Independent guide to LoRa mesh radios
Find the right Meshtastic radio, and get it on the mesh.
Small radios that pass text messages from one to the next, no cell service needed. We compare 31 devices from the makers' own specs and the official docs, so you can pick one with confidence.
- 31 devices compared
- 29 also run MeshCore
- Every spec linked to its source
Good starting points
Pick by what you'll do with it
Chosen from published specs and price, not hands-on testing. How we choose
How it works
Your message hops from radio to radio
Each LoRa radio pairs with your phone over Bluetooth or works on its own. When you send a message, nearby radios relay it, so it can reach people far beyond your own radio's range.
Most of these radios run either Meshtastic or MeshCore. The two don't talk to each other, so pick the one your local group uses. In Meshtastic, ordinary radios help relay messages. In MeshCore, relaying is left to dedicated repeaters, and the radio paired with your phone doesn't repeat at all.
Guides
Start here
- What Is Meshtastic? How the LoRa Mesh Network WorksMeshtastic is open-source firmware that turns inexpensive LoRa radios into an off-grid text messaging mesh. Here is how it works and what you need.
- Meshtastic vs MeshCore: Routing, Roles, and Which to PickMeshtastic uses managed flooding where most nodes can relay; MeshCore relays only through repeaters. A neutral comparison from each project's official docs.
- Meshtastic Web Flasher: How to Flash and Update FirmwareHow to install or update Meshtastic firmware with the official Web Flasher, ESP32 vs nRF52 UF2 drag-and-drop, backing up keys, and fixing common errors.
- Meshtastic Range: How Far Can It Reach and WhyMeshtastic range depends on line of sight, antenna height, terrain, and modem preset. What the official docs say, including the documented 331 km record.
- Meshtastic Map: How to Find Nodes and Meshes Near YouHow to find Meshtastic nodes and communities near you: local groups, in-app discovery scans, online node maps, how those maps get data, and their limits.
- Is Meshtastic Legal in the USA? Frequency and FCC RulesMeshtastic in the US uses the 902-928 MHz band under FCC Part 15, with no license for normal use. Power limits, antenna rules, and ham mode explained.
Why trust this site
We show our work
- Every spec has a source. Device pages link the maker's page and the official docs we used, and list where those sources disagree.
- Independent fact-checks. Before launch, reviewers who didn't write the content re-checked about 1,850 claims and we corrected 65. See the corrections log.
- No guessing. If a spec isn't published, we say "not listed". We don't claim test results we didn't measure.
Last checked November 2, 2026. How we research