SparkFun ESP32-P4 IoT RedBoards: Wi-Fi 6 or PoE From $49.95

SparkFun just gave makers two new ways to build with Espressif's most powerful microcontroller. In its November 6 product post, the company launched a pair of ESP32-P4 IoT RedBoards that share the same core hardware but split on connectivity: one adds dual-band Wi-Fi 6 through an ESP32-C5 co-processor, while the other runs network and power over a single Ethernet cable.

• The Wi-Fi version (DEV-30909) costs $49.95 and pairs the ESP32-P4 with an ESP32-C5 WROOM module
• The PoE version (DEV-30910) costs $55.95 and uses a MagJack RJ45 port with 10/100 Ethernet
• Both use the ESP32-P4NRW32X (P4X) with dual 400MHz RISC-V cores, 32MB PSRAM and 16MB flash
• Each board ships pre-programmed with MicroPython and supports ESP-IDF and Arduino

What Is Inside the ESP32-P4 IoT RedBoard?

Both boards are built around the ESP32-P4NRW32X, the upgraded "v3" P4 revision SparkFun calls the P4X. It packs two 32-bit RISC-V cores running at up to 400MHz for heavy lifting like image and voice processing, plus a low-power RISC-V core at up to 40MHz for standby duties. AI instruction extensions and DMA controllers help with signal-processing workloads.

According to LinuxGizmos, the chip brings 768KB of high-performance L2 memory, and SparkFun adds 32MB of PSRAM, 16MB of flash and a microSD slot. You also get MIPI ribbon connectors for a camera and a display, two USB-C ports for high-speed OTG and USB Serial/JTAG, a Qwiic connector for plug-and-play I2C sensors, and Arduino-style RedBoard headers with six analog and 16 digital I/O pins. A LiPo battery connector with onboard charging rounds things out.

Should You Pick the Wi-Fi 6 or PoE Version?

Choose the Wi-Fi model if your project moves around or lives somewhere without network cabling. Its ESP32-C5 companion handles 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 LE and IEEE 802.15.4 for Zigbee and Thread, which makes it a natural fit for smart home gateways. Handily, the C5 has its own serial header plus separate BOOT and Reset buttons, so you can program it independently.

Choose the PoE model for fixed installs such as wall-mounted touch panels, camera nodes or industrial sensors. Its integrated Power over Ethernet circuit includes a 5V/1.8A buck regulator, so one cable delivers both data and power. Wired Ethernet also means predictable latency and one less radio to troubleshoot.

Why the ESP32-P4 Is a Big Deal for Makers

The ESP32-P4 does not include its own radio, which is why companion chips like the C5 matter. What it does bring is enough horsepower for real human-machine interfaces: camera input, smooth touch displays and local audio processing, all on a microcontroller budget. SparkFun's familiar RedBoard layout lowers the learning curve, and shipping with MicroPython means you can blink, sense and display within minutes of unboxing.

The P4 family is having a great year. Compare these boards with the Adafruit Metro ESP32-P4 Hydra and the long-range LILYGO T-HaLow P4, or browse every new board in our mini computers section.

Sources: SparkFun News — November 6, 2026; LinuxGizmos — November 6, 2026.