XIAO ESP32C3 – Compact WiFi & BLE Board for IoT Projects
The Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 is one of the smallest yet most capable microcontroller boards available in India today. Built around the ESP32-C3 SoC with a 32-bit RISC-V single-core processor running at up to 160 MHz, this thumb-sized board delivers full WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity in a package measuring just 21 × 17.5mm — smaller than a coin.
Whether you are building wearable health monitors, wireless sensor nodes, BLE beacons, or compact home automation devices, the XIAO ESP32C3 gives you everything you need in the smallest possible form factor. Available at the best price in India, only at techiesms.
Why Makers Choose XIAO ESP32C3
The biggest advantage of this board is its combination of size, power, and connectivity. Most ESP32 boards are large and difficult to fit into compact enclosures or wearable designs. The XIAO ESP32C3 solves this completely — it is single-sided, lightweight, and easy to integrate into any custom PCB or enclosure.
The onboard battery charging IC makes it ideal for battery-powered projects. Simply connect a 3.7V LiPo battery and your project becomes truly wireless. The deep sleep power consumption of just 44 μA means your battery-powered device can last weeks or months on a single charge.
The U.FL antenna connector gives it outstanding RF performance — capable of WiFi and Bluetooth connections over 100 metres in open space, which is exceptional for a board this size.
Technical Specifications
- Processor: ESP32-C3 SoC, RISC-V 32-bit single-core, up to 160 MHz
- Memory: 400KB SRAM, 4MB Flash
- WiFi: 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n
- Bluetooth: BLE 5.0 and Bluetooth Mesh
- GPIO: 11 pins (PWM capable), 4 × ADC
- Interfaces: UART, I2C, I2S, SPI
- Operating Voltage: 3.3V @ 200mA
- Input Voltage: 5V via USB-C
- Charging Current: 50mA / 100mA
- Deep Sleep: 44 μA
- Dimensions: 21 × 17.5mm
Power Consumption Modes
| Mode | Consumption |
|---|---|
| Deep Sleep | ~44 μA |
| WiFi Light Sleep | ~4 mA |
| WiFi Modem Sleep | ~25 mA |
| WiFi Active | ~75 mA |
| BLE Light Sleep | ~10 mA |
| BLE Modem Sleep | ~27 mA |
Best Applications
The XIAO ESP32C3 is perfect for a wide range of projects including IoT sensor nodes, wearable health monitoring devices, BLE beacons, smart home sensors, low-power MQTT clients, wireless data loggers, and college mini-projects. Its compact size and low power consumption make it especially popular for wearable and portable applications where battery life matters.
Getting Started
The XIAO ESP32C3 is fully compatible with Arduino IDE — simply install the ESP32 board package and you are ready to upload your first sketch. It also supports MicroPython and CircuitPython, making it friendly for beginners and experienced developers alike.
Watch our getting started video above to set it up in minutes.
📄 XIAO ESP32C3 Wiki
📄 ESP32C3 Datasheet
Related Products
- XIAO ESP32C6 – adds Matter & Thread support
- XIAO ESP32S3 Sense – with onboard camera and microphone
- ESP32 DevKit V1 – full size board with more GPIOs
- 3.7V LiPo Battery – to power your XIAO wirelessly
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is XIAO ESP32C3 compatible with Arduino IDE?
A: Yes, fully compatible. Install the ESP32 board package in Arduino IDE and it works immediately without any additional configuration.
Q: Can it run on a battery?
A: Yes. It has an onboard LiPo battery charging circuit accessible via USB-C. Connect any 3.7V LiPo battery directly and your project becomes completely wireless.
Q: What is the difference between XIAO ESP32C3 and the regular ESP32 DevKit?
A: The XIAO ESP32C3 is thumb-sized with 11 GPIO pins — ideal for compact, wearable, and battery-powered projects where space matters. The ESP32 DevKit V1 is full-sized with 30+ GPIOs, better suited for complex projects needing many peripherals.
Q: Is it beginner friendly?
A: Absolutely. It works with Arduino IDE and MicroPython — both are beginner-friendly and have large communities with thousands of tutorials available online.
Q: What is the difference between XIAO ESP32C3 and XIAO ESP32C6?
A: The ESP32C6 adds Matter and Thread protocol support, making it ideal for smart home integrations with Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. If you don’t need Matter, the C3 is the more affordable choice.
