Recommended Devices
Hardware recommendations for Meshtastic. All devices use LoRa 915 MHz for US operation.
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Important: Get the Right Frequency
For the US (including North Dakota), make sure to purchase the 915 MHz (US) version of any device. The 868 MHz (EU) version will not work properly with US mesh networks.
Devices
Prices are approximate and may vary by vendor
Heltec V3
- ESP32-S3 + SX1262
- 0.96" OLED display
- WiFi & Bluetooth
- Li-Po battery support
Heltec V4
- 28dBm high power output
- Built-in 2.4G antenna
- Protected OLED
- Solar panel interface
LilyGo T-Beam
- Built-in GPS
- 18650 battery holder
- ESP32 + SX1262
- Expandable design
LilyGo T-Deck
- QWERTY keyboard
- 2.8" IPS touchscreen
- Trackball navigation
- Speaker & microphone
LilyGo T-Deck Plus
- GPS included
- 2000mAh battery
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Pre-flashed Meshtastic
LilyGo T-Pager
- Compact pager form factor
- 2.33" display
- QWERTY + scroll wheel
- GPS, NFC, IMU sensors
LilyGo T-Echo
- E-ink display
- nRF52840 ultra low power
- GPS included
- NFC capable
Heltec T114
- nRF52840 + SX1262
- 1.14" TFT display
- GPS module option
- Solar panel ready
Seeed Wio Tracker
- Rugged enclosed design
- Built-in battery
- OLED display
- GPS included
RAK WisBlock
- Modular design
- nRF52840 low power
- Solar compatible
- Professional quality
SenseCAP T1000-E
- Credit card size
- Waterproof IP65
- Built-in GPS
- Long-life battery
RAK WisMesh Pocket
- Ready to use enclosed
- 3200mAh battery
- 1.3" OLED + GPS
- Multiple colors
RAK WisMesh Tag
- Ultra compact tracker
- Built-in GPS antenna
- Rechargeable battery
- Asset tracking
Station G2
- 36.5dBm (4.5W) output
- Ultra-low noise LNA
- USB-C PD power
- ESP32-S3
Nano G2 Ultra
- nRF52840 low power
- 1.3" OLED screen
- Wideband 815-940MHz
- 3.5 day battery life
Heltec Wireless Paper
- 2.13" E-ink display
- ESP32-S3 + SX1262
- 20µA deep sleep
- Ultra-thin design
Heltec Capsule Sensor
- ESP32-C3 + SX1262
- Ultra compact design
- 10µA deep sleep
- Stamp module form
Prebuilt Infrastructure Nodes
Prices are approximate and may vary by vendor
Ready-to-deploy solar-powered nodes for permanent installations. No assembly or flashing required - just mount and power on.
Yeti Wurks Base Station
- RAK WisBlock based, IP65 rated
- Pre-configured, ready to deploy
- $99 base / $150 complete solar kit
- Works with MeshCore & Meshtastic
RAK WisMesh Repeater
- 5.2Ah battery, IP67 enclosure
- Universal solar battery compatible
- Pre-flashed with Meshtastic
- Professional mounting options
SenseCAP Solar Node P1
- Integrated solar panel & battery
- Ready in 5 minutes, no setup
- P1-Pro adds GPS & 4x 18650
- Most affordable solar option
Atlavox Beacon
- 5W panel + 5000mAh LiPo
- RAK19007 WisBlock radio
- Meshtastic & MeshCore ready
- Less than 1 hour sun/day needed
Yeti Wurks Solar Kit
- Base station + solar charger
- 5.5W solar panel included
- IP65 weatherproof enclosure
- Off-grid ready deployment
PEAKmesh Solar Nodes
- RAK WisBlock based, dual solar panels
- 30+ days runtime without sun
- Works with MeshCore & Meshtastic
- Stealthy: Birdhouse, tree-hang, magnetic
WisMesh Repeater Mini
- Compact IP65 weatherproof design
- 2000mAh built-in battery
- USB-C solar charging compatible
- Available on Rokland
Recommended Antennas
Prices are approximate and may vary by vendor
Upgrading your antenna is often the single biggest improvement you can make to range. Stock antennas are usually 0-2 dBi - these replacements offer better performance.
Portable & Handheld
Muzi Whip 17cm
- • 17cm flexible whip, 14g
- • SWR 1.3 (98% efficiency)
- • SMA Male connector
MESHTAC Gooseneck
- • 4 dBi gain, 12" tall
- • Bendable metal neck
- • SMA Male, 915 MHz
MESHTAC 2.5 dBi Whip
- • 2.5 dBi gain, 7.8" tall
- • Soft flexible design
- • SMA Male, 915 MHz
ALFA 90° Elbow
- • 2 dBi gain, 7.7" tall
- • 90° elbow connector
- • SMA Male, 915 MHz
Outdoor & Base Station
ALFA 5 dBi Mini
- • 5 dBi gain, 7" tall
- • N-Male connector
- • Weather resistant
RAK 5.8 dBi Fiberglass
- • 5.8 dBi gain
- • Fiberglass, weatherproof
- • Includes U-bolt mount
8 dBi Low Profile
- • 8 dBi gain, 25" tall
- • N-Female connector
- • 60 m/s wind rated
ALFA 12 dBi Yagi
- • 12 dBi directional gain
- • N-Female connector
- • Point-to-point links
Antenna Selection Tips
- • Higher dBi = narrower beam - 8+ dBi antennas focus energy horizontally, bad for hilly terrain
- • Connector types: Most devices use SMA. Outdoor antennas often use N-type (need adapter cable)
- • Placement matters more than gain - A 3 dBi antenna up high beats an 8 dBi in your basement
- • Buy 915 MHz for US - 868 MHz antennas are for Europe and won't work as well here
Batteries & Power
Prices are approximate and may vary by vendor
Quality batteries are essential for mesh nodes. Most devices use 18650 or 21700 cells, while compact trackers use LiPo packs.
Warning: Avoid Amazon 18650/21700 Batteries
Most 18650 and 21700 batteries sold on Amazon are counterfeit. They typically have false mAh ratings (a "5000mAh" cell may actually be 800mAh), lack proper protection circuits, and can be fire hazards. Always buy from reputable battery-specific retailers like 18650 Battery Store, IMR Batteries, or Liion Wholesale.
18650 Cells (Protected)
For devices like T-Beam with 18650 battery holders. Protected cells include a circuit to prevent over-discharge and short circuits.
Samsung 35E Protected
- • 3500mAh capacity, 8A max
- • Protected button top
- • Trusted Samsung quality
Molicel M35A Protected
- • 3500mAh capacity, 10A max
- • Protected button top
- • Premium Japanese cells
Panasonic NCR18650GA
- • 3450mAh capacity, 10A max
- • Protected button top
- • Panasonic quality
21700 Cells
Larger format with higher capacity. Used in some newer devices and DIY builds. Usually don't need protected versions for low-drain mesh devices.
Samsung 50S
- • 5000mAh capacity, 25A max
- • Flat top unprotected
- • Industry standard cell
Molicel P50B
- • 5000mAh capacity, 50A max
- • Ultra high discharge
- • Premium performance
LiPo Battery Packs
Pre-wired lithium polymer packs for devices without battery holders. Check your device's connector type before ordering.
3000mAh JST PH 2.0
- • 3.7V 3000mAh (11.1Wh)
- • JST PH 2.0 connector
- • Fits Heltec, LilyGo, etc.
3200mAh 3-Pin JST
- • 3.7V 3200mAh capacity
- • 3-pin JST PH connector
- • For RAK19026 & similar
Rokland LiPo Packs
- • 1100 / 2000 / 3000 / 4000 / 8000mAh
- • Micro JST 1.25 connector
- • For LilyGo, Heltec, & more
Muzi H1 Battery
- • 3.7V 1200mAh (4.4Wh)
- • 1.25mm Molex PicoBlade
- • Perfect fit for Muzi H1 case
Muzi H2T Battery
- • 3.7V 2000mAh (8.1Wh)
- • 1.25mm Molex PicoBlade
- • Perfect fit for Muzi H2T case
Solar Panels & Charge Controllers
For off-grid and solar-powered installations. Most mesh nodes need a 5-6V panel and an MPPT charge controller.
RAK Solar Panel 5V
- • 5V/6V output options
- • Designed for LoRa nodes
- • Compact weatherproof
RAK19012 Solar Module
- • USB-C + solar + battery
- • For WisBlock base boards
- • Built-in charge controller
Taidacent MPPT Module
- • 1A charge current, MPPT
- • 6V solar panel input
- • DIY solar builds
Weatherproof Enclosures
Protect your outdoor nodes from the elements. IP65+ rated enclosures keep water and dust out.
Zulkit IP65 Enclosure
- • IP65 waterproof & dustproof
- • 150x100x70mm (5.9x3.9x2.8")
- • Hinged lid, 2 cable glands
Buying Tips
Where to Buy
- Amazon - Fast shipping, easy returns, but prices may be higher
- AliExpress - Best prices, but 2-4 week shipping from China
- Rokland - US-based, good selection, mesh-focused
- Manufacturer Direct - RAK, LilyGo, Heltec official stores
- DigiKey - US-based, huge selection, fast shipping, professional-grade parts
What to Avoid
- 868 MHz (EU) versions - won't work in US
- Unknown brand clones - often poor quality radios
- Devices without SX1262/SX1276 LoRa chips
- Used devices without testing (LoRa chips can degrade)
Have questions about which device to buy? Ask in our Discord!