Wi-Fi HaLow vs. LoRaWAN – How to Choose the Right Wireless Protocol for IoT

Selecting the right wireless protocol can make or break an IoT product. Too much power consumption, too little range, or the wrong infrastructure assumptions can derail even the best ideas. Two of the most talked-about options today are Wi-Fi HaLow and LoRaWAN.

At SGW Designworks, we’ve worked with both, and we’ve seen how the right choice depends on specific product requirements.

Wi-Fi HaLow at a Glance

• Operates at sub-1 GHz frequencies.
• Provides hundreds of meters to a kilometer of range.
• Delivers megabit-per-second throughput.
• Uses familiar Wi-Fi security and IP networking.
• Best suited for richer data in local or campus environments.

LoRaWAN at a Glance

• Uses chirp spread spectrum in sub-1 GHz bands.
• Provides 2–15 km range depending on environment.
• Supports only kilobit-per-second throughput.
• Optimized for small, infrequent data packets.
• Best suited for ultra-low-power, wide-area sensor networks.

Comparing the Two

Attribute

Wi-Fi HaLow

LoRaWAN

Range

~1 km

2–15 km

Throughput

Mbps

Kbps

Power Use

Low

Ultra-low

Infrastructure

HaLow APs

Gateways + server

Best Fit

IP-native IoT, richer data

Long-life sensors, wide coverage

Key Decision Criteria

When evaluating these options, we ask clients:

• How much data do you need to send, and how often?
• Will the device run on batteries or mains power?
• What range is required—across a campus or across a city?
• Will you manage your own gateways, or rely on existing Wi-Fi?
• Do you plan to deploy globally, and in which frequency bands?

Hybrid Possibilities

In some cases, the best answer is both. For example, a device might use LoRaWAN for long-range telemetry but switch to Wi-Fi HaLow for firmware updates or higher throughput data transfer.

Engineering Challenges

Both protocols bring technical hurdles:

• Antenna design at 900 MHz.
• FCC Part 15 certification.
• Provisioning and user experience.
• Interference management in ISM bands.

Our team’s role is to anticipate these challenges and design solutions that pass certification and perform in real environments.

Case Examples

• A confidential client video device used Wi-Fi HaLow to deliver IP-native connectivity at long range without cellular costs.
• Wildlife and agricultural sensors used LoRaWAN to transmit tiny packets for years on battery power.

The SGW Perspective

There’s no universal winner. Wi-Fi HaLow and LoRaWAN each have strengths. The right choice depends on your product’s specific data, power, and range requirements.

Our job is to help clients navigate those tradeoffs. By combining hands-on RF testing with deep product development experience, we ensure that wireless choices lead to reliable, certifiable, and user-friendly products.

Final Thought

Wireless is never one-size-fits-all. But with the right engineering partner, it doesn’t have to be guesswork either. Whether Wi-Fi HaLow, LoRaWAN, or a hybrid approach makes sense, SGW Designworks brings the experience to make your IoT product a success.