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ESP32-C5-WROOM-1-N16R8

Espressif Systems
802.15.4, Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth v5.0, Thread, Zigbee® Transceiver Module 2.4GHz, 5GHz PCB Trace Surface Mount
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Overview

The ESP32-C5-WROOM-1-N16R8 is Espressif's first dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5 (LE) module. It integrates a RISC-V SoC with support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, alongside 802.15.4 protocols like Zigbee and Thread. This module features 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM, making it a high-performance choice for Matter-enabled IoT applications.

Why Choose This Part

The primary advantage is dual-band 2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi 6 support, which provides better performance in congested wireless environments. It offers a highly integrated solution for Matter over Wi-Fi or Matter over Thread, and the large 8MB PSRAM enables complex application logic and buffering. The high sensitivity of -106.5dBm ensures robust long-range connectivity for 802.15.4 protocols.

Applications

Matter Border Routers
Utilizes dual-band Wi-Fi and 802.15.4 to bridge Thread networks to the wider internet with high reliability.
High-Density Smart Lighting
Leverages Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA and MU-MIMO capabilities to maintain stable connections in environments with many connected devices.
Industrial Gateways
Provides dual-band connectivity to avoid congestion in the 2.4GHz spectrum while supporting legacy Zigbee sensors.
Streaming Audio Devices
The 150Mbps data rate and 5GHz support allow for low-latency audio streaming compared to 2.4GHz-only modules.

Key Specifications

Protocol 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth v5.0, Thread, Zigbee
Data Rate 150Mbps
Frequency 2.4GHz, 5GHz
Modulation CCK, DSSS, OFDM
Sensitivity -106.5dBm
Antenna Type PCB Trace
Mounting Type Surface Mount
Package / Case 28-SMD Module
Power - Output 20dBm
Voltage - Supply 3V ~ 3.6V
Serial Interfaces ADC, GPIO, I2C, I2S, PWM, SDIO, SPI, UART, USB
RF Family/Standard 802.15.4, Bluetooth, WiFi
Current - Receiving 85mA ~ 128mA
Operating Temperature -40degC ~ 85degC
Current - Transmitting 105mA ~ 397mA

Getting Started

Developers should use the Espressif IoT Development Framework (ESP-IDF) version 5.1 or later to access the dual-band and Wi-Fi 6 features. Hardware evaluation is typically performed using the ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1 development board. The module is powered by a 3V to 3.6V supply and can be flashed via the integrated USB or UART interfaces.

Dev Boards

Development boards and breakout modules featuring the ESP32-C5-WROOM-1-N16R8 or compatible chips — ready to use for prototyping.

ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1-N8R8 Espressif Systems
Multiprotocol Development Tools The ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1 is an entry-level development board based on the general-purpose
Mouser 174 in stock
Part of ESP32 family » ESP32-C5

ESP32-C5 Family

Comparing specs that differ across variants. The current part is highlighted.

Part Number Frequency Modulation Antenna Type Tx Power Interfaces Temp Range Stock
ESP32-C5-WROOM-1-N16R8 (this part) 2.4GHz CCK, DSSS, OFDM PCB Trace 20dBm ADC, GPIO, I2C, I2.. -40degC ~ 85degC —
ESP32-C5-WROOM-1-N8R8 2.412GHz CCK, DSSS, OFDM, O.. PCB Trace 19.5dBm ADC, GPIO, I2C, I2.. -40degC ~ 85degC (.. 3,170
ESP32-C5-WROOM-1U-N8R8 2.412GHz CCK, DSSS, OFDM, O.. Antenna Not Included 19.5dBm ADC, GPIO, I2C, I2.. -40degC ~ 85degC (.. 969
Also available as: ESP32-C5-DevKitC-1-N8R8

Also Consider

ESP32-C6-WROOM-1-N8 Espressif Systems - Lower cost alternative if only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 and 802.15.4 are required without 5GHz support.
ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 Espressif Systems - Better for AI and DSP tasks due to the dual-core Xtensa processor and vector instructions, though it lacks 5GHz and 802.15.4.
MGM240P SiLSilicon Labs - Stronger focus on mesh networking (Zigbee/Thread/Matter) with optimized low-power sleep modes for battery-operated end devices.