ESP32 and ESP32-C3 boards are tiny, low-cost computers that let you build custom smart home devices. You can use them for everything from temperature sensors and smart buttons to camera streaming and complex automations. They are very popular among Home Assistant users because they offer full local control and endless possibilities for DIY projects.
Updated November 2026.
This guide compares three popular ESP32 and ESP32-C3 development boards available on AliExpress. We look at their features, what they are best for, and how well they work with Home Assistant using ESPHome, a tool that lets you easily program these boards to connect with Home Assistant.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: ESP32-CAM WiFi Camera Module. This board combines an ESP32 chip with a camera, making it very versatile for various smart home monitoring projects.
- Best budget: ESP32-C3 Supermini Development Board. It is the most affordable option, offering a basic ESP32-C3 chip for simple projects and learning without breaking the bank.
- Best for beginners: ESP32-C3 Supermini Development Board. Its small size and low cost make it an excellent choice for beginners to learn ESPHome and Home Assistant integrations.
Side by side
| Product | Price | Rating | Protocol | Home Assistant | Local or cloud | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM WiFi Camera Module | $8-12 | 4.5 / 5 | Wi-Fi | ESPHome | Local | 5V Micro USB |
| ESP32-C3 Supermini Development Board | $6-9 | 4.5 / 5 | Wi-Fi | ESPHome | Local | 5V Type-C USB |
| LILYGO T-Embed-CC1101 ESP32-S3 Board | $56-74 | 4.3 / 5 | Wi-Fi, Sub-1 GHz RF | ESPHome | Local | 5V Type-C USB, 1300mAh battery |
The products in short
ESP32-CAM WiFi Camera Module
Best for: Camera projects and general Wi-Fi use. Price: $8-12.
The ESP32-CAM is a popular choice for adding camera functionality to Home Assistant. It features an ESP32 chip and comes with a small camera module, allowing you to stream video or capture images directly into Home Assistant. This makes it ideal for DIY security cameras, baby monitors, or even monitoring your 3D printer. The listing says it includes a 2.4G antenna for good Wi-Fi connectivity. Buyers often report it is easy to set up with ESPHome for local control.
While the camera quality is basic, it is more than enough for many smart home tasks. Keep in mind that it requires a 5V power supply, usually via a Micro USB port. It does not have a USB-to-serial converter built-in, so you might need an external adapter to flash the firmware, which is the software that runs on the board.
ESP32-C3 Supermini Development Board
Best for: Budget-friendly projects and learning. Price: $6-9.
The ESP32-C3 Supermini is an excellent entry-level board, especially if you are new to ESPHome and custom smart home devices. It uses the ESP32-C3 chip, which is a newer, cost-effective Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip from Espressif. Its supermini size makes it easy to embed into small projects or enclosures. The listing says it has 4MB of flash memory, which is plenty for most ESPHome configurations.
This board is known to work well with Home Assistant through ESPHome, giving you full local control over your creations. It powers via a modern Type-C USB port, which is convenient. Because of its simplicity and low price, it is a great choice for experimenting with sensors, relays, or creating custom smart buttons without a large investment. It is a solid foundation for many DIY smart home ideas.
LILYGO T-Embed-CC1101 ESP32-S3 Board
Best for: Advanced RF and NFC projects. Price: $56-74.
The LILYGO T-Embed-CC1101 is a feature-rich development board for more advanced users. It is built around the ESP32-S3 chip, which offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with extra processing power. What makes this board stand out is its integrated CC1101 Sub-1 GHz RF transceiver, allowing it to communicate with devices using different radio frequencies, and a PN532 NFC RFID module for near-field communication. It also has a built-in LCD screen and a 1300mAh battery, making it suitable for portable or display-heavy applications.
This board is ideal for creating custom gateways for older RF devices, NFC readers, or interactive smart displays. While it is more expensive than other ESP boards, its specialized features offer unique possibilities for Home Assistant users looking to integrate a wider range of devices or create complex interfaces. It supports ESPHome for local control, allowing you to access all its features within Home Assistant.
How to choose
How to Choose the Right ESP32 or ESP32-C3 Board
Choosing the best ESP32 or ESP32-C3 board depends on what you want to build. Here are the main things to consider:
What is Your Project Goal?
First, think about what you want your smart device to do. If you need a camera for monitoring, the ESP32-CAM is the obvious choice. If you are building a simple sensor or a smart button, a basic board like the ESP32-C3 Supermini is enough. For more complex projects involving radio communication or a display, a specialized board like the LILYGO T-Embed with its extra modules might be better.
Chip Type: ESP32, ESP32-C3, or ESP32-S3?
All these chips are made by Espressif and offer Wi-Fi connectivity for Home Assistant. The original ESP32 is a powerful dual-core chip. The ESP32-C3 is a newer, more power-efficient single-core chip that is often cheaper. The ESP32-S3 is an upgraded ESP32 with more memory and better AI capabilities. For most smart home projects, any of these chips will work well with ESPHome. The main difference for you will be the available pins and sometimes the price.
Connectivity and Protocols
All the boards in this guide use Wi-Fi, which is a common way for devices to connect to your home network and Home Assistant. Some boards, like the LILYGO T-Embed, also include other radio protocols, like Sub-1 GHz RF, which can be useful for communicating with specific types of older devices that do not use Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or Matter. If you need to connect to other smart home standards like Zigbee or Thread, you would generally use a separate coordinator device, not these boards themselves. You can learn more about different smart home connectivity options in our guide: Wi-Fi vs Zigbee vs Z-Wave vs Matter explained.
Power Source and Port Type
Most ESP boards are powered by 5V USB. Check if it uses a Micro USB or the newer Type-C USB port. Some boards, like the LILYGO T-Embed, also include a built-in battery, which is great for portable projects or devices that need to run without being constantly plugged in. Consider if you need a battery-powered device or if it will be near an outlet.
Additional Features
Beyond the core chip, look at what else is included. Do you need a camera, a display, or specialized radio modules? These extra features add to the cost but can save you time and effort compared to adding them yourself. For example, the ESP32-CAM includes a camera, and the LILYGO T-Embed has an LCD and RF modules built-in.
Setup notes for Home Assistant
Setup Notes for Home Assistant
Setting up ESP32 and ESP32-C3 boards with Home Assistant usually involves a tool called ESPHome. ESPHome lets you write simple configuration files to define what your board does and then compiles and uploads the necessary firmware to the board. Here is a general outline of the process:
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Install ESPHome
First, you need to install the ESPHome add-on in Home Assistant. Go to Settings > Add-ons > Add-on Store and search for “ESPHome.” Install it and start the add-on.
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Create a New Device
Open the ESPHome dashboard. Click the “+” button to create a new device. You will be asked for a name for your device and to select the type of board (e.g., ESP32-CAM, ESP32-C3). ESPHome will generate a basic configuration file for you.
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Customize the Configuration
Edit the configuration file to add specific components, like sensors, relays, or camera settings. For example, to add a temperature sensor, you would include lines for the sensor type and its connection pins. If you are using the ESP32-CAM, you will add camera settings here. The ESPHome documentation has many examples for different components.
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Flash the Firmware
Once your configuration is ready, you need to upload it to your ESP board. You can do this in a few ways:
- USB Cable: Connect your ESP board to your computer using a USB cable. In the ESPHome dashboard, click “Install” on your device and choose “Plug into this computer.” This is the most common method for the first flash. Note that for the ESP32-CAM, you might need an external USB-to-serial adapter because it does not have one built-in.
- Over-the-Air (OTA): After the first successful flash via USB, you can usually update the firmware wirelessly through your Wi-Fi network. This is very convenient for future updates.
During the flashing process, you might need to press a “BOOT” button on your ESP board to put it into programming mode. Follow the instructions provided by ESPHome for your specific board.
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Integrate with Home Assistant
Once the firmware is flashed and your ESP board connects to your Wi-Fi network, Home Assistant should automatically discover it as a new ESPHome device. You will get a notification asking you to configure it. Follow the steps, and your device’s entities (like sensor readings, switches, or camera streams) will appear in Home Assistant. You can then use them in automations, dashboards, and scripts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ESP32 or ESP32-C3 board?
An ESP32 or ESP32-C3 board is a small, low-cost computer chip with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These boards are popular for DIY smart home projects because you can program them to do almost anything, from reading sensors to controlling lights, and connect them directly to Home Assistant.
Do I need to know how to code to use these boards with Home Assistant?
Not necessarily. While you can write code for these boards, ESPHome makes it much easier. ESPHome lets you define your device’s behavior using simple configuration files, which are like plain text instructions, instead of complex programming languages. This means even beginners can create custom smart devices for Home Assistant.
Can these boards connect to Zigbee or Matter devices?
The boards themselves primarily use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for communication. They do not directly connect to Zigbee or Matter devices as a coordinator. However, you can use these ESP boards to create custom Wi-Fi devices that then communicate with Home Assistant. Home Assistant, in turn, can manage your Zigbee, Thread, or Matter devices using a separate coordinator or hub. You can learn how to <a href="https://thehomesmarthome.com/home-assistant-integrate-matter-devices/">add Matter devices to Home Assistant</a> with the right setup.
