While any ESP8266-based development board can be flashed with the Deauther firmware, the sheer amount of different boards available can create uncertainty about which one to buy. So here we've compiled a small list of boards we can recommend 😃
Feel free to use this list not only for the Deauther project but as a recommendation for good ESP8266 development boards in general.
If you want to learn more about the ESP8266 and how it is different from a development board, check my post NodeMCU vs. ESP8266.
NodeMCU
The NodeMCU board is probably the most popular ESP8266 development board. It's cheap, widely available, uses the ESP12 module, and has pre-soldered header pins - which come in handy when using a breadboard.
The original NodeMCU (as seen in the picture above) uses a CP2102 USB serial chip. The NodeMCU V3 is slightly bigger and uses the CH340 chip. However, both versions work the same.
Do not buy an ESP32 version if you're planning to build a deauther. You'll need an ESP8266!
Affiliate Links:
🛒 Amazon
🛒 AliExpress
LOLIN (WEMOS) D1 mini
The D1 mini is an excellent choice if the size is a concern. It's small, cheap, and supports add-ons. Like the NodeMCU, different versions of the D1 mini are also available. Some use a bare ESP8266 SoC with the CP2102 for serial, while others have an ESP12 module and CH240 serial chip. But they practically don't make any difference in usage.
A significant pro or con, depending on your project, is that the included header pins are not pre-soldered! Therefore, you will need a soldering iron to connect sensors, buttons, or displays.
Another important note is that this board is widely known as WEMOS D1 Mini, but the original creators actually rebranded to LOLIN. Here is a link to their Aliexpress store. The original boards might be slightly more expensive than from other AliExpress shops but also of higher quality.
Affiliate links:
🛒 Amazon
🛒 AliExpress
Adafruit Feather HUZZAH with ESP8266
The Adafruit Feather HUZZAH is a high-quality development board with a LiPo battery charger. But not only that, the Feather board layout is a common form factor for various boards, and plenty of addons are available!
Versions with and without soldered header pins are available. Documentation and tutorials can be found at learn.adafruit.com.
If you want an easy way to add a battery to your Deauther, this is the board for you.
Maltronics Deauther
A close partner of ours and another provider of pre-made Deauthers is Maltronics.
Their implementation of the Deauther features a sleek metallic case and can be plugged into a USB-A or USB-C port for power. In addition, it comes with the Deauther V2 firmware pre-flashed and can be used as such.
While you can't connect external components because of a lack of accessible GPIO pins, you could still use it as an incognito ESP8266 development board if you like.
Purchasing a Maltronics Deauther also supports our work ❤️
DSTIKE Deauther
DSTIKE is our longest partner. The DSTIKE Deauther OLED was the first official Deauther hardware, and today the Deauther Watch is probably the most well-known Deauther.
They offer a variety of development boards, mostly ESP8266, but increasingly ESP32 and other microcontrollers.
If you purchase a DSTIKE Deauther board, it will come pre-flashed with our Deauther firmware, and you will also support us, as we get a small percentage of their Deauther sales.
Affiliate Links:
🛒 AliExpress
🛒 Amazon