Are you familiar with ESP32 and ESP8266? What are the benefits of an ESP32 or an ESP8266?
Espressif drives IoT development with a complete series of versatile, energy-efficient, and secure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and combo chips. Popular products include the affordable ESP8266 and ESP32 series chips, modules, and development boards. Both chips are equipped with a 32-bit CPU.
Shortly after the release of the ESP8266, NodeMCU, a low-cost open-source IoT platform, also appeared, boosting the popularity of these Espressif products. NodeMCU includes the firmware that runs on the ESP8266, and offers the advantages of low power consumption, extensive memory, and built-in Wi-Fi. With these applications, you can affordably control and monitor equipment remotely.
If you don't need the wireless capabilities of the ESP32/ESP8266, you can also use it to control inputs and outputs like an Arduino. However, it's important to realize that Arduino uses 5-V logic, while the ESP32 and ESP8266 use 3.3-V logic, making Arduino a great solution for many beginners.
The ESP32 is the successor to the ESP8266. It features an additional CPU core, faster Wi-Fi, more GPIOs, and capabilities for Bluetooth 4.2 and Bluetooth low energy. The ESP32 also includes touch-sensitive pins that can be used to wake it from deep sleep mode.
The ESP32 chip has 48 pins with various functions. However, not all pins can be used on the ESP32 development boards. To simplify the pinout and make it easier, pins with similar functions are grouped together.
Interested in an ESP32, an ESP8266, or a related product?
What makes the ESP32 and ESP8266 so special? With their small PCB dimensions, ESP32/8266 provide essential functionality and diversity to your projects. And why are they so affordable, despite offering a multitude of project possibilities? The short answer is that the ESP32 and ESP8266 are cheap to manufacture. Besides many of the currently available development boards, Elektor also offers a number of ESP-related kits (e.g., ESP32 Weather Station Kit) and bundles (i.e., development boards combined with a book), such as the Elektor ESP32 Smart Kit Bundle.
What accessories are available for the ESP32 and ESP8266?
It's not easy or practical to use the ESP32 or ESP8266 chips for testing and prototyping. Usually, ESP32 and ESP8266 development boards meet your requirements. These boards contain all the electronics needed to power the chip and connect it to your computer.
You also benefit from a convenient circuit for uploading code, pins for connecting peripherals, built-in power and control LEDs, and other handy features. Moreover, Elektor offers various books on ESP32 and ESP8266, including Getting Started with ESPHome, FreeRTOS for ESP32-Arduino, and The Complete ESP32 Projects Guide.
Why search for ESP32/ESP8266-related products at Elektor?
Elektor makes every effort to provide its customers with the right tools for building great projects. In addition to a variety of handy ESP32/ESP8266-related applications, Elektor offers books and articles that help you develop new projects and upgrade your skills as a technician. Many of the original projects from our own team of technicians contain these technologies.