DFRobot has launched the FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C5 IoT Development Board, a small, yet powerful board that can be used in IoT and smart-home applications, and the ESP32-P4 version is a faster processor with more features. It is centred on ESP32-C5, a RISC-V executable processor based on the 240 MHz and 384 KB of SRAM and 4 MB of flash drive.
FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C5 IoT Development Board key features:
FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C5 also enables the dual-band WiFi 6, both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, creating a faster and less intrusive data transmission used in data-intensive tasks such as video streaming or real-time control. It also has multi-protocol wireless capabilities (like Bluetooth 5 (BLE), Thread 1.3 and Zigbee 3.0) and can be used in constructing smart-home hubs (or used to bridge between various smart-device ecosystems). The low-power board was designed with a deep-sleep current of only 21 μA, and it supports a number of power input methods such as USB-C, 5V DC, and even a solar input (4.5- 6V), which makes the board a very good option in outdoor, remote or off-grid applications, as well as IoT is compatible.
Software assistance and Ideal Use-Cases:
It has inboard interfaces such as GDI to displays, is compatible with the DFRobot ecosystem of sensors and modules as well and is programmable in Arduino IDE (C/C++ or MicroPython).
The FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C5 is a smart home sensor node device suitable for smart home lights applications, thanks to the combination of features in its variant, such as multitasking with WiFi, Zigbee, and Thread protocols. Its solar-charging capability and low sleep current also ensure that it is suitable for outdoor or remote location monitoring, like soil moisture or environmental sensors, where the power of the mains is not accessible.
Additionally, the inclusion of 5 GHz WiFi and a powerful core allows it to serve as a high-performance IoT edge device for low-latency streaming, robotics control, or any project that requires stable and high-speed wireless connectivity.
Why It’s Good?
What sets this board apart is the combination of modern connectivity (WiFi 6, dual-band) with ultra-low-power design and flexible power input, all in a small form factor. This means you can deploy it in places you normally wouldn’t think of, like a window frame powering itself via a solar panel, yet still connecting over 5 GHz WiFi for reliable data transmission.
Price and availability:
The FireBeetle 2 ESP32-C5 is currently sold in the official store of DFRobot at $6.90, and the kit is priced at $8.90, which are inclusive of the IO expansion board. The board is always in stock and is available to be shipped straight from DFRobot. It also sells at approximately A$15.10 (≈ US$10) in certain areas like Australia, where it has fixed dispatch periods that will depend on the seller, though the price might differ a notch higher or lower at the distributor. Ultimately, it is still a low-cost and readily available maker and hobbyist-friendly IoT development board.
Sayantan Nandy