Raspberry Pi Pico W
The Raspberry Pi Pico W is a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller at 133MHz with WiFi, BLE 5.2, 2MB flash, and 264KB SRAM for around six dollars. It runs MicroPython or C/C++ — not Linux — and competes directly with the ESP32-C3 as a budget WiFi-enabled microcontroller. The unique PIO state machines enable custom hardware protocols without dedicated peripherals.
Best for MicroPython beginners wanting WiFi on a budget, skip if you need BLE peripherals or more flash/SRAM.
Where to Buy
Pros
- Dual-core Cortex-M0+ at 133MHz — two cores for this price is notable
- 8 PIO state machines create custom hardware interfaces (WS2812, VGA, etc.)
- Excellent MicroPython support with official documentation
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n + BLE 5.2 at the sub-$10 price point
- Breadboard-friendly 51x21mm form factor with castellated pads
Cons
- 264KB SRAM is tight for complex applications (ESP32-C3 has 400KB)
- Only 2MB flash — fills quickly with MicroPython libraries
- 1.3mA deep sleep is vastly worse than ESP32-C3's 5uA — poor for battery
- Micro-USB instead of USB-C
- 3 ADC channels vs 6+ on most ESP32 boards
PIO: The Pico's Secret Weapon
The RP2040's Programmable I/O (PIO) subsystem is genuinely unique. Eight state machines run tiny programs independently of the CPU cores, generating precisely timed digital signals. This enables protocols like WS2812 LED control, VGA video output, DPI display interfaces, and custom serial protocols without any CPU overhead.
No ESP32 or Arduino has an equivalent feature. The ESP32's RMT peripheral handles some of these use cases, but PIO is more flexible — you can program it to implement any digital protocol with cycle-accurate timing. For projects involving unusual or custom hardware interfaces, PIO is the reason to choose the Pico over an ESP32.
Pico W vs ESP32-C3: The Budget Showdown
Both cost around $6-7 and offer WiFi with dual cores. The ESP32-C3 wins on power efficiency (5uA vs 1.3mA deep sleep), SRAM (400KB vs 264KB), flash (4MB vs 2MB), and BLE capability (BLE 5.0 with advertising vs the Pico's more limited BLE 5.2 stack). The Pico W wins on PIO state machines and MicroPython documentation quality.
For battery projects, the ESP32-C3 is the clear winner. For MicroPython learning and custom protocol interfaces, the Pico W has the edge. For general WiFi IoT, both are capable — choose based on which ecosystem (Raspberry Pi vs Espressif) you prefer.
Full Specifications
Processor
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Architecture | ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| CPU Cores | 2 |
| Clock Speed | 133 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Flash | 2 MB |
| SRAM | 264 KB |
Connectivity
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
I/O & Interfaces
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIO Pins | 26 |
| ADC Channels | 3 |
| SPI | 2 |
| I2C | 2 |
| UART | 2 |
| USB | Micro-USB (native USB 1.1) |
| pio | 8 PIO state machines |
Power
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage | 1.8-5.5 V |
| Deep Sleep Current | ~1300 uA |
Physical
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 51 x 21 mm |
| Form Factor | Pico (breadboard-friendly) |
Who Should Buy This
Raspberry Pi's MicroPython documentation is the best in the industry. The Pico W has official tutorials for every peripheral. At $6, the cost of failure is negligible.
PIO state machines handle WS2812 timing precisely without CPU involvement. No DMA hacks, no tight loops — PIO generates the exact 800kHz signal the LEDs need while the CPU runs your application.
1.3mA deep sleep drains a 2000mAh battery in 64 days. The ESP32-C3 at 5uA lasts years. The Pico W was not designed for low-power battery operation.
Better alternative: ESP32-C3-DevKitM-1
2MB flash and 264KB SRAM limit what you can serve and store. The ESP32-S3 with 8MB flash and 512KB SRAM handles web servers much more comfortably.
Better alternative: ESP32-S3-DevKitC-1
Frequently Asked Questions
Raspberry Pi Pico W vs ESP32-C3: which should I buy?
Choose the Pico W for MicroPython learning, PIO custom protocols, and Raspberry Pi's documentation. Choose the ESP32-C3 for battery projects (260x better deep sleep), more SRAM (400KB vs 264KB), and more flash (4MB vs 2MB). Both handle basic WiFi IoT equally well.
Can the Pico W run Linux?
No. The Pico W is a microcontroller, not a computer. It runs MicroPython or compiled C/C++ directly on the hardware. For Linux, use the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W or Pi 5.
What are PIO state machines?
PIO (Programmable I/O) state machines are small processors on the RP2040 that generate precisely timed digital signals independently of the main CPU. They can implement custom protocols (WS2812 LEDs, VGA output, custom serial) with cycle-accurate timing.
Is the Pico W good for battery-powered projects?
Not ideal. Deep sleep current is approximately 1.3mA — 260x higher than the ESP32-C3's 5uA. A 2000mAh battery lasts about 2 months in sleep. For multi-year battery life, use an ESP32-C3 or ESP32-H2.
Does the Pico W support Arduino IDE?
Yes, via the arduino-pico core by Earle Philhower. However, MicroPython is the primary development environment for the Pico, with better documentation and official support than the Arduino integration.