Looking for a compact and powerful Wi-Fi & Bluetooth development board? The ESP32-C3 Super Mini is one of the best choices for low-power, wireless projects.
This guide covers everything you need to know about its pinout, technical specifications, features, and more!
Overview: What is the ESP32-C3 Super Mini?
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini is a tiny development board built around the ESP32-C3 microcontroller by Espressif Systems. It sets itself apart from other development boards by its low price, low power consumption, and small footprint, while offering a powerful RISC-V single-core CPU.
Because of its small size and low power consumption, it is ideal for compact builds and battery-powered projects.
Additionally, the ESP32-C3 is supported by the Arduino IDE and PlatformIO, making development very convenient.
Check out all the other ESP32 chips here!
ESP32-C3 Super Mini Pinout Diagram
For its size, the ESP32-C3 Super Mini offers plenty of GPIO pins with great peripheral interface support, including SPI, I2C, UART, and more!
The GPIO pins from 0 to 5 are ADC (Analog to Digital) pins, which can read an analog signal and convert it to a digital signal so that the ESP32 can work with it.
Also, note that the built-in LED is hooked to GPIO8.
ESP32-C3 Super Mini Technical Specifications
Here’s a quick overview of the most important technical specs and the dimensions of this tiny board. For even more details, check out the documentation of your specific board (specs can vary from board to board) and the official ESP32-C3 datasheet.
| Feature | Details |
| Microcontroller | ESP32-C3 (RISC-V, 32-bit, single-core) |
| Clock Speed | Up to 160 MHz |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| SRAM | 400 KB |
| Wireless capabilities | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n), BLE 5 |
| GPIOs | 15 configurable GPIO pins |
| Peripherals | UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, ADC |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Power Consumption | ~30 mA in Idle / ~ 50 µA in deep sleep |
| USB Interface | USB-C for power & programming |
| Size | 22.5mm x 18mm |
| Price | ~ 5 $ |
Dimensions
Key Features
RISC-V Architecture
At the heart of the ESP32-C3 is the RISC-V 32-bit single-core processor. This modern, open-source architecture is designed for low-power operation, making it perfect for IoT devices that need to run continuously or on battery.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy
The built-in Wi-Fi supports 802.11 b/g/n standards, allowing the board to connect to a Wi-Fi network in station mode or create its own network in AP (access point) mode.
Additionally, Bluetooth 5 Low Energy (BLE) is supported, enabling communication with other BLE-enabled devices. Classic Bluetooth, however, is not supported by the ESP32-C3.
Compact Form Factor
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini’s small size makes it ideal for projects where space is limited. For instance, you could design a wearable, embed it inside a sensor module, or create a minimalistic control system.
Development Environment Support
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini is fully compatible with both the Arduino IDE and PlatformIO. These platforms allow developers of all levels to get started quickly with libraries, examples, and easy board configuration. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced embedded developer, coding for the ESP32-C3 is simple and flexible.
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini vs. Other ESP Boards
Here’s a quick comparison with other popular ESP boards:
| Feature | ESP32-C3 Super Mini | ESP32 DevKit V1 | ESP8266 NodeMCU |
| CPU | RISC-V Single-Core | Tensilica Xtensa LX7 | Tensilica Xtensa L106 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | BLE | Classic + BLE | No |
| USB | USB-C | Micro-USB / USB-C | Micro-USB |
| Size (may vary) | 22.5mm x 18mm | 55mm x 28mm | 48mm x 26mm |
As you can see, the ESP32-C3 is a bit special compared to other popular boards from Espressif Systems because it uses a RISC-V processor instead of the usual Tensilica Xtensa processors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy the ESP32-C3 Super Mini?
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini usually doesn’t cost more than 5$, no matter where you buy it.
However, if you would like to support this site, you can buy it using the following affiliate links from Amazon or AliExpress at no extra cost to you.
What is the ESP32-C3 used for?
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini is ideal for IoT applications that require wireless communication in a small, power-efficient form factor. Common use cases include sensors, smart devices, and wearables like an ESP32 step counter.
Does the ESP32-C3 support Bluetooth?
The ESP32-C3 supports Bluetooth 5 Low Energy (BLE). However, it doesn’t support Classic Bluetooth.
Is the ESP32-C3 Super Mini compatible with the Arduino IDE?
Absolutely! The ESP32-C3 microcontroller is generally supported by the Arduino IDE and PlatformIO. Check out how to set the ESP32 up in the Arduino IDE here.
Can I power the ESP32-C3 Super Mini with a battery?
Yes, you can power it via the 3.3V or 5V/VIN pin with a regulated voltage. If you have a power bank, you can simply power it via the USB-C port.
For more details, check out this post on powering the ESP32.
How many GPIOs are available on the ESP32-C3 Super Mini?
It offers up to 15 configurable GPIOs, many of which support multiple functions like ADC, PWM, I2C, and SPI. However, the exact number may vary slightly depending on the board version.
Final Thoughts
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini is a fantastic board for compact IoT projects. With its powerful ESP32-C3 chip, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and a solid set of GPIOs for its size, it’s ready for almost any low-power IoT application you throw at it.
Have you used this awesome board in a project? – Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
Links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links which means we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Read more on our Affiliate Disclosure Page.
