ESP32-S2-DevKitM-1
The ESP32-S2-DevKitM-1 is Espressif's single-core Xtensa LX7 board with native USB-OTG and 2MB PSRAM, but no Bluetooth. It occupies a narrow niche for USB-native projects that need WiFi but not BLE, largely superseded by the dual-core ESP32-S3 for most use cases.
Best for USB-only WiFi projects on a budget, skip if you need Bluetooth or dual-core performance.
Where to Buy
Pros
- USB-OTG 1.1 enables native USB HID, CDC, and MSC without a UART bridge
- 2MB PSRAM provides buffer space the original ESP32 lacks
- 43 GPIO pins — the highest count in the ESP32 family
- 20 ADC channels for extensive analog sensor arrays
Cons
- No Bluetooth at all — a dealbreaker for most IoT applications
- Single-core Xtensa LX7 limits multitasking capability
- Largely superseded by the dual-core ESP32-S3 which adds BLE 5.0
- 22uA deep sleep current is the highest among current ESP32 variants
Processing Power
The ESP32-S2 uses a single-core Xtensa LX7 at 240MHz. While the LX7 architecture is newer and more efficient per-clock than the LX6 in the original ESP32, the single-core design means WiFi stack handling and application logic compete for the same core. This can introduce latency in time-sensitive applications.
For simple sensor-reading and data-forwarding tasks, the single core is adequate. For anything requiring concurrent processing — web servers, real-time control, or data streaming — the dual-core ESP32-S3 at the same clock speed is a better fit.
The USB-OTG Advantage
The ESP32-S2 was the first ESP32 variant with native USB-OTG 1.1. This means it can act as a USB keyboard, mouse, game controller, or mass storage device without a UART bridge chip. It can also act as a USB host, reading flash drives or connecting to USB peripherals.
However, the ESP32-S3 now offers the same USB-OTG 1.1 with a dual-core processor and BLE 5.0. Unless you specifically need the S2's 43 GPIO pins or 20 ADC channels, the S3 is the better USB-capable board.
The Missing Bluetooth
The most significant limitation of the ESP32-S2 is the complete absence of Bluetooth. No BLE, no Bluetooth Classic, nothing. In 2026, where BLE is used for provisioning, beacons, proximity detection, and peripheral communication, this is a major gap.
If your project is purely WiFi-based — a web-connected sensor, a WiFi access point, or a USB device that happens to also need WiFi — the S2 works. But any requirement for BLE immediately disqualifies it.
Full Specifications
Processor
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Xtensa LX7 |
| CPU Cores | 1 |
| Clock Speed | 240 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Flash | 4 MB |
| SRAM | 320 KB |
| PSRAM | 2 MB |
Connectivity
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n |
I/O & Interfaces
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIO Pins | 43 |
| ADC Channels | 20 |
| SPI | 4 |
| I2C | 2 |
| UART | 2 |
| USB | USB-OTG 1.1 |
Power
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage | 5 V |
| Deep Sleep Current | 22 uA |
Physical
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 56 x 25.4 mm |
| Form Factor | Standard breadboard |
Who Should Buy This
USB-OTG supports the FIDO2 protocol natively, but the ESP32-S3 offers the same USB-OTG with dual-core and BLE as a bonus.
Better alternative: ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1
43 GPIO pins and 20 ADC channels are the highest in the ESP32 family. If you need 15+ analog inputs and WiFi but not BLE, this is the board.
The ESP32-S2 has no Bluetooth radio at all. Use the ESP32-C3 for budget BLE or ESP32-S3 for BLE 5.0 with USB.
Better alternative: ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I choose the ESP32-S2 over the ESP32-S3?
The S2 has more GPIO pins (43 vs 45 usable but with fewer restrictions) and 20 ADC channels vs the S3's 20. In practice, the S3 is better for most projects because it adds dual-core processing and BLE 5.0 at a similar price point.
Can the ESP32-S2 do Bluetooth?
No. The ESP32-S2 has no Bluetooth hardware at all — no BLE, no Bluetooth Classic. This is the primary reason it has been largely superseded by the ESP32-S3.
Is the ESP32-S2 good for battery-powered projects?
Not ideal. Its 22uA deep sleep current is the highest among current ESP32 variants. The ESP32-C3 achieves 5uA and the ESP32-S3 hits 7uA, making them better choices for battery operation.
Does the ESP32-S2 support CircuitPython?
Yes. The ESP32-S2 was the first ESP32 variant with official CircuitPython support, thanks to its native USB-OTG. CircuitPython support is strong and well-maintained.
Should I buy the ESP32-S2 in 2026?
Only if you specifically need its 43 GPIO pins or 20 ADC channels without Bluetooth. For most new projects, the ESP32-S3 is a strictly better choice with dual-core, BLE 5.0, and the same USB-OTG capability.