Meshtastic

Keep in mind that range is almost entirely a function of the antenna you use and the location you use it from. All the radios I've seen already operate at the power limits that are allowed for LoRa. I strongly recommend starting with a unit that has an external antenna connector.

In addition to the prebuilt radios from various manufacturers, check out the prebuilt units that are available on Etsy. And it isn't at all hard to put together your own. Most kits don't require any soldering. You just attach the connectors and fit it into a case. There are some great case designs that you can print yourself or you can buy them online.

My personal favorite kit is the Heltec T114. It's easy to add a GPS, it gets great battery life, and it makes upgrading the firmware really simple. I have one in an AlleytCat Pocket case that's about the size of an old-style pager.

I really like the T1000E. It's all in one so no DIY if you aren't about that. It's small (think of a thick credit card) and has pretty good battery life too. It's really easy to just slip into a pocket or bag and go. Of course the performance isn't quite as good as nodes with big antennas but it does very well for the size

I don't know which one is best but I got a RAK WisMesh Pocket and it was trivial to get going. The stock antenna works. I now have one of these on it, which works better.

i've settled on the wisblock starter if im putting something together for a beginner. theres some nice already assembled kits available as well. as has been mentioned already here the antenna is where you find success. and the RAK4631 on the starter makes is easy to add a better external antenna for both lora and bluetooth. which means it can be placed at a high point and potentially still connected to throughout a house or appartment. its also a really nice platform to build off of if you get into it.

Tdeck or sensecap t1000e