Choosing among antenna tuners and SWR meters can come down to two very different jobs: getting a manual HF tuner and meter for a conventional ham-radio setup, or meeting a specifically stated 3KW requirement. The four used units here span $85 to $260, so the right decision is not simply the highest price. Start with the power rating and the controls you actually need, then use frequency coverage, meter type, and built-in functions to separate the 300W models.
Quick take
At a glance, the lineup includes two MFJ Deluxe Versa Tuner II models, a B&W VS300A, and an MFJ roller tuner.
- MFJ-941E: the lowest listed price and a manual tuner with an SWR wattmeter.
- B&W VS300A: explicit 1.8-30 MHz coverage with a built-in SWR and power meter.
- MFJ-949E: a manual unit with a named dummy load, antenna selector, and cross-needle meter.
- MFJ-986: the choice when its stated 3KW rating is the deciding requirement.
Listed-price comparison
The absolute listed-price spread is $175, from MFJ-941E at $85 to MFJ-986 at $260.
| Model | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| MFJ-949E Deluxe Versa Tuner II | $150.00 | |
| MFJ-941E Deluxe Versa Tuner II | $85.00 | |
| B&W VS300A HF Antenna Tuner | $99.00 | |
| MFJ-986 HF Antenna Tuner 3KW Roller Tuner | $260.00 |
Decision matrix
Match the priority that matters most to the product whose listed attributes address it directly:
- Lowest listed price: MFJ-941E Deluxe Versa Tuner II.
- 1.8-30 MHz coverage plus an SWR and power meter: B&W VS300A.
- Built-in dummy load and eight-position antenna selector: MFJ-949E Deluxe Versa Tuner II.
- A stated 3KW requirement: MFJ-986 HF Antenna Tuner 3KW Roller Tuner.
Product notes
MFJ-949E Deluxe Versa Tuner II
MFJ-949E Deluxe Versa Tuner II is the feature-focused 300W manual option. Its described 1.8-30 MHz coverage is paired with a full-size lighted cross-needle SWR and peak/average wattmeter, a built-in 50-ohm dummy load, an eight-position antenna selector, and an internal balun. The description also identifies use with coax-fed antennas, random or long wires, and balanced lines. Choose it when those built-in functions matter in one shack unit. The limiting point is the 300W rating: it does not meet the separately stated 3KW requirement of MFJ-986. Its listed condition is Used.
MFJ-941E Deluxe Versa Tuner II
MFJ-941E Deluxe Versa Tuner II is the direct fit when a ham radio transceiver setup calls for a manual tuner, an SWR wattmeter, and a 300W rating. The $85 listed price gives it the lowest entry point among the four choices, making the model easy to identify for shoppers keeping the purchase focused. Its limitation is the same clearly stated 300W power rating: MFJ-941E is not the match for a setup requiring the 3KW specification attached to MFJ-986. The unit is also listed as Used, so its appeal rests on the manual tuner and meter combination rather than on a new-product condition.
B&W VS300A HF Antenna Tuner
B&W VS300A HF Antenna Tuner suits shoppers who want a clearly named frequency span alongside metering. The title and attributes specify 1.8-30 MHz, while the title calls out an SWR power meter and 300 watts. Its description also identifies the tuner for portable operation, giving the model a distinct use-case signal without requiring a larger feature bundle. The boundary is the stated up-to-300-watt rating, so B&W VS300A does not address a 3KW requirement. It is listed as Used as well. Choose it when the stated band coverage and built-in SWR/power meter are more relevant than the roller-tuner format of MFJ-986.
MFJ-986 HF Antenna Tuner 3KW Roller Tuner
MFJ-986 HF Antenna Tuner 3KW Roller Tuner is the clearest match for a setup with a firm 3KW requirement. The roller dial is described as allowing precise tuning, and its compatibility attribute is marked Universal. Those details make the control format and stated power handling the central reasons to consider it. The trade-off is its $260 listed price, the highest of the four, creating a $175 spread from MFJ-941E. The condition is Used, and the title presents MFJ-986 as a roller tuner rather than as one of the Deluxe Versa Tuner II models. Choose it for the specific 3KW requirement, not merely because its numeric rating is larger.
Final recommendation by use case
- For the lowest listed price and a manual SWR-wattmeter setup: choose MFJ-941E Deluxe Versa Tuner II.
- For the stated 1.8-30 MHz range and SWR/power metering: choose B&W VS300A.
- For a 300W manual tuner with a dummy load and antenna selector: choose MFJ-949E Deluxe Versa Tuner II.
- For a setup that specifically requires 3KW and a roller tuner: choose MFJ-986.
If your system does not require the 3KW specification, the decision is mainly between the lower-priced MFJ-941E, the band-specific B&W VS300A, and the more extensively equipped MFJ-949E. The MFJ-986 belongs in a separate lane because its stated rating and roller design define a different use case.
