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What WiFi and BLE Range Can I Expect?

This is a tough question to answer as there are so many external factors that can affect WiFi & BLE radio performance, including the construction of the building you are in, your network layout, power or RF noise in your area and where you are placing your board.

Factors Affecting Performance​

Several variables influence radio transmission distance:

  • Building construction materials
  • Network layout and positioning
  • RF interference in the surrounding area
  • Board placement location
  • Device orientation
  • Whether the board is in a breadboard
  • Proximity of wires from other modules near the antenna

Solutions for Extended Range​

For projects requiring longer-distance radio communication, Unexpected Maker offers u.FL connector versions of their ESP32-S3 boards and TinyPICO devices. These allow you to add an external antenna, that's larger and supports a higher gain, so you can transmit and receive over a much longer distance.

WiFi Distance and Stability Tips​

The native USB can interfere with the radio on channels below 6 on ESP32-S3 boards. Recommendations include:

  • If using the board as a WiFi access point, set the channel to 6 or above
  • If connecting to a WiFi router, configure the router's channel to 6 or higher for improved performance

Last Updated: August 24, 2023