Discover everything about the ESP32 Microcontrollers: deveopment boards, sensors, features, setup tutorials, coding guides, and project ideas
We have been following Elecrow's CrowPanel HMI displays since June 2024, when they sent us a 2.8" and a 7" unit for our first CrowPanel review . The 7" board turned into a longer project than expected. Getting it running under ESPHome took enough trial and error that it became a separate bring-up guide . In April 2025 we reviewed the CrowPanel Advance 7.0 , the version with the swappable radio…
E-paper and deep sleep are a natural pairing. An e-paper panel holds its last image with no power at all, so a battery display does not need the ESP32 awake to keep a number on screen. It can wake, take a reading, paint the panel once, and sleep again for minutes at a time. This post builds exactly that: a cased, battery-powered climate display on the Waveshare ESP32-S3-ePaper-1.54G . Every 30…
A kitchen timer is a solved interface. Twist a knob, it starts ticking, it rings when it is done. Every attempt to improve on that with touchscreens and apps has mostly made it worse. The M5Stack Dial is that exact interface with an ESP32-S3 inside: a rotary knob with real detents that also clicks like a button, a 1.28" round touchscreen in the middle, and a buzzer. So this post builds the obvious…
Quick Verdict Display: 2.8" ILI9341 320×240 TN (same as stock CYD) Case: Acrylic sandwich, included I/O: I2C, UART×2, battery, speaker, TF slot As a miner: ~1 MH/s - lottery ticket only Frameworks: Arduino IDE + ESP-IDF, both work Price: ~$15/unit (2-pack only, $29.90) A CYD with USB-C and a Case # Elecrow sent me a 2-pack of their " 2.8" ESP32 Miner LCD Display ". The box says Cryptocurrency Solo…
Last summer I was on holiday, thousands of kilometres from home, when I tapped "Pump A: ON" in the Tuya app to give the greenhouse a quick top-up. A few minutes later the WiFi at home dropped. The pumps were still on. I had no way to turn them off. No way to see what was happening. The reservoir was maybe half full, the day was hot and dry, the pumps were inside a wooden greenhouse, and the only…
I have had the Elecrow CrowPanel 5.79" E-Paper sitting on my desk for a while now. The hardware is great - a wide 792×272 e-paper panel on top of an ESP32-S3 with a rotary encoder, side buttons, a TF card slot, and battery charging built-in. A perfect candidate for a low-power home dashboard. The component covered in this post supports two models : the 4.2" (400×300) and the 5.79" (792×272). The…
A multimeter is the single most useful debugging tool on your workbench. If your ESP32 isn't booting, keeps browning out, or a sensor just won't respond - a $15 multimeter will tell you why in about 60 seconds . Most multimeter guides are written for electricians or car mechanics. This one is written for you - someone working with ESP32 dev boards, sensors, batteries, and breadboards. Every…
The three main types of multimeters are digital (DMM), analog (VOM), and clamp meters. For electronics and ESP32 projects, you want a handheld digital multimeter - the other types are either outdated or built for electricians. This guide explains each type, which features genuinely matter for microcontroller work, and gives you four specific, honest picks from $35 to $95. TL;DR - The short version…
Quick Verdict Display: Gorgeous 480x480 IPS Rotary knob: Satisfying & smooth Stock case: Feels plasticky With 3D-printed case: Excellent ESPHome support: Official examples since Jan 2026 Price: ~$35 Why the CrowPanel 2.1" Rotary Display? # The Elecrow CrowPanel 2.1" Rotary Display is an ESP32-S3 based round display with a built-in rotary encoder - and it's one of the more interesting pieces of…
Best ESP32 Camera Module - Quick Picks Most projects: OV2640 QR codes / photos: OV5640 AF AI / face detection: OV3660 Learning only: OV7670 The Camera Module Confusion # My first ESP32-CAM project was a doorbell camera. The board came with a camera, I flashed some code, and it worked. Mostly. Daylight was fine. But in my hallway? Blurry, grainy, unusable. I spent hours tweaking settings before…
I was building an ESPHome display project. Every time I wanted to move a button 10 pixels to the left, I had to: Edit the YAML coordinates Recompile the firmware Upload to the device Wait and look at the result Realize it's still wrong Repeat 20 times For a button. The core problem: LVGL is powerful, but hand-coding coordinates into YAML is brutal. You're flying blind, guessing where things will…
I love anything that helps people stay connected off the grid, so when Elecrow sent over two of their Meshtastic-ready units I couldn't wait to try them: the ThinkNode‑M1 and the ThinkNode‑M2. On paper they look similar, but under the hood they're quite different. The M1 is built around a Nordic nRF52840, includes GNSS (GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/QZSS) and has a 1.54" e‑paper display. The M2 is an…
This is a small upgrade to the ESP-LED series: ESP-LED-03 keeps the same feature set you already know from v1/v2 (ESP32-S3 SuperMini , INMP441 audio, light sensor, reliable level shifting for data lines) and adds exactly one component - the DD4012SA - which lets the board safely drive higher-voltage LED strips (5–24V). The goal was simple: enable compatibility with 12V and 24V LED strips (common…
I use WireGuard as my VPN to securely access my Home Assistant dashboard and other devices on my home network when I’m away. It’s lightweight, fast, and incredibly easy to set up - which makes it perfect for small setups like a Raspberry Pi. But once you start using WireGuard regularly, it’s nice to know a bit more about what’s happening behind the scenes. Which clients are connected right now?…
I recently built the Motorized Photo / Video Turntable for taking 360° videos of dev boards and other electronics. It looked fine with the original Arduino Nano , but since I pretty much use the ESP32 for everything these days (naturally, it’s ESPboards after all), I decided to rebuild it around an ESP32 , ESPHome , and Home Assistant for a smarter and more flexible setup (you’ll see why soon...).…
If you've spent any time automating your home with Zigbee devices in Home Assistant, you've likely run into ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation), the built-in integration. While ZHA works out-of-the-box and supports a decent range of devices, it's not without its quirks-random disconnections, compatibility issues with certain Zigbee chips, and occasional firmware mismatches that make things frustrating,…
As already mentioned in the ESP-LED-01 WLED controller , it was clear there were a few things that could take the build to the next level. While the first version already handled sound reactivity and auto-brightness really well, I wanted to make the design a bit more flexible , expandable , and stable - especially for users who want to customize their setups further. That’s where ESP-LED-02 comes…
I’ve always wanted a way to monitor the height of my standing desk automatically, ideally without modifying the desk itself. While there are some great Home Assistant community solutions that tap directly into the desk controller, they typically require wiring into the control box - something I wasn’t keen on doing this time. So instead, I built a totally non-intrusive solution using a small…
When I started this project, my goal was to build a custom WLED controller that could handle sound-reactive effects and automatically adjust brightness based on ambient light. A lot of controllers out there either have one feature or the other, but rarely both cleanly integrated. This is the first version of the controller, and while it already works great, there’s a v2 in development that will…
Wokwi is an incredibly useful platform for simulating ESP32 projects - especially when you're testing out sensor setups, checking pin mappings, or just trying to debug a tricky behavior without reaching for the breadboard. The browser-based version is great for quick prototyping, but once your project grows past the “hello world” stage, the limitations start getting in the way. Live Live Even…
If you're already comfortable working in Visual Studio Code , jumping into the Arduino IDE can feel like a bit of a step backward. Sure, you can enable the Arduino IDE's "Use External Editor" option and write your code in VS Code - but that just means you'll be bouncing between two apps every time you want to compile or upload. Not ideal. The good news? You don't actually need to touch the Arduino…
The Elecrow's CrowPanel product line is designed to offer advanced human-machine interface (HMI) capabilities, is particularly noted for integrating modern, powerful hardware with versatile software support. We have previously reviewed other devices in the CrowPanel series, including the CrowPanel 7.0 (non-Advance) and the smaller CrowPanel 2.8 . Each of these models demonstrated Elecrow’s…
If you’ve worked with Arduino before, you might be used to dropping in a tone() function to get a buzzer playing sounds in no time. But if you're using an ESP32, especially the ESP32-S3 Super Mini , things work a bit differently. Before diving in, it’s worth understanding the type of buzzer you're using: Passive buzzers require a PWM signal to generate sound. You control the frequency and duration…
In the previous post , we wired up an ESP32-S3 SuperMini , connected it to an SSD1306 OLED display, and added a pushbutton for input. We displayed text and used the button to increment a counter-a solid start for building interactive interfaces. Now we’re turning that setup into a game: ESP Bird , a tiny Flappy Bird-inspired clone that runs entirely on a 128x64 pixel screen. One button controls…
Tiny board, tiny screen-tons of possibilities. The ESP32-S3 SuperMini is a super compact dev board based on the powerful ESP32-S3 chip, and when you pair it with a little SSD1306 OLED screen, things get fun fast. The SSD1306 OLED is a 128×64 monochrome display that’s ridiculously easy to use over I2C. It’s sharp enough for clean text, simple icons, and even small animations. And since it draws…
Why ESP32 Super Mini Boards Are Taking Over # At just 22.52 × 18 mm , the ESP32-C3 Super Mini is one of the smallest ESP32 development boards you can buy - and the entire Super Mini family keeps that same ultra-compact 18 mm width. ESP32 SuperMini boards have exploded in popularity because that footprint makes them perfect for wearables, embedded builds, and anywhere space is tight. But it's not…
JavaScript on ESP32? Yes, It's Possible! # If you've worked with ESP32 before, you've probably used C++ with Arduino or maybe dabbled in MicroPython . But did you know you can program an ESP32 in JavaScript ? 🚀 That's where Espruino comes in. Espruino is a JavaScript runtime optimized for microcontrollers, allowing you to write JavaScript code that runs directly on ESP32 without an operating…
If you've ever uploaded firmware to an ESP32 board using the Arduino IDE , ESPHome , PlatformIO , or MicroPython , chances are that esptool.py was working behind the scenes. What is esptool.py? # esptool.py is an open-source command-line tool developed by Espressif for ESP32 and ESP8266 chips. It handles flashing firmware, erasing flash, reading backups, and low-level hardware operations - and…
Need to power your ESP32 from a 12V source ? If you're building car electronics, controlling LED strips, or automating with relays, this guide shows you how to safely step down voltage using a buck converter . ⚠️ Warning: Connecting 12V directly to ESP32 will cause irreversible damage ! ESP32 boards operate at 3.3V logic and require 5V input for stable operation. ⬇️ Quick navigation: Jump to…
I recently received the Elecrow E-Paper 5.79" HMI ESP32 Board , an ESP32-based e-paper display designed for low-power IoT applications. Unlike traditional LCDs, e-paper offers ultra-low power consumption and excellent readability in bright environments, making it ideal for applications like weather stations, dashboards, and home automation interfaces. This review covers my first impressions, setup…
The ESP32 offers robust wireless capabilities, especially the WiFi stack, used to communicate with the outside world. However, in many IoT applications, Wi-Fi alone isn't sufficient, especially when operating in remote or mobile environments where cellular connectivity is essential. Pairing the ESP32 with a suitable SIM module unlocks advanced capabilities such as cellular connectivity, SMS…
When starting with smart home and IoT projects, it can be a bit overwhelming having lots of wires hanging around, which looks like a mess. But the combination of pre-cut physical models and an ESP32 makes for an unbeatable learning experience. Kits that include pre-cut wooden or acrylic models don’t just give you the sensors, they provide the structure you need to build real, working prototypes.…
The SP511E and SP501E are popular and affordable WiFi addressable LED strip controllers that allows wireless control of led strips such as WS2812B, SK6812 or other. You can check the full list in the Addressable LED Strips post . The SP511E, is a successor and improved version of the SP501E, which comes with added features like an IR receiver for remote control, making it even more versatile.…
After successfully uploading the ESPHome program to the ESP32 and getting the 7-inch display working seamlessly , we are going to implement another exciting feature: the integrated touch interface! In this guide, we’ll not only explore the touch capabilities but also implement brightness control to enhance the display’s usability and responsiveness. Also, we are going to explore how to use fonts…
Elecrow 7-inch ESP32 The Elecrow 7-inch ESP32 - based display is a board from Elecrow we have reviewed earlier . Where to Buy: Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing: Elecrow Amazon.com Amazon.de AliExpress However, integrating it with ESPHome has proven to be a challenging task. Despite the available documentation and official guides, including Elecrow's own documentation and ESPHome's…
Setting up ESPHome for the first time on an ESP32 is a simple yet sometimes finicky process, especially with newer boards like the ESP32-S3 or ESP32-C3 . The easiest method to begin is using the ESPHome Web Installer , a convenient tool that allows you to flash and configure ESP32 boards directly from your browser. However, this process can sometimes encounter issues, such as the dreaded: An error…
Quick Links # If you're looking for code examples, you can find Arduino IDE , ESP-IDF , ESPHome , PlatformIO, Micropython examples here: SG90 Code Examples MG90S Code Examples MG996R Code Examples PCA9685 Code Examples . Servo Motors enables precise control of movement in applications like robotic arms, camera gimbals, and smart devices. Choosing the right servo motor for an ESP32-based project…
How to Install ESP32 in Arduino IDE Learn how to add ESP32 board support to Arduino IDE and connect your ESP32 development board (ESP32 DevKit V1, WROOM-32, ESP32-C3, ESP32-S3, or any variant). This complete setup guide covers installing ESP32 board manager, connecting your board, selecting the correct port, and uploading your first program. ⏱️ Time Required: 15-20 minutes | 📊 Difficulty:…
Today, we’re going to jump straight into getting MicroPython up and running on the ESP32 . If you’ve ever wanted to simplify coding on microcontrollers, MicroPython is a game-changer. It lets you write and execute Python scripts directly on your ESP32 or ESP8266 , making it quick and easy to prototype and bring your ideas to life. In this post, we will Setup Thonny IDE, which makes working with…
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the programming language used in Arduino or ESP32 projects, when using Arduino IDE . Terms like "Arduino language" are often thrown around, leading many to believe that Arduino operates on its own proprietary or unique programming language. This misunderstanding arises because Arduino abstracts and simplifies traditional coding, hiding much of the complexity…
The STM32 series of microcontrollers' traditional development environments can be intimidating for beginners due to their complexity and steep learning curve. However, with the Arduino IDE , programming STM32 becomes significantly more accessible. Arduino’s straightforward interface and extensive library support allow developers of all skill levels to unlock the potential of STM32 microcontrollers…
In this guide, we'll look at using the ESP32 with the L9110 motor driver, a simple but effective module for controlling DC motors. This combination offers an accessible way to add motor control to your projects, making it ideal to build smart robots, automation systems, and more. Before diving into the details, let’s take a closer look at the L9110 motor driver and its benefits. Why would you use…
The I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol is widely used in electronics to connect microcontrollers with various peripherals like sensors, displays, and other modules. It’s popular for its simplicity and flexibility, allowing multiple devices to communicate over just two wires: SDA (data line) and SCL (clock line). When working with the ESP32, a powerful microcontroller with built-in I2C…
Obstacle Detection and Distance Measurement Using ESP32 and IR Sensors # This guide provides an in-depth overview of using the ESP32 microcontroller with infrared (IR) sensors for obstacle detection and distance measurement. The project combines practical examples, wiring diagrams, and code to help you set up and test your ESP32 with common IR sensors. What is Obstacle Detection? # Obstacle…
In this post, we will explore how to enhance STM32 microcontrollers using the ESP32. STM32 microcontrollers are a popular choice for embedded applications, but they often lack built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. If you’ve stumbled upon this blog, you likely know that the ESP32 provides robust Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. By utilizing the ESP-Hosted framework, you can effectively expand the…
When working with an ESP32, one incredibly useful feature is the ability to send messages on WhatsApp whenever certain events happen in your projects. When monitoring sensors, tracking data, or automating alerts, being able to send a message in WhatsApp directly from the ESP32 can take your project to the next level. In this post, we will walk through how to use the WhatsApp API to send messages…
Today we are going to review ESP32 Display Boards with Touchscreen by Elecrow - the Crowpanel. Elecrow is a company that specializes in providing electronic components, modules, and development boards in the field of electronics. They offer a wide range of products, including ESP32 and Raspberry Pi accessories, sensors, actuators, displays, and more. Electrow kindly sent us two models - one with…
Discord has evolved far beyond its gaming roots and simple chatting. Emerging as a dynamic platform for communities of all kinds to connect, collaborate, and communicate in real-time together with bots, makes it an invaluable tool for fostering engagement and building communities around shared interests. Now, imagine if your ESP32, with its capabilities to interact with the physical world, could…
Today we are going to go through the most popular ESP32-compatible temperature sensors, exploring a range of options to suit your specific needs. From basic temperature sensing with popular sensors like the DHT11 to more advanced solutions offering precision, we are going to through different temperature sensors compatible with ESP32, in groups from most popular to less popular sensors. We are…
One of the main reasons to choose the ESP32 Development Board, instead of the bare chip - is their USB connectivity, as usually the development boards comes with a USB interface. Most ESP32 boards have at least one USB port for programming, debugging, etc. However, some ESP32 boards take this a step further and offer multiple USB ports. These USB ports can come in different formats, such as USB…