ESP32 vs. ESP8266. If you have an Internet of Things project in mind, you�ll inevitably face the choice between these two MCU heavyweights. Both are well-known microcontrollers, and for good reason. They are small, low-power Wi-Fi-enabled microcontrollers with 32-bit CPUs ideal for controlling a wide range of electronics projects.

But how do you determine which one is better suited for your project?

Let�s begin with a comparison of the two to help you make a decision. We won�t focus solely on the fastest MCU, the most power-efficient one, or the one offering the best value for money. Instead, we�ll consider various factors, including processing power, connectivity features, hardware specifications, development environments, pricing, and more.

So, let�s go the rounds with ESP32 vs. ESP8266.

Introduction

ESP8266

The ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip with a built-in TCP/IP stack and microcontroller capability, released in 2014 by Espressif Systems in Shanghai, China.

It quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity and low cost. It operates on a Tensilica Xtensa LX3 processor and is primarily intended for smart devices, wearables, and Wi-Fi-enabled projects.

ESP32

The ESP32, which was introduced in 2016, is the successor to the ESP8266 and offers several improvements over it. These include a faster processor, faster Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, more GPIO pins, and several other features. More importantly, it features a dual-core Tensilica Xtensa LX6 microprocessor, which significantly enhances its computational capabilities.

Processing Power and Memory

The ESP8266 features a 32-bit Tensilica Xtensa L106 single-core processor, running at 80 MHz, which can be overclocked to 160 MHz. It comes with 32 KB of instruction RAM, 80 KB of user-data RAM, and external QSPI flash � 512 KB to 4 MB.

The ESP32 has a slightly more powerful processor. It boasts a dual-core Tensilica Xtensa LX6 microprocessor that can run at up to 240 MHz. It includes 520 KB of SRAM and supports external flash memory of up to 16 MB.

This increased processing power and memory make the ESP32 suitable for more demanding tasks.

Winner: ESP32

Wireless Connectivity

Both microcontrollers support Wi-Fi, but the ESP32 includes extra features such as Wi-Fi Direct.

Furthermore, the ESP32 has Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) capabilities, which the ESP8266 lacks. This makes the ESP32 more versatile for wireless communication.

Winner: ESP32

Peripheral Interfaces

When comparing two microcontrollers, it�s important to know what types of peripheral interfaces they have. These interfaces are the primary means by which the microcontrollers communicate with sensors and other devices, and they have a big impact on the complexity and type of projects that you can build.

Below is a comparison of the peripheral interfaces provided by the ESP8266 and the ESP32:

Winner: ESP32

Built-in Sensors

When it comes to onboard sensors, the ESP8266 is quite minimalistic; it does not have any built-in sensors.

The ESP32, on the other hand, is more advanced and includes several built-in sensors. It typically comes with:

• A Hall effect sensor capable of detecting magnetic fields. This can be useful for applications such as detecting the presence of a magnet or measuring the strength of a magnetic field.
• A capacitive touch sensor which can be used for touch-sensitive input.
• A Temperature sensor meant to measure the internal temperature of the chip and not the ambient temperature, which can be useful for monitoring the microcontroller�s health.

These integrated sensors in the ESP32 provide more functionality out of the box, allowing you to create projects without the need for additional components.

Winner: ESP32

Power Management

Both boards have advanced power-saving technologies to minimize power consumption effectively.

The ESP8266 offers four power modes: active, modem-sleep, light-sleep, and deep-sleep. According to the datasheet, in active mode, with all features running concurrently, it can draw as much as 80 mA. In contrast, the deep-sleep mode is extremely efficient, consuming as little as 20 �A.

The ESP32, on the other hand, with its faster processor and increased flash memory, has a higher power requirement, consuming up to 240 mA in active mode. To offset this, it introduces two additional low-power modes: hibernation and power-off. Hibernation mode has an impressively low consumption of just 5 �A, while power-off mode reduces this further to a mere 1 �A.

Due to its lower power consumption in active mode, the ESP8266 is better suited for simple, low-power projects powered by a battery pack.

Winner: ESP8266

Programming and Community Support

Both the ESP8266 and ESP32 are supported by the Arduino IDE and the native ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework). The Arduino IDE is suitable for small projects, but for larger and more complex projects, it�s advisable to use the ESP-IDF through the Visual Studio Code extension or the Eclipse plugin.

Furthermore, both boards support programming in MicroPython, Lua, JavaScript, and other languages (a full list is available on the wiki), making them accessible to a wide range of programmers. In addition, the developer community around both modules is robust and active, with an abundance of online forums, extensive libraries, and tutorials.

So, in terms of programming support and community resources, there is little to no competition between the two boards; both provide an extensive range of supported languages and resources.

Winner: Tie

Price: Which Board Offers the Most Value?

The ESP8266 is usually cheaper than the ESP32, making it a more cost-effective option for simple projects. The ESP32, with its additional features and capabilities, comes at a slightly higher cost, justified by its increased processing power and versatility.

However, the price difference between the two has been reduced in recent years. Depending on where you�re buying from, you can generally find both boards for sale at more or less the same price. In such cases, the ESP32, with its better connectivity features, can be a better deal at the same price.

Winner: Tie

Full Comparison

Here�s a table that compares the ESP8266 and ESP32 specifications and features in depth. This table serves as a reference point, summarizing each microcontroller�s capabilities and offerings.

Which One Should You Buy?

So, ESP32 squeaks out a victory and lays claim to the king of the Wi-Fi-enabled MCU world crown. Cue the band and light the fireworks. ???

But this doesn�t mean the ESP32 is a better choice in every case. In the end, your selection of a microcontroller will depend more on your project�s specific requirements than hard numbers. ESP32 clearly wins most match ups, but it falls behind in simplicity and power efficiency. This explains why the ESP8266 remains a popular choice for many, despite not being the top performer.

In summary, for simple, low-power Wi-Fi-based projects, the ESP8266 is the preferred choice. On the other hand, if you need more processing power, extra memory, and features like Bluetooth, the ESP32 is the clear winner.