MCU

MCU SuperMart Review! ESP8266, Arduino AtTiny, Raspberry, ESP32, CH32V003 Show Down!

We go over the utterly incredible value that small MCU's bring for pennies! This is a market that is just growing by leaps!

thinkmelt@protonmail.com

Mar 17, 2026 • 5 min read

There is literally a buffet of incredible compute available to the discerning value hunter. We were so impressed we had to really promote this! Yes, they do not hold your hand as easily as an arduino or python might, but we've done the work for you! I used to dream of having this much compute, and these many code examples at my finger tips. Now that it's a reality - It is up there for all of us!

Device	Architecture	Core(s)	Clock Speed	RAM	Flash (typical)	Wi-Fi	Bluetooth	GPIO (usable)	ADC / Other notable features	Power / Typical notes
ESP8266 (NodeMCU)	Tensilica L106	Single-core	80–160 MHz	~80–160 KB	External 1–4 MB	Yes (802.11b/g/n)	None	11–17	1× 10-bit ADC	Pioneer low-cost Wi-Fi MCU; higher active/sleep current
Raspberry Pi Pico	ARM Cortex-M0+	Dual-core	Up to 133 MHz	264 KB	External 2 MB	None (Pico W adds)	None (Pico W adds BLE)	26	3× 12-bit ADC, excellent PIO state machines	Very low power, great for precise timing
Raspberry Pi Zero	ARM11 (BCM2835)	Single-core	1 GHz	512 MB	microSD card	None (Zero W adds)	None (Zero W adds BLE)	~40 (via header)	Full video/USB support, runs Linux OS	Full SBC; significantly higher power draw
ESP32-C3	RISC-V 32-bit	Single-core	Up to 160 MHz	400 KB SRAM	4 MB (integrated in many modules)	Yes (802.11b/g/n)	BLE 5.0	16–22	2× 12-bit ADC, touch sensors	Modern low-power Wi-Fi/BLE successor to ESP8266
ATtiny (e.g., 85)	AVR 8-bit	Single-core	Up to 20 MHz	512 B–1 KB	8 KB	None	None	5–6	4× 10-bit ADC	Ultra-low power, simplest/cheapest, minimal peripherals
CH32V003	RISC-V (QingKe V2A, RV32EC)	Single-core	Up to 48 MHz	2 KB	16 KB	None	None	6–18 (package-dependent)	1× 10-bit ADC, 1× OPA/comparator, DMA	Extremely low-cost (~$0.10–$0.20), wide 3.3/5 V operation, industrial-grade

If you want to learn the basics of coding C on small devices - here is an excellent starting primer!

The ESP32-C3 ($3 - no really $3!)

ESP32-C3 Wifi (b/g/n) Bluetooth at $3/unit and a 160 mhz clock. Secure boot, built-in encryption this thing packs an insane amount of capabilities! We have already had Grok 4 write out a guide of code examples to get you up!

ESP32-C3 Example Code Reference

The Raspberry Pi Pico W ($6.60)

With it's 120 Mhz Dual Core Risc-V processor, it's internal pin driving modules, and it's onboard wifi capabilities whats not to love! It is also available in Canada for even less

Raspberry Pi Pico Example Code Reference

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (With Header)($25.95 CDN ~ $20 US)

With its 700-1Ghz 4-core SD system +Wifi and capability to run full 32-bit Linux, this is the un-desputed King of the Low-Cost GumStick compute. But good luck finding it at that price, we had to look all the way to Canada to find these, they sell for much much more in other locations.

Raspberry Pi Zero 2W Example Code ref

UIAPduino Pro Micro CH32V003 V1.4 ($1.98)

With its 48Mhz clock, A/D capability, GPIO pins, and a price point less than a chocolate bar, whats not to love. Not only that we have already compile a giant example bank of code examples for you!

CH32V003 Example Code Reference

NODE MCU V2 ESP 8266 ($2.6)

Another powerhouse of compute on a gumstick for pennies, with wifi (b/g/n) up to 5 concurrent wifi clients, and a clock of 80 Mhz whats not to love!

We have already compile a complete example list of software to get you up and developing!

ESP8266 C Example Code Guide

If this guide is a little too much - don't fret, try the easier python based projects!

ATTiny Arduino ($5)

Finally we also cannot showcase every MCU without reference to the good old Arduino!

We have also compile a library of example C programs to get you started!