UNIDEN R8w REVIEW
Updated: 02-19-2026Overview
The Uniden R8w is Uniden's latest dual arrow directional radar detector which provides directional information and now includes WIFI support. It's performance is the same as the less expensive Uniden R8 that does not include WIFI.In our Uniden R8w review, we found the radar detector's performance is significantly improved making the Uniden R8w the most sensitive and longest range detector we've ever tested.
Having more than 16 times the capture distance of a police radar gun, the Uniden R8w provides performance often exceeding all other manufacturers' top performing radar detectors at considerably less money making it a very good value.
The Uniden R8w has the largest color display of any radar detector allowing it to display a wealth of information at the same time, including up to five radar encounters simultaneously, time of day, speed of travel, and direction of travel.
Features
- Most sensitive radar detector currently available
- Uniden R8w's dual LNAs (low noise amplifiers) improve its performance over the Uniden R8 & Uniden R7
- Dual Blackfin® DSPs (Digital Signal Processor) for 50% faster performance
- Dual antenna horns and directional arrows
- The Uniden R8w provides more advanced digital signal processing (DSP) power
- Built-in Bluetooth & WIFI for use with Uniden.s new R/TACH smartphone app
- GPS with red light and speed camera alerts
- Free GPS database updates downloadable from Uniden
- BSM filter to filter out falses of K-band CAS systems
- Quiet Ride - User set speed auto mute
- Updatable via USB connection to PC
- Uniden offers a large, bright, and very readable full color OLED display
- Multi-function display includes voltage, compass, altimeter, time of day
- K false filter
- K Narrow/Wide
- KA false filter
- Ka Narrow/Wide
- Detects MultaRadar (MRCD/MRCT) sources well
- One of the best detectors of the lethal RedFlex photo radar
- Cigarette adapter with MUTE KEY and USB JACK
- Carrying pouch
- Carrying case
Included Accessories
Your Uniden R8w comes shipped to your door with everything you need including two windshield mounts--unique to Uniden-- a 12-volt accessory power cable with USB data cable, neoprene pouch, carrying case, and a Uniden R8w instruction manual.
Uniden R8w optional accessories include a hardwire kit for those interested in eliminating the use of the Uniden R8w's cigarette power adapter.
Uniden R8w Downloadable Files
Why Purchase Through RadarBusters?
Expertise: RadarBusters is one of the longest operating and most experienced countermeasure-dedicated companies in the industry. We are not a big box electronics store that offers everything under the sun. You will find no other company that offers the same level of pre- and post-sales expertise, than us.
Authorized from Uniden: RadarBusters is an authorized dealer for the Uniden R8w, so you can be assured that your detector is covered under Uniden's full warranty.
Real Reviews: Unlike the other review websites out there, RadarBusters was founded by Radar Roy, a retired cop and certified traffic radar instructor with over 40 years of experience. Luxury Automotive was so impressed with our high standards and qualifications that they dubbed us the “General Schwarzkopf of radar detectors”.
We Have Answers: Have a question or concern? Please call or email us and we will be happy to assist you. If you think you are having an issue with your product in most cases we should be able to help you resolve it over the phone.
Q: What are the different radar detector bands?
A:
- X-Band 10.525 GHz +/- 25 MHz
- An older band, mostly used by automatic doors in supermarkets and rarely used by law enforcement anymore. You can eliminate this band by turning off X band in the menu.
- K-Band 24.150 GHz +/- 100 MHz
- A potential radar strike that could also be a non-radar law enforcement. Know the area as many police still utilize this band.
- Ka-Band 34.700 GHz +/- 1300 MHz
- Alert! It’s the police. One of the most common used bands by law enforcement today.
- Laser 904nm, 33 MHz bandwidth
- Alert! It’s the police. Higher law enforcement such as state troopers often use laser.
Q: Are Uniden R8w radar detectors allowed in my state?
A: Radar detectors are currently banned in some states in the U.S. Enclosed is a list and link to American Auto Association AAA, which keeps an ongoing list of permitted states.
ALABAMA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ALASKA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ARIZONA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ARKANSAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
CALIFORNIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
COLORADO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
CONNECTICUT — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
DELAWARE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Radar detectors are not permitted.
FLORIDA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
GEORGIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
HAWAII — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
IDAHO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
ILLINOIS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
INDIANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
IOWA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
KANSAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
KENTUCKY — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
LOUISIANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MAINE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MARYLAND — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MASSACHUSETTS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MICHIGAN — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MINNESOTA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MISSISSIPPI — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MISSOURI — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
MONTANA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEBRASKA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEVADA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW HAMPSHIRE — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW JERSEY — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW MEXICO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NEW YORK — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NORTH CAROLINA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
NORTH DAKOTA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
OHIO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
OKLAHOMA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
OREGON — Radar detectors are permitted but are prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
PENNSYLVANIA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles, but prohibited for commercial vehicles.
RHODE ISLAND — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
SOUTH CAROLINA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
SOUTH DAKOTA — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
TENNESSEE — Detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
TEXAS — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
UTAH — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
VERMONT — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
VIRGINIA — Detectors are not permitted.
WASHINGTON — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
WEST VIRGINIA — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
WISCONSIN — detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
WYOMING — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
PUERTO RICO — Radar detectors are permitted for passenger vehicles but prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
Q: What is the difference between HIGHWAY and CITY mode?
A: Radar detectors operate with various sensitivity levels. These levels determine the types of signals and signal ranges (bands) detected. Highway mode is the most sensitive level while City mode is the least sensitive. If the X band is left on in City mode, a radar detector can pick up many X band signals (such as garage door openers) that generate false alerts.
Q: My Uniden R8w radar detector is alerting K band when no law enforcement is around.
A: One thing radar detectors are competing against for newer cars are the safety sensors. Cars that emit collision avoidance, lane monitoring, stop monitoring and similar features can set off the K band on the radar detector. To solve this issue, you can set the K band filter to ON, but this will lessen the capability to notify you to true K band alerts.
| Receiver Type | Antenna Type | ||
| Radar | Double Conversion Super-Hetrodyne Self Contained Antenna | Radar | Linear Polarized E-vector Vertical |
| Laser | Pulsed Laser Signal Receiver |
Laser
Front Back |
Convex Condenser Lens Concave Condenser Lens |
| Radar Detected | |||
| X-band | 10.525 GHz | Dimensions | 110.00 mm (D) x 69.00 mm (W) x 29.50 mm (H) |
| K-band | 24.150 GHz | Weight | 4.9 oz (140 g) |
| Ka | 33.400 - 35.700 GHz | Operating Temp. | 32° to +158° F (Radar/Laser) -10° to +70° C (Radar/Laser) |
| MRCT/MRCD | FMCW K-band | Storage Temp. | -22° to +203° F (Radar/Laser) -30° to +95° C (Radar/Laser) |
| Police Laser | 800nm-1,100nm (905nm nominal) |
|