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ESP32 boards have become the go-to choice for makers building connected devices. Whether you're creating a smart home sensor, weather station, energy monitor, or a fully automated IoT system, there's an ESP32 board designed for the job.
The challenge is choosing the right one. With dozens of ESP32 variants available, it can be difficult to know which board offers the best combination of connectivity, performance, power efficiency, and future-proof features.
In this guide, we'll compare some of the best ESP32 boards for IoT projects and help you find the right option for your next build.
What makes a great ESP32 board for IoT?
Not all ESP32 boards are built for the same purpose. Some focus on low-power applications, while others prioritize connectivity, processing power, or support for emerging technologies like Matter and Wi-Fi 6.
When choosing an ESP32 board for an IoT project, consider these key factors:
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Connectivity: Support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other wireless protocols.
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Power efficiency: Important for battery-powered devices and remote deployments.
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Performance: Processing power and memory for handling more complex applications.
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Development support: Compatibility with Arduino, ESPHome, MicroPython, and PlatformIO.
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Expandability: Ability to connect sensors, displays, and other peripherals.
The best board ultimately depends on your project requirements, whether you're building a simple sensor node or a fully connected smart home device.
1. NULA Mini ESP32-C6 - best ESP32 board for modern IoT projects
If you're building a new IoT device today, the NULA Mini ESP32-C6 is one of the most future-ready options available. It combines modern wireless standards with excellent power efficiency, making it a strong fit for everything from smart home devices to battery-powered sensors.
Why it stands out?
The ESP32-C6 introduces support for technologies that are becoming increasingly important in IoT development.
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Wi-Fi 6 support
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Bluetooth 5 LE
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Matter compatibility
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Compact form factor
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Low-power operation
Where it performs best:
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Home Assistant integrations
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ESPHome devices
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Smart home sensors
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Environmental monitoring
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Battery-powered projects
One thing to keep in mind is that the ESP32-C6 ecosystem is newer than traditional ESP32 boards, so you may occasionally find fewer tutorials compared to older models.
2. ESP32 DevKit V1 - best budget ESP32 board
Few development boards have influenced the maker community as much as the ESP32 DevKit V1. It remains one of the most popular ESP32 boards because it's affordable, easy to find, and supported by thousands of tutorials.
Why makers still love it?
The DevKit V1 has been around long enough that almost every common problem has already been solved somewhere online. For beginners, that level of community support is often more valuable than having the latest hardware features.
Quick specifications:
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Dual-core ESP32 processor
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Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
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Wide Arduino support
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Extensive documentation
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Large developer community
Our verdict:
If you're learning ESP32 development or building your first IoT prototype, the DevKit V1 is still one of the safest choices. It may not have Wi-Fi 6 or Matter support, but it delivers excellent value for the price.
3. ESP32-S3 dev board - best ESP32 board for AI and advanced projects
The ESP32-S3 targets a different audience than most boards on this list. While many ESP32 boards focus on connectivity and automation, the S3 adds additional processing capabilities designed for more demanding workloads.
Is it built for more than basic IoT?
Projects involving voice recognition, computer vision, image processing, or edge AI can benefit significantly from the additional horsepower offered by the ESP32-S3.
Typical applications:
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Voice assistants
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AI-powered devices
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Computer vision projects
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Smart cameras
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Advanced automation systems
Before you buy consider this:
For simple sensor projects, the extra performance may go unused. The ESP32-S3 makes the most sense when your project requires processing data locally rather than simply sending it to the cloud.
4. ESP32-C3 super mini - best low-cost ESP32 board
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini proves that powerful IoT hardware doesn't have to take up much space. Despite its tiny footprint, it delivers reliable wireless connectivity and enough performance for many everyday projects.
Why it's becoming so popular all of a sudden?
Its biggest advantage is flexibility. The board can be integrated into finished products far more easily than larger development boards, making it attractive for makers who move beyond prototyping.
Key strengths:
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Extremely compact design
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Low power consumption
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Affordable price point
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Reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Ideal use cases for this one:
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Portable IoT devices
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Smart sensors
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Wearables
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Compact monitoring systems
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Battery-powered applications
The main compromise is expansion. Smaller boards naturally provide fewer pins and less room for peripherals.
5. M5Stack Atom Lite - best compact ESP32 ecosystem
The M5Stack Atom Lite isn't just a development board. It's an entry point into a larger ecosystem of modules, sensors, and accessories designed to accelerate prototyping.
What makes it different?
Unlike traditional ESP32 boards that require additional wiring and setup, the M5Stack ecosystem focuses on simplicity and modularity. This allows projects to come together much faster, particularly for educational environments and rapid prototyping.
Who should consider it?
The Atom Lite is particularly appealing if you value convenience over complete hardware flexibility. It's a popular choice among educators, makers, and developers who want to validate ideas quickly.
Advantages:
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Tiny footprint
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Strong ecosystem support
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Beginner-friendly setup
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Excellent for rapid prototyping
Limitations:
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More dependent on the M5Stack ecosystem
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Less flexible than standalone development boards
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Additional modules can increase project costs
Best ESP32 boards by project type
The "best" ESP32 board depends entirely on what you're building. A board that's perfect for a battery-powered sensor may not be the best choice for Home Assistant, AI applications, or learning MicroPython. Here's a quick breakdown based on common project types.
Best ESP32 board for Home Assistant
Winner: NULA Mini ESP32-C6
Home Assistant users benefit from reliable wireless connectivity and support for modern smart home protocols. The NULA Mini ESP32-C6 stands out thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 support, Bluetooth 5 LE, and Matter compatibility, making it a strong foundation for smart home integrations.
Best ESP32 board for ESPHome
Winner: NULA Mini ESP32-C6
ESPHome and Home Assistant often go hand in hand. The NULA Mini ESP32-C6 provides excellent connectivity and enough performance for dashboards, sensors, environmental monitoring, and automation projects without unnecessary complexity.
Best ESP32 board for MicroPython
Winner: ESP32 DevKit V1
If you're learning MicroPython, community support is incredibly valuable. The ESP32 DevKit V1 has years of documentation, tutorials, and example projects available, making it one of the easiest boards to get started with.
Best ESP32 board for battery-powered devices
Winner: ESP32-C3 Super Mini
Its compact design and low power consumption make the ESP32-C3 Super Mini an excellent choice for wireless sensors, portable monitoring devices, and other projects that need to run for extended periods on battery power.
Best ESP32 board for beginners
Winner: ESP32 DevKit V1
For first-time makers, simplicity matters. The DevKit V1 remains one of the most beginner-friendly ESP32 boards available thanks to its affordability, extensive documentation, and huge online community.
Best ESP32 board for advanced makers
Winner: ESP32-S3 Dev Board
If you're experimenting with voice recognition, computer vision, machine learning, or other advanced applications, the ESP32-S3 offers the processing capabilities needed for more demanding projects while still maintaining the flexibility of the ESP32 ecosystem.
Build your next IoT project with Soldered
The ESP32 ecosystem offers something for every type of maker. Whether you're building your first smart sensor, experimenting with Home Assistant, creating an ESPHome dashboard, or developing a more advanced IoT device, there's an ESP32 board that fits your project and skill level.
For beginners, community support and simplicity often matter most. For experienced developers, features like Wi-Fi 6, Matter compatibility, power efficiency, and advanced processing capabilities can make a significant difference. The key is choosing a board that matches both your current needs and the projects you plan to build in the future.
At Soldered, we work with ESP32 boards every day, which is why we've designed products like the NULA Mini ESP32-C6 to help makers move from ideas to working prototypes faster. Pair it with sensors, displays, or easyC modules, and you'll have everything you need to start building connected devices, smart home projects, and custom IoT solutions.
The best way to learn is by building. Pick a board, start a project, and see where it takes you.
Check out our nula deepsleep board as well.
ESP32 board: FAQs
What is the best ESP32 board for IoT projects?
The best ESP32 board for IoT projects depends on your requirements. For modern smart home devices and connected sensors, boards like the NULA Mini ESP32-C6 offer advanced connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 LE, and Matter support.
Which ESP32 board is best for beginners?
The ESP32 DevKit V1 remains one of the best ESP32 boards for beginners thanks to its low cost, extensive documentation, and large community. Thousands of tutorials and example projects are available online, making it easier to get started.
What is the difference between ESP32-C6 and ESP32-S3?
The ESP32-C6 focuses on wireless connectivity with features like Wi-Fi 6 and Matter support, making it ideal for IoT and smart home projects. The ESP32-S3 offers more processing power and is better suited for applications involving AI, voice recognition, and edge computing.
Is ESP32 better than Arduino for IoT?
For most IoT projects, ESP32 offers significant advantages over traditional Arduino boards. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity allow ESP32 devices to communicate with cloud platforms, mobile apps, and smart home systems without requiring additional hardware.
Which ESP32 board supports Matter?
The ESP32-C6 is one of the most popular ESP32 chips with Matter support. Matter is becoming an important smart home standard, helping devices work seamlessly across different ecosystems and platforms.
Can I use ESP32 with Home Assistant?
Yes. ESP32 boards are commonly used with Home Assistant through ESPHome, MQTT, and other integrations. They can power sensors, smart switches, dashboards, energy monitors, and countless other home automation projects.
What is the best ESP32 board for ESPHome?
Many makers choose ESP32-C6-based boards for ESPHome projects because they offer reliable wireless connectivity, strong smart home compatibility, and support for future-focused technologies like Matter.
Does ESP32 support MicroPython?
Yes. Most ESP32 boards support MicroPython, allowing developers to program connected devices using Python instead of C++. This makes ESP32 a popular choice for beginners and rapid prototyping.
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