ESP32 Comparison: Which Model Is Right For Your Project?

Buying the wrong microcontroller costs money, time, and dignity. If you want to stop second-guessing your next IoT build, read the TL;DR and pick a chip that actually fits the job.

Quick win (read this and close the tab):

• Need the safest, most-supported option? ESP32 (original)
• Need native USB (HID/serial) or lots of exposed pins? ESP32-S2
• Doing camera work, tiny ML, or want USB + vector instructions? ESP32-S3
• Building battery-first sensors? ESP32-C3
• Want WiFi 6 / Thread / Zigbee features (bleeding edge)? ESP32-C6

Three headline ideas to A/B test:

• Which ESP32 Should You Buy? Stop Wasting Time.
• ESP32 Comparison: Pick the Right Chip for Your Project in 2 Minutes.
• Best ESP32 for Battery Sensors, USB Gadgets, and Edge ML (Simple Guide).

Why this matters

Different ESP32 variants trade peripherals, power, and CPU features for one another. That means the one you choose should match the thing you want to build — not what sounds coolest at 2 a.m.

The one-sentence decision flow

• Prototype quickly and need Bluetooth? Original ESP32.
• Building a keyboard, MIDI device, or USB gadget? ESP32-S2 (or S3).
• Doing small ML models, cameras, or need extra RAM? ESP32-S3.
• Strict battery budgets and minimal features? ESP32-C3.
• Future-proofing with WiFi 6 or Thread? ESP32-C6 (early adopter).

Quick model snapshot

ESP32 (original): Dual-core Xtensa, WiFi + BT, huge ecosystem — best for compatibility.

ESP32-S2: Single-core, WiFi-only, native USB device support — great for USB-first gadgets.

ESP32-S3: Dual-core, USB, vector/AI instructions and more RAM — ideal for cameras and edge-ML.

ESP32-C3: Single-core RISC-V, low-power, BLE — excellent for tiny battery sensors.

ESP32-C6: WiFi 6 capable, Thread/Zigbee options — promising, but ecosystem is still growing.

Practical prototyping checklist

• Start on a USB dev board with headers; don’t commit to tiny modules until you prototype.
• Measure real sleep currents and WiFi behaviour for battery designs.
• Try example libraries early (C3 has subtle differences; S3 is best for ML libraries).
• If you need USB HID, pick S2 or S3 to avoid last-minute PCB rewrites.

Quick CTA

Want a one-page cheat sheet (ESP32 pick + quick commands)? I can generate a printable PDF/PNG lead magnet with the table and micro-choices.

If you want, I’ll A/B test the three headlines above and rewrite the first 200 words to match the winning headline. Which should I try first?