Introduction – Choosing the Right ESP32 Board for Your Project

 Two years ago, we took a close look at the state of the ESP32 in 2024. Now, with a wave of new variants and development boards hitting the market, it’s time to do it all over again – the 2026 edition.

The ESP32 remains one of the most popular microcontrollers in the maker and developer community, and for good reason. It packs a remarkable amount of capability into a tiny, low-cost package. The integrated wireless connectivity alone – covering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and, in many variants, Zigbee and Thread – makes it an incredibly versatile choice for everything from simple sensor nodes to full multimedia applications.

But here’s the challenge: the ESP32 has grown into a sprawling family of eleven different System-on-Chip variants, each with its own strengths and trade-offs. And for every variant, there are dozens of development boards from manufacturers such as Adafruit, SparkFun, Seeed Studio, Arduino, Waveshare, LilyGo, and Espressif. Choosing the wrong chip or the wrong board for your project can cause headaches down the road – and that’s exactly what this guide is here to prevent.

In this article (and its companion video), we’ll cover two main areas:

• A complete overview of all eleven ESP32 variants, outlining their features, strengths, and ideal use cases.
• A curated selection of recommended development boards, organized into five categories: General Purpose/ExperimenterA, Display & Multimedia, Compact & Portable, IoT & Smart Home, and Budget & Starter.

Whether you’re just getting started with the ESP32 or you’re an experienced developer looking to choose the right chip for a specific project, this guide has you covered. Let’s get to it!

The ESP32 Family

There are currently eleven System-on-a-Chip (SoC) variants of the ESP32. Not every ESP32 is the same – they differ significantly in processor architecture, clock speed, wireless capabilities, GPIO count, and target application. Understanding the differences is critical before selecting a board for your project.

Let’s take a look at each variant, in the order they were introduced:

ESP32 (Original)

The original ESP32, launched in 2016, is still in production and remains a mature, well-supported platform. It uses a dual-core Xtensa LX6 processor running at up to 240 MHz and has 520 KB of static RAM.

Its standout feature is Bluetooth Classic (in addition to BLE 4.2), making it the only current ESP32 variant that still supports the legacy Bluetooth protocol. This can be important if you need to communicate with older Bluetooth devices.

However, the original ESP32 is not recommended for new designs unless Bluetooth Classic is specifically required. Its security level is lower than that of newer variants; the internal Hall sensor has been deprecated; and newer chips offer significantly better performance and features at the same price. That said, there is an enormous wealth of existing projects, libraries, and tutorials built around the original ESP32, making it still a valid choice for learning and experimentation.

ESP32-S2

The ESP32-S2 is a single-core Xtensa LX7 processor running at 240 MHz with 320 KB of static RAM. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 but has no Bluetooth or BLE at all – an unusual trade-off that limits its appeal for many projects.

One notable feature of the S2 is its full-speed USB On-the-Go port, and it is one of only a handful of ESP32 variants that include an 8-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). If your project specifically requires a DAC and doesn’t need Bluetooth, the S2 is worth considering.

For most new designs, however, the ESP32-S3 is a better choice unless you specifically need that DAC. The S2 also lacks MCPWM (Motor Control PWM), which many motor-control projects rely on.

ESP32-S3

The ESP32-S3 is arguably the most popular ESP32 variant right now, and for good reason. It features a powerful dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor running at 240 MHz, 512 KB of static RAM, and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 with BLE 5.0.

Like the S2, it includes a full-speed USB On-the-Go port, useful for building USB HID devices such as custom keyboards or game controllers. It also supports direct connection to cameras and LCD displays, making it ideal for multimedia applications.

The S3’s headline feature for many developers is its AI accelerator, which provides vector processing instructions (Espressif calls this PIE – Processor Instruction Extensions) within the Xtensa LX7 cores. This is not a dedicated neural network chip, but it does enable TinyML applications such as wake-word detection and simple image classification with highly quantized models. For edge AI at the hobbyist level, the S3 punches well above its weight.

Its main limitations are that it only supports Wi-Fi 4 (not Wi-Fi 6), lacks Zigbee or Thread support, and uses the older Xtensa architecture rather than the newer RISC-V core found in the C and H series.

ESP32-C2

The ESP32-C2 is the most affordable member of the ESP32 family, built around a single-core RISC-V processor running at 120 MHz with 272 KB of static RAM. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 and BLE 5.0.

Its primary role is as an economical replacement for the ESP8266. It offers a more modern RISC-V architecture and better wireless capabilities at a similar price point. It’s a solid choice for simple, cost-sensitive IoT sensor nodes.

The C2’s limitations are significant for more demanding projects: only 14 GPIO pins, limited memory, and no built-in USB interface. It’s not really the chip you’d choose for a general-purpose experimenter board, but for budget-conscious deployments of simple sensors, it gets the job done.

ESP32-C3

The ESP32-C3 is a popular budget choice built on a single-core RISC-V processor running at 160 MHz with 400 KB of static RAM. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 4 and BLE 5.0. Development boards based on the C3 are typically among the most affordable ESP32 boards available.

The C3 is a solid upgrade path from the original ESP32 or the ESP8266, offering a more modern RISC-V architecture and better security features. It’s widely supported in the Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, and ESPHome.

Its main limitations are that it is single-core, doesn’t support USB On-the-Go, and only supports Wi-Fi 4. For applications that require Wi-Fi 6, Zigbee, or Thread, you’ll want to look at the C6 instead.

ESP32-C5

The ESP32-C5 is an exciting newcomer to the family and the only ESP32 variant that supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi. It runs a single-core RISC-V processor at 240 MHz with 400 KB of static RAM, and it supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi 6, BLE 5.0, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter.

In many ways, the C5 is like a C6 with 5 GHz Wi-Fi added. If your environment has a congested 2.4 GHz band and you need the extra throughput or range of 5 GHz, the C5 is the only game in town in the ESP32 family.

As a relatively new chip, the C5 still has limited software support compared to the more established variants, and the board selection is smaller (though growing). Expect that to change rapidly as the chip matures.

ESP32-C6

The ESP32-C6 has quickly become the go-to chip for IoT and smart home applications. It features a single-core RISC-V processor running at 160 MHz with 512 KB of static RAM. Connectivity-wise, it’s well-equipped: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6, BLE 5.3, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter support.

The C6 is an economical way to get into Wi-Fi 6 and the 802.15.4 protocols (Zigbee and Thread) simultaneously, making it particularly attractive for Matter-based smart home devices. It also has a low-power mode, making it suitable for battery-powered IoT sensors.

Its limitations include single-core only, a 160 MHz clock (slower than the S3 or C5), no camera or display interfaces, and support only for the 2.4 GHz band. If you need 5 GHz Wi-Fi, you’ll need the C5.

ESP32-C61

The ESP32-C61 is a budget-focused derivative of the C6, featuring a single-core RISC-V processor at 160 MHz with 256 KB of static RAM. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6 and BLE 5.0, but notably does not support Zigbee or Thread, a significant difference from the C6.

The C61’s main use case is as a very affordable way to add Wi-Fi 6 connectivity to a project or as a co-processor for boards that lack wireless capability. With fewer GPIO pins than the C6, it’s not the ideal choice for general-purpose development, but for cost-sensitive applications, it’s worth considering.

ESP32-H2

The ESP32-H2 takes an unusual approach in the ESP32 family: it has no Wi-Fi at all. Instead, it focuses entirely on the 802.15.4 wireless protocols, Zigbee, and Thread, along with BLE 5.0, and it supports the Matter smart home standard.

Running a single-core RISC-V processor at 96 MHz with 320 KB of static RAM, the H2 is specifically designed for use as a Zigbee or Thread endpoint, or as a BLE co-processor. Its ultra-low-power mode makes it well-suited for battery-powered smart-home sensors and end devices.

If you’re building a Thread or Zigbee network and need dedicated endpoints, the H2 is an excellent, cost-effective choice. Just remember: no Wi-Fi, slower clock speed, and limited GPIO count. It’s a specialist chip, not a general-purpose one.

ESP32-H4

The ESP32-H4 is the latest H-series chip and takes the H2’s concept to the next level. Like the H2, it has no Wi-Fi, but it offers significantly upgraded Bluetooth: BLE 5.4, the highest Bluetooth version of any ESP32, including support for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio.

The H4 runs a dual-core RISC-V processor at 96 MHz with 320 KB of static RAM. It supports Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, making it well-positioned for smart home applications that don’t require Wi-Fi.

As a brand-new chip, development kit availability for the H4 is still limited but expanding. If you’re building a product that needs cutting-edge BLE audio support alongside Thread or Zigbee, the H4 is worth watching closely.

ESP32-P4

The ESP32-P4 is the powerhouse of the family, and it’s unlike any other ESP32 variant. Featuring a dual-core RISC-V processor running at an impressive 400 MHz with 768 KB of static RAM, it’s designed for high-performance multimedia applications.

The P4 supports direct camera interfaces and advanced display connectivity (including MIPI CSI/DSI), hardware H.264 video encoding/decoding, and USB 2.0 OTG. It also has 32 MB of embedded PSRAM on some boards, making it capable of handling demanding image processing and video streaming tasks.

There’s an important catch, however: the P4 has no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth whatsoever. If you need wireless connectivity, you’ll need to pair it with a companion chip, such as an ESP32-C6. For this reason, many P4 development boards include an onboard ESP32-C6 for networking.

Arduino IDE support for the P4 is still limited; you’ll generally need to use the ESP-IDF for serious P4 development. Despite these caveats, the P4 opens up a new performance tier for ESP32-based projects.

 

ESP32 Variant Comparison

The table below summarizes the key specifications of all eleven ESP32 variants to help you quickly compare their capabilities:

 

Variant	CPU	Cores	Clock	RAM	Wi-Fi	Bluetooth	Zigbee/Thread	Notes
ESP32 (orig)	Xtensa LX6	2	240 MHz	520 KB	2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4)	Classic + BLE 4.2	No	Legacy: only ESP32 with BT Classic
ESP32-S2	Xtensa LX7	1	240 MHz	320 KB	2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4)	None	No	Has DAC; no Bluetooth
ESP32-S3	Xtensa LX7	2	240 MHz	512 KB	2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4)	BLE 5.0	No	AI accelerator; most popular
ESP32-C2	RISC-V	1	120 MHz	272 KB	2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4)	BLE 5.0	No	Cheapest; ESP8266 replacement
ESP32-C3	RISC-V	1	160 MHz	400 KB	2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4)	BLE 5.0	No	Good budget Wi-Fi + BLE
ESP32-C5	RISC-V	1	240 MHz	400 KB	2.4/5 GHz (Wi-Fi 6)	BLE 5.0	Yes (Matter)	Only ESP32 with 5 GHz Wi-Fi
ESP32-C6	RISC-V	1	160 MHz	512 KB	2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 6)	BLE 5.3	Yes (Matter)	Economical Wi-Fi 6 + IoT protocols
ESP32-C61	RISC-V	1	160 MHz	256 KB	2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 6)	BLE 5.0	No	Budget Wi-Fi 6; co-processor use
ESP32-H2	RISC-V	1	96 MHz	320 KB	None	BLE 5.0	Yes (Matter)	Thread/Zigbee endpoint; no Wi-Fi
ESP32-H4	RISC-V	2	96 MHz	320 KB	None	BLE 5.4	Yes (Matter)	Dual-core H series; BLE audio
ESP32-P4	RISC-V	2	400 MHz	768 KB	None (needs companion)	None	No	Powerhouse multimedia; no wireless

 

Note: A downloadable spreadsheet comparing all ESP32 variants in detail is available here. It includes additional columns covering GPIO count, ADC/DAC availability, USB OTG support, camera/display interfaces, and ESPHome compatibility.

General Purpose / Experimenter Boards

These are the workbench favourites – boards you reach for when you’re starting a new project, running experiments, or just want something capable and well-supported to prototype with. They typically offer a good balance of GPIO availability, processing power, and software support.

For this category, the recommended processors are the ESP32-S3, C3, and C5. The S3 is the clear favourite: dual-core, USB On-the-Go, the largest GPIO count of any ESP32, and broad community support. The C3 is a solid budget option, and the C5 adds 5 GHz Wi-Fi capability. If you’re just starting out with the ESP32, the boards in this section are excellent choices.

Here are five recommended general-purpose and experimenter boards:

Arduino Nano ESP32

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	16 MB
PSRAM	8 MB
GPIO Pins	24 (Nano-compatible pinout)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C (native USB via S3)
Form Factor	Arduino Nano compatible
Programming	Arduino IDE (full support), MicroPython

More info: Arduino Nano ESP32 Documentation

 

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	8 MB
PSRAM	8 MB
GPIO Pins	11
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C (native USB via S3)
Extras	Optional camera module, external antenna connector, castellation pads
Form Factor	XIAO (21 x 17.5 mm — one of the smallest ESP32-S3 boards available)
Programming	Arduino IDE, MicroPython, CircuitPython

More info: XIAO ESP32-S3 Wiki

 

Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	8 MB or 16 MB (multiple configurations available)
PSRAM	0 MB or 8 MB (N8R8 version)
GPIO Pins	44 (all ESP32-S3 GPIO pins exposed)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	Two USB-C connectors (UART/programming + native USB OTG)
Extras	On-board RGB LED, boot/reset buttons
Form Factor	Standard DevKit (38.1 x 52 mm)
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, MicroPython

More info: Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 Documentation

 

SparkFun Thing Plus ESP32-S3

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
PSRAM	2 MB
GPIO Pins	22 (Feather/Thing Plus compatible)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C
Extras	Qwiic connector, LiPo battery charger, voltage monitoring, microSD card slot
Form Factor	Feather / Thing Plus compatible
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: SparkFun Thing Plus ESP32-S3 Documentation

 

Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	8 MB
PSRAM	2 MB
GPIO Pins	21 (Feather-compatible pinout)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C (native USB via S3)
Extras	STEMMA QT connector, LiPo battery connector and charger, NeoPixel LED
Form Factor	Adafruit Feather (works with all FeatherWing accessories)
Programming	Arduino IDE, CircuitPython, MicroPython

More info: Adafruit ESP32-S3 Feather Guide

 

Display & Multimedia Boards

This category covers boards that come with integrated displays or boards specifically designed to connect to displays and cameras. These are the boards you’d choose for projects such as custom smart-home dashboards, wearable devices with screens, or embedded camera systems.

The recommended processors for this category are the ESP32-S3 and the ESP32-P4. The S3 supports direct connections to both cameras and LCD displays and has an AI accelerator (software) that can be useful in vision applications. The P4 takes multimedia to a whole new level with its 400 MHz dual-core performance, hardware H.264 video encoding, and large PSRAM — though it requires a companion chip for wireless connectivity.

Here are five recommended display and multimedia boards:

Waveshare ESP32-S3 2-Inch Touch LCD

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Display	2-inch IPS capacitive touch LCD (320 x 240)
Flash Memory	8 MB
PSRAM	8 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C
Extras	IMU (orientation detection), camera connector, microSD slot, LiPo battery connector and charger
Form Factor	Compact standalone display module

More info: Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-2 Wiki

 

Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT Feather

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Display	1.14-inch IPS color TFT (240 x 135) — mounted on the underside
Flash Memory	4 MB
PSRAM	2 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C
Extras	3 user-programmable buttons, STEMMA QT connector, LiPo battery connector, ultra-low-power sleep mode
Form Factor	Adafruit Feather

More info: Adafruit ESP32-S3 Reverse TFT Feather Guide

 

LilyGo T-Display S3

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Display	1.9-inch IPS LCD (170 x 320)
Flash Memory	16 MB
PSRAM	8 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C
Extras	2 user-programmable buttons, LiPo battery connector, large GitHub community with extensive example code
Form Factor	Compact standalone display module

More info: LilyGo T-Display S3 Product Page

 

Waveshare ESP32-P4-NANO

Processor	ESP32-P4 (RISC-V dual-core, 400 MHz) + ESP32-C6 co-processor
RAM	32 MB PSRAM (embedded)
Flash Memory	16 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 & BLE 5.3 via ESP32-C6 (Zigbee/Thread capable)
Interfaces	MIPI camera interface, MIPI display interface, USB 2.0 OTG, Ethernet (with PoE option)
Extras	Onboard ESP32-C6 for networking; supports H.264 hardware video encoding
Form Factor	Compact development board
Programming	ESP-IDF (Arduino support is limited for P4)

More info: Waveshare ESP32-P4-NANO Product Page

 

Espressif ESP32-P4 Function-EV-Board

Processor	ESP32-P4 (RISC-V dual-core, 400 MHz) + ESP32-C6 co-processor
RAM	32 MB PSRAM
Display	7-inch touchscreen (optional)
Camera	2MP MIPI CSI camera (included in kit)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 & BLE via ESP32-C6
Audio	3W power amplifier + microphone
Extras	Hardware H.264 encoding, USB 2.0 OTG, comprehensive ESP-IDF documentation
Form Factor	Full-featured evaluation board
Programming	ESP-IDF (primary platform)

More info: Espressif ESP32-P4 Function-EV-Board User Guide

 

Compact & Portable Boards

Sometimes, smaller really is better. Whether you’re building a wearable device, a battery-powered sensor that needs to disappear into a tight space, or a project where board real estate is at a premium, the boards in this category are designed to be as small as possible while still delivering solid ESP32 performance.

The recommended processors for compact and portable designs are the ESP32-S3, C3, and C6. The S3 offers dual-core performance and USB OTG in a tiny package; the C3 is extremely low-cost and low-power; and the C6 adds Wi-Fi 6, Zigbee, and Thread support for IoT-focused compact devices.

Here are five recommended compact and portable boards:

SparkFun ESP32-C6 Qwiic Pocket Dev

Processor	ESP32-C6 (RISC-V single-core, 160 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.3, Zigbee, Thread
USB	USB-C
Extras	Qwiic connector for easy I2C peripherals, LiPo battery connector, onboard LED
Form Factor	Ultra-compact (one of the smallest C6 boards available)
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: SparkFun ESP32-C6 Qwiic Pocket Dev Product Page

 

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6

Processor	ESP32-C6 (RISC-V single-core, 160 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.3, Zigbee, Thread, Matter
USB	USB-C
Extras	Castellation pads for surface mounting, very low power consumption, XIAO form factor accessories compatible
Form Factor	XIAO (21 x 17.5 mm)
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: XIAO ESP32-C6 Wiki

 

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	8 MB
PSRAM	8 MB
GPIO Pins	11
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C (native USB)
Extras	Optional camera module, external antenna connector, castellation pads
Form Factor	XIAO (21 x 17.5 mm) — one of the smallest dual-core ESP32 boards available
Programming	Arduino IDE, MicroPython, CircuitPython

More info: XIAO ESP32-S3 Wiki

 

Adafruit QT Py ESP32-C3

Processor	ESP32-C3 (RISC-V single-core, 160 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C
Extras	STEMMA QT/Qwiic connector, XIAO-compatible pinout, onboard RGB NeoPixel LED, castellation pads
Form Factor	QT Py (compatible with XIAO accessories)
Programming	Arduino IDE, CircuitPython, MicroPython

More info: Adafruit QT Py ESP32-C3 Guide

 

Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB or 8 MB
PSRAM	0 MB or 2 MB (model dependent)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C (native USB — can emulate HID devices)
Extras	STEMMA QT/Qwiic connector, XIAO-compatible pinout, onboard RGB NeoPixel LED, castellation pads
Form Factor	QT Py (same tiny footprint as the C3 version)
Programming	Arduino IDE, CircuitPython, MicroPython

More info: Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3 Guide

 

IoT & Smart Home Boards

The ESP32 has always been a popular choice for IoT projects, but the newer variants take things to a whole new level. With support for Wi-Fi 6, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, these boards are designed specifically for connected-home and industrial IoT applications.

The recommended processors for this category are the ESP32-C6, H2, C5, and H4. The C6 is probably the best all-rounder.  It supports Wi-Fi 6, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter while remaining low-cost and low-power. The H2 is ideal as a dedicated Thread or Zigbee endpoint (remember, it has no Wi-Fi). The C5 adds 5 GHz Wi-Fi to the equation, and the newer H4 offers cutting-edge BLE 5.4 with Thread support.

Many of these boards are also compatible with ESPHome, the popular no-code platform that integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant, making them excellent choices for smart home automation projects.

Here are five recommended IoT and smart home boards:

 

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C5

Processor	ESP32-C5 (RISC-V single-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), BLE 5.0, Zigbee, Thread, Matter
USB	USB-C
Extras	XIAO form factor, castellation pads, Matter-ready out of the box
Form Factor	XIAO (21 x 17.5 mm) — first XIAO with 5 GHz Wi-Fi
ESPHome Support	Yes
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: XIAO ESP32-C5 Wiki

 

DFRobot FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C5

Processor	ESP32-C5 (RISC-V single-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), BLE 5.0, Zigbee, Thread, Matter
USB	USB-C
Extras	FireBeetle form factor (compatible with expansion shields), LiPo battery connector and charger, GDI display interface
Form Factor	FireBeetle (more GPIO pins than XIAO)
ESPHome Support	Yes
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: DFRobot FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C5 Product Page

 

Espressif ESP32-H2-DevKitM-1

Processor	ESP32-H2 (RISC-V single-core, 96 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	BLE 5.3, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Thread, Matter — NO Wi-Fi
USB	Two USB-C connectors (programming + native USB)
Extras	Ultra-low-power mode, official Espressif reference board with comprehensive documentation
Form Factor	Standard DevKit (25 x 52 mm)
ESPHome Support	Yes (requires ESP-IDF framework)
Programming	Arduino IDE (limited), ESP-IDF (recommended)

More info: Espressif ESP32-H2-DevKitM-1 Documentation

 

SparkFun Thing Plus ESP32-C6

Processor	ESP32-C6 (RISC-V single-core, 160 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.3, Zigbee, Thread, Matter
USB	USB-C
Extras	Qwiic connector, LiPo battery connector, microSD card slot, Feather-compatible form factor
Form Factor	Feather / Thing Plus compatible
ESPHome Support	Yes
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: SparkFun Thing Plus ESP32-C6 Documentation

 

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6

Processor	ESP32-C6 (RISC-V single-core, 160 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.3, Zigbee, Thread, Matter
USB	USB-C
Extras	Very low power consumption, castellation pads for surface mounting, XIAO form factor accessories compatible
Form Factor	XIAO (21 x 17.5 mm)
ESPHome Support	Yes
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: XIAO ESP32-C6 Wiki

 

Budget & Starter Boards

Not every project demands the latest and greatest, and not every maker has an unlimited budget! The boards in this category are excellent choices for those who are just starting out with the ESP32, or for educators and hobbyists who need to purchase multiple boards without breaking the bank.

The recommended processors for budget and starter boards are the original ESP32, C3, S3, and C6. Original ESP32 boards are often available at very low prices and come with an enormous body of tutorials and projects. The C3 is the most economical modern RISC-V option, the S3 offers great value given its capabilities, and the C6 is a cost-effective path to Wi-Fi 6.

Here are five recommended budget and starter boards:

 

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C3

Processor	ESP32-C3 (RISC-V single-core, 160 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C
Extras	XIAO form factor, castellation pads for surface mounting, pin-compatible with other XIAO boards
Form Factor	XIAO (21 x 17.5 mm)
Why Budget?	One of the lowest-cost ESP32 boards available; excellent upgrade path from ESP8266 projects
Programming	Arduino IDE, CircuitPython, MicroPython

More info: XIAO ESP32-C3 Wiki

 

Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	8 MB (multiple configurations available)
PSRAM	0 MB or 8 MB
GPIO Pins	44 (all GPIO pins exposed)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	Two USB-C connectors
Why Budget?	Official Espressif reference board; widely available and competitively priced; maximum GPIO exposure; extensive documentation
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, MicroPython

More info: Espressif ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1 Documentation

 

Espressif ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1

Processor	ESP32-C6 (RISC-V single-core, 160 MHz)
Flash Memory	8 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.3, Zigbee, Thread, Matter
USB	Two USB-C connectors (programming + USB OTG)
Why Budget?	Low-cost official C6 reference board; excellent way to get started with Wi-Fi 6, Zigbee, and Thread; comprehensive Espressif documentation
Programming	Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF

More info: Espressif ESP32-C6-DevKitC-1 Documentation

 

Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3

Processor	ESP32-S3 (Xtensa LX7 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	4 MB or 8 MB
PSRAM	0 MB or 2 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), BLE 5.0
USB	USB-C (native USB — can act as HID device)
Extras	STEMMA QT/Qwiic connector, NeoPixel LED, XIAO-compatible pinout; backed by extensive Adafruit learning guides
Why Budget?	Affordable S3 board with Adafruit’s world-class documentation and CircuitPython support
Programming	Arduino IDE, CircuitPython, MicroPython

More info: Adafruit QT Py ESP32-S3 Guide

 

DFRobot FireBeetle 2 ESP32-E

Processor	ESP32 (original — Xtensa LX6 dual-core, 240 MHz)
Flash Memory	16 MB
PSRAM	8 MB
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth Classic + BLE 4.2
USB	Micro-USB
Extras	FireBeetle form factor, built-in LiPo charging, many IO pins, wide range of FireBeetle expansion shields available
Why Budget?	Classic original ESP32 with great value; ideal for beginners and students; many tutorials; LiPo charging built-in
Programming	Arduino IDE, MicroPython

More info: DFRobot FireBeetle 2 ESP32-E Product Page

 

Conclusion

And that wraps up our tour of the ESP32 family for 2026! We’ve covered a lot of ground – from the original ESP32 that started it all ten years ago to the brand new ESP32-P4 that opens up a whole new tier of multimedia performance.

The key takeaway from all of this is that the right ESP32 board really does depend on what you’re building. The S3 remains the versatile all-rounder that will handle most projects beautifully. The C6 (or C5 if you need 5 GHz) is the smart choice for IoT and smart home applications. The H2 and H4 are specialist chips for Thread and Zigbee endpoint roles. And the P4 is in a class of its own for multimedia and high-performance applications.

Whatever you choose, there’s never been a better time to be working with the ESP32. The tooling is mature, the community is huge, and the hardware gets better every year.