Bill of Materials
This page provides complete bills of materials for different ESP-Claw configurations, from the minimal $5 setup to a fully-loaded smart home kit.
Configuration 1: Minimal Agent ($5)
Section titled “Configuration 1: Minimal Agent ($5)”The absolute minimum to run an ESP-Claw AI agent. Text-only interaction via Telegram or Discord.
| # | Component | Specification | Qty | Unit Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESP32-C3 SuperMini | RISC-V, 400KB SRAM, USB-C | 1 | $1.80 | AliExpress |
| 2 | USB-C cable | Data capable, 1m | 1 | $1.00 | Local store |
| 3 | Breadboard | Half-size (400 points) | 1 | $1.50 | AliExpress |
| 4 | Jumper wires | Male-to-male, 10-pack | 1 | $0.50 | AliExpress |
| Total | $4.80 |
This is the MimiClaw setup. It runs the full AI agent with 40+ tools, but without any physical sensors or actuators. The AI communicates via Telegram, Discord, or MQTT.
Configuration 2: Home Sensor Kit ($12)
Section titled “Configuration 2: Home Sensor Kit ($12)”Adds environmental monitoring. The AI can read and report on room conditions.
| # | Component | Specification | Qty | Unit Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESP32-C3 SuperMini | RISC-V, 400KB SRAM, USB-C | 1 | $1.80 | AliExpress |
| 2 | USB-C cable | Data capable, 1m | 1 | $1.00 | Local store |
| 3 | DHT22 sensor module | Temperature + humidity, 3-pin module | 1 | $2.00 | AliExpress |
| 4 | SSD1306 OLED | 0.96”, 128x64, I2C, 4-pin | 1 | $2.50 | AliExpress |
| 5 | PIR motion sensor | HC-SR501, digital output | 1 | $1.20 | AliExpress |
| 6 | Breadboard | Half-size (400 points) | 1 | $1.50 | AliExpress |
| 7 | Jumper wires | Male-to-female, 20-pack | 1 | $0.80 | AliExpress |
| 8 | 10K resistor | Pull-up for DHT22 | 1 | $0.05 | AliExpress |
| Total | $10.85 |
With this kit, the AI can monitor temperature, humidity, detect motion, and display status on the OLED screen.
Configuration 3: Smart Home Controller ($20)
Section titled “Configuration 3: Smart Home Controller ($20)”The full home automation setup. Adds IR control and servo for physical interaction.
| # | Component | Specification | Qty | Unit Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESP32-S3 DevKitC | Dual-core, 8MB PSRAM, USB-C | 1 | $7.50 | AliExpress |
| 2 | USB-C cable | Data capable, 1m | 1 | $1.00 | Local store |
| 3 | DHT22 sensor module | Temperature + humidity, 3-pin | 1 | $2.00 | AliExpress |
| 4 | SSD1306 OLED | 0.96”, 128x64, I2C | 1 | $2.50 | AliExpress |
| 5 | IR LED | 940nm, 5mm | 2 | $0.10 | AliExpress |
| 6 | IR receiver | VS1838B module | 1 | $0.50 | AliExpress |
| 7 | SG90 servo motor | 180°, 9g | 1 | $1.50 | AliExpress |
| 8 | Passive buzzer | 3.3V, 12mm | 1 | $0.30 | AliExpress |
| 9 | Breadboard | Full-size (830 points) | 1 | $2.00 | AliExpress |
| 10 | Jumper wires | Assorted, 40-pack | 1 | $1.20 | AliExpress |
| 11 | Resistors | 100Ω (IR), 10K (DHT22), 4.7K x2 (I2C) | 5 | $0.10 | AliExpress |
| Total | $18.70 |
Configuration 4: Voice Assistant ($28)
Section titled “Configuration 4: Voice Assistant ($28)”Full voice interaction with microphone and speaker. Requires ESP32-S3.
| # | Component | Specification | Qty | Unit Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-11 | All items from Config 3 | (see above) | — | $18.70 | — |
| 12 | INMP441 microphone | I2S MEMS, breakout board | 1 | $2.50 | AliExpress |
| 13 | MAX98357A amplifier | I2S, 3W mono | 1 | $2.00 | AliExpress |
| 14 | Speaker | 8Ω, 2W, 28mm | 1 | $0.80 | AliExpress |
| 15 | Capacitors | 100µF electrolytic + 100nF ceramic | 2 | $0.10 | AliExpress |
| Total | $24.10 |
Sourcing Tips
Section titled “Sourcing Tips”Where to Buy
Section titled “Where to Buy”AliExpress offers the lowest prices but shipping takes 2-4 weeks. Good for planned projects. Search for “ESP32-C3 SuperMini” or “ESP32-S3 N16R8” for boards with 8MB PSRAM.
Amazon has faster shipping (1-2 days with Prime) but prices are 2-3x higher. Good when you need something quickly.
Mouser / DigiKey are professional distributors with guaranteed genuine components. Use these for production quantities or when component authenticity matters.
LCSC offers competitive pricing and is the preferred source for PCB assembly (pairs with JLCPCB).
Quality Considerations
Section titled “Quality Considerations”- USB cables: This is the number one source of frustration. Cheap cables often only carry power, not data. Test with a known-good cable before troubleshooting anything else.
- ESP32 boards: Stick to well-known sellers with good ratings. Counterfeit ESP32 chips exist and may have reduced flash or disabled features.
- Sensors: DHT22 clones vary in accuracy. For critical measurements, calibrate against a known reference.
- Power supplies: Use a quality USB power adapter (at least 5V/1A) for reliable operation. Underpowered boards cause random resets and Wi-Fi disconnections.
Cost Comparison by Region
Section titled “Cost Comparison by Region”Prices vary significantly by region. Here are typical total costs for Configuration 2 (Home Sensor Kit):
| Region | Components | Shipping | Total | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China (domestic) | $8 | $0 | $8 | 1-3 days |
| US (via AliExpress) | $10 | $2-5 | $12-15 | 2-4 weeks |
| US (via Amazon) | $25 | $0 (Prime) | $25 | 1-2 days |
| EU (via AliExpress) | $10 | $2-5 | $12-15 | 2-4 weeks |
| India (via AliExpress) | $10 | $1-3 | $11-13 | 3-5 weeks |
The sweet spot for most users is ordering boards and specialty components from AliExpress (plan ahead), and grabbing common items (breadboard, wires, USB cable) locally.