[DOC] Hardware Comparison

Overview

This is a list of the most common, well-supported boards that can run MeshCore. To see a full list of every supported board, refer to the official flasher or our unofficial flasher.

Hardware

MeshCore supports multiple platforms including ESP32, nRF52840, STM32 and RP2040. This list will stick to ESP32 and nRF52840 as they are the most common. As a rule of thumb, if energy conservation is a priority (e.g. solar powered node), stick to the nRF52840 line. For better flash storage reliability and more processing power, stick to ESP32.

Development Boards

These are barebones boards that typically don't come with an enclosure or battery. Ideal for use as a fixed companion, room server, or repeater.

Heltec

Feature

Heltec V3 Heltec v4 (Low Power) Heltec v4 (High Power) LilyGO T3-S3 SX1262 Seeed XIAO + Wio-SX1262 RAK WisBlock (RAK4631 + Base) MCU ESP32-S3FN8 (240 MHz dual-core, Wi-Fi/BLE) ESP32-S3R2 (240 MHz dual-core, Wi-Fi/BLE) ESP32-S3R2 (240 MHz dual-core, Wi-Fi/BLE) ESP32-S3 (240 MHz dual-core, Wi-Fi/BLE)RAM nRF52840512KB SRAM (64 MHz, BLE only)internal) nRF52840512KB SRAM (64internal), MHz,2MB BLEPSRAM only)(external) 512KB SRAM (internal), 2MB PSRAM (external) Flash 8MB (SiP) 16MB (External) 16MB (External) LoRa Radio
Semtech SX1262 (433, 470-510, 863-928MHz, +21 ±1 dBm PA, -137dBm RX) Semtech SX1262 (863-928MHz, +28 ±1 dBm PA, -137dBm RX) Semtech SX1262 (915 MHz, +22 dBm PA, –148 dBm RX) Semtech SX1262 (915 MHz, +22 dBm PA, –148 dBm RX) Semtech SX1262 (915 MHz, +22 dBm PA, –148 dBm RX) Antenna Connector 1x u.FL (LoRa) 2 × U.FL (LoRa & 2.4 GHz) 2 × U.FL (LoRa & 2.4 GHz) SMA-female (50 Ω) U.FL (50 Ω) U.FL on module (via Base board breakout) RFLoRa ShieldingTCXO
Yes
Yes ❌ No metal can ✅ Metal RF can over SX1262 ✅ Metal RF can over SX1262 Frequency Reference Standard crystal (XO) Standard crystal (XO) Standard crystal (XO) TCXO TCXO TX/RX Switch Passive LC network (no RF-switch IC) RF front-end module (GC1109) with T/R paths (PA_CSD/CPS/CTX control) Passive LC network or discrete FET (auto via DIO2) SPDT RF switch IC (controlled by RF_SW/DIO2) SPDT RF switch IC (controlled by DIO2)Yes Matching & Filtering
On-board LC network + low-pass filter On-board LC network + π-attenuator (≈17 dB) in RF path On-board LC network + low-pass filter On-module LC network + low-pass filter On-module LC network + low-pass filter External LNA ❌
No ✅ Yes (in GC1109 FEM) ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No Power Regulation (3.3 V)
CE6260B33M rails (U1/U2) Multiple LDOs: CE6260B33M rails (U1/U2) + TLV75733 “Vfem” for FEM Single LDO (from USB or LiPo) 5 V→3.3 V regulator + internal DC-DC for PA 5 V→3.3 V regulator + internal DC-DC for PA PA Supply Path
3.3 V → SX1262 DC-DC (inductor L13) → VR_PA pins TLV75733 3.3 V → “Vfem” → GC1109 VCC0/VCC1 3.3 V LDO → PA pins 3.3 V regulator → SX1262 DC-DC → PA pins 3.3 V regulator → SX1262 DC-DC → PA pins Battery Input
1.25*2 Pin Lithium connector (3.3–4.4 V) 1.25*2 Pin Lithium connector (3.3–4.4 V) LiPo connector (powers 3.3 V rail) LiPo connector (powers 3.3 V rail) LiPo connector (powers 3.3 V rail) USB-Only Full TX Power ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
✅ Yes ✅ Yes Low-Voltage Boost
❌ No (LDO-only; no boost converter shown in datasheet) ❌ No (LDO-only; no boost converter shown in datasheet) ❌ No (LDO needs ≥~3.8 V in) ✅ SX1262 DC-DC can run down to ~3.3 V input ✅ SX1262 DC-DC can run down to ~3.3 V input USB and Battery Power Feed
USB feeds charger/regulators; LiPo auto-switchover via CN3165 + MOSFETs (Q1/Q2/Q3, D2) USB feeds charger/regulators; LiPo auto-switchover via CN3165 + MOSFETs (Q1/Q2/Q3, D2) Both battery & USB feed the same 3.3 V LDO input USB feeds regulator and charger; LiPo auto-switchover USB feeds Base’s regulator & charger; LiPo auto-switchover MCU Wireless
Wi-Fi + BLE + LoRa Wi-Fi + BLE + LoRa Wi-Fi + BLE + LoRa BLE + LoRa BLE + LoRa On-board Display
✅ 0.96″ OLED (SSD1315) ✅ 0.96″ OLED (SSD1315) ✅ 0.96″ OLED ❌ No ❌ No Typical Board Size
51.7 × 25.4 × 10.7 mm 51.7 × 25.4 × 10.7 mm

Lilygo

Feature LilyGO T3-S3 SX1262 MCU ESP32-S3FH4R2 (240 MHz dual-core, Wi-Fi/BLE) RAM 512KB SRAM (internal), 2MB PSRAM (external) Flash 4MB LoRa Radio Semtech SX1262 (915 MHz, +22 dBm PA, –148 dBm RX) Antenna Connector SMA-female LoRa TCXO No Matching & Filtering On-board LC network + low-pass filter External LNA No Power Regulation (3.3 V) Single LDO (from USB or LiPo) PA Supply Path 3.3 V LDO → PA pins Battery Input LiPo connector (powers 3.3 V rail) USB-Only Full TX Power ✅ Yes Low-Voltage Boost ❌ No (LDO needs ≥~3.8 V in) USB and Battery Power Feed Both battery & USB feed the same 3.3 V LDO input MCU Wireless Wi-Fi + BLE + LoRa On-board Display ✅ 0.96″ OLED Typical Board Size ~67 × 29 mm

Rak Wireless

Feature RAK WisBlock (RAK4631 + Base) MCU nRF52840 (64 MHz, BLE only) RAM 256KB Flash 1MB (Internal), 2MB (External) LoRa Radio Semtech SX1262 (915 MHz, +22 dBm PA, –148 dBm RX) Antenna Connector U.FL on module (via Base board breakout) LoRa TCXO Yes Matching & Filtering On-module LC network + low-pass filter External LNA No Power Regulation (3.3 V) 5 V→3.3 V regulator + internal DC-DC for PA PA Supply Path 3.3 V regulator → SX1262 DC-DC → PA pins Battery Input LiPo connector (powers 3.3 V rail) USB-Only Full TX Power ✅ Yes Low-Voltage Boost ✅ SX1262 DC-DC can run down to ~3.3 V input USB and Battery Power Feed USB feeds Base’s regulator & charger; LiPo auto-switchover MCU Wireless BLE + LoRa On-board Display ❌ No Typical Board Size

Base ~60 × 24 mm + module ~27 × 15 mm

Seeed Studio

Feature Seeed XIAO + Wio-SX1262 MCU nRF52840 (64 MHz, BLE only) RAM 256KB Flash 1MB (Internal), 2MB (External) LoRa Radio Semtech SX1262 (915 MHz, +22 dBm PA, –148 dBm RX) Antenna Connector U.FL LoRa TCXO Yes Matching & Filtering On-module LC network + low-pass filter External LNA No Power Regulation (3.3 V) 5 V→3.3 V regulator + internal DC-DC for PA PA Supply Path 3.3 V regulator → SX1262 DC-DC → PA pins Battery Input LiPo connector (powers 3.3 V rail) USB-Only Full TX Power ✅ Yes Low-Voltage Boost ✅ SX1262 DC-DC can run down to ~3.3 V input USB and Battery Power Feed USB feeds regulator and charger; LiPo auto-switchover MCU Wireless BLE + LoRa On-board Display ❌ No Typical Board Size ~21 × 18 mm (XIAO) + 11 × 6 mm module Base ~60 × 24 mm + module ~27 × 15 mm

Legend/Notes:

RF shielding can: a metal can over the RF module to reduce EMI.

XO vs. TCXO: crystal oscillators; TCXO provides better frequency stability over temperature.

DC-DC for PA: SX1262’s internal switching regulator mode, drawing less current from the 3.3 V rail.

Low-Voltage Boost: ability to run the PA at full power even when the board’s supply dips near 3.3 V (via DC-DC), versus an LDO which cuts out below its dropout voltage.

Auto-switchover: the charger/regulator circuitry automatically selects USB or battery as needed.