RTL-SDR V4 vs V3: The V4 Is Discontinued. Here's What That Means.
For years the question was whether the V4's built-in HF was worth the upgrade from the V3. That question is closed: the V4 can no longer be manufactured, and the V3 is the RTL-SDR Blog dongle that stays in production. This page keeps the comparison for V4 owners and used-market buyers, and says plainly what to buy new.
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Quick Verdict
Buy the V3. The V4 is discontinued. For VHF, UHF and 700/800 MHz P25 with SDRTrunk — what most scanner listeners use an SDR for — the V3 works. The V4's real advantage was HF: it used a built-in upconverter, while the V3 relies on a direct sampling mode that performs worse. If you already own a V4, keep using it. If HF matters to you, watch for the V4L to reach Amazon (expected, not yet listed) or pair a V3 with an HF upconverter.
Spec Comparison Table
Specs from RTL-SDR Blog's product page and the end-of-line announcement.
| Spec | RTL-SDR Blog V4 | RTL-SDR Blog V3 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Discontinued (May 2026) | In stable production |
| Tuner chip | R828D | R860 |
| HF reception (500 kHz – 28.8 MHz) | Built-in HF upconverter | Direct sampling mode ("basic HF reception") |
| Front-end filtering | Improved; less prone to saturation from strong broadcast stations | Standard |
| Oscillator | TCXO | 1 PPM TCXO |
| Bias tee | Software switchable | Software switchable, 4.5 V from USB |
| Enclosure | Aluminum | Aluminum, passive cooling |
| Antenna connector | SMA female | SMA female |
The One Real Difference: HF
Both dongles cover the VHF and UHF bands where public safety, aviation, weather satellites and ADS-B live, and both carry a TCXO, an aluminum case and a software-switchable bias tee. Where they differ is below about 28.8 MHz — shortwave broadcast, amateur HF and utility stations.
The V3 reaches HF through direct sampling, which RTL-SDR Blog itself describes as "basic HF reception." The V4 replaced that with a built-in HF upconverter and improved front-end filtering that makes it less prone to saturation from strong broadcast stations. In practice the V4 was the better HF receiver; the V3's direct sampling mode performs worse.
Neither replaces a dedicated HF receiver like the Airspy HF+ Discovery for serious HF work.
What About the V4L?
RTL-SDR Blog's replacement is a "lite" V4L that uses the R828S tuner. The R828S has two inputs rather than three, so the V4's extra filtering is not possible; the company says the trade-off is slightly better sensitivity, and it needs a driver update. According to its August 11, 2026 launch post, it is sold through the RTL-SDR Blog store, the official eBay listing and AliExpress, with Amazon stock expected "in about 2-3 months." We will add it here once it is actually listed on Amazon.
If You Already Own a V4
Nothing changes. Discontinued does not mean unsupported: the V4 keeps working with the same software it always did, including SDR#, SDR++, GQRX and SDRTrunk. A used V4 at a fair price is still a reasonable buy if HF is your interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTL-SDR V4 still available?
No, not new. RTL-SDR Blog announced on May 14, 2026 that the Rafael R828D tuner stockpile is exhausted and "no more Blog V4 productions will be possible." Remaining retail stock may linger, but there will be no new production runs.
Is the RTL-SDR V3 still available?
Yes. In the same end-of-line announcement, RTL-SDR Blog said "the Blog V3 will remain in stable production." It is the RTL-SDR Blog dongle we recommend buying today.
What is the RTL-SDR V4L?
A 'lite' successor built on the R828S tuner. The R828S has two inputs rather than the R828D's three, so the V4's extra filtering is not possible; RTL-SDR Blog says it needs a driver update. It went on sale in August 2026 through the RTL-SDR Blog store, its official eBay listing and AliExpress. Amazon stock is expected in roughly two to three months from that announcement, but it is not listed there yet.
Will a V3 work for P25 trunking with SDRTrunk?
Yes. For VHF, UHF and 700/800 MHz P25 systems monitored with SDRTrunk, the V3 works. The V4's advantage was on HF, not on the bands where trunked public safety systems operate.
Can the V3 receive HF?
Yes, through a built-in direct sampling mode that RTL-SDR Blog describes as "basic HF reception" from 500 kHz to 28.8 MHz. It performs worse than the V4's built-in HF upconverter did. If HF is a priority, pair the V3 with an external upconverter or look at a dedicated HF receiver.