Olimex ESP8266 module – MOD-WIFI-ESP8266-DEV
Finding the Right Development Board
When developing IoT applications with the ESP8266, two key requirements immediately become apparent: you need sufficient flash memory for your application and firmware, and you need a board that fits comfortably on a breadboard for prototyping and testing.
I faced this challenge and needed to evaluate my options. Soldering additional flash chips onto bare ESP8266 modules wasn’t practical, so I researched alternative boards:
- NodeMCU boards – These feature larger flash and breadboard compatibility, but come with integrated regulators and USB-to-serial converters that add complexity and bulk.
- ESP-XX modules with adapters – While available, these adapters tend to be awkward and add unnecessary overhead for development work.
- Olimex MOD-WIFI-ESP8266-DEV – A purpose-built development module with excellent specifications and clean design.
The winner: Olimex’s MOD-WIFI-ESP8266-DEV