ESP32 vs ESP8266 Pros and Cons

This might be because the USB Vendor ID and Product ID are possibly the same for both boards. You can set PWM signals in any GPIO with configurable frequencies and duty cycle set on the code. Alternatively, if you don’t need to use its wireless capabilities, you can use the ESP32/ESP8266 to control inputs and outputs as you would do with an Arduino. However, you should take into account that whereas the Arduino works with 5V logic, the ESP32 and ESP8266 work at 3.3V.

1. The onboard MicroB USB port provides power to the ESP32 development board.
2. Additionally, the ESP32 boasts robust security features, enhancing its overall device security.
3. It is apparent that both the ESP32 and ESP8266 serve as remarkable toolkits.
4. It supports both classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy.

When the ESP32 draws up to 250mA during RF transmissions, it can reliably supply up to 600mA, which should be more than enough. The regulator’s output is also broken out to one of the board’s sides and labeled as 3V3. The onboard MicroB USB port provides power to the ESP32 development board. You can use the VIN pin to power the ESP32 and its peripherals directly via 5V external power supply.

1. Both the ESP8266 and ESP32 SoC microcontrollers provide hobbyists with an Internet communication device, but the ESP32 is a slightly better option.
2. When choosing between the ESP32 and ESP8266, consider factors such asadditional hardware modules, SRAM size, and budget.
3. The chip also supports both Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE/Bluetooth Smart) and Bluetooth Classic (BT), making it even more versatile.
4. However, it has some limitations in the GPIO mapping, and it might not have enough pins for what you intend to do.
5. You can utilize the VIN pin to power the ESP8266 and its peripherals directly if providing power through 5V source.
6. This LED is useful for debugging to give some sort of visual physical output.
7. In this article, we will compare the ESP32 vs ESP8266 and cover the pros and cons of each board.

ESP8266 is a complete or standalone system-on-chip (SOC) circuit with Wifi module with IP/TCP protocol stack. The ESP8266 can be accessed via Wifi connection to any microcontroller. Here’s a table that compares the ESP8266 and ESP32 specifications and features in depth.

In this instance, you don’t need the device powered up and continuously doing WiFi operations. You need that computational power to create the 802.11b/g/n WiFioperation but it is also true that while you need that to communicate toa web page you can design a system that only periodically updates anoutput. For instance you may want to get a temperature reading only oncean hour. The ESP8266 does not have Bluetooth connectivity, while the ESP32 has Bluetooth connectivity.

Why use ESP32 instead of Arduino?

The 03ESP8266 is a cheaper option suitable for simple projects. ESP8266 is an integrated circuit with 16 GPIO pins and different peripherals such as serial peripheral interface, IC protocol, analog-to-digital converter. It also offers a power-efficient architecture and a 32-bit Tensilica processor. It is extremely durable and performs consistently even in harsh industrial environments. This is simply because of its wide operating temperature range.

Both microcontrollers boast a 32-bit processor and feature GPIOs supporting various protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, ADC, DAC, and PWM. What sets them apart is the built-in wireless networking capability, distinguishing them from other microcontrollers like the Arduino. This implies that, at a remarkably low cost, you can effortlessly manage and monitor devices remotely through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (in the case of ESP32). Alternatively, if wireless capabilities are not needed, you can utilize the ESP32/ESP8266 for input and output control, similar to the Arduino.

I have an ESP32 devkit connected to my USB but this is what I seewhen I select the correct portThen you need to select the correct board – in my case ESP32 Dev module. The ESP32 and ESP8266 are low-cost Wi-Fi modules that are ideal for Internet of Things (IoT) and Home Automation projects. For communication, the ESP32 requires a 3.3V power supply and 3.3V logic levels. For communication, the ESP8266 requires a 3.3V power supply and 3.3V logic levels. Although it doesn’t have as many functionalities, it works just fine for most simple DIY IoT projects.

ESP32 with HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor with Arduino IDE

Notably, Risc-V and ARM enjoy robust support from GNU compilers, whereas Xtensa requires additional support and development efforts to integrate with compilers. The ESP8266 wifi module has a total of 17 GPIO pins available on both sides of the development board. These pins can be assigned to all sorts of peripheral duties. Another way to program the ESP32 and ESP8266 boards is to use the MicroPython firmware. MicroPython is a re-implementation of Python 3 for microcontrollers and embedded systems.

We know that both ESP32 and ESP8266 are very complete tool kits. When considering different factors, different modules need to be selected. When considering equipment cost, it may be more appropriate to choose ESP8266; when a larger number of GPIOs are required, ESP32 is more appropriate.

We also have some guides and tutorials using MicroPython firmware. It also comes with a https://traderoom.info/brainwagon-the-esp32-vs-the-esp8266/ built-in blue LED that is internally connected to GPIO 2. This LED is useful for debugging to give some sort of visual physical output. There’s also a red LED that lights up when you provide power to the board. It uses the CP2102 chip (USB to UART) to communicate with your computer via a COM port using a serial interface.

ESP32 vs ESP8266: Advantages and Disadvantages

The ESP-12E module on the development board contains an ESP8266 chip with a Tensilica Xtensa 32-bit LX106 RISC microprocessor that supports RTOS and operates at 80 to 160 MHz adjustable clock frequency. The ESP8266 is a low-cost, user-friendly device for connecting your IoT projects to the internet. Others even come with extra hardware like specific sensors or modules, displays, or a camera in the case of the ESP32-CAM. Using ESP32 or ESP8266 bare chips is not easy or practical, especially when testing and prototyping. Most of the time, you’ll want to use ESP32 and ESP8266 development boards.

Programming and Community Support

ESP32 clearly wins most match ups, but it falls behind in simplicity and power efficiency. This explains why the ESP8266 remains a popular choice for many, despite not being the top performer. The ESP8266, being more budget-friendly than the ESP32, serves well for straightforward DIY IoT projects despite having fewer features. Its “older” status results in better software support, making it easier to find assistance.