If you’ve spent any time building DIY electronics projects, chances are you’ve bumped into the mighty ESP32—a tiny yet powerful chip that’s become a go-to for makers everywhere. But if you’ve ever tried to pick one up for a project, you’ve probably noticed something: there’s not just one ESP32. There’s the C3, C5, S2, S3, the original… and at first glance, they all look kinda the same.
I remember the first time I ordered an ESP32 board online, thinking “Yeah, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—perfect for my smart light controller.” What showed up was an ESP32-S2, which I later learned had no Bluetooth support at all. Oops.
That’s when I realized: not all ESP32s are created equal.
So in this post, I’m breaking down the different ESP32 variants in plain English—no datasheet diving required. I’ll walk you through the differences, what each one is good at, and which version you should grab for your next IoT, smart home, or wearable gadget idea.
Let’s dive in and demystify the ESP32 lineup!
📊 ESP32 Variant Comparison Table
| Feature | ESP32 (Original) | ESP32-C3 | ESP32-C5 | ESP32-S2 | ESP32-S3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core Xtensa LX6 @ 240 MHz | Single-core RISC-V @ 160 MHz | Dual-core RISC-V @ 240 MHz | Single-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240 MHz | Dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240 MHz |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz (802.11 b/g/n) | 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4) | 2.4 + 5 GHz (Wi-Fi 6) | 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4) | 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi 4) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Classic + BLE | BLE 5.0 only | ❌ None | ❌ None | BLE 5.0 only |
| Flash Encryption / Secure Boot | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| USB Support | ❌ (needs external chip) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (USB OTG) | ✅ (USB OTG + Host) |
| AI Acceleration | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (vector instructions) |
| GPIO Pins | ~34 | 22 | TBD (~22–30) | Up to 43 | Up to 44 |
| Power Efficiency | ⚠️ Moderate | ✅ Very Low Power | ⚠️ Moderate | ✅ Low Power | ✅ Low Power |
| Core Architecture | Xtensa LX6 | RISC-V | RISC-V | Xtensa LX7 | Xtensa LX7 |
🔍 ESP32 Variants Explained (with Maker Use Cases)
🧠 ESP32 (Original)
CPU: Dual-core Xtensa LX6 @ 240 MHz
RAM: 520 KB SRAM
The OG that started it all. Dual-core, full Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (Classic + BLE), and solid performance.
- Why Use It: Balanced performance and features. Tons of community support.
- Project Ideas:
- Smart home hubs
- Bluetooth speakers
- Wi-Fi-enabled sensors or automation
- Watch Out For: A bit power-hungry for battery projects.
🦾 ESP32-C3 (RISC-V, budget-friendly)
CPU: Single-core RISC-V @ 160 MHz
RAM: 400 KB SRAM
Single-core RISC-V, super low power, and supports BLE 5.0. No Bluetooth Classic, though.
- Why Use It: Cheap, secure, and efficient. Great ESP8266 upgrade.
- Project Ideas:
- Battery-powered sensors (temperature, door/window)
- BLE beacons or wearable data loggers
- Secure Wi-Fi buttons (think DIY Dash buttons)
- Watch Out For: No Bluetooth Classic (no audio), limited GPIOs.
🚀 ESP32-C5 (RISC-V, Wi-Fi 6 support)
CPU: Dual-core RISC-V @ 240 MHz
RAM: 400 KB SRAM
New kid on the block. Dual-core RISC-V and supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6!).
- Why Use It: Future-proof for high-speed Wi-Fi projects. Great for dense networks or streaming.
- Project Ideas:
- High-throughput IoT (e.g., camera feeds to server)
- Smart display panels in 5 GHz-only environments
- Wi-Fi-connected devices in crowded areas (e.g., apartments)
- Watch Out For: No Bluetooth at all (yet), limited dev boards available for now.
🔌 ESP32-S2 (USB, no Bluetooth)
Wi-Fi only (no Bluetooth), but has native USB OTG support—handy for HID devices or flashing over USB.
CPU: Single-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240 MHz
RAM: 320 KB SRAM + 128 KB ROM cache
- Why Use It: When you need USB device mode and don’t care about BT.
- Project Ideas:
- Custom USB keyboards or HID devices
- USB gadget mode projects (serial, MIDI, etc.)
- Low-power Wi-Fi sensors
- Watch Out For: No Bluetooth at all, single-core only.
🤖 ESP32-S3 (USB + BLE + AI support)
Think of it as S2’s big sibling—adds BLE 5.0 and vector instructions for basic AI/ML tasks (like face/key detection).
CPU: Dual-core Xtensa LX7 @ 240 MHz
RAM: 512 KB SRAM (with external PSRAM support)
- Why Use It: You need USB and BLE, plus a bit of onboard AI magic.
- Project Ideas:
- DIY smart cameras (e.g., face detection, person presence)
- BLE + Wi-Fi smart home gadgets
- Voice assistants (basic wake-word detection)
- Watch Out For: AI support is basic, not a GPU.
💰 ESP32 Variant Price Comparison
| ESP32 Variant | Approximate Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ESP32 (Original) | $3.50 – $6.00 | Standard module without additional peripherals. Prices can be higher for development boards with added features. |
| ESP32-C3 | $1.00 – $2.50 | Lower cost due to single-core RISC-V architecture. Development boards may be priced higher. |
| ESP32-C5 | Pricing not widely available | As a newer release, pricing is limited and may be higher due to advanced features like dual-band Wi-Fi 6. |
| ESP32-S2 | $1.25 – $3.00 | Wi-Fi only module; development boards with additional features may cost more. |
| ESP32-S3 | $3.50 – $5.00 | Includes BLE 5.0 and AI acceleration; development boards may be priced higher. |
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- Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches, Second Edition
- Arduino Workshop: A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects
- Exploring Arduino: Tools and Techniques for Engineering Wizardry
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all ESP32—and that’s a good thing. Whether you’re building a low-power sensor that runs on a coin cell, a custom USB keyboard, or a smart camera with face detection, there’s an ESP32 variant that fits just right.
Here’s the quick cheat sheet:
- ESP32 (Original) – Solid all-rounder with full BT + Wi-Fi.
- C3 – Budget, low-power, RISC-V, perfect for simple Wi-Fi + BLE projects.
- C5 – Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 powerhouse (still new, but exciting).
- S2 – USB support, no Bluetooth, great for HID or USB gadgets.
- S3 – All the things: USB + BLE + light AI support.
If you’re just starting out, the original ESP32 or ESP32-C3 are great entry points. If you’re chasing speed or advanced features, the S3 or C5 might be worth the upgrade.
At the end of the day, pick based on your project’s needs, not just the coolest specs. That’s the tinkerer’s way.