MeshCore Device Compatibility
MeshCore Device Compatibility
MeshCore is a lightweight mesh firmware optimised for LoRa networks. The following devices are supported as of early 2026 (the supported list changes - always check flasher.meshcore.io for the latest list before purchasing hardware specifically for MeshCore).
Supported Devices
| Device | MCU | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heltec V3 | ESP32-S3 | Most popular beginner choice; stock BT antenna issue (see Budget Devices page) |
| Heltec V4 | ESP32-S3 | ~22 dBm (confirm against Heltec's current spec - some sources cite 28 dBm via an integrated PA, others ~22 dBm); solar charging interface |
| Heltec T114 | nRF52840 | Lower power than ESP32; DFU (double-tap) flashing |
| Heltec Wireless Paper | ESP32-S3 | E-ink display (250×122); ~20 µA deep sleep (figure quoted for Heltec's V4; verify against the Wireless Paper datasheet) |
| LilyGo T-Beam | ESP32 | GPS built-in; 18650 holder |
| LilyGo T-Deck | ESP32-S3 | QWERTY + touchscreen standalone node |
| LilyGo T-Echo | nRF52840 | E-ink + GPS + NFC; ~850 mAh internal battery (~5 - 7 day runtime) |
| RAK4631 (WisBlock) | nRF52840 | Modular platform; DFU flashing |
| Wio Tracker L1 | nRF52840 | OLED + GPS; bare board |
| Wio Tracker L1 Lite | nRF52840 | Most affordable Wio option; includes L76K GPS (drops the OLED screen vs the standard L1, not GPS) |
| Wio Tracker L1 Pro | nRF52840 | Rugged enclosed, GPS, built-in battery |
| SenseCAP T1000-E | nRF52840 | Credit-card size, IP65, GPS; LR1110 radio |
| Station G2 | ESP32-S3 | High-power base station (SX1262 + 35 dBm PA + LNA, ~36.5 dBm US915 output). Note: 36.5 dBm conducted exceeds the US FCC Part 15.247 30 dBm conducted limit; full-power US use requires amateur Part 97. See Base Station Nodes. |
Firmware Variants
When flashing MeshCore you choose a firmware variant:
- Companion: Personal device that pairs with a phone app over BLE or USB.
- Repeater: Autonomous mesh relay node; no user interaction needed after setup.
- Room Server: Acts as a message store-and-forward hub for a channel.
nRF52 vs ESP32 Considerations
nRF52840-based devices (T-Echo, T114, RAK4631, Wio series, SenseCAP T1000-E) draw significantly less power than ESP32 equivalents, making them better suited for battery-critical deployments. The trade-off is a different flashing workflow: nRF52 devices typically use USB DFU with a double-tap reset (the UF2/USB DFU bootloader) rather than the BOOT-button (esptool) bootloader used on ESP32 boards. See the Meshtastic nRF52 flashing docs.
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