Top 6 Budget IoT Devices
All of the devices listed below have their own unique features that make them suitable for different IoT applications. Here is a comparison of the devices based on their suitability as an IoT end device for collecting data for a Django/Flask-based web server:
NodeMCU ESP8266
Lowest cost
Tensilica L106 32-bit CP
160 MHz
WiFi
UART, I²C, I²S, SPI, ADC, 17 x GPIO
Arduino C, Lua
The NodeMCU ESP8266 is a good choice for simple IoT applications where low power and cost are important factors. However, it has a limited amount of memory and processing power, which may make it less suitable for more complex tasks.
Seeed Xiao ESP32-C3
Really tiny
RISC-V 32-bit CPU
ESP32-C3 SoC
160 MHz
WiFi, Bluetooth
UART, I²C, I²S, SPI, 4xADC, 11 x GPIO
Arduino C
The Seeed Xiao ESP32-C3 is a good choice for IoT applications where more processing power is needed. It has a more powerful microcontroller than the NodeMCU ESP8266. Its low power consumption and small form factor make it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Raspberry Pi Pico Wireless
Cheapest Raspberry Pi
Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ 32-bit CPU
RP2040 SoC
133 MHz
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
2 x UART, 2 x I²C, 2 x SPI, 3 x ADC, 23 x GPIO
CircuitPython, MicroPython, C, C++
The Raspberry Pi Pico Wireless is a good choice for applications where more advanced processing and connectivity options are needed. However, it also requires more power and may be more expensive than the other devices.
Wio Terminal
Built-in 2.4" LCD
ARM Cortex-M4F 32-bit CPU
ATSAMD51P19 SoC
120 MHz
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Built-in accelerometer, microphone, speaker, light sensor, IR emitter
2 x Grove connector
Pi-compatible expansion connector
Arduino, MicroPython, ArduPy, VS Code
The Wio Terminal is a good choice for applications where a touch screen interface is needed. It has a built-in 1200mAh lithium battery and touchscreen display making it suitable for IoT applications that require a display, user interaction, and mobility. It has 2 Grove connectors for easy expansion. However, it is a bit larger and more expensive than the other devices.
M5Stack
Built-in 2.0" touch LCD
Dual-core Xtensa LX6 CPU
ESP32 D0WDQ-V3 SoC
240 MHz
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Built-in IMU, microphone, speaker, vibration motor
Grove connector
UIFlow, MicroPython, Arduino
The M5Stack is another option for applications where a touch screen interface and mobility is needed. It more expensive than WioTerminal, has only 1 Grove connector, and its battery is only rated at 390mAh. However, it has a more powerful dual-core processor and more expansion options (such as extra battery packs) so it is suitable when heavier computations are expected.
Raspberry Pi 4
The Raspberry Pi 4 is a good choice for applications where a full-fledged computer is needed. It has a more powerful microcontroller than the other devices and can run a full operating system. Just like a computer, it has a variety of ports for connecting peripherals. However, it is larger, more expensive, and requires more power than the other devices.
Overall, the best device for your application depends on the specific requirements of your project. If you need a simple and low-cost device with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, the NodeMCU ESP8266 or Seeed Xiao ESP32-C3 would be a good choice. If you need more processing power or advanced connectivity options, the Raspberry Pi Pico Wireless or Raspberry Pi 4 would be a better choice. If you need a touch screen interface or a modular design, the Wio Terminal or M5Stack would be a good choice.