Beetle ESP32 - C3 (Mini RISC-V Core IoT Development Board)

The Beetle ESP32-C3 is an ultra-compact IoT development board powered by a 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor running at 160 MHz. Featuring built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 (LE), and integrated lithium battery charging, it is an ideal choice for makers, students, and engineers designing compact wearables and smart connected devices.

RISC-V processing in miniature form

Powered by the ESP32-C3 single-core 32-bit RISC-V processor clocked at 160 MHz, this board packs 400KB of SRAM and 4MB of onboard Flash into a footprint of just 25 x 20.5 mm. Hardware buttons for BOOT and RST simplify entering download mode and resetting the board.

Coin-sized design for wearables

Despite its tiny dimensions, the board breaks out up to 13 digital I/O pins, 6 PWM channels, and essential interfaces such as I2C, SPI, UART, and I2S. Its minimal size and weight allow it to fit seamlessly into miniature projects such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.

Included expansion board and GDI port

The board comes with a dedicated expansion board that breaks out extra power rails for simpler soldering. An onboard GDI display port is also integrated, allowing direct plug-and-play connection to compatible screens without complex wiring.

Integrated lithium battery management

An onboard lithium-ion battery charging circuit supports a maximum charging current of 400mA, allowing direct battery connection without external charging modules. This design keeps power circuitry secure, compact, and ready for portable operation.

Dual-mode Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5

The module provides 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) alongside Bluetooth 5 (LE) connectivity. It supports both Espressif Wi-Fi Mesh and Bluetooth Mesh protocols to deliver extended wireless coverage and stable networking across IoT deployments.

Flexible programming and platform support

Development is supported across Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, and MicroPython, enabling programming in both C and Python. Detailed tutorials provide step-by-step guidance for connecting to IoT platforms such as IFTTT and integrating peripheral sensors.

Broad range of IoT applications

With integrated wireless networking, analogue inputs, and low power consumption, the Beetle ESP32-C3 suits a wide variety of smart home, environmental monitoring, and embedded automation projects.

Downloads & documentation

• Product wiki (DFRobot)