Standard modules (e.g., 1mW) are cheaper and use less power, while Pro versions (e.g., 60mW) offer significantly more range (up to 2 miles in rural settings) at the cost of higher power consumption. 4. Choose Your Antenna Type
Multiple "children" modules communicating with a single central "parent" coordinator.
The global standard. It offers higher data rates but is susceptible to interference from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. xbee buying guide
Offers superior range and better penetration through obstacles like walls or foliage, though it is not legal in all countries (primarily North America).
A direct wireless link between two modules, ideal for simple remote control or data logging. Standard modules (e
Digi has evolved the XBee line through several "Series," though modern users primarily choose between Series 1, Series 2, and the newer XBee 3. XBee Series 1 (Legacy) XBee Series 2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. S2C (Zigbee) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. XBee 3 (Modern) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Beginners, simple 1-to-1 links Complex mesh networks Future-proofing & MicroPython 802.15.4 (Point-to-Multipoint) Zigbee, DigiMesh, 802.15.4, or BLE Ease of Use High (Works "out of the box") Ease of Use Moderate (Requires configuration) Ease of Use High (Multi-protocol support) Programmability Programmability Programmability Built-in support 3. Select Frequency and Range
A flat, printed antenna on the PCB. It is compact and durable but has slightly less range. The global standard
To actually use an XBee, you typically need "breakout" hardware because they use non-standard 2.0mm pin spacing: