🔹 1. HC-05 – The Classic Champion
- Type: Bluetooth 2.0 (Classic)
- Mode: Master/Slave
- Range: ~10 meters
- Why it’s awesome: Super cheap, reliable, and well-supported. Perfect for simple serial communication like remote control or data logging.
- Use case: Control robots, send sensor data to your phone.
🔹 2. HC-06 – Lightweight Partner
- Type: Bluetooth 2.0 (Classic)
- Mode: Slave only
- Range: ~10 meters
- Why it’s awesome: Even simpler than the HC-05. Great for when your Arduino is just waiting for commands.
- Use case: Connect to a phone or PC as a receiver.
🔹 3. HM-10 – BLE Powerhouse
- Type: Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE – Bluetooth Low Energy)
- Mode: Master/Slave (but mostly used as Slave)
- Range: ~30 meters
- Why it’s awesome: BLE support! Ideal for low-power apps and iOS compatibility.
- Use case: Control your Arduino from iPhones or Android apps like LightBlue or nRF Connect.
🔹 4. ESP32 – Not just Bluetooth! 🧠
- Type: Bluetooth 4.2 + Wi-Fi
- Mode: BLE + Classic
- Range: ~50 meters
- Why it’s awesome: It’s a microcontroller and a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi module. Tons of power and versatility.
- Use case: Smart home devices, advanced robots, IoT hubs – all in one board!
🔹 5. JDY-08 / JDY-10 – BLE budget option
- Type: Bluetooth 4.0 BLE
- Mode: Slave (some support Master)
- Why it’s awesome: Super small and very cheap. Not as beginner-friendly, but efficient once you know the AT commands.
- Use case: Super compact BLE gadgets.
🛠️ Tips for Getting Started:
- Use SoftwareSerial if your Arduino has only one hardware serial port (like Uno).
- For BLE modules, you’ll often need a custom app or tool to send/receive data.
- Be careful with 3.3V vs. 5V logic levels! Some modules need a voltage divider or logic level shifter.
If you’re just starting, I’d recommend HC-05 for simplicity 🔌, or HM-10 if you want BLE magic with phone apps. If you’re going all-out on a smart robot or IoT device, ESP32 is a futuristic beast! 🚀🔥
