. No bias tee (the RTL-SDR Blog has one). No built-in HF upconverter (the RTL-SDR V4 has one). Similar money to the RTL-SDR Blog V4, its main rival.

Verdict

A premium RTL-SDR. The NESDR SMArt v5 suits buyers who want an RTL-SDR built in North America with a 2-year warranty, a 0.5 PPM TCXO, and aluminum construction. The v5 improvements (15 dB HF, 6 dB VHF/UHF, 4x accuracy) are meaningful. The 3-antenna bundle beats the RTL-SDR Blog dipole kit. If you value build quality and warranty over the RTL-SDR Blog's bias tee and HF upconverter, it is a good pick.

The NooElec NESDR SMArt is one of the most popular budget RTL-SDR dongles, a receive-only USB stick that becomes a wideband radio when paired with free software on a computer. Like the rest of the RTL-SDR family it uses the Realtek RTL2832U demodulator with an R820T2 (or the equivalent R860) tuner, covering roughly 25 MHz to 1.75 GHz natively. It cannot transmit.

NooElec's version stands out for its build quality at the price: an aluminum case that doubles as a heatsink and shield, and a 0.5 ppm temperature-compensated oscillator for good frequency stability. For shortwave below about 25 MHz it relies on the RTL2832U's Q-branch direct-sampling mode, which reaches down to around 100 kHz but without gain control and with some quirks — for serious HF an external upconverter or a dongle with a built-in one works better. Note that the base SMArt has no bias tee; that is the separate SMArTee variant.

It is a current product and a reliable first SDR. It competes directly with the RTL-SDR Blog V4 (which handles HF better via an onboard upconverter) and, for a dedicated job like aircraft tracking, the specialized FlightAware Pro Stick.