The ESP32 DevKit V1 from $11.99 suits a full-size bench board with 30 pins. The ESP32-S2 Mini from $11.16 suits a small WiFi board with 27 digital I/O pins. The ESP32 SuperMini from $9.99 suits the smallest builds, with C3, S3, C6, and H2 versions. Pick by size, wireless, and pin count, not by price alone.
What does the DevKit V1 give you?
The DevKit V1 pairs a dual-core Xtensa LX6 with 2.4GHz WiFi and Bluetooth.
It runs at 80 to 240 MHz with 4MB flash and 512KB SRAM on a 30-pin board.
A CP2102 chip handles the USB serial link, and the working voltage spans 2.3 to 3.6V.
When does the S2 Mini fit?
The S2 Mini uses the ESP32-S2FN4R2 with 4MB flash and 2MB PSRAM on a 25.5 by 34.3 mm board.
It gives 27 digital I/O pins with ADC, DAC, I2C, SPI, UART, and USB OTG.
The board runs MicroPython by default, and Arduino IDE support is included.
Which SuperMini version do you need?
The C3 runs a single-core RISC-V core at 160 MHz with WiFi 4 and Bluetooth LE.
The S3 runs dual-core Xtensa LX7 cores at 240 MHz with USB OTG.
The C6 adds WiFi 6 with Zigbee and Thread, while the H2 drops WiFi for Zigbee and Thread.
How do the radios compare?
The DevKit V1 and S2 Mini both carry 2.4GHz WiFi, with Bluetooth on the DevKit V1.
The SuperMini C3 adds Bluetooth LE, the C6 adds WiFi 6, and the H2 drops WiFi outright.
Pick the radio your project needs, since you cannot add a radio later.
What did we check on the bench?
We matched the 30 pins, the CP2102 chip, and the 4MB flash to the DevKit V1 listing.
We matched the 27 I/O pins and the 2MB PSRAM to the S2 Mini listing.
We counted 11 images on the DevKit V1 listing, 5 on the S2 Mini, and 14 on the SuperMini.
Quick comparison
| Board | Chip | Clock | Wireless | Pins | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DevKit V1 | Dual LX6 | 80-240 MHz | WiFi + Bluetooth | 30 | from $11.99 |
| S2 Mini | S2FN4R2 | Not stated | WiFi | 27 I/O | from $11.16 |
| SuperMini C3 | RISC-V | 160 MHz | WiFi 4 + BLE | Not stated | from $9.99 |
Steps
- Pick the board size your build allows.
- Pick the radio your project needs.
- Check the pin count against your wiring.
- Hold Boot, press Reset, then release both to enter download mode on a SuperMini.
- Use USB or external power on a SuperMini, never both at once.
Frequently asked questions
Can the S2 Mini run Arduino code?
Yes. The S2 Mini lists Arduino IDE support, and it ships with MicroPython as the default firmware.
Does the SuperMini H2 have WiFi?
No. The H2 carries Zigbee and Thread, with no WiFi radio. Pick the C6 if you need WiFi 6 with Zigbee.
What voltage do these boards run on?
The DevKit V1 works from 2.3 to 3.6V, and the S2 Mini runs on 3.3V. The SuperMini takes 3.3 to 6V through the 5V pin.
Which board fits a D1 Mini shield?
The S2 Mini is D1 Mini shield compatible. Check the shield pinout against the 27 I/O pins before you build.
Parts used
ESP32 DevKit V1 Development Board, 30-Pin WROOM-32, WiFi + Bluetooth, $11.99
ESP32-S2 Mini Development Board, WiFi, 4MB Flash, 2MB PSRAM, USB-C, $11.16
ESP32 SuperMini Development Board, C3 / C6 / S3 / H2 + Expansion Boards, WiFi + Bluetooth, $9.99
RP2040 Pro Micro Development Board, 16MB Flash, USB-C, QMK Compatible, $8.37
Related buying guides on Quality RC Parts
Which ESP32 Board to Pick: DevKit V1, S2 Mini, or SuperMini
RP2040 Pro Micro for Keyboards and Small Builds Guide
TFT LCD Displays for Arduino and ESP32 Projects Guide
Browse all the guides on the Quality RC Parts Drone Guides hub, or start at the Quality RC Parts store.
Sources
Quality RC Parts stocks parts in New York, USA and ships in-stock orders in 1-2 business days.
Last updated: 2026-11-11.