The current performance capabilities of surface acoustic wave (SAW) bandpass filters are reviewed and summarized for the frequency range of 30 MHz to 3 GHz. SAW coupled-resonators with up to 0.8% bandwidth, low loss transversal, and surface-skimming bulk-wave filters are included. SAW filter capabilities are compared with those of competing bandpass filter technologies in the same frequency range. These include bulk crystal, LC, cavity, helical, tubular, dielectric resonator, combline, interdigital, and stripline technologies. The following two needs are addressed: (1) SAW filter designers and marketers must be informed about the current capabilities of competing technologies, and (2) RF system designers need reference material to aid the efficient selection of optimum filters. Such reference literature is scarce and is often incomplete or obsolete.