ESP12E VS ESP12F: Which one is better?
ESP-12E datasheet pdf and Unclassified product details from Ai-Thinker stock available at Utmel









ESP12E and ESP12F are all Wi-Fi module that is used to establish a wireless network connection for a microcontroller or processor. This article is going to talk about the detailed information of ESP12E and ESP12F, and interpret the differences between them.

Programming ESP-12E / ESP-12F / NodeMCU With Arduino IDE | Step by Step Guide
- Overview of ESP12E
- Overview of ESP12F
- ESP12E VS ESP12F Features
- ESP12E VS ESP12F Pinout
- ESP12E VS ESP12F 2D Model
- ESP12E VS ESP12F Circuit Diagram
- ESP12E VS ESP12F Specifications
- How to use the ESP-12E
- How to use the ESP12F
- ESP12E VS ESP12F Applications
- Comparison the difference between the ESP12E and ESP12F
- Conclusion
- Datasheet PDF
- Popularity by Region
- Parts with Similar Specs
Overview of ESP12E
The ESP-12E is a market-available tiny Wi-Fi module that is used to establish a wireless network connection for a microcontroller or processor. The ESP-12E is built around the ESP8266EX, a high-integration wireless SoC. (System on Chip). It has the capacity to integrate Wi-Fi functionality into systems or run as a standalone application. It is a low-cost option for IoT application development. The ESP-12E is part of the ESP-XX series. ESP8266 SoC is used in all of them, although they differ in terms of output pins, flash memory, and antenna type. These modules, which range in price and performance from ESP-01 to ESP-15, are the best. These modules are commonly used by engineers to provide a wireless connection between two applications. These modules are excellent for data sharing and IoT.
Overview of ESP12F
The ESP12F is a high-integration wireless SOC for mobile platform designers who are limited by size and power. It offers unrivaled capacity to embed Wi-Fi capabilities within other systems or to operate as an independent application at the lowest cost and with the smallest footprint possible.
The ESP8266EX is a comprehensive and self-contained Wi-Fi networking solution that can either host or offload Wi-Fi networking functionality from another application processor. When the ESP8266EX runs the application, it does so from an external flash drive. In order to boost the system's performance in such applications, it contains an integrated cache.
ESP12E VS ESP12F Features
ESP12E Features
Frequency Range: 2.412 - 2.484 GHz
Serial Transmission: 110 - 921600 bps, TCP Client 5
SDIO 2.0, SPI, and UART Interface available
PWM available
One ADC channel is available
Programmable GPIO available
Wireless Network Type: STA / AP / STA + AP
Security Type: WEP / WPA-PSK / WPA2-PSK
Encryption Type: WEP64 / WEP128 / TKIP / AES
Network Protocol: IPv4, TCP / UDP / FTP / HTTP
Operating Voltage: 3.3V
Maximum current allowed to draw per pin: 15mA
Power down leakage current of < 10uA
Integrated low power 32-bit MCU
Onboard PCB Antenna
Wake up and transmit packets in < 2ms
Standby power consumption of < 1.0mW
Operating Temperature: -40ºC to +125 ºC
ESP12F Features
•802.11 b/g/n
• Integrated low power 32-bit MCU
• Integrated 10-bit ADC
• Integrated TCP/IP protocol stack
• Integrated TR switch, balun, LNA, power amplifier, and matching network
• Integrated PLL, regulators, and power management units
• Supports antenna diversity
• Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz, support WPA/WPA2
• Support STA/AP/STA+AP operation modes
• Support Smart Link Function for both Android and iOS devices
• SDIO 2.0, (H) SPI, UART, I2C, I2S, IRDA, PWM, GPIO
• STBC, 1x1 MIMO, 2x1 MIMO
• A-MPDU & A-MSDU aggregation and 0.4s guard interval
• Deep sleep power <10uA, Power-down leakage current < 5uA
• Wake up and transmit packets in < 2ms
• Standby power consumption of < 1.0mW (DTIM3)
• +20dBm output power in 802.11b mode
• Operating temperature range -40C ~ 125C
• FCC, CE, and ROSH certified
ESP12E VS ESP12F Pinout
Pin Descriptions:
Pin | Name | Description |
1 | RST | Reset Pin of the module |
2 | ADC | Analog Input Pin for 10-bit ADC (0V to1V) |
3 | EN | Module Enable Pin (Active HIGH) |
4 | GPIO16 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 16 |
5 | GPIO14 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 14 |
6 | GPIO12 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 12 |
7 | GPIO13 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 13 |
8 | VDD | +3.3V Power Input |
9 | CS0 | Chip selection Pin of SPI interface |
10 | MISO | MISO Pin of SPI interface |
11 | GPIO9 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 9 |
12 | GPIO10 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 10 |
13 | MOSI | MOSI Pin of SPI interface |
14 | SILK | Clock Pin of SPI interface |
15 | GND | Ground Pin |
16 | GPIO15 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 15 |
17 | GPIO2 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 2 |
18 | GPIO0 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 0 |
19 | GPIO4 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 4 |
20 | GPIO5 | General Purpose Input Output Pin 5 |
21 | RXD0 | UART0 RDX Pin |
22 | TXD0 | UART0 TXD Pin |
ESP12E VS ESP12F 2D Model
ESP12E VS ESP12F Circuit Diagram
ESP12E VS ESP12F Specifications
ESP12E | ESP12F | |
Frequency | 2.4GHz ~ 2.5GHz | 2.4G ~ 2.5G (2400M ~ 2483.5M) |
Memory Size | 4MB Flash | 32Mbit |
Operating Temperature | -40°C ~ 125°C | -20 ℃ ~ 85 ℃ |
Voltage - Supply | 3V ~ 3.6V | 3V ~ 3.6V |
Package / Case | Module | SMD22 |
Sensitivity | -98dBm | CCK,1Mbps: -90 dBm CCK,11Mbps: -85 dBm 6Mbps(1/2 BPSK): -88 dBm 54Mbps(3/4 64-QAM): -70 dBm HT20,MCS7(65Mbps, 72.2Mbps): -67 dBm |
Images | ![]() | ![]() |
How to use the ESP-12E
Because there is no complicated circuitry or programming in this module, it is incredibly simple to use. To further understand how the module works, we'll build a basic application circuit.
Setting up a simple application circuit consists of the following steps:
Connect the module to a source of positive +3.3V power.
Connect the RDX of the ESP to the RDX of the C and the TXD of the ESP to the TXD of the C to connect the module to a microcontroller or an ARDUINO via UART.
Download the module's libraries from the internet. The IDE for ARDUINO will come with pre-installed libraries. If you don't have them, simply download them from the ARDUINO website.
Create software to configure the baud rate and data transfer.
Send data to the module for transmission through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Data from the module that was communicated through Wi-Fi is received.
Another option for configuring the module is to bypass the microcontroller and connect the module directly to the PC through FTDI. After the interface, you can use a serial monitor to communicate with the module.
How to use the ESP12F
Step 1: Parts Needed
Step 2: Setup the Power Supply
Step 3: Solder the ESP-12F on the Adapter
ESP12E VS ESP12F Applications
ESP12E Application
Station of the weather
Internet of Things (IoT) applications
Appliances for the home
Applications for toys and games
Control systems that work without wires
Automating your home
Tags with security IDs
ESP12F Applications
Smart home
Intelligent building
Industrial automation
Wearable devices
IP camera
Intelligent agriculture
Comparison the difference between the ESP12E and ESP12F
The ESP8266-12F is an improved version of the ESP8266-12E, with a better peripheral circuit, four laminate plate processes, and improved impedance matching. The signal output is better, it is stable with anti-jamming ability, and the PCB antenna has been perfected after professional laboratory testing and ROHS certification. Based on the SPI and the new six IO ports, mouth extraction allows for easier development and a wider range of applications.
The built-in cloud services on the ESP8266-12F allow you to utilize three instructions to control the global remote control feature.
The ESP-12F features a ground-breaking design, a new four-layer board, and a revised antenna. RF performance enhancement extended communication distance by 30 to 50 percent when compared to the ESP-12E! Semi-hole chip technology, metal shielding shell for all IO leads, FCC, CE, and RoHS certification, on-board PCB antenna, 4M bytes Flash.
Conclusion
The ESP-12F and ESP-12E are the same size and have the same pins. The antenna design is the only difference between the two. The updated ESP-12F antenna is said to be better tuned. The ESP12E and ESP12F are nearly identical modules, but the ESP12F is a better variant of the ESP12E with a better antenna design and higher output power.
Popularity by Region
Parts with Similar Specs
What’s the difference between the ESP-12F and ESP-12E?
The ESP-12F and ESP-12E are the same size and have the same pins. The antenna design is the only difference between the two. The updated ESP-12F antenna is said to be better tuned.
What are the operating temperature of the ESP-12F and ESP-12E respectively?
ESP-12E is -40°C ~ 125°C, while the ESP-12F is -20 ℃ ~ 85 ℃.
What is the difference between ESP8266 and esp12e?
The esp8266 and esp-12e both use the same ESP8266 chip, with the only difference being the number of pins. Other differences include the firmware installed, with 'NodeMCU' being one. The esp-01 typically has the AT+ command set installed and may require firmware re-flashing to suit Arduino-type projects and use in the IDE.
What is esp12F?
The ESP-12F WiFi module is a security technology developed by the Letter to the module integrated core processor ESP8266 smaller package size Tensilica L106 industry-leading ultra-low-power 32-bit micro MCU, with 16 compact mode frequency support 80 MHz and 160 MHz, supports RTOS, and integrated Wi-Fi MAC / BB / RF / PA / LNA.
What is esp12E?
The ESP-12E is a market-available tiny Wi-Fi module that is used to establish a wireless network connection for a microcontroller or processor. The ESP-12E is built around the ESP8266EX, a high-integration wireless SoC. (System on Chip).
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