Heltec Automation builds some of the most popular LoRa development boards in the Meshtastic and MeshCore ecosystem. Known for excellent value, integrated displays, and reliable LoRa performance, Heltec boards are a favourite among hobbyists, makers, and professionals building mesh networks, IoT sensor nodes, and off-grid communication systems.
All Heltec products at Hexaspot ship same-day from the Netherlands on weekday orders before 14:00. EU868 compatible — licence-free across Europe.
Which Heltec Board Is Right for You?
Device
MCU
LoRa
Display
GPS
Best for
WiFi LoRa 32 V3
ESP32-S3
SX1262
0.96" OLED
No
The #1 entry-level Meshtastic board. WiFi + BLE + LoRa. Lowest price, huge community support. Ideal for home nodes, repeaters on mains power, and learning.
WiFi LoRa 32 V4
ESP32-S3
SX1262
0.96" OLED
No
Next-gen V3. Same pinout, but with 27 dBm transmit power, 6-layer PCB, and immersion gold process. More range, better RF — drop-in V3 upgrade.
Wireless Tracker V2
ESP32-S3
SX1262
0.96" colour TFT
Yes (UC6580)
Built-in GPS with multi-constellation support. Colour LCD. 28 dBm transmit power. The go-to board for GPS tracking projects, asset monitoring, and mobile mesh nodes.
V3 vs V4 — What's the Difference?
The V4 is the direct successor to the V3. Same size, same pinout, same ESP32-S3 + SX1262 combination. The key upgrades are under the hood: the V4 delivers 27 dBm transmit power (vs ~20 dBm on V3), uses a 6-layer PCB with immersion gold process for better signal integrity, and has a built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna instead of a spring antenna. If you're starting fresh, go V4. If you already have V3 projects, the V4 is a drop-in replacement.
Why Choose Heltec?
Best value in Meshtastic — Heltec boards are the most affordable way to get on the mesh. Ideal for beginners, for deploying multiple nodes, or for projects where budget matters.
Integrated display — every board includes a built-in screen. See messages, battery status, and signal info without needing a phone.
WiFi connectivity — unlike nRF52-based boards, Heltec ESP32 boards have built-in WiFi. Useful for MQTT gateways, web configuration, and hybrid mesh-to-internet setups.
Massive community — the Heltec V3 is the most-used Meshtastic board worldwide. Any problem you encounter, someone has solved it before.
Arduino & PlatformIO compatible — full development environment for custom firmware projects.
Heltec vs RAKwireless — How Do They Compare?
We sell both Heltec and RAKwireless devices. Here's how to choose:
Heltec (V3 / V4 / Tracker)
RAKwireless (WisMesh / WisBlock)
Chipset
ESP32-S3 (WiFi + BLE + LoRa)
nRF52840 (BLE + LoRa, no WiFi)
Power consumption
Higher — better for mains-powered nodes
Ultra-low — best for battery and solar
Battery life
1–2 days typical
3–7 days typical
WiFi
Yes
No
Price
Lower — best value entry point
Higher — premium build quality
Best for
Home nodes, dev projects, MQTT gateways, budget builds
Handhelds, solar repeaters, daily carry, long-term deployments
Many users own both. A Heltec V3 or V4 as a home base station, and a WisMesh Pocket V2 for on-the-go. They communicate seamlessly on the same mesh.
All Boards Work with Meshtastic & MeshCore
Every Heltec board we sell is fully supported by both Meshtastic and MeshCore firmware. Flash via the web flasher in your browser — no command line, no programming skills. Switch between firmwares whenever you want.
