ESP 8266 vs ESP 32 Node MCU – Key Differences With Benefits

Written By The IoT Academy
Published on May 21st, 2024

The ESP8266 and ESP32 Node MCU boards are like supercharged brains for IoT projects. They come with built-in Wi-Fi and cool features that let you make all sorts of stuff. From simple sensors to fancy smart home gadgets. The ESP8266 is great because it is cheap and simple to use. The ESP32 is even better with two brains, Bluetooth, and smarter power use. Knowing what ESP 8266 vs ESP 32 can do helps you pick the right one for your project. So, let’s dive in, and see what they can do differently. As well as find out how they can make your IoT dreams come true.

Table of Contents

What is ESP8266 NodeMCU?

The ESP8266 NodeMCU is a cheap Wi-Fi microcontroller board. It has a powerful Tensilica L106 32-bit microcontroller unit (MCU) with built-in Wi-Fi. This makes it perfect for IoT projects. The NodeMCU board is easy to program and debug because it has a USB-to-serial converter. In the realm of esp 8266 vs esp 32. It is great for both beginners and experienced developers. Its small size, low price, and compatibility with the Arduino IDE make it very popular. So, people use it for all kinds of Wi-Fi projects, like smart home gadgets and sensor networks.

ESP8266 Arduino Example

You can make a simple web server using ESP8266 and Arduino. It lets ESP8266 host a web page and answer HTTP requests. With a little code, you can manage GPIO pins, get sensor data, or show information on the web page. So, this shows how flexible and easy the ESP8266 is for IoT projects.

What is ESP32 Node MCU?

The ESP32 NodeMCU is a high-tech microcontroller board with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It’s based on the ESP32 chip and has a powerful dual-core processor, which means it can do more tasks at once compared to the older ESP8266 NodeMCU. Besides Wi-Fi, it also has Bluetooth, so it can do even more things. Plus, it has lots of ways to connect with other devices, like SPI, I2C, and UART. This makes it perfect for all kinds of IoT projects that need wireless connections and advanced features.

ESP32 Arduino Example

In the conflict of ESP 8266 vs ESP 32, You can make a weather station with ESP32 and Arduino. ESP32 can connect to Wi-Fi and get weather information from the internet. Then, it can show the data on a small screen or send it to a website for checking from anywhere. This also shows how ESP32 can connect to the internet and handle data for IoT projects.

Key Differences Between ESP 8266 vs ESP 32 NodeMCU

While both the ESP 8266 vs ESP 32 NodeMCU share similarities, ESP 32 vs ESP 8266 differ in several key aspects:

1. Processor and Performance:

ESP8266: It features a single-core Tensilica Xtensa LX106 processor clocked at 80MHz.
ESP32: It has a more powerful dual-core Tensilica Xtensa LX6 processor, which operates up to 240MHz. This makes the ESP32 capable of handling more complex tasks and computations compared to the ESP8266.

2. Wi-Fi Connectivity:

ESP8266: Supports 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi standards.
ESP32: Supports both 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth connectivity, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

3. Memory:

ESP8266: Typically comes with 32KB of instruction RAM, 80KB of data RAM, and up to 4MB of flash memory for program storage.
ESP32: Offers more memory than the ESP8266, with options for up to 520KB of SRAM and up to 16MB of flash memory. This additional memory can be beneficial for storing larger programs and handling more data.

4. GPIO Pins:

ESP8266: Typically has fewer GPIO pins compared to the ESP32.
ESP32: Offers a larger number of GPIO pins, along with support for additional interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, and more.

5. Peripheral Support:

ESP8266: Supports basic peripherals like GPIO, SPI, I2C, UART, and PWM.
ESP32: Provides more advanced peripheral support, including touch sensors, capacitive touch, ADCs (Analog-to-Digital Converters), DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters), and more.

Best ESP8266 Boards

When it comes to selecting the best ESP8266 board for your project, several options stand out:

NodeMCU ESP8266: This board is popular because it has good features and it’s not very expensive.
Wemos D1 Mini: This board is small and has lots of support from the community, making it great for projects with limited space.
Adafruit Feather HUZZAH ESP8266: This board can charge batteries and has many pins for connecting devices, making it perfect for portable projects.

What is the Advantage of ESP32 over ESP8266?

Talking about ESP 8266 vs ESP 32, both are popular microcontrollers that are used in IoT and other projects. While they share many similarities, the ESP32 offers several advantages over the ESP8266:

Dual-core processor: ESP32 has two processors, so it can do more things at once, unlike ESP8266, which only has one.
More GPIO pins: ESP32 has more pins for connecting stuff like sensors and gadgets compared to ESP8266.
More connectivity options: ESP32 can connect with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), while ESP8266 mostly connects with Wi-Fi.
Better power management: ESP32 can save more power in some situations, which is important for things that use batteries.
Enhanced performance: ESP32 is generally faster and better at doing complicated tasks than ESP8266.
Richer peripheral set: ESP32 has more built-in features like touch sensors and support for different communication methods.
More memory: ESP32 has more space for storing programs and data than ESP8266.

ESP8266 is good for simple projects because it is easy to use and cheap. But ESP32 can do more things and is better for harder projects.

Also Read: What is an IoT Controller – List of Top IoT Controller Devices

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the ESP 8266 vs ESP 32 NodeMCU offer unique strengths and advantages, catering to a wide range of IoT applications. While the ESP8266 remains a cost-effective solution for simpler projects. The ESP32 shines in scenarios requiring higher processing power and advanced connectivity options. By understanding their key differences and benefits. You can also make an informed decision when selecting the right microcontroller for your next project.

When comparing the ESP32 and ESP8266 differences, it is essential to evaluate your project requirements carefully. To choose the optimal solution that aligns with your goals and budget. Whether you opt for the simplicity of ESP8266 or the advanced features of ESP32. Both platforms promise endless possibilities for innovation in the IoT landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is NodeMCU the Same as ESP8266?

Ans. NodeMCU is like a toolbox built on top of the ESP8266 chip. ESP8266 is the basic Wi-Fi chip. It is a toolkit that makes it easier to use by adding features like Lua scripting and simplifying programming. So, they work together, with NodeMCU making it simpler to work with ESP8266 for IoT projects.

Q. Is ESP32 a NodeMCU?

Ans. No, ESP32 and NodeMCU are different. ESP32 has more features like dual-core processing and Bluetooth, while NodeMCU is mainly linked with ESP8266 but can also work with ESP32. NodeMCU helps simplify programming for IoT projects using Lua scripting. So, while NodeMCU is commonly used with ESP8266, it can also be used with ESP32.

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The IoT Academy

The IoT Academy as a reputed ed-tech training institute is imparting online / Offline training in emerging technologies such as Data Science, Machine Learning, IoT, Deep Learning, and more. We believe in making revolutionary attempt in changing the course of making online education accessible and dynamic.