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Comment by briHass | Hacker News Reader

For those looking for cheap dev boards, I've had good luck with 'HiLetgo' on Amazon. The WROOM-32S is my go-to, but I also use the WROOM-32U when I need an external antenna (it _must_ be connected) or the 32S+CAM module for the camera. I haven't gotten a DOA component yet.

The Ali prices aren't significantly cheaper than many of the sellers on Amazon (at least in small quantities), you don't have to wait a month, and if you get a dud, replacements are easy.

Even though I started with the 8266, as the article mentions, there's little reason to choose that outdated board at this point. It's worth the extra $1 to get the 32 in a DEV board configuration. Having the CP210x and USB onboard is also worth it for the hobbyist.

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ESP32 dev kits are $8 on digikey, and directly from Espressif Systems: https://www.digikey.com/short/zz709bvv

The ESP32-C3 dev board is around $8 too, and the ESP32-S3 around $15 if you need tons of IO and an RGB interface.

Looks like the HiLetgo also has an ESP32 board with integrated LCD display. Boards with integrated displays I found to be very cool when beginning to play with. My "Hello World" was a graphical traffic light (bonus using the integrated buttons to simulate car-over-sensor or pedestrian hitting crossing button).

Many cases that don’t require Bluetooth I still find the 8266 worthwhile. Especially if you’re trying to build a product and BOM cost are being considered. The extra $1 doesn’t matter for hobbyists. Also I second the HiLetgo products, I have dozens of their products and it’s always good quality.

Amazon is giving me prices of $25-$35 for all the esp32, including the hitletgo you mentioned. Ali is $1.5-$2. Amazon also says 2+weeks deliver for many, Ali says 3 weeks. I'm in Canada

Digikey stocks Espressif boards for $8+ depending on the model.

No point in ordering random ones from Amazon IMO.

I ordered from ali, but this is good to know, thanks

Amazon seems to charge at least $25 for everything in Canada, even stuff I can get from the dollar store.

With a data point of 1, I had a bad HiLetgo ESP32 dev board, and I now avoid them.

I bought a bunch of them and also second their ease of use. Basically my go to board too, for simple stuff.

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