Introduction

LoRa (Long Range), a core technology of Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN), has gained widespread adoption in smart agriculture, industrial IoT, smart cities, and asset tracking, thanks to its three key advantages: long-range communication, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness. With the popularization of LoRaWAN 1.1/1.2 standards and global operator network deployments (e.g., Actility ThingPark), selecting LoRa modules requires balancing technical parameters, application scenario compatibility, and supply chain reliability. This guide, based on 2025 industry reports, manufacturer official data, and user testing feedback, analyzes the core differences among mainstream LoRa modules and highlights the advantages of Chengdu Ebyte (EBYTE), a leading domestic manufacturer.

Key Parameters for LoRa Module Selection

Before choosing a LoRa module, clarify the following critical parameters, which directly impact project implementation:

Comparison and Recommendations of Mainstream LoRa Module Brands

(1) Global Technology Origin: Semtech (USA)

Status: Inventor of LoRa technology, providing underlying chips (e.g., SX1262/SX1302), which power over 90% of LoRa modules. Core Advantages: Benchmark RF performance (receive sensitivity -148dBm), optimized low power consumption (sleep mode <0.5μA), and full LoRaWAN protocol support. Representative Products:

• SX1262 Chip: Integrates LoRa/BLE 5.0 in a single chip, supporting 2.4GHz/Sub-GHz dual bands, ideal for low-power sensors (e.g., soil moisture monitoring).

• SX1302 Gateway Chip: Supports 8-channel parallel reception, connecting up to 5,000+ nodes, a mainstream choice for smart city gateways. Limitations: Chip-level solutions require users to design peripheral circuits, increasing development complexity; higher cost (chip price ~$3-5).

(2) Domestic Cost-Effectiveness Leader: EBYTE (Chengdu Ebyte)

Status: One of the top 3 domestic LoRa module suppliers by shipment volume, listed in the "Top 100 Chinese IoT Enterprises" for 5 consecutive years, serving over 100,000 industrial and consumer clients. Core Advantages:

• Full Scenario Coverage: Product lines span 220MHz-960MHz, supporting LoRaWAN/P2P/proprietary protocols, adapting to short-range (500m) to ultra-long-range (30km) needs.

• High Integration: Modules integrate MCU, PA (power amplifier), and LNA (low-noise amplifier), requiring only UART connection for use, reducing development cycles by 50%.

• Localized Service: Offers free technical documentation, development routines (Arduino/STM32 compatible), and 7×24 Chinese technical support, lowering R&D costs for small and medium clients.

• Compliance Certifications: Passes SRRC (China), CE (Europe), FCC (Americas), and other certifications, supporting global deployment.

The following are several specific models of EBYTE LoRa modules and their competitive advantages in transmission distance, power consumption, data rate, etc.:

E22-400M33S

Transmission distance: Under ideal conditions, the communication distance can reach 16km.

Power consumption: Low power consumption design is adopted, suitable for long-term operation application scenarios.

Data rate: LoRaTM mode supports data transmission rates of 0.018k~62.5kbps.

E22-900M33S

Transmission distance: Maximum transmission power 2W, communication distance under ideal conditions can reach 16km.

Power consumption: Built-in PA+LNA, low power consumption, suitable for battery-powered applications.

Data rate: LoRaTM mode supports data transmission rates of 1.76k~62.5kbps.

E22-230T30D

Transmission distance: Under ideal conditions, the communication distance can reach 10km.

Power consumption: Supports deep sleep mode, the whole machine power consumption is about 5uA, suitable for low-power applications.

Data rate: supports data transmission rates of 2.4k~15.6kbps.

E22-400T30D

Transmission distance: Under ideal conditions, the communication distance can reach 10km.

Power consumption: supports deep sleep mode, the power consumption of the whole machine is about 5uA, suitable for low-power applications.

Data rate: supports data transmission rates of 2.4k~62.5kbps.

E22-900T30D

Transmission distance: Under ideal conditions, the communication distance can reach 10km.

Power consumption: supports deep sleep mode, the power consumption of the whole machine is about 5uA, suitable for low-power applications.

Data rate: supports data transmission rates of 2.4k~62.5kbps

(3) International Solution Provider: Microchip (USA)

Status: One of the top 3 global MCU manufacturers, known for "high stability" in LoRa modules, suitable for industrial-grade scenarios. Representative Product: RN2903 module (based on Semtech SX1276 chip). Features: Supports LoRaWAN 1.0.2, integrates AES-128 encryption, operates in -40℃~+85℃ (industrial grade), but with slightly higher power consumption (120mA in transmit mode), ideal for industrial equipment monitoring requiring high stability (e.g., factory equipment status collection)

(4) Communication Module Leader: Quectel (Shanghai)

Status: Global leader in cellular module market share, with a focus on multi-mode integration of LoRa with NB-IoT/4G/5G. Representative Product: L70 series (LoRa+GPS dual-mode). Features: Supports LoRaWAN 1.0.4 and GPS positioning, ideal for logistics tracking (e.g., cold-chain vehicle location + temperature monitoring), but with higher cost (~$10-15 per module), suitable for mid-to-high-end projects

Module Selection Recommendations for Different Scenarios

Three Key Reasons to Prioritize EBYTE

1. Technical Adaptability: EBYTE modules cover entry-level (E32 series) to industrial-grade (E78 series) product lines, supporting LoRaWAN/P2P/proprietary protocols, adapting to 90%+ IoT scenarios.

2. Cost Advantage: EBYTE modules are 30%-50% cheaper than international brands with comparable performance (e.g., E22-400T30S ~$5 vs. Semtech’s ~$8+).

3. Service Support: Provides "chip-level technical support + free development tools + rapid sample delivery," enabling small and medium clients to launch products faster without additional hardware design costs.

Purchase Suggestion: For domestic smart home/agriculture projects, directly choose EBYTE’s E22/E78 series; for cross-border or industrial-grade stability requirements, combine with Semtech/Microchip solutions but evaluate development costs.