The Heltec WiFi LoRa 32 V3 is the most popular Meshtastic board ever made. Millions of mesh nodes around the world run on it. So when Heltec released the V4, a board that looks almost identical, the obvious question became: is the V4 worth the upgrade, or is the V3 still the better buy?
We sell both at Hexaspot, so we'll walk you through every meaningful difference and help you decide which one makes sense for your setup.
The Short Answer
If you're buying your first board today and the price difference doesn't bother you: get the V4. It's better in every measurable way and costs only a few euros more. If you're deploying multiple nodes on a budget or expanding an existing V3 setup: the V3 is still excellent and will serve you well.
Full Comparison
| WiFi LoRa 32 V3 | WiFi LoRa 32 V4 | |
|---|---|---|
| MCU | ESP32-S3FN8 | ESP32-S3 |
| Flash | 8 MB | 16 MB |
| PSRAM | — | 2 MB |
| LoRa chip | SX1262 | SX1262 |
| Transmit power | ~20 dBm | 28±1 dBm |
| PCB | 4-layer, lead-free | 6-layer, immersion gold |
| Pin plating | Silver | Gold |
| 2.4 GHz antenna (WiFi/BLE) | Spring antenna | Built-in LDS antenna |
| LoRa antenna | IPEX (U.FL) | IPEX (U.FL) |
| Display | 0.96" OLED (128×64) | 0.96" OLED (128×64) |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | BLE 5.0 | BLE 5.0 |
| USB | Type-C | Type-C |
| Battery connector | SH1.25-2 | SH1.25-2 |
| Solar input | — | Yes (dedicated connector) |
| GPS | No | No |
| Size & pinout | Identical — drop-in compatible | |
| Meshtastic support | All versions | Requires ≥2.7.20 |
| MeshCore support | Yes | Yes (dedicated V4.3 build) |
| Operating temp | -20°C to +70°C | -20°C to +70°C |
Transmit Power: The Biggest Difference
This is the upgrade that matters most. The V3 outputs around 20 dBm. The V4 pushes 28±1 dBm, that's roughly 6× more radiated power. In practical terms, this means noticeably more range, especially on longer paths where the signal is marginal.
To put this in perspective: a 6 dB increase in transmit power has a similar effect on link budget as upgrading from a stock rubber antenna to a decent 6 dBi outdoor antenna. The V4 gives you that boost before you even touch the antenna.
Does this mean the V4 always reaches further? Not necessarily range depends on antenna, terrain, elevation, and the receiving device's sensitivity. But all else being equal, the V4 will consistently outperform the V3 on range.
PCB Quality: More Than Cosmetic
The V4 uses a 6-layer PCB with immersion gold plating, compared to the V3's 4-layer lead-free board. This isn't just a manufacturing flex, it has real effects:
- Better ground plane — more copper layers means a more complete ground reference for the RF circuitry. This reduces noise and improves LoRa signal quality.
- Cleaner RF path — the extra layers allow better isolation between the LoRa transceiver, WiFi/BLE antenna, and digital circuits. Less interference = cleaner signal.
- Immersion gold — gold plating on traces and pads offers better conductivity, oxidation resistance, and solderability than the V3's silver plating. This matters for long-term reliability, especially in humid environments.
Will you notice this in everyday use? Probably not for a single node. But if you're deploying nodes outdoors for months or years, the V4's build quality provides better long-term reliability.
Memory and Storage
The V4 doubles the flash to 16 MB and adds 2 MB PSRAM. For current Meshtastic and MeshCore firmware, the V3's 8 MB flash is sufficient. But more memory means more room for future firmware features, larger message buffers, and custom applications. If you're developing your own firmware or running more complex projects, the extra memory is a genuine advantage.
Solar Input
The V4 adds a dedicated solar panel input connector, the V3 doesn't have this. If you're planning a solar-powered node (outdoor repeater, weather station, remote sensor), the V4 simplifies the power design significantly. No need for external charge controllers or wiring hacks.
WiFi/Bluetooth Antenna
The V3 uses a spring antenna for WiFi and Bluetooth. The V4 replaces this with an LDS (laser direct structuring) antenna built into the PCB. The LDS antenna is more compact and consistent in performance, though in practice most users won't notice a meaningful difference in Bluetooth range or WiFi connectivity.
Firmware Compatibility
The V3 works with every version of Meshtastic and MeshCore firmware ever released. The V4, being newer hardware, requires:
- Meshtastic ≥ 2.7.20
- MeshCore: dedicated V4.3 firmware build
Both are available via the web flashers. This isn't a problem in practice — just make sure you flash the correct firmware for your board. The web flashers detect the board automatically.
Case Compatibility
Because the V3 and V4 share the same dimensions and pinout, most V3 cases and enclosures also fit the V4. However, due to some GPIO layout changes and the different 2.4 GHz antenna design, not all third-party accessories are 100% backward compatible. If you have a specific case in mind, check whether the manufacturer has confirmed V4 support.
When to Buy the V3
- Budget is the priority. The V3 is a few euros cheaper — and when you're buying 5 or 10 nodes, that adds up.
- You're adding to an existing V3 fleet. Keeping the same hardware across your deployment simplifies management and troubleshooting.
- You don't need solar. If the node will be USB-powered at home, the V4's solar connector is irrelevant.
- You want maximum firmware compatibility. The V3 runs every firmware version. The V4 needs recent builds.
When to Buy the V4
- You're buying your first board. No reason to start on older hardware when the upgrade is this affordable.
- Range matters. The 27 dBm transmit power gives you significantly more reach before you even upgrade the antenna.
- You're building a solar-powered node. The dedicated solar connector makes outdoor deployments much simpler.
- You want future-proofing. More flash, more RAM, better PCB quality, and ongoing firmware optimisation for the V4 platform.
- You're building a base station. A home node that stays plugged in benefits most from the V4's extra transmit power — it reaches further for every device on the mesh.
What About the Wireless Tracker V2?
If you need built-in GPS, neither the V3 nor V4 will do — they don't have a GNSS chip. For that, check the Heltec Wireless Tracker V2. It uses the same ESP32-S3 + SX1262 platform as the V4 (including 28 dBm transmit power), but adds a UC6580 multi-constellation GPS module and a colour TFT display. It's the right choice for GPS tracking projects, mobile mesh nodes, and asset monitoring.
What About RAKwireless?
Both the V3 and V4 are ESP32-based boards. If you prioritise battery life over WiFi connectivity, consider nRF52-based alternatives like the WisMesh Pocket V2 (€99) — a complete ready-to-use Meshtastic handheld with 3–5 days of battery life, GPS, display, and external SMA antenna connector. Many users combine both: a Heltec V3 or V4 as a home base station, and a WisMesh Pocket V2 in their pocket.
Read our full comparison: Meshtastic vs MeshCore Explained.
The Verdict
The V3 is still a great board. It's not suddenly obsolete because the V4 exists. If you already have V3 nodes, there's no urgent reason to replace them.
But if you're buying new today, the V4 is the better choice. More transmit power, better PCB quality, solar input, more memory and the price difference is small enough that it makes no sense to buy the older model unless you're specifically scaling on a tight budget.
Both are in stock at Hexaspot with same-day EU shipping.
Heltec Wireless Tracker V2 (met GPS) →
Hexaspot is an authorised Heltec and RAKwireless dealer based in the Netherlands. We ship across the EU and Norway with same-day dispatch on weekday orders before 14:00. All devices operate on the EU868 frequency band — licence-free and legal across Europe.
Last updated: April 2026.
