LoRa/LoRaWAN sensor manufacturer ecosystem
The LoRa and LoRaWAN sensor market currently boasts more than 200 global manufacturers offering solutions for all sectors of activity. These manufacturers operate in various segments: generic multi-use sensors, specialized business solutions, or OEM modules for integrators.
Choosing the right manufacturer is crucial to the success of an IoT project. Consideration should be given to product quality, catalog breadth, technical support, certifications, company longevity, and the associated software ecosystem.
Growing market
+45% annual growth, 2 billion sensors in 2025
Large selection
More than 500 sensor references available
Competitive prices
From €15 for the LoRaWAN sensor
Standardization
LoRa Alliance Interoperability Guaranteed
Certifications
CE, FCC, IC for global deployment
Technical support
Project integration support
Top 10 LoRaWAN sensor manufacturers
🏆 1. Milesight IoT
Country: China | Founded: 2011
- Catalog: 50+ LoRaWAN sensors
- Specialties: Environment, smart building
- Strengths: Quality/price, technical support
- Certifications: CE, FCC, IC, RCM
- Price: €25-120 depending on the sensor
🥈 2. Dragino Technology
Country: China | Founded: 2013
- Catalog: 40+ sensors + gateways
- Specialties: Agriculture, industry
- Strengths: Innovation, competitive prices
- Certifications: CE, FCC
- Price: €15-80 depending on the sensor
🥉 3. Elsys
Country: Sweden | Founded: 1989
- Catalog: 30+ premium sensors
- Specialties: Environment, cold chain
- Strengths: Nordic quality, autonomy
- Certifications: CE, FCC, IP67
- Price: €45-180 depending on the sensor
4. Decentlab
Country: Switzerland | Founded: 2017
- Catalog: 25+ scientific sensors
- Specialties: Research, environmental monitoring
- Strengths: Precision, durability
- Certifications: CE, IP67, -40°C +60°C
- Price: €150-500 depending on the sensor
5. Browan Communications
Country: Taiwan | Founded: 1999
- Catalog: 35+ sensors + gateways
- Specialties: Smart city, tracking
- Strengths: Robustness, certifications
- Certifications: CE, FCC, IC, TELEC
- Price: €30-150 depending on the sensor
6. Laird Connectivity
Country: USA/UK | Founded: 1824
- Catalog: 20+ enterprise sensors
- Specialties: Industry 4.0, health
- Strengths: US support, security
- Certifications: All global areas
- Price: €80-300 depending on the sensor
LoRa/LoRaWAN Sensor Categories
Environmental sensors
- Temperature/Humidity: ±0.1°C, ±2% RH
- Air quality: CO2, VOCs, PM2.5, PM10
- Pressure: Atmospheric, differential
- Brightness: Lux, UV, infrared
- Noise: Sound level meters dB(A)
- Radiation: UV, gamma
Applications: Smart buildings, weather, compliance
Industrial sensors
- Vibrations: 3-axis accelerometers
- Current: Current clamps
- Level: Ultrasonic, laser
- Flow rate: Fluids, gases
- Pressure: Industrial processes
- Temperature: -200°C to +1000°C
Applications: Predictive maintenance, processes
Agricultural sensors
- Soil: Moisture, pH, NPK
- Weather: Complete stations
- Irrigation: Pressure, flow
- Livestock: Animal tracking
- Greenhouses: CO2, temperature
- Storage: Silos, cold rooms
Applications: Precision farming, traceability
Safety sensors
- Detection: PIR, radar, magnetic
- Opening: Doors, windows
- Smoke: Optical, ionization
- Gas: CO, CH4, H2S
- Water: Leaks, flooding
- Buttons: Emergency call
Applications: Alarms, surveillance, safety
Detailed comparison of premium manufacturers
| Manufacturer | Number of products | Average price | Autonomy | Support | Overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milesight | 50+ | 65€ | 5-10 years old | Excellent | 9.2/10 |
| Elsys | 30+ | 95€ | 10-15 years old | Excellent | 9.0/10 |
| Dragino | 40+ | 45€ | 3-8 years | Good | 8.8/10 |
| Laird | 20+ | 150€ | 5-12 years old | Premium | 8.7/10 |
| Decentlab | 25+ | 280€ | 8-15 years old | Scientist | 8.5/10 |
| Browan | 35+ | 75€ | 5-10 years old | Good | 8.3/10 |
Emerging manufacturers to watch
Sensative (Sweden)
- Specialty: Ultra-thin sensors
- Innovation: Revolutionary form factor
- Products: Multi-sensor strips
- Autonomy: 10 years
RAKwireless (China)
- Specialty: Developer modules
- Innovation: Modular WisBlock
- Products: Plug & play solutions
- Ecosystem: Active community
Netvox (Taiwan)
- Specialty: Smart building
- Innovation: All-in-one solutions
- Products: 80+ references
- Price: Very competitive
McF88 (Germany)
- Specialty: Tracking and logistics
- Innovation: Precise geolocation
- Products: Multimodal Trackers
- Quality: Made in Germany
Case study: Smart city project manufacturer selection
Project context
Client: European metropolis - Location: France
Deployment: 5000 sensors, 15 different types, 3 years
Specifications
- Budget: €280,000 over 3 years
- Maintenance: Minimal, maximum autonomy
- Support: French language required
- Certifications: CE, GDPR compliance
- Scalability: Open platform
Manufacturers' evaluation
| Criterion (weighting) | Milesight | Elsys | Laird | Dragino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total price (30%) | 18/20 | 14/20 | 10/20 | 20/20 |
| Product quality (25%) | 17/20 | 19/20 | 18/20 | 15/20 |
| Technical support (20%) | 18/20 | 16/20 | 19/20 | 13/20 |
| Extended catalog (15%) | 19/20 | 16/20 | 14/20 | 17/20 |
| Sustainability (10%) | 17/20 | 18/20 | 19/20 | 16/20 |
| Final score | 17.4/20 | 16.1/20 | 15.2/20 | 16.8/20 |
Final decision
Selected Manufacturer: Milesight IoT
- Advantages: Best price/quality/support compromise
- Catalog: 45 sensors covering all needs
- Support: Responsive local distributor
- Final price: €265,000 (-5% target)
LoRaWAN sensor manufacturer selection guide
Step 1: Technical needs analysis
- Sensor types: Comprehensive inventory of needs
- Required accuracy: Metrological specifications
- Environment: Temperature, humidity, IP
- Autonomy: Maintenance constraints
- Certifications: Regulatory Compliance
Step 2: Business Evaluation
- Overall budget: CAPEX + OPEX 5 years
- Volumes: Decreasing pricing
- Timeline: Product availability
- Guarantees: Return/exchange conditions
- Scalability: Product Roadmap
Step 3: Support and Services
- Documentation: Technical quality
- Support: Local vs. Remote
- Training: Technical teams
- Integration: APIs, platforms
- Maintenance: Spare parts
Step 4: Testing and Validation
- Samples: Real field tests
- Performance: Specification validation
- Reliability: Long-term testing
- Interoperability: Network Testing
- Approval: Purchasing procedure
LoRaWAN sensor market trends 2025
Technological innovations
- Energy harvesting: Self-powered sensors
- Edge AI: Embedded Intelligence
- Multi-protocol: LoRaWAN + WiFi + BLE
- Miniaturization: Sensors < 1cm³
- Precision: Democratized scientific sensors
Growth markets
- Connected health: Patient monitoring
- Agriculture 4.0: Resource optimization
- Smart cities: Quality of urban life
- Industry 4.0: Predictive maintenance
- Environment: Pollution monitoring
Challenges to be met
- Standardization: Total interoperability
- Security: IoT Data Protection
- Cost: Democratization of sensors
- Sustainability: Circular Economy
- Skills: Technician training
DistrIoT: Multi-manufacturer distributor
Manufacturer partnerships
- Milesight: Official Distributor France
- Dragino: Permanent stock of 200+ references
- Browan: Authorized Reseller
- RAK: European Distribution Center
Value-added services
- Comparisons: Help choosing a goal
- Samples: Free 30-day trials
- Support: Multi-manufacturer expertise
- Logistics: 24-48h delivery
- Support: From idea to deployment
Customer benefits
- Free choice: No manufacturer constraints
- Negotiated prices: Preferential rates
- Secure stock: Guaranteed availability
- Expertise: Neutral and objective advice