Where to start.. Recommended ESP32 board, case etc.

[nodecentral]

Question Can anyone recommend an appropriate ESP32 Board to do the work on, and what else i will need (please don’t assume anything :-), if the ESP32 part needs to connect to something else, what else do it need …

Additional context Hi, I’m very new to all this ESP type stuff, plus I can see SoC mentioned too, but keen to give it a go, an want to make sure I start off with the right parts/components..

[shmuelzon]

All you need is an ESP32 module, preferably one with USB so you can easily connect it to your PC for installing the application and all. I have a few that are called ESP32 D1 Mini (not to be confused with ESP8266). For example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32816065152.html or https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Development-ESP8285-Wireless-Internet/dp/B07BK435ZW

No additional peripherals are needed as we're only using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that are a part of the SoC (system on chip).

[nodecentral]

Thanks @shmuelzon - these seem the most popular on Amazon (uk) - (1) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/AZDelivery-NodeMcu-CP2102-Development-including/dp/B071P98VTG/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B074RGW2VQ&th=1 and (2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/ESP-32S-Development-2-4GHz-Bluetooth-Antenna/dp/B071JR9WS9 - are both suitable and if so any preference ?

[shmuelzon]

Yeah, both seem fine. They look pretty much the same to me so whatever's easier to get