Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

I use Pimoroni’s Badgeware Badger 2350 as a conference badge that gives people a quick way to reach me online: they scan a QR code on its e-paper display and choose my LinkedIn or personal site. It’s a focused, programmable alternative to printing a name and URL on a card—not a claim that an electronic badge will improve networking for everyone.

Why I use an e-ink badge at conferences

I attend conferences regularly and wanted a badge that makes it easy for people to find me online. I had previously made a Raspberry Pi-powered badge for DEF CON, but wanted a more turnkey starting point this time, so I chose the Badgeware Badger 2350.

My screen presents a QR route to either my LinkedIn profile or personal site. As Sean Boult put it in his project post, “Since my use case is to just have my socials via QR I chose the e-ink version as it made the most sense.” Read the project post.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What the Badger 2350 brings to this setup

The Badger is not just a static electronic name card. Its programmable screen can be configured for a specific event task—in my case, showing a QR code that points people to my online profiles. Pimoroni’s product page also lists QR codes as one of the display possibilities.

#1 Best Overall
Digital Badge Pin with Anime Themed Pixel Screen, Bluetooth HD Touchscreen Badge Electronic Smart Display, 1.70-inch 360x360 Resolution Photo Video GIF for Cosplay, Conventions, Events
  • 📲 【Smart Digital Badge with High-Res IPS Screen】This digital badge pin​ features a 1.70-inch IPS screen (283 PPI pixel density) with 360x360 resolution, delivering crisp, clear image display. The pixel badge​ provides sharp, vibrant visuals for photos, GIFs, and videos, ensuring your content looks professional and eye-catching. Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or anime conventions.
  • 💕 【Wireless Bluetooth Connection 】This electronic badge connect seamlessly via Bluetooth to upload images, videos (20s), and GIFs directly from your smartphone, plus direct content transfer between badges - and a cheer light of 7-color . The Bluetooth badge​ allows quick, easy content updates without cables, making it perfect for real-time customization at events, conventions, or personal use.
  • 🔋 【Large Memory & Long-Lasting Battery Performance】This digital anime pin with 32MB of built-in storage, it holds numerous designs. Store up to ~50 images or 10 GIFs to always have your favorite anime characters or moments on display. The multiple electronic badge pin equipped with a 600mAh rechargeable battery, provides up to 30 hours of continuous display on a single charge. Enjoy extended usage at conferences, concerts, or conventions without worrying about frequent recharging, perfect for all-day conventions or school days.
  • 🧲 【Versatile Magnetic Attachment & Accessories】The smart badge pin​ includes a strong magnetic clip for secure, comfortable wear on clothing. It also comes with a pin, offering multiple wearing options for different occasions and outfits. This funny badge pin weighs only 27g, lightweight & stylish wearability, easily to backpacks, hats, clothes, or bags. Blending retro pin charm with modern digital tech, it’s a stylish accessory for daily wear, cosplay, or fan events.
  • 👍 【Easy Content Upload & Customization】 Simply download the companion app, connect via Bluetooth, and upload your favorite photos, GIF animations, or short videos in seconds. This digital badge​ supports multiple file formats, letting you personalize your display instantly for any event or mood. An ideal gift for anime fans, events, or daily self-expression.
  • 2.7-inch, 264 × 176, four-level grayscale e-paper display
  • RP2350A processor
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Built-in LiPo battery; Pimoroni lists the battery as 1000mAh
  • Five front buttons and USB-C for charging and programming
  • MicroPython support
  • Assembled and supplied with a lanyard

These are product specifications, not measurements of how long the badge lasts at a conference. Pimoroni’s Badgeware Badger 2350 product page has the current feature details. Adafruit also lists the model and its core specifications on its Badger 2350 product page.

How I prepare and deploy the badge app

My repository documents a workflow using macOS, Git, uv, and a data-capable USB-C cable. The steps below describe that documented setup; they are not an independently validated setup guide.

Rank #2
Sale
GAGUUSU Electronic Pin Badge with Speaker, Photo GIFs & Videos,1.7” (Black)
  • 【Custom Digital Display】Show your favorite photos, GIFs, and short videos on a wearable electronic pin badge. The 1.7in IPS screen lets you personalize backpacks, hats, clothes, jackets, and everyday outfits with a fun digital look
  • 【Bluetooth App Control】Connect the digital pin badge through Bluetooth and upload up to 55 static photos, GIF animations, or videos under 8MB each. Choose from single image, slideshow, GIF animation, or video mode to match your mood, event, or style
  • 【Sound-Enabled Video Playback】The electronic badge supports video playback with original audio, and the sound level can be adjusted as needed. A built-in share button also allows peer-to-peer photo transfer with friends who use the same electronic fun badge
  • 【2-in-1 Pin or Necklace Design】Wear it as a pin badge on backpacks, hats, coats, and clothes, or use the included lanyard as a necklace. Instead of carrying multiple regular pins, you can refresh your display anytime with different photos and animations
  • 【Touchscreen, Lights & Long Battery Life】Adjust sleep mode and 6 brightness levels directly on the touchscreen. Seven built-in light effects with steady and flashing modes help your design stand out at parties, concerts, proms, graduations, fan events, and casual outings. Battery life reaches up to 18 hours at the lowest brightness setting
  1. Preview the app: From the project repository, run make sim to launch its simulator.
  2. Mount the badge: Connect the Badger to the computer with a data-capable USB-C cable, then double-tap RESET. The badge should mount as a drive named BADGER.
  3. Deploy: Run make deploy. The project instructions say this validates the app, copies its Python and image files into /apps/badge, safely ejects the drive, and lets the badge reboot.

For the exact project files and instructions, see the project post. A charge-only cable will not serve this programming workflow: the repository specifies a data-capable USB-C cable.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Badger 2350 versus Badger 2040

The model in this conference-badge project is the Badger 2350. It is easy to confuse it with Pimoroni’s older Badger 2040, but they differ in hardware and setup.

Rank #3
Z01 PRO AI Companion Digital Badge, Wearable Bluetooth 6.0 AI Language Practice for 102 Languages, Offline HD Touch Screen, Customizable Patterns, No Wi-Fi Needed, All-in-One Smart Assistant
  • 【102-Language AI Translator】This ZNP Z01 device functions as a professional AI translation machine, providing fast and seamless translation across 102 languages. Designed for international business negotiations, travel, conferences, language learning, and daily cross-language communication, it helps users communicate naturally and confidently. Please note: Translation requires an internet connection.
  • 【Wearable AI Companion Badge】The ZNP is designed as a wearable AI companion e-badge, offering unparalleled portability. It maintains a constant, low-energy connection to your smartphone via Bluetooth, completely bypassing the need for Wi-Fi networks. Its compact, durable form factor ensures your intelligent assistant is always accessible, whether in transit, outdoors, or in areas with poor internet infrastructure.
  • 【Privacy-by-Design Security】 Your conversations stay private. All processing happens on the device with no cloud uploads. Your personal data, queries, and secrets are securely stored locally, ensuring complete peace of mind. More than translation, it's your pocket encyclopedia. Get recipe guidance, outdoor survival tips, personal reminders, and expert answers for cooking, business, and daily tasks—anytime, anywhere.
  • 【Portable & Personalized AI E-Badge】Experience the fusion of cutting-edge technology and personal expression with our sleek, pocket-sized AI e-badge. Designed for ultimate portability, its compact and agile form factor allows for versatile carrying—easily placed in your pocket, attached to a lanyard for neck wear, or discreetly fastened to clothing. The innovative magnetic touchscreen interface offers intuitive control and enables deep personalization: simply upload your own photos through the app to create unique, custom wallpapers, transforming the device into a stylish digital accessory that reflects your individuality.
  • 【Built-In AI Assistant 】Download the “BagiBagi” App to activate your full AI companion. Ask, “Hi Saymi, what attractions are nearby?” or “Where’s the best restaurant here?” and receive instant, practical answers—making every journey smoother and more informed. This wearable device blends style with smart functionality, ensuring your personal AI is always ready and truly yours.
Feature Badger 2350 Badger 2040
Processor RP2350A, per Pimoroni RP2040, per Raspberry Pi Official Magazine
Display 2.7-inch, 264 × 176, four-level grayscale e-paper, per Pimoroni 2.9-inch monochrome e-ink, per Raspberry Pi Official Magazine
Setup detail documented by the source Connect over USB-C, double-tap RESET to mount BADGER, then use the project’s make deploy workflow, per the project instructions Press BOOT to mount the board and copy a UF2 file, per Raspberry Pi Official Magazine

The 2040’s BOOT-and-UF2 procedure is not the workflow documented for my 2350 app. If you follow instructions for a particular project or board, check the model name first.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

When this badge setup makes sense

This project is a good fit if you want a wearable display that can show a compact, scannable link and you are comfortable deploying a small MicroPython app. It keeps the conference interaction simple: the display points to the profiles I want to share, while the destination can hold more detail than the badge itself.

Rank #4
NISUNS Touchscreen Electronic Badges, Customizable Anime Digital Badges
  • WIDE COMPATIBILITY – Easily connects via Bluetooth to both iOS and Android devices; works with iPhone and most Android smartphones. For pairing instructions, please refer to the product images on this page.
  • DIY ANY PHOTO, INSTANTLY: Turn your favorite selfies, pet pics, or group shots into a moving LED badge in seconds. No design skills needed—just upload and wear.swap between your own photos, funny memes, or custom art with a simple tap. Make every outfit a conversation starter.
  • ANIMATE YOUR MOMENTS: Bring still photos to life with subtle motion effects or turn short video clips into wearable mini movies. Pure eye candy for any event.
  • Your style, on demand. Load it with your favorite pics—memes, art, selfies, whatever—and switch designs instantly with a simple swipe. The 128MB storage holds up to 200 images, so you’ll never run out of ways to express yourself. Rock it at festivals, level up your cosplay, or just make everyday outfits pop. It’s the easiest way to stand out without changing your clothes.
  • NEXT-GEN WEARABLE TECH: It's not just a button—it's a mini digital billboard for your personality. Lightweight, secure, and way cooler than any ordinary pin.

If you are choosing between badge-style devices, compare the actual model’s screen size and display capabilities, processor and wireless features, power arrangement, and programming workflow. Also check whether it is supplied ready to wear or intended more as a project board. Those are practical comparison points, not a verdict that one Badger model is best for every use.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Digital Badge Pin with 1.7" IPS Screen,Bluetooth LED Pixel Pin Electronic Smart Display,Customizable Animated Photo Design Digital Badges,Wearable Accessory E-Badge with HD Touch Control
  • 【1.7-inch HD Touchscreen】This digital badge features a 1.7-inch touchscreen (overall size 1.97 inches) with a 360*360 resolution. Simply swipe left or right to quickly switch between uploaded content, providing a smooth interactive experience. Swipe down from the top to access the "Menu" page for more functions.
  • 【Large Memory, Instant Sharing】This digital badge pin has 64MB of built-in memory, making it portable and supporting 3-15 second videos/GIFs/multiple image displays/custom text content. Easily switch between customized content as needed. Wirelessly upload photos and videos from your phone in just seconds. Quick image sharing between badges is supported – share with your friends!
  • 【Long Battery Life】Our digital pin badges have a built-in reliable 600mAh rechargeable battery, providing up to 18 hours of continuous display on a single charge (battery life depends on brightness settings, please adjust accordingly). This is sufficient for campus events, concerts, or parties without the need for a power bank.
  • 【Easy to Use and Fully Customizable】Bluetooth 6.0 provides faster transmission speeds and a more stable connection. Use the app to upload photos, GIFs, and videos to your digital badge. Compatible with iOS 12.0+ and Android 5.0+, the intuitive companion app lets you personalize your display in seconds.
  • 【Personalized style, everyday wear】This digital badge weighs only 27 grams, featuring a slim and lightweight design for comfortable wear. It can be clipped to your bag, hat, shirt, or backpack. A perfect blend of retro charm and modern technology, this unique everyday accessory is the perfect choice to express your individuality at school, parties, concerts, or cosplay events.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.