Recommended
ESP32-C3 SuperMini
Thumbnail-sized RISC-V board with WiFi and USB-C. Usually sold in multi-packs — handy for a class or a spare.
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The software is free and always will be. If you're buying parts to build a lab, using the links on this page costs you nothing extra and sends a small commission my way — it helps keep the project going. Thank you!
See it in action
A C3 SuperMini, a mini breadboard, a few jumper wires and a sensor. That's the whole lab.
1. Pick a board
The firmware runs on either of these. Start with the C3 if you're unsure — it's tiny, cheap and has USB-C.
Classic
ESP32 DevKit (WROOM-32)
The original ESP32 dev board. More GPIO pins, plenty of tutorials online. Look for a USB-C version if you can.
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Don't skip this
USB-C data cable
Lots of cheap cables are charge-only and won't flash the board. A proper data cable saves a lot of head-scratching.
Buy on Amazon2. The basics
No soldering needed — everything pushes into a breadboard.
Essential
Mini breadboards
170-point minis, one per sensor, like the ones in the photos. Cheap in multi-packs of mixed colours. The C3 SuperMini fits with room to spare.
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Essential
Dupont jumper wires
Get a mixed pack — male-male, male-female and female-female. The sensor modules mostly need male-female.
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Digital & PWM output
LEDs & resistor kit
For the first "blink an LED" lesson and PWM dimming. An assortment with 220Ω resistors covers it.
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Digital input
Tactile push buttons
The simplest input there is. The firmware's internal pull-ups mean no extra resistors needed.
Buy on Amazon3. Sensors — the easy way
One box, lots of sensors. A kit covers most of what the lab supports, and plenty more to explore.
Best value
AZ-Delivery 35-in-1 sensor kit
A sorted box of ready-made sensor modules: temperature, light, sound, buttons, buzzers, LEDs and plenty more to try once you have the basics. Everything is labelled and plugs straight into a breadboard. Ideal for a classroom or a curious kid.
Buy on AmazonOr buy sensors individually
Every one of these has a built-in wiring guide in the lab's Sensors tab.
Temperature + humidity
DHT11 module
The classic blue sensor. Get the 3-pin module version — it has the pull-up resistor already fitted.
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Waterproof temperature
DS18B20 probe
Stainless steel probe on a lead — drop it in a cup of tea, a fish tank or the garden soil. Needs one 4.7kΩ resistor.
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Ultrasonic distance
HC-SR04P
Bat-style sonar, 2cm–4m. Make sure it's the P version (3.3V-safe) — the plain HC-SR04 needs 5V.
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Motion detection
HC-SR501 PIR sensor
The white dome from burglar alarms. It spots body heat moving across the room. Power it from the 5V pin; its output is 3.3V-safe, so it wires up as a plain digital input.
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Turn count + direction
KY-040 rotary encoder
The click-wheel knob from every 3D printer and car stereo. Great for showing how direction is decoded.
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Analog input
10kΩ potentiometers
Turn a knob, watch the number change. The best introduction to analog-to-digital conversion.
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Analog input
LDR light sensors
Photoresistors — cover it with your hand and watch the reading drop. Pair with a 10kΩ resistor.
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PWM output
Passive buzzer
Make noise! A passive buzzer lets PWM play different tones — the active kind only beeps.
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