Introduction
We use a lot of Arduino controllers (nano, mega for the most part) and we can say with confidence that they provide high reliability of electronics in our projects for escape rooms: separate puzzles, sets of puzzles, portable escape game and even turnkey ERs.
For small puzzles, we use the Arduino Nano, for more complex puzzles (or where a large number of pins are simply needed), portable games and ready-made rooms, we use the Arduino mega. We love, appreciate, respect and know, perhaps, all the pitfalls of both types of controllers.
However, a new controller has recently appeared (not all new, rather another modification): ESP32-C3 Super Mini
And we decided to compare it with the Arduino nano
Technical specifications
Arduino Nano Processor: ATmega328P, 16 MHz Memory: 32KB Flash, 2KB SRAM, 1KB EEPROM I/O ports: 14 digital, 8 analog Communications: UART, SPI, I2C Power supply voltage: 5V Size: 45x18mm | ESP32-C3 SuperMini Processor: 32-bit RISC-V core, 160 MHz Memory: 400KB SRAM, 4MB Flash I/O ports: 22 digital, 6 analog Communications: UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, BLE, Wi-Fi Supply voltage: 3.3V Size: 22x18 mm |
Efficiency
The ESP32-C3 SuperMini is significantly superior to the Arduino Nano in performance. Its 32-bit RISC-V processor with a frequency of 160 MHz is many times more powerful than the 8-bit ATmega328P with a frequency of 16 MHz. The ESP32-C3 RAM is also many times larger: 400KB versus 2KB for the Arduino Nano, which allows you to handle more complex tasks and store more data. ESP32 C3 flash memory is also many times superior to Arduino Nano Flash memory, 4MB vs. 32KB
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini supports UART, SPI and I2C, as does the Arduino Nano, but it also has built-in Wi-Fi and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) modules. This opens up huge opportunities for IoT projects, allowing you to easily connect to the Internet and other devices. Personally, we do not use Wi-Fi/Bluetooth in our escape room projects.
Size and convenience
The ESP32-C3 Super Mini measures 22x18 mm, which makes it more compact than the Arduino Nano (45x18 mm). This is especially important for projects where space savings are critical.
The Arduino Nano runs on 5V, while the ESP32-C3 requires 3.3V. But for many modern sensors, displays and other peripherals, 3.3V is the standard.
Deep sleep mode and battery operation
One of the key advantages of the ESP32-C3 Super Mini is its deep sleep mode. In this mode, the microcontroller consumes only a few microamps (usually about 5 mA), which significantly saves battery power. This makes it an ideal choice for projects that need to operate autonomously for a long time, such as sensors, smart devices and other IoT solutions.
Let's say you have a project with a temperature sensor that should transmit data once every 10 minutes. In deep sleep mode, the ESP32-C3 Super Mini will wake up only to collect and transfer data, and the rest of the time it will be in minimum power consumption mode. This allows the device to run on a small CR2032 battery for several months
Programming
Both platforms are supported by the Arduino IDE, which facilitates the transition from the Arduino Nano to the ESP32C3. However, ESP32-C3 also supports other development environments such as PlatformIO and ESP-SEAM, which can be useful for more complex projects.
Conclusion
The ESP 32-C3 Super Mini really has all the characteristics to become an Arduino Nano killer. It offers significantly better performance, more memory and built-in modules for wireless communication, while remaining compact and convenient to use. Also, without a doubt, deep sleep mode and the possibility of months of operation from one small CR2032 battery are of great importance.
If you are looking for a less expensive, but more powerful and versatile solution for your props and projects, the ESP32-C3 Super Mini is an excellent choice that opens up new opportunities for creativity and innovation.
Yes, ESP32-C3 has all the possibilities to become a nano killer, but with our approach (mystery production), the vast majority of important functions are simply not needed. We believe, with good reason, that using Wi-Fi in quest rooms is unstable, our conscious choice (and we have experience producing riddles since 2014) is LAN cables.
Best regards,
EcoDecor team
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