ESP8266 vs. ESP32-S2 Comparison of Two Low-cost Wi-Fi Microcontrollers
Welcome to our unbiased comparison of the ESP8266 and ESP32-S2 microcontrollers. Both microcontrollers have been extremely popular due to their low cost and ease of use. But, which one should you choose? Let's find out in this comparison.
Overview
The ESP8266 was released in 2014 by Espressif Systems. It is a low-cost Wi-Fi module that has an integrated TCP/IP stack. The ESP32-S2 was released in 2020 and is an upgraded version of the ESP8266. It has a more powerful CPU, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, and supports more peripheral devices.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the ESP32-S2 has a clear advantage over the ESP8266. The ESP32-S2 has a more powerful 240 MHz Tensilica LX7 CPU, which is much faster than the 80 MHz Tensilica L106 CPU of the ESP8266. The ESP32-S2 also has more flash memory and RAM compared to the ESP8266. All these improvements make the ESP32-S2 a better option for running more complex applications.
Connectivity
Both microcontrollers support Wi-Fi connectivity, but the ESP32-S2 has significant improvements in this area. The ESP32-S2 has a built-in 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi transceiver, which supports both Station and Access Point modes. It also supports Ethernet connectivity, which means it can be used in wired LANs as well. The ESP8266, on the other hand, only supports 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi with Station mode only.
Peripheral Devices
The ESP32-S2 supports more peripheral devices than the ESP8266, which makes it more versatile. The ESP32-S2 has support for touch sensors, CAN bus, Ethernet, and more. Meanwhile, the ESP8266 only has support for a few peripheral devices like I2C, SPI, and UART.
Power Consumption
Both microcontrollers have low-power consumption, but the ESP32-S2 is more power-efficient compared to the ESP8266. The ESP32-S2 has an ultra-low-power coprocessor that can run in deep sleep mode, consuming just 20 μA of power. The ESP8266, on the other hand, consumes 200 μA in sleep mode.
Price
When it comes to price, both microcontrollers are relatively inexpensive. The ESP8266 is available for as low as $1.50, while the ESP32-S2 costs around $3. This makes the ESP8266 a great option for hobbyists who are looking for a low-cost Wi-Fi module, while the ESP32-S2 is a better option for more demanding applications.
Conclusion
The ESP8266 and ESP32-S2 are both excellent microcontrollers, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The ESP8266 is a great option for hobbyists who are looking for a low-cost Wi-Fi module with basic Wi-Fi connectivity. On the other hand, the ESP32-S2 is a more powerful microcontroller with improved Wi-Fi connectivity, support for more peripheral devices, and more efficient power consumption. If you require additional functionality, advanced features, and power-efficient solutions, the ESP32-S2 is the microcontroller for you.