For those looking for cheap dev boards, I've had good luck with 'HiLetgo' on Amazon. The WROOM-32S is my go-to, but I also use the WROOM-32U when I need an external antenna (it _must_ be connected) or the 32S+CAM module for the camera. I haven't gotten a DOA component yet.
The Ali prices aren't significantly cheaper than many of the sellers on Amazon (at least in small quantities), you don't have to wait a month, and if you get a dud, replacements are easy.
Even though I started with the 8266, as the article mentions, there's little reason to choose that outdated board at this point. It's worth the extra $1 to get the 32 in a DEV board configuration. Having the CP210x and USB onboard is also worth it for the hobbyist.
Looks like the HiLetgo also has an ESP32 board with integrated LCD display. Boards with integrated displays I found to be very cool when beginning to play with. My "Hello World" was a graphical traffic light (bonus using the integrated buttons to simulate car-over-sensor or pedestrian hitting crossing button).
Many cases that don’t require Bluetooth I still find the 8266 worthwhile. Especially if you’re trying to build a product and BOM cost are being considered. The extra $1 doesn’t matter for hobbyists. Also I second the HiLetgo products, I have dozens of their products and it’s always good quality.
Amazon is giving me prices of $25-$35 for all the esp32, including the hitletgo you mentioned. Ali is $1.5-$2. Amazon also says 2+weeks deliver for many, Ali says 3 weeks. I'm in Canada
The Ali prices aren't significantly cheaper than many of the sellers on Amazon (at least in small quantities), you don't have to wait a month, and if you get a dud, replacements are easy.
Even though I started with the 8266, as the article mentions, there's little reason to choose that outdated board at this point. It's worth the extra $1 to get the 32 in a DEV board configuration. Having the CP210x and USB onboard is also worth it for the hobbyist.