The ESP32, made by Espressif Systems, is a tiny, powerful chip used for smart devices and electronics projects. It’s super popular for Internet of Things (IoT) because it’s affordable and has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. With so many ESP32 options in 2026, this guide explains the different types, what they’re best for, and how much they cost.
What is an ESP32?
An ESP32 is a small, low-cost chip with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (in most versions). You can program it using simple tools like Arduino, MicroPython, or others, so it’s great for beginners and experts alike.
Types of ESP32 Chips
Each ESP32 chip is designed for different needs. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Classic ESP32 (ESP32-D0WDQ6)
- The original chip with two cores, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth (Classic + BLE).
- Best for: Basic projects like home automation or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth setups.
- Board Cost: $5–$15
- ESP32-S3
- A stronger chip with two cores, better USB support, more memory, and extra pins.
- Best for: Advanced projects like USB devices (e.g., acting as a keyboard), cameras, or AI tasks.
- Board Cost: $8–$20
- ESP32-C3
- A single-core chip that uses less power and is super cheap. It has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 (BLE only).
- Best for: Battery-powered sensors or small, low-cost devices.
- Board Cost: $4–$12
- ESP32-C6
- Has Wi-Fi 6 for better connections in busy areas, plus Bluetooth 5 and support for Zigbee/Thread (smart home protocols).
- Best for: Modern smart homes, industrial networks, or devices needing strong Wi-Fi.
- Board Cost: $7–$18
- ESP32-H2
- No Wi-Fi, but has Bluetooth 5.4 and Zigbee/Thread. Great for low-power mesh networks.
- Best for: Smart home devices or Bluetooth sensors in a network.
- Board Cost: $5–$15
Popular ESP32 Boards and Their Uses
Boards combine the ESP32 chip with extras like USB ports, LEDs, and pins to make them easier to use. Here are the top ones in 2026:
- DOIT ESP32 DevKit V1 (Uses Classic ESP32)
- Why it’s great: Cheap, simple, and perfect for beginners with lots of tutorials.
- Best for: Learning, Wi-Fi projects, or data logging.
- Cost: ~$7
- Lolin ESP32-S3 Mini (Uses ESP32-S3)
- Why it’s great: Small, powerful, with USB-C and good power management.
- Best for: Advanced projects like USB devices or complex gadgets.
- Cost: ~$12
- Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 (Uses ESP32-C3)
- Why it’s great: Tiny, low-power, and cheap. Great for small projects.
- Best for: Wearables or battery-powered sensors.
- Cost: ~$5
- Adafruit ESP32-C6 Feather (Uses ESP32-C6)
- Why it’s great: Works with many add-ons (sensors, batteries) and has Wi-Fi 6.
- Best for: Next-gen smart home devices or Wi-Fi 6 networks.
- Cost: ~$25
- M5Stack Core Series (Uses ESP32-S3 or similar)
- Why it’s great: Comes with a screen, buttons, and speaker for quick builds without soldering.
- Best for: Smart home panels, industrial displays, or fast prototypes.
- Cost: $35–$70+
- ESP32-S3-EYE / AI-Thinker ESP32-CAM (Uses ESP32-S3 or Classic ESP32)
- Why it’s great: Has a built-in camera (and sometimes a microphone) for video or AI projects.
- Best for: Security cameras, video streaming, or face detection.
- Cost: ESP32-CAM: ~$10 | ESP32-S3-EYE: ~$25
Which ESP32 Board Should You Pick?
Here’s a quick guide to match your project to the right board:
| Your Project Need | Best Chip | Best Board |
|---|---|---|
| Learning or simple projects | Classic ESP32 | DOIT ESP32 DevKit V1 |
| Long battery life, small size | ESP32-C3 | Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 |
| Powerful projects or USB devices | ESP32-S3 | Lolin ESP32-S3 Mini |
| Modern Wi-Fi 6 or smart home tech | ESP32-C6 | Adafruit ESP32-C6 Feather |
| Zigbee/Thread networks | ESP32-H2 | Seeed or Adafruit dev boards |
| Quick builds with a screen | ESP32-S3 | M5Stack Core2 / CoreS3 |
| Cameras or AI vision projects | ESP32-S3 | ESP32-S3-EYE |
Final Thoughts
In 2026, there’s an ESP32 board for every project, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. Pick the Classic ESP32 or ESP32-S3 for general use, the ESP32-C3 or C6 for battery-powered devices, or the ESP32-C6 and H2 for cutting-edge smart home tech. Whatever you’re building, there’s an ESP32 that fits. Happy making!
