1. What is ESP32?
ESP32 is a series of 32-bit microcontroller chips launched by the Chinese manufacturer Espressif, integrating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dual-mode (Bluetooth 4.2/BLE). It is based on the Tensilica Xtensa LX6 core, featuring powerful networking capabilities and peripheral expandability. Since its release in 2016, it has gained immense popularity in fields such as the Internet of Things, smart homes, wearables, and industrial control.
2. Who Uses ESP32?
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Smart Homes: Brands like Xiaomi, Midea, and Tuya commonly use ESP32 in their smart sockets, lighting, and air conditioning companions.
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IoT Gateways: Many domestic and international cloud platforms (Alibaba Cloud IoT, Tencent Cloud IoT, AWS IoT) recommend ESP32 as the preferred development board.
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Wearable Devices: Used for data collection and Bluetooth synchronization in devices like fitness bands, smartwatches, and health monitoring equipment.
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Industrial Applications: Employed in temperature and humidity sensors, environmental monitoring terminals, and remote metering devices.
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DIY Makers / Education: The Arduino community, MicroPython community, and NodeMCU have a wealth of ESP32 tutorials and modules available.
Just search for “ESP32 development board” on Taobao, Alibaba, or JD, and you’ll find hundreds of models covering almost every interface and package.
3. Why Do Major Manufacturers Choose ESP32?
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Built-in Wi-Fi + BLE Dual-Mode: One chip handles wireless communication, eliminating the need for additional modules, saving costs, power consumption, and PCB space.
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Low Cost, High Cost-Performance Ratio: The unit price is less than $3 for bulk purchases; development boards are typically around $5.
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Sufficient Performance, Rich Resources: Dual-core can reach up to 240 MHz; it has 520 KB of built-in SRAM, and can be expanded to 16 MB with external PSRAM.
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Mature Development Ecosystem
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Official support from Espressif IDF
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Arduino Core, MicroPython, PlatformIO, FreeRTOS can be used directly
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A vast array of sample codes and community plugins: MQTT, HTTP, WebSocket, OTA, TLS, etc.
Comprehensive Peripheral Interfaces: Up to 34 GPIOs, built-in SPI/I²C/UART/CAN/DAC/ADC/PWM/SPI-SDIO, capable of directly driving motors, LCDs, sensors, and external storage.
Ultra-Low Power Modes: Supports multiple sleep modes, achieving microamp-level standby, suitable for battery-powered devices.
4. Comparison of Mainstream ESP32 Series
| Series Model | Core | Package | Features | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32-D0WDQ6 | Dual-core Xtensa LX6 | QFN48/QFN73 | Standard version, most widely produced | General IoT, gateways |
| ESP32-S2 | Single-core Xtensa LX7 | QFN32 | Bluetooth removed, only Wi-Fi retained, USB OTG support | USB peripherals, low-cost Wi-Fi devices |
| ESP32-C3 | Single-core RISC-V | QFN32 | RISC-V core + 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi + BLE5.0 | High-security, cost-sensitive scenarios |
| ESP32-S3 | Dual-core Xtensa LX7 | QFN48 | AI acceleration instruction set (vector operations) + front PSRAM interface | Voice/image recognition, machine learning edge |
| ESP32-C6 | Single-core RISC-V | QFN32 | Wi-Fi 6 + BLE5.2 + Zigbee | High bandwidth, low latency IoT |
5. Typical Project Examples
Smart Socket:
ESP32 connects to the home network via Wi-Fi
MCU controls the relay to turn on/off, enabling remote switching
MQTT protocol pushes power, current, and scheduled tasks
Mobile App/Web interface for real-time monitoring and control
Drone Remote Control:
ESP32-S3 AI accelerates real-time image processing
BLE + Wi-Fi cooperatively transmit video and control commands
TSPI reads gyroscope and accelerometer data
Conclusion
ESP32 has won widespread favor from large manufacturers to DIY enthusiasts with its combination of low cost, strong wireless capabilities, comprehensive interfaces, and mature ecosystem. For networking, smart, and interactive hardware, ESP32 is almost the ready-made optimal solution.
Follow-up Content
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“ESP32 vs STM32 + Wi-Fi Module: Comprehensive Project Selection Analysis”
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“ESP32S3 AI Edge Computing Practice: Introduction to Image Recognition”
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“Getting Started from Scratch: Complete Process of ESP32 OTA Firmware Upgrade”
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“Best Practices for Building an Enterprise-Level MQTT Gateway with ESP32”