NanoVNA versions (by ChatGPT @ 2026-02-13) === NanoVNA naming is a mess, so I’m using a **practical “generation” grouping** (architecture + where the numbers stop being wishful thinking), not whatever a random AliExpress title calls “V2”. Manufacturers you’ll see in listings (and why names collide): edy555, OwOComm, NanoRFE / HCXQS group, plus resellers like Radioddity, EleShop, Tindie. ### NanoVNA generations & variants (practical comparison) **“Effective working frequencies”** below = where you can generally trust results *after proper SOLT calibration* and without heroic expectations (deep notches, very high-Q filters, etc.). | Model name (as sold) | Practical gen | Features & selling points (and gotchas) | Effective working frequencies | Advertised range | Typical new price (examples) | | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------: | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | | **NanoVNA (classic “V1”, 2.8" touch; many clones)** | Gen 1 (harmonics) | Cheapest entry; huge ecosystem. **Designed for ~50k–300MHz**; “900MHz” is typically via **harmonic extension** so dynamic range/noise get worse as you go up. ([nanovna.com][1]) | **50kHz–300MHz:** solid. **300–900MHz:** usable (antennas/cables), noisier. | Often sold as 50kHz–900MHz. ([nanovna.com][1]) | ~€70–€90 EU. Example **€70.90**. ([sdrstore.eu][2]) | | **NanoVNA-H (2.8")** | Gen 1 (harmonics, “better built”) | Common “improved V1” style. Still uses band ranges with falling dynamic range; typically quoted around **70dB (≤300MHz), 60dB (≤900MHz), 40dB (≤1.5GHz)**. ([USRadioguy.com][3]) | **50kHz–300MHz:** strong. **300–900MHz:** good enough for most ham antenna work. **900MHz–1.5GHz:** “only if you must”. ([USRadioguy.com][3]) | Often sold as ~10kHz–1.5GHz. ([USRadioguy.com][3]) | Example **€50 (ex VAT)**. ([Tindie][4]) | | **NanoVNA-H4 (3.95"/4")** | Gen 1 (harmonics, bigger UI) | Same RF behavior as -H, but the bigger screen is genuinely nicer in the field. ([USRadioguy.com][3]) | Same as NanoVNA-H. ([USRadioguy.com][3]) | Often sold as ~10kHz–1.5GHz. ([USRadioguy.com][3]) | Example **€75 (ex VAT)**. ([Tindie][4]) | | **SAA2N / “NanoVNA V2.2” (4", often N-type ports)** | Gen 2 (3GHz class) | **50kHz–3GHz** class device with stated calibrated dynamic range **70dB (≤1.5GHz), 60dB (≤3GHz)**; but UI/firmware behavior can be less friendly: some versions **don’t auto-load/interpolate cal** and require more manual discipline. ([www2.randl.com][5]) | **50kHz–1.5GHz:** strong. **1.5–3GHz:** workable but expect less headroom/noisier traces. ([www2.randl.com][5]) | 50kHz–3GHz. ([www2.randl.com][5]) | **$116.99–$129.95** examples. ([AURSINC][6]) | | **NanoVNA-F V2 (4.3" 800×480, metal case, USB-C, 5000mAh)** | Gen 2 (3GHz class, “nice package”) | A polished 3GHz unit: specs list **S21 dyn 70dB (≤1.5GHz), 60dB (≤3GHz)** and **S11 dyn 50dB/40dB** across same ranges; better screen + ergonomics than tiny units. ([Radioddity][7]) | **50kHz–1.5GHz:** strong. **1.5–3GHz:** usable with reduced dyn range. ([Radioddity][7]) | 50kHz–3GHz. ([Radioddity][7]) | Example **$149.99**. ([Radioddity][7]) | | **NanoVNA-F V3 (1MHz–6GHz, metal case)** | Gen 2.5 (6GHz, moderate dyn range) | Goes to **6GHz**, but it’s not magic: one EU listing states **S21 dyn ~65dB** and **S11 dyn ~50dB**, scan up to **801 points**, includes **TDR**. Treat the top end as “good for antennas/cables/connectors”, not “lab-grade filter characterization”. ([sdrstore.eu][8]) | **1MHz–3GHz:** generally comfortable. **3–6GHz:** usable with realistic expectations. ([sdrstore.eu][8]) | 1MHz–6GHz. ([sdrstore.eu][8]) | EU examples **€292–€308**. ([sdrstore.eu][8]) | | **NanoVNA V2 Plus4 / Plus4 Pro (4", “official 2nd gen”)** | Gen 3 (no harmonics, low drift) | Key selling point: **does not use harmonics for measurements**, adds **temperature drift cancellation**, better isolation/linearity, and much lower trace noise; “Pro” adds things like **adjustable IF bandwidth** for narrowband stuff (e.g., crystals). ([nanorfe.com][9]) | **50kHz–4GHz:** this is the first tier where the whole range is meant to be taken seriously. ([nanorfe.com][9]) | 4GHz. ([nanorfe.com][9]) | Example **$299** (official store listing). ([Tindie][4]) | | **VNA6000 series (6GHz portable)** | Gen 4 (higher-end NanoVNA lineage) | 6GHz class with much higher dynamic range options (two variants are commonly described). This is where you buy when you’re tired of “cheap VNA weirdness” at microwave-ish bands. ([eleshop.eu][10]) | **50kHz–6GHz:** intended to be useful across the span (variant-dependent dyn range). ([eleshop.eu][10]) | 6GHz. ([eleshop.eu][10]) | Example **$789** (official store listing). ([Tindie][11]) | ### Also-common variants you’ll run into * **SAA2 (non-N)**: same “V2.2 / 3GHz class” family as SAA2N, but with a smaller screen and/or SMA ports (listing descriptions often mention both SAA2 and SAA2N screen/port differences). ([Amazon UK][12]) * **Random “V2 / V2.2 / 4GHz / 6GHz” clones**: there are a lot of them; some exaggerate specs using harmonics and/or software tricks, and one warning page flat-out says many “older design” clones **deteriorate by ~1GHz** regardless of the headline range. ([nanorfe.com][13]) ### Quick “tell it like it is” buying guidance * **HF/VHF/UHF (up to ~900MHz):** classic V1 / -H / -H4 is fine, pick based on ergonomics/screen. ([USRadioguy.com][3]) * **Up to 3GHz (Wi-Fi 2.4, GPS, etc) on a budget:** SAA2N or NanoVNA-F V2. Expect reduced headroom above 1.5GHz. ([www2.randl.com][5]) * **You want repeatability and less drift drama:** V2 Plus4/Pro (this is the “serious hobbyist / semi-pro” sweet spot). ([nanorfe.com][9]) * **You actually care about 5.8–6GHz:** VNA6000 class. ([eleshop.eu][10]) [1]: https://nanovna.com/?page_id=21 "About NanoVNA | NanoVNA" [2]: https://www.sdrstore.eu/test-and-measurement/spectrum-analyzer/nanovna-vna-vector-network-analyzer-2-8-inch-lcd-50khz-900mhz-with-battery/ "NanoVNA VNA 2.8 inch LCD 50KHz-900MHz Vector Network Analyzer" [3]: https://usradioguy.com/tried-and-tested-hardware/ "Tried and Tested Hardware - USRadioguy.com" [4]: https://www.tindie.com/products/hcxqsgroup/4-nanovna-v2-plus4/ "4\" NanoVNA V2 Plus4 from HCXQS group on Tindie" [5]: https://www2.randl.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=75242&srsltid=AfmBOorFc8j4IWZENP_ZqK7T8-cADCapZ5iiSKDwARRvNCEJbwPsJ2cu "NANOVNA SAA2N [SAA2N] - $129.95 : R&L Electronics, Amateur radio store" [6]: https://www.aursinc.com/products/aursinc-nanovna-saa-2n-v2-2-vector-network-analyzer-50khz-3ghz-4-touchscreen-hf-vhf-uhf-vna-antenna-analyzer-ham-radio-with-storage-bag-measuring-s-parameters-duplexer-vswr-phase-delay?utm_source=chatgpt.com "AURSINC NanoVNA SAA-2N V2.2 Vector Network ..." [7]: https://www.radioddity.com/products/nanovna-f-v2?srsltid=AfmBOoqp99yggbSq768HDCDPftHAanviM_coOJ30PiKK5dviJfrz0xTo " NanoVNA-F V2 Antenna Analyzer | 50KHz to 3GHz | 4.3-Inch Touch Screen – Radioddity" [8]: https://www.sdrstore.eu/test-and-measurement/spectrum-analyzer/nanovna-f-v3-1mhz-6ghz-portable-vector-network-analyzer-vna-for-mf-hf-vhf-uhf-shf/ "NanoVNA-F V3 1MHz-6GHz Portable Vector Network Analyzer" [9]: https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html "NanoVNA V2 Official Site" [10]: https://eleshop.eu/nanovna-h4.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "NanoVNA-H4 vector network analyser" [11]: https://www.tindie.com/products/hcxqsgroup/nanorfe-vna6000/ "NanoRFE VNA6000 from HCXQS group on Tindie" [12]: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NanoVNA-Analyzer-50kHz-3GHz-Measuring-Parameters/dp/B0D1PJ1QNR?utm_source=chatgpt.com "NanoVNA S-A-A-2 V2 Analyzer 50kHz-3GHz VHF UHF ..." [13]: https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-versions.html "Hardware versions | NanoVNA V2"