Battle of the Boards: ESP32 vs. Raspberry Pi Pico W

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When it comes to building IoT projects on a budget, two microcontrollers consistently dominate the scene: the ESP32 and the Raspberry Pi Pico W. Both are under $10, both support wireless connectivity, and both have thriving communities. But they each come with trade-offs — and your project’s needs will decide the winner.

🧠 ESP32: The Feature-Packed Powerhouse

The ESP32 is a veteran in the IoT world. It’s loaded with features:

  • Dual-core Xtensa processor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (classic + BLE)
  • Dozens of GPIOs, many with analog input (ADC), PWM, I2C, SPI, and UART support
  • Real-time capabilities with an RTOS (FreeRTOS) baked in
  • Support for Arduino, ESP-IDF, PlatformIO, and even MicroPython

This board is ideal for:

  • Smart home controllers (lights, sensors, HVAC)
  • Wireless sensor nodes
  • Wearables or low-latency devices needing Bluetooth
  • Real-time applications, like motor control or gesture recognition

ESP32’s support for deep sleep modes also makes it a go-to for battery-powered devices.

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