SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus

Name: SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus
Brand: SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus

Compact ESP32 dev board with USB‑C and robust I/O for makers

hardwareDevelopment Boards IoT ESP32 development board

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Our Verdict

Best for

Makers building compact IoT prototypes with USB‑C and Qwiic connectivity

Skip if

Projects requiring built‑in battery management or Ethernet connectivity

What is SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus?

The SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus is a small, breadboard‑friendly development board that packs a dual‑core ESP32‑WROOM‑32U module, USB‑C power and programming, and a rich set of peripherals. It’s designed for rapid prototyping of IoT, wearables, and sensor projects while keeping the footprint low. With built‑in voltage regulators, a reset button, and a Qwiic‑compatible I2C header, the board offers both flexibility and ease of use for hobbyists and engineers alike. Its open‑hardware design encourages community contributions and custom extensions.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

msrp$19.95

weight12 g

warranty2 years

dimensions58 x 33 x 12 mm

open source✅ Yes

connectivityWi‑Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, USB‑C

Key Features of SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus

Dual‑core Tensilica LX6 processor runs up to 240 MHz for high‑performance tasks.

802.11 b/g/n Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 LE enable wireless connectivity out of the box.

USB‑C connector provides power, programming, and serial console without extra adapters.

Integrated 3.3 V regulator and 5 V tolerant pins simplify powering sensors and modules.

Two Qwiic I²C sockets allow quick plug‑and‑play connection of SparkFun’s ecosystem.

Breadboard‑compatible 0.1" pitch layout makes prototyping fast and reliable.

On‑board flash memory (4 MB) and optional external SPI flash for larger firmware.

Open‑hardware design with schematics and reference code available on GitHub.

Use Cases for SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus

IoT Sensor Node

Collect and transmit environmental data over Wi‑Fi to cloud services.

Wearable Prototype

Drive low‑power Bluetooth peripherals for health‑monitoring gadgets.

Robotics Controller

Coordinate motor drivers and sensors with real‑time processing.

Edge AI Demo

Run lightweight TensorFlow Lite models for on‑device inference.

Pros & Cons of SparkFun ESP32 Thing Plus

Pros

USB‑C simplifies power and programming
Rich peripheral set including Qwiic and breadboard pins
Robust Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth performance
Fully open‑hardware with extensive community support

Cons

No built‑in battery management circuitry
Limited GPIO count compared to larger dev kits
No Ethernet port for wired networking

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the board support Arduino IDE?

Yes, SparkFun provides board definitions for the Arduino IDE as well as PlatformIO.

Can I power the board from a Li‑Po battery?

You can connect a 3.7 V Li‑Po to the VIN pin, but you must add your own charging circuit.

Is the ESP32 module soldered or removable?

The ESP32‑WROOM‑32U module is surface‑mounted and not intended for removal.

What development languages are supported?

C/C++ via Arduino, ESP‑IDF, MicroPython, and JavaScript via Espruino.

Pricing Overview

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Paid (One-time)

SparkFun Thing Plus - ESP32 WROOM (USB-C)

$29.95

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