Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3
MeshtasticMeshCore
Best for: beginner, budget, base station
Specs
| Type | Dev board |
|---|---|
| Maker | Heltec |
| Chip | ESP32-S3 + SX1262 |
| Bands (MHz) | 433, 470, 868, 915 |
| GPS | No |
| Screen | 0.96" OLED |
| Power | External 3.7 V LiPo (SH1.25 JST), onboard charging |
| Typical price | $18–$30 (maker's store, Oct 2026) |
Superseded by V4 for new buyers (same footprint, solar and GNSS ports, optional 28 dBm).
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very cheap and widely available
- Huge community, lots of guides and 3D-printed cases
- Wi-Fi + Bluetooth (ESP32)
Cons
- Bare board: needs a case and battery
- Higher idle power draw than nRF52 boards, poor for solar/battery
- Stock antenna is basic; Wi-Fi and BLE cannot run at the same time
Where to buy
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We don't show live prices. Prices change often; check the store before you buy and make sure you pick the 915 MHz version for the US.
Sources
Checked on October 18, 2026.