The best 10 LoRaWAN® Gateways selected by Technicians with 2 Decades of Experience

Finding a reliable, high-quality IoT LoRaWAN® gateway is difficult. 

You spend all this time finding a manufacturer, researching how they develop their gateways, trying to find the perfect one that fits your business, and then you decide to order the first 5 units. You test them, and… the problems begin. 

– Insufficient environmental protection. 

– 12 months and you have already had to schedule 2 maintenance visits. 

Why is that? 

Well, the market is big today. But choosing THE best gateway will get harder and harder as the market expands from $1,325 million in 2021 to over $4,200 million in 2030. 

That means the choices will be even greater. And so will the effort to select the best LoRaWAN® gateway in the field. 

Many players have a gateway to offer your company. But you don’t know which one will give you the best ROI. 

Yet you can make the best decision. You have to! Gateways are critical for any business or facility management organization that wants to keep up with the benefits of the IoT. 

And here’s the thing. Choosing the best IoT is not an easy task, so we’ve used our 20 years of experience to create this list of the best IoT LoRaWAN® gateways. You just need to read for a few minutes and the solution will be there. 

In this blog post, we want to help you choose the best IoT LoRaWAN® gateway so you don’t spend hours searching, calling, and sending emails that lead you to a gateway that doesn’t work properly. 

We’ll cover 10 gateways (5 indoor and 5 outdoor) that will help you with out-of-the-box deployment and carrier-grade design.

So, let’s pick the best! 

How to Choose the Best LoRaWAN® Gateways?

When considering LoRaWAN® gateways, prioritizing quality over price will be a long-term advantage. 

While cheap alternatives may seem the best choice, they reveal being very costly in the long term. 

Do you remember that time when you had to climb and replace that gateway after 7 months because it didn’t have a carrier-grade design? Well, that’s what we mean by “cheap alternatives”. 

Here’s why investing in top-quality IoT LoRaWAN® Gateways is important: 

– Reliability: Cheap getaways compromise on durability. While Best-in-class gateways ensure reliable service even under extreme conditions.

– Advanced Features: Extensive coverage, versatile performance options, or smooth onboarding processes. These are all things that top-tier gateways offer your business. Cheap alternatives don’t.

– Cost Efficiency: Deploying high-performance gateways reduces the total number for your network, cutting down on installation and operating expenses, lowering overall network costs. 

– Scalability: As your LoRaWAN® network grows, scalability is crucial. High-quality gateways from reputable manufacturers like TEKTELIC ensures seamless scalability and future-proofing for your infrastructure.

Feeling confident about your choice of LoRaWAN® gateway is crucial for the success of your industrial IoT project or any other.

But how can you be sure you’re making the right decision? It all comes down to understanding the key features you should focus on. 

Let’s see what you need to consider to ensure you’re choosing the perfect wireless gateway for your needs.

1. Coverage and Range: Ensure the gateway covers your desired area with adjustable power settings and antenna options.
2. Scalability: Select gateways that can seamlessly integrate additional devices as your network grows.
3. Reliability and Durability: Prioritize reliable gateways capable of withstanding harsh environments because they have been designed with the highest standards.
4. Security Features: Look for built-in security measures like data encryption and authentication protocols.
5. Ease of Deployment: Choose gateways with plug-and-play setup and remote management capabilities to simplify deployment.
6. Interoperability: Ensure compatibility with existing IoT devices and infrastructure.
7. Power Efficiency: Opt for power-efficient designs to prolong battery life for IoT devices.
8. Support and Maintenance: Consider if the provider offers technical support and regular updates.

Now that you understand the essential features of LoRaWAN® gateways, you can make an informed decision. 

But if you’re still unsure which gateway is right for you, don’t worry. We’ve created a list of the best and most reliable LoRa gateways, chosen by our technical expert with two decades of experience. 

Ready to explore some examples of gateways that can help your business with IoT? You’re in the right place!

Top 5 LoRaWAN® Gateways for Indoor Use 

Few points to lock after if you want to pick the best Indoor LoRaWAN Gateway: 

• Coverage and Range: An indoor gateway should provide sufficient coverage to ensure that all IoT devices within range can communicate. Bonus: Adjustable power settings and high-gain antennas to maximize range and coverage would be a plus.
• Connectivity Options: Versatility in connectivity is essential for integrating gateways into your existing network infrastructure. Choose gateways that support Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and cellular backhaul options for seamless connectivity and integration.
• Scalability and Manageability: As your IoT network grows, scalability and manageability become important factors. Choose gateways that offer easy scalability through cloud-based management platforms and support remote configuration and monitoring.

Now that you know the 3 features to lock after, let’s analyze the options that our experts found for you based on their 20 years of experience. 

1. TEKTELIC KONA Micro Gateway

KONA Micro gateway is a scalable 8-channel LoRaWAN® gateway built to deliver excellent performance indoor, meeting the highest industry standards. 

It ensures a smooth IoT connectivity in multiple environments as: 

• Facility management 
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Offices
• Retail 

Features:

• Deployable in a vast range of environments: You could deploy it from office spaces and educational campuses to industrial settings and retail locations. 
• Durability: KONA Micro is designed for 10+ Years of Operation in any indoor environment.
• Extensive indoor coverage: KONA Micro provides reliable LoRaWAN® connectivity to 3-4 stories in a concrete building, including below ground coverage and approximately 750m to 1km radius.
• Multiple power options: This gateway has an efficient 12VDC and PoE power solution with simplified installation and, is offering uninterrupted connectivity through a 4-6 hour battery backup during power outages.
• Easy to onboard: Can be set up in seconds by anyone, regardless of technical expertise, using the TEKTELIC LeapX application.
• Supports Remote Management: It uses TEKTELIC KONA ELEMENT OA&M to reduce operational costs and ensures optimal network availability through system upgrades, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting.

Pros of TEKTELIC KONA Micro Gateway:

• 4-6 hour battery backup
• Cellular and Ethernet Backhaul
• Dual Sim Support
• 10+ years of Operation
• Long range connectivity and deep indoor penetration
• Small Form factor
• Plug and Play Installation
• Can be Integrated with TEKTELIC or 3rd Party Network Servers.
• Supports Listen before Talk

Cons of TEKTELIC KONA Micro Gateway:

• No Wi-Fi Backhaul

Now that you have a good understanding of the advantages offered by the KONA Micro, let’s take a moment to see what our partners have to say about it and why they chose TEKTELIC solutions.

“Managing a commercial property is challenging. Effective collaboration among various stakeholders is essential to maintain a safe, clean, and profitable property. TEKTELIC’s flexible solution enables us to provide smart building insights and alerts that support every stakeholder in the property management ecosystem. This includes helping operations teams reduce the risk of floods, saving cleaning teams time and money through data-based cleaning, and assisting leadership teams in executing their sustainability strategy. TEKTELIC’s infrastructure allows us to offer a smart building solution for any challenge.”

– Adam Ludgate, Head of Technology & Co-Founder at cirkuit

2. Kerlink Wirnet iFemtoCell

The Wirnet iFemtoCell Gateway is a small-scale, indoor  LoRaWAN® gateway engineered for robust and reliable IoT connectivity within confined spaces.

Pros of Kerlink Wirnet iFemtoCell Gateway:

• Long range Indoor Coverage
• Recognized brand
• Ethernet Backhaul and Cellular Backhaul.

Cons of Kerlink Wirnet iFemtoCell Gateway:

• Larger size
• No Battery Backup
• No Dual Sim

3. RAKwireless Wisgate Edge Lite 2 Gateway

Compact, efficient, 8-channel gateway,upgraded for seamless LoRaWAN® connectivity in small to medium-scale IoT deployments.

Pros of RAKwireless Wisgate Edge Lite 2 Gateway:

• Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Cellular Backhaul
• Built-in Network Server, can integrate with both private (ChirpStack) and public (The Things Network) network servers

Cons of RAKwireless Wisgate Edge Lite 2 Gateway:

• No Battery Backup
• No Dual Sim

4. Milesight UG56 Indoor Gateway

The Milesight UG56 indoor gateway provides reliable connectivity and seamless integration for smart home and IoT devices.

Pros of Milesight UG56 Indoor Gateway:

• Ethernet, cellular (4G/3G) and Wi-Fi Backhaul (Match the text across the article)
• Compact Size

Cons of Milesight UG56 Indoor Gateway:

• Expensive
• No Dual SIM
• No Battery Backup

5. Browan Pico Next Gateway

Browan offers end-to-end LoRaWAN® technology-based solutions, enabling cost-effective connectivity for low-power sensors in challenging environments.

Pros of Browan Pico Next Gateway

• Supports LTE-M, Ethernet, 3G/4G and WiFi backhaul
• Support Listen Before Talk(LBT)
• External GPS Antenna

Cons of Browan Pico Next Gateway:

• Only supported in US and EU band
• No Dual SIM
• No Battery Backup

Top 5 LoRaWAN® Gateways for Outdoor Use

Outdoor could mean anything. From extremely hot to extremely cold. So carrier-grade design is critical when looking for an outdoor gateway that delivers the best performance and has a high durability. 

Carrier-grade gateways cost more, but they also result in lower total cost of ownership over their lifespan due to customized designs and reduced maintenance costs.

These carrier-grade gateways can:

• Ensure consistent coverage.
• Reduce interference signals.
• Ensure IoT network performance.

At TEKTELIC, our approach emphasizes high availability, reliability, security, and compliance with industry standards in our gateways. By choosing  a  carrier-grade standard, we ensure that our gateways deliver the best performance, even in the most demanding outdoor conditions.

You can also check our article on the 10 Best GPS Trackers For Trailers Chosen By Our Experts to explore top tracking solutions that complement our robust outdoor gateways.

When selecting an outdoor LoRaWAN® gateway, consider several key features:

1. Weatherproofing: Your gateway should be able to withstand harsh weather conditions like rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and humidity. TEKTELIC gateways, rated IP65 or higher, ensure they keep working reliably no matter how rough the weather gets. 
2. Temperature Range: Ensure that the gateway can operate within the temperature range of your region. Extreme temperatures can affect device performance, so choose a gateway with a wide operating temperature range for optimal reliability.
3. Mounting Options: Look for flexible mounting options to fit different installation scenarios, such as wall or pole mounting. The necessary hardware should be included or easily accessible to simplify deployment.
4. Antenna Options: Consider gateways with flexible antenna options to optimize signal strength and coverage. External antennas may be needed for outdoor environments, so choose a gateway that supports various antenna configurations and ensure correct outdoor antenna placement.
5. Power Supply: Outdoor gateways may not have easy access to power sources, so consider power options carefully. Solar power, battery backup, or Power over Ethernet (PoE) can provide reliable power in remote or off-grid locations, reducing the need for frequent battery replacements or reliance on grid power.
6. Enclosure Design: The design of the gateway enclosure is crucial for outdoor installations. TEKTELIC enclosures are robust, tamper-resistant, and UV-resistant, ensuring long-term durability and protection from damage.
7. Lightning Protection: Outdoor equipment is at risk of lightning strikes. Choose gateways with built-in lightning protection to safeguard against damage and ensure continuous operation during thunderstorms.
8. Remote Management Features: Since outdoor gateways are often deployed in remote locations, robust remote management capabilities are essential. TEKTELIC gateways enable remote configuration, monitoring, and firmware updates, allowing proactive maintenance and troubleshooting.
9. Compliance and Certifications: Ensure the gateway complies with relevant regulatory standards and certifications for outdoor use in your region. Compliance with standards like FCC, CE, and LoRa Alliance certification ensures interoperability and regulatory compliance.

Now let’s take a look at the outdoor gateways our experts have selected for you. 

1. TEKTELIC KONA Macro Outdoor Gateway

TEKTELIC outdoor LoRaWAN® gateways can be easily considered among the best worldwide. Our Gateways are being deployed globally in very challenging environments such as high in the Swiss alps, along coasts, in deserts and on towers in dense urban settings. TEKTELIC Gateways operate reliably in all of these deployments with optimal performance for over 10 years.

Features:

• Versatile Deployment: KONA Macro has a robust, carrier-grade, IP67-rated enclosure. It is designed to withstand extreme outdoor conditions, providing protection against dust and water. Operating between -40°C to +60°C, KONA Macro ensures reliability in any climate, from freezing cold to scorching heat.
• Carrier Grade Design: Hardware and software design ensure high network availability (5 9’s), reliability and scalability with the lowest Total Cost of Ownership to the operator.
• Lightning Protection: Integrated lightning protection shields against electrical surges from lightning strikes, minimizing downtime, preserving gateway integrity, and boosting network resilience for uninterrupted performance in adverse weather.
• Optimized Network Performance: The gateway features cavity bandpass filters to reduce interference from out-of-band signals, resulting in improved signal quality, packet reception, and overall network efficiency. With exceptional radio coverage and interference-free communication, it extends connectivity up to 25% further than other gateways, reducing the number of required gateways by around 50%.
• Optimized Mechanical Design: Designed for carrier-grade performance, featuring bottom-mounted antennas and connectors to reduce risks associated with wind damage, water ingress, debris accumulation, difficult installation and repair, and lightning exposure, ensuring optimal gateway performance and longevity.
• Easy to Deploy: Highly scalable and simple to install, KONA Macro can be onboarded in seconds by anyone, regardless of their technical expertise, using the TEKTELIC LeapX application.
• Easy to Monitor: Uses TEKTELIC KONA ELEMENT OA&M for remote gateway management, ensuring optimal network availability through system upgrades, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting. Minimized truck roll and site visits reduces the overall OPEX.

Pros of TEKTELIC KONA Macro Outdoor Gateway:

• Cavity bandpass filters to reduce interference from out-of-band signals
• Carrier Grade Design
• Integrated Lightning and Surge Protection, minimizing downtime and preventing damage
• Guaranteed high network availability (5 9’s), scalability, and reliability
• Integrated Cellular and GPS antenna’s
• Supports Full Duplex (FDD) Operation (where available), with simultaneous transmit and receive on all 16 channels
• Two Power Options (-48 VDC or POE)

Cons of TEKTELIC KONA Macro Outdoor Gateway:

• Premium gateway products may not be suitable for deployments requiring low-cost infrastructure.

Now that you have a good understanding of the advantages offered by the KONA Macro, let’s take a moment to see what our partners have to say about it and why they chose TEKTELIC gateways.

Recently, our partners at Unis Telekom deployed a LoRaWAN network in Bosnia and Herzegovina using carrier-grade KONA Macro gateways.Take a moment to review their feedback:

“It was a pleasure working with TEKTELIC on the smart lighting solution in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Using their Carrier Grade KONA Macro gateways, we achieved seamless connectivity and real-time control of the city’s street lighting. This greatly improved the energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs. Plus, with fewer gateways needed to cover the same area, we anticipate significantly lower ongoing operating costs.”

Branko Senkic, Project manager at UNIS Telekom

2. RAKwireless Wisgate Edge Pro Gateway

A robust and advanced solution for outdoor IoT deployments, offering enhanced performance and reliability.

Pros of RAKwireless Wisgate Edge Pro Gateway:

• Available in 8 or 16 channels
• Supports Ethernet, WiFi and Cellular backhaul
• Low Cost

Cons of RAKwireless Wisgate Edge Pro Gateway:

• No Integrated surge protection, recommends External Surge protector
• Antennas and Connectors at the Top or Side of the Gateway provides greater exposure to water ingress
• Humidity 20-80%, does not meet IP67 requirements

3. Kerlink Wirnet iBTS Gateway

The Wirnet iBTS gateways are robust, performance, industrial and highly scalable outdoor LoRaWAN gateways for smart IoT networks.

Pros of Kerlink Wirnet iBTS Gateway:

• Well recognized brand
• Designed for harsh environment
• Easy to Operate

Cons of Kerlink Wirnet iBTS Gateway:

• No Integrated surge protection, recommends External Surge protector
• Antennas and Connectors at the Top or Side of the Gateway provides greater exposure to water ingress
• 8-Channel Gateway
• PoE – One power option

4. Milesight UG67 Outdoor Gateway

Milesight UG67 Gateway is a robust LoRaWAN® gateway designed for outdoor deployments.

Pros of Milesight UG67 Outdoor Gateway:

• Supports Ethernet, Cellular and Wi-Fi Backhaul
• Two External LoRa Antennas
• Supports Embedded Network Server

Cons of Milesight UG67 Outdoor Gateway:

• 8-Channel Gateway
• Requires External Lightning and Surge protection
• Antennas and Connectors at the Top or Side of the Gateway provides greater exposure to water ingress

5. Multitech Conduit 300 Gateway

It is a rugged and versatile solution for IoT deployments, designed to provide reliable connectivity in challenging outdoor environments.

Pros of Multitech Conduit 300 Gateway:

• High Security Hardware
• Supports Embedded Network server
• Multiple power and backhaul options available

Cons of Multitech Conduit 300 Gateway:

• Expensive
• Antennas and Connectors at the Top or Side of the Gateway provides greater exposure to water ingress
• Requires External Lightning and Surge Protection

LoRaWAN® Gateway Use Case Examples

Smart Lightning Solution with KONA Macro Outdoor LoRaWAN® Gateway

Partner: Unis Telekom

Location: Bosnia & Herzegovina

Unis Telekom, increased the efficiency of street lighting in Bosnia & Herzegovina by using TEKTELIC’s KONA Macro gateways. The carrier grade design and high quality hardware increased the energy efficiency of many cities in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Previously, the inability to adjust lighting based on real-time factors resulted in unnecessary energy waste and high operating costs. The KONA Macro gateway combined with a LoRaWAN network has created an intelligent street lighting solution that reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs while increasing public safety and improving urban aesthetics.

Smart Building Solution with KONA Micro Indoor LoRaWAN® Gateway

Partner: cirkuit

Location: Canada

Many building managers face issues like leaks, poor air quality, and high maintenance costs because they can’t monitor things in real time. To fix this, cirkuit selected KONA Micro gateways to create a LoRaWAN® network. Together with TEKTELIC sensors and Cirkuit’s IoT platform, they send instant alerts about problems like leaks and temperature changes. This happens even if the power goes out, thanks to KONA Micro’s ‘Always On’ connectivity and battery backup. This helps save money on repairs, prevents major issues, improves tenant comfort, and makes the building run smoother.

Ready to Deploy the Best LoRaWAN® Gateway?

With over two decades of expertise in IoT solutions and a global network of over 400 satisfied clients, we are renowned for producing top-quality products and delivering unparalleled support to our partners. 

At TEKTELIC, we’re here to make your IoT projects a success. Let us be your trusted partner on this journey.

FAQs About LoRaWAN® Gateways

What is the best gateway for LoRaWAN®?

The best gateway for LoRaWAN® depends on your specific project requirements and environmental conditions. TEKTELIC offers a range of high-quality gateways designed for various applications. For more information contact our experts: info@tektelic.com

How do I choose a LoRaWAN® gateway?

When choosing a LoRaWAN® gateway, consider factors such as coverage area, scalability, durability, and compatibility with your existing infrastructure. Also, evaluating the benefits of LoRaWAN® technology can help you understand its advantages for your project. TEKTELIC’s team can provide expert guidance to help you make the right choice.

What is the difference between LoRa gateway and LoRaWAN® gateway?

A LoRa gateway is a physical device that receives and transmits LoRa signals, while a LoRaWAN® gateway is a specific type of LoRa gateway that is compatible with the LoRaWAN® protocol for long-range, low-power wireless communication.

Do you need a gateway for LoRaWAN® network?

Yes, a gateway is essential for establishing a LoRaWAN® network. Gateways receive data from LoRa devices and forward it to the network server for processing and analysis. Utilizing wireless connectivity, these gateways play a critical role in enabling efficient and effective communication within the network.