XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 Kit: The Cheapest Meshtastic Node!
The XIAO ESP32S3 and Wio-SX1262 Kit by Seeed Studio is the most affordable Meshtastic node available. Powered by the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, it offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. The kit boasts an incredibly small form factor, making it highly portable, and its support for expansion boards adds exceptional customizability. Included are compact antennas, and everything is plug-and-play—no soldering required, even for adding sensors or GPS!
Discount Code: UN3UEC4G
Let’s explore how this kit performs and why it’s an exciting option for both beginners and advanced users in the Meshtastic and IoT space.
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The unboxing experience was genuinely surprising—the size of the board is shockingly small! It comes packaged in a simple plastic bag, and here’s what’s included:
- XIAO ESP32S3
- Wio-SX1262 extension board
- Wi-Fi antenna
- LoRa antenna
A couple of things to watch out for during setup:
- Identifying the antennas: It’s easy to confuse which antenna is which. The narrow antenna is for LoRa, while the wider one is for Wi-Fi. Be gentle when attaching them, as the board’s U.FL can be damaged if handled roughly.
- Connecting the two boards: At first glance, the pin alignment might make you think soldering is required. However, the Wio-SX1262 board uses a proprietary connector that snaps onto the XIAO ESP32S3. The LoRa board should be placed on top, and don’t forget to peel off the tape cover underneath it before securing the connection. This step is crucial, as the connection can easily come loose without the tape holding it firmly in place.
- USB Type-C cable not included: The kit does not include a USB Type-C cable, so you’ll need to provide one yourself to power the board and handle flashing.
With these considerations in mind, the setup process is straightforward and hassle-free.
Flashing The XIAO ESP32S3
Flashing the XIAO ESP32S3 is incredibly straightforward, following the standard procedure for ESP32 devices:
- Connect the Device: Use a USB Type-C cable that supports data transfer to connect the node to your computer.
- Visit the Flasher Tool: Open Meshtastic Flasher.
- Select Your Device: From the device list, choose Seeed Xiao ESP32-S3.
- Choose Firmware: Select your preferred firmware version and click on Flash.
- Review Changelog: The tool will display a changelog—click Continue.
- Perform Full Erase: For the best results, select Full Erase and Install, then click Update.
- Reboot: Once the node reboots, it’s ready to pair.
Pairing the Device
Pairing the XIAO ESP32S3 with the Meshtastic app is as simple as with any other Meshtastic node:
- Download the Meshtastic App: Available on both the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).
- Bluetooth Pairing: Open the Meshtastic app and navigate to the Bluetooth page. Wait a moment for your XIAO ESP32S3 to appear in the list of available devices. It will display a Node ID and additional details in the app.
- Enter Pairing Code: Select the XIAO ESP32S3 from the list and enter the pairing code 123456 when prompted. If it’s not 123456, check the terminal output after flashing to find the correct pairing code.
- Set Region: After pairing, you’ll be prompted to select your region. Choose EU868 or the appropriate setting for your location. The node will restart to apply the region settings.
Key Features
The XIAO ESP32S3 with Wio-SX1262 offers the standard features you’d expect from a basic ESP32-based Meshtastic node. As the name suggests, it features the ESP32 microcontroller, the latest SX1262 LoRa chip, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
Expandability
Other than the price, the XIAO ESP32S3 stands out because of its support for expansion boards. Seeed Studio offers two great options: the Grove Base for XIAO ($3.90) and the Expansion Board Base for XIAO ($14.90). Adding these boards is super easy—just line up the pins with the USB Type-C port facing out, press it into place, and you’re done.
- Grove Base for XIAO ($3.90):
This is the cheapest option and works as an expansion board with eight Grove connectors for Seeed Studio’s plug-and-play sensors and modules. It supports both I²C and UART and even includes an integrated BMS for connecting a battery. - Expansion Board Base for XIAO ($14.90):
This board comes packed with features like an OLED display, a JST 2.0mm battery connector (no soldering needed!), two UARTs, two I²C interfaces, a buzzer, and a BMS. It also includes other cool features that Meshtastic isn’t fully utilizing yet.
Adding sensors or modules is as simple as it gets. For example, to add a temperature sensor like the Grove Barometer Sensor BMP280, just connect it to the I²C connector on the board (the one marked with SDA and SCL), enable telemetry in Meshtastic, and you’re done. The same process applies to UART modules or sensors—just assign the pins that match on the board.
The great thing about this setup is that there’s no soldering, no searching for the correct pins, and no manual wiring. Just plug in the module, set your pins, and you’re ready to go! It’s exactly the same process we’ve explained in our other blogs, but here it’s even easier thanks to the Grove connectors.
The best part about these expansion boards is how they keep the XIAO ESP32S3 itself affordable while allowing you to add more features as needed. Seeed Studio’s ecosystem makes this even better with their Grove connectors that literally make sensors and modules plug-and-play. You can explore all the compatible modules here.
Performance
This is where the XIAO ESP32S3 left quite a bit to be desired, but it’s understandable since this product seems more aimed at being a development board or indoor node rather than a long-range communication device like the SenseCAP T1000-E. (More on the that later.)
In our range tests, the XIAO ESP32S3 didn’t come close to matching the T1000-E. In the same dense city environment where the T1000-E managed an impressive 2 km, the XIAO ESP32S3 topped out at around 500 meters. Even with the aftermarket antenna from Seeed Studio (External Antenna 868-915MHz 2dBi), the results weren’t any better.
Indoors, the range also showed its limitations. Signal strength dropped to about 80% just from one room to another using the standard antenna. If you’re hoping for long-range performance, you’ll definitely need a proper aftermarket antenna.
That said, the XIAO ESP32S3 does have a u.FL (IPEX) connector, making antenna upgrades super easy. This is a huge advantage over the T1000-E, where swapping antennas is impossible.
We get that Seeed Studio had to cut costs to keep the board affordable, but here’s the thing—they already have a fantastic antenna that performed amazingly on the SenseCAP T1000-E. So why not just include it here? It feels like a missed opportunity, especially for users who might want to push the limits of this board’s LoRa capabilities.
Pricing
One of the standout features of this kit is its affordable price of $9.95, making it one of the cheapest options for setting up a Meshtastic node. When compared to similar devices like the Heltec V3, priced at around $21, the XIAO ESP32S3 offers a highly competitive price point.
Some might argue that the Heltec V3 includes a screen, which the XIAO ESP32S3 lacks out of the box. However, even after adding the Expansion Board Base for XIAO, which includes a screen, the total cost comes to about $25. Yes, it’s a few dollars more than the Heltec V3, but the added features make it worth the investment. The Grove connector ecosystem is a huge advantage, providing reliable, secure connections for sensors and modules, unlike pin headers that can come loose or require soldering skills.
That said, the Grove system does come with some drawbacks. Grove-compatible sensors and modules are often pricier. For example, the Grove BME280 sensor (available here) costs nearly $19, while you can find equivalent sensors for much less on sites like AliExpress.
Thankfully, the XIAO ESP32S3 isn’t locked into Grove-specific hardware. If you’re comfortable with DIY wiring, you can use a cheaper BME280 module with this board, and it’ll work just fine.
The entry price of the XIAO ESP32S3 is incredibly attractive, especially for beginners. While the long-term costs might add up if you stick to Grove modules, the ease of use and plug-and-play functionality justify the expense. For those seeking convenience and reliability over raw savings, the Grove ecosystem, paired with the XIAO ESP32S3, is a worthwhile choice.
Use Cases
Given its price, range, customizability, and compact form factor, we believe the XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 is designed more for indoor base station setups or as a development board. Seeed Studio even offers an expansion board with a relay to trigger external devices.
That’s not to say you can’t use it for long-range communication—you absolutely can, especially if you upgrade the antenna. However, this really comes down to your budget. If you’re willing to spend more.
That being said, the XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 isn’t a bad device by any means. It’s only $9, and its goal is to be budget-friendly rather than to deliver the best performance. Want better range? Upgrade the antenna. Need GPS? Add it. Want a screen? Buy the expansion board.
The XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 is an excellent option for indoor or close-proximity use without any modifications—or with minimal upgrades that won’t break the bank. With a bit more investment, it can be transformed into an all-in-one node, outdoor long-range device, or even a tracker. It all comes down to how much you’re willing to spend and what you want to add to it.
Final Thoughts
The XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 Kit is an excellent starting point for anyone getting into Meshtastic or LoRa projects. It’s affordable, highly customizable, and at just $9, it’s hard to beat if you want to try out Meshtastic without breaking the bank. Plus, you can always expand later by adding sensors, modules, or upgrading the antenna.
Compared to something like the SenseCap T1000E, which performs great right out of the box but costs $40 and offers almost no customization, the XIAO ESP32S3 gives you way more flexibility. Sure, it’s not perfect—like most ESP32-based devices, it’s power-hungry, so if battery life is your priority, you might want to look at a DIY nRF52 or the RAK WisBlock Kit instead.
In the end, the XIAO ESP32S3 & Wio-SX1262 Kit is a great budget-friendly option for indoor or short-range setups. It’s not the best for long-range use out of the box, but with a few upgrades, it can hold its own. If you’re into customizing and building something tailored to your needs, this kit is an awesome place to start.