ESP32 Guide 2024 | Choosing and Using an ESP32 Board

The ESP32 family has grown considerably since its introduction in 2016. We’ll look at every ESP32 series and see how they compare. We’ll also check out a few development boards that might belong in YOUR workshop.

DevKits, Modules, Systems on a Chip - the ESP32 has been around for over seven years! There are now almost a dozen distinct ESP32 series’, each with unique features and target applications. Combine that with a selection of a few hundred development boards, and it can be difficult to pick out the best ESP32 board for your project.

Today, we’ll look at every ESP32 series and see how they compare. That includes some new devices that will be released this year. It’s amazing how many features they have crammed into the ESP32!

We’ll also preview ESP Boards Manager 3.0 with the Arduino IDE and one of the latest ESP32-C6 DevKits. It’s coming out later this year, but you can run an Alpha copy now.

And I’ll show you how to use an online version of ESP Tools to identify those mystery ESP32 boards from your parts' drawer. ESP Tools is a great utility that you’ll be seeing more of here in the workshop.

Here is the Table of Contents for today's video:

00:00 - Introduction
02:48 - Espressif ESP32 Series
09:23 - ESP32 Product Selector
10:33 - Working with the ESP32
14:04 - Using Online ESP Tools
19:04 - Selecting an ESP32 Board
25:28 - Some Suggested ESP32 Boards
29:37 - Some Other ESP32 Boards
32:59 - ESP32 Boards Manager Alpha 3.0
39:19 - Conclusion

The ESP32 has to be the most versatile microprocessor around today, and you can build many experiments and projects with it. So pick out a great ESP32 development board and start exploring the amazing world of the Espressif ESP32!

Hope you enjoy the video!

Bill

[Dronebotworkshop]

Hi everyone - It's come to my attention that there has been someone masquerading as myself, responding to some comments here with a link to a Telegram chat to win a prize from me. THIS IS A SCAM, I am not holding a contest, nor do I have a Telegram account. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE MESSAGES!!


Thanks!

Bill (The real one!)

[BlackDragonBE]

I think you read my mind, I was just trying to figure out the differences between all the ESP32 boards when this video showed up in my recommendations. Thanks for another informative video!

[thomasleftwite]

I've been using ESP32 for several years. But I didn't know the history of ESP32, so this video was very helpful. thank you!

[cookinsteve]

I’ve been waiting for this for almost 4 years and didn’t even know it. Thanks a lot for this, DroneBot Man. You’re a hero.

[LukeHoersten]

Thanks for making this video. It took me forever to figure out even the basics of the ESP32 lineup with just the specs. No youtube video existed for this a few months ago. Really appreciate the effort here!

[BuckWezr]

YouTube gets worse with every passing year. As if constantly getting Recommended videos of things I've already watched recently isn't bad enough, but the number of channels I'm finding myself unsubscribed to is just stupid.

Love your videos, sir! I'm happy to be back.

[RoySATX]

Thanks for doing this run-through of the various ESP32's, especially the information on the online ESP Tool, I wasn't aware of that. Prior to the ESP32 I had been relying on the Teensy 2/3 for many projects and was forever being frustrated by how fickle and prone to ESD damage they were, sometimes simply openin the antistatic wrapper they came in was enough to cause glitches no matter how carefullly grounded me and my workstation were. ESP32 are now my default for all but the most basic projects, I haven't had any ESD issues on any of them regardless of dev board platform. I literally can toss them around and they still just work.

[garyelder]

Thanks for another great video. Just starting to work with my first ESP32 dev board. I picked up a couple Olimex ESP32-POE-ISO. Amazing features on this board, plus POE. Great for IOT and home automation when you don't want the security risk of wireless. No need for external power source either. Not as convenient as battery operated wireless, but more secure and less maintenance. Looking forward to your next vid. Cheers.

[henristievenard]

You are really excellent. Thank you very much for helping others with your huge knowledge.
In addition, for foreigners (I'm French) your English is perfect to understand.
Congratulations for this very useful and great realised Tutorial.

[RommudohDev]

Very nice overview! I always like your videos, they are easy to understand, contain a lot of (but not too much) information, and give hints where to look for more.

[henrysiegertsz]

I just got 3 ESP32 Boards and two snazzy dev boards with terminal strips as well as female headers, got a few projects in mind, solenoid locking and motorising my garage doors being one. Adding CNC automation to my Board Flattening Router sled. And a remote control for my Sony TV/ TEAC audio system. I'm not new to electronics, about 40 years plus experience in digital and analog design, Mostly maintenance Avionics and ATE, but I'm completely new to Microcontollers. Your content surpasses all I've seen so far by a country mile. Thanks Bill for a great channel!

[mt-qcqh]

As a hobbyist and developer I learned not to chase the next shiny thing. These are all great SOC's, but in maturing I settled on the C3 for ll my sleeper sensors, replacing any 8266 older designs. I used 3 S2's, just to get rid of them, for some gateway devices. I used up my old esp32's for plugged-in bluetooth devices (i.e garage door opener and other relay modules). The S3 is an incredible device. I employ several for heavier duty devices, especially in I2S audio applications. For wearables I use the Xiao nrf52 devices. The other devices, ie rp2040 and the older avr mcu's have found a permanent spot in the junk box.
Great overview. Love your channel....

[xodpdvk]

I was just trying to figure out the differences between all the ESP32 boards when this video showed up in my recommendations! Thanks a lot! Very helpful!

[iangrice]

THANK YOU, yes it WAS confusing, thank you for coming to my rescue mate, perfect video 👍

[jaysalomon]

Great timing, I'm replacing my many items from all the various different systems with esps and relays, really glad I came across this as the ZigBee options could be exactly what I need

[budgetstacker]

This is a great video with so much helpful information about the ever popular ESP32. Thanks for making this. The history was very interesting as well as I never knew much about their origin.

[devrim-oguz]

Espressif naming scheme is crazy. Thanks for the video for making it more clear.

[joeborovina]

Outstanding, a great presentation with a hellva bus ride with you driving! Thank you!

[DeveloperJourney]

Working with these devices is often like a blind man feeling his way around an elephant to determine what the thing is. This video brought together a lot of things I knew a little bit about to make me much more aware of how the ESP32 ecosystem has evolved and continues to grow. The product selector is great. There's also a product comparison tool on that same page that was is really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make videos like this. I know it takes a lot of time and effort and I appreciate it.

[retrig]

Great episode! The part about identifying the exact model of SoC is awesome! I have so many different ones, and I've long lost track of what's what. Thanks!