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Sean Boyce’s May 15, 2017 Hackaday review compared 28 Mini D1 clone boards across two common designs with an original WEMOS Mini D1. In that sample, both designs worked as expected; their meaningful differences were mostly physical: labeling and solderability favored Board 1, while connector attachment and reset access favored Board 2. Those findings describe the boards tested then—not all clones or current production.
What the 2017 review tested
Boyce and his team ordered 28 clone boards representing two common designs from multiple Taobao suppliers, using two import companies. They compared the boards with an original WEMOS Mini D1 and reported that the clones shared its components and were electrically identical. The review is a small, period-specific sample, not a market-wide reliability test.
The authors described two designs with different assembly and usability trade-offs:
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| Feature | Board 1 | Board 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pin labels | Large and clear | Much smaller lettering |
| Pads and soldering | Generally better pads; authors found it easier to solder | Thinner traces and via pads; authors found soldering somewhat more difficult |
| USB mini connector | Fewer soldered mounting points | Described as properly secured |
| Reset-switch access | No exposed reset-switch pads | Exposed reset-switch pads |
| Other physical details | Square corners, some thicker traces, and different routing | Thinner traces and via pads |
The review authors also reported superficial PCB heat damage after soldering Board 2 at 480 °C, which they did not see on Board 1. That is an observation from their soldering experience, not a controlled heat-resistance comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- It is a mini NodeMcu Lua Wireless development board based on ESP-8266.
- Compatible with Arduino IDE and WeMos D1 Mini.
- 4M bytes, 5V 1A switching power supply onboard,1MB flash memory; 500mA resettable fuse.
- 11 digital input/output pins, all pins with interrupt/PWM/I2C/1-wire support (except D0); 1 analog input (3.2V max input). Micro USB connection.
- D1 mini development board compatible with Arduino WeMos and can be programmed in the compatible for Arduino IDE.
How the boards performed
All the tested imitation boards appeared as serial devices on Linux and Windows, worked with NodeMCU and Arduino firmware, and had working reset switches. Boyce’s concise verdict was: “The cloned WEMOS Mini D1 boards do what they’re supposed to do.” It applies to the tested units, not clones generally.
The article says the team had expected roughly 5% failures based on earlier orders of similar parts, but cautions that they may have been lucky. It does not report a measured failure rate for the 28 Mini D1 boards. Separately, the team ordered 40 NodeMCU “Amica” boards and found two dead on arrival—one beyond recovery and one with a defective reset switch that was replaced. That separate order is an anecdote, not a general failure statistic.
Rank #2
- [Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity]: With built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, the ESP8266 D1 Mini Development Board enables seamless wireless communication with other devices and networks. You can easily connect and control your projects remotely, making it perfect for IoT applications.
- [Easy Expansion]: Despite its small size, the board offers a variety of GPIO pins, enabling easy connection to sensors, actuators, and other external devices. You can expand and customize your projects with ease.
- [Affordable & Accessible]: The ESP8266 D1 Mini Development Board is an affordable option for DIY enthusiasts and makers. Its low cost, combined with its powerful features, makes it accessible for anyone wanting to explore IoT, home automation, and wireless projects.
- [Affordable & Accessible]: The ESP8266 D2 Mini Development Board is an affordable option for DIY enthusiasts and makers. Its low cost, combined with its powerful features, makes it accessible for anyone wanting to explore IoT, home automation, and wireless projects.
- [Compact & Versatile]: The ESP8266 D1 Mini Development Board is a compact and versatile solution for IoT projects. Its small size allows for easy integration into various devices and applications, while offering a range of functionalities.
Which design did the review prefer?
There was no outright winner. The authors slightly preferred Board 1 for clearer labels and better soldering pads; Board 2 was preferable if secure USB mini connector mounting and exposed reset-switch pads mattered more. The review’s conclusion was that the tested clones functioned, but that the genuine WEMOS board was likely the better value in their purchasing context.
That value judgment is historical. In a later comment, Boyce explained that the approximate one-dollar-per-board difference was an estimate based on unit costs including management fees, excluding shipping, compared with WEMOS modules bought from the manufacturer on AliExpress. He noted that the difference fluctuated. It should not be used as a current price comparison.
Rank #3
- This is D1 mini , it is a mini NodeMcu Lua WiFi board based on ESP-8266EX.
- D1 Mini NodeMcu Lua 4M Bytes WLAN WiFi Internet Development Board Base on ESP8266 ESP-12F for Arduino, 100% Compatible with WeMos D1 Mini
- 11 digital input / output pins, all pins with interrupt / PWM / I2C / support 1 line (except D0); 1 analog input(3.2V max input). Micro USB connection; Compatible with Arduino; 1MB Flash; 500mA resettable fuse.
- WIFI development board,4M bytes.5V 1A switching power supply (switching power supply）onboard.
- Our mini development board compatible with Arduino WeMos and can be programmed in the for Arduino IDE.
What to check when buying a D1 mini now
The 2017 boards used USB mini connectors. LOLIN’s official documentation currently lists D1 mini V4.0.0 with Type-C USB, so the revision and connector are important when comparing a present-day board with the older review. LOLIN lists the documented board as an ESP-8266EX-based mini Wi-Fi board with 4 MB flash, 11 digital I/O pins, one analog input with a 3.2 V maximum, 3.3 V operating voltage and I/O, and an 80/160 MHz clock. These specifications apply to the documented LOLIN revision, not automatically to unbranded clones. See the LOLIN D1 mini documentation.
- Confirm brand and revision. A listing that says “D1 mini” may not identify the exact board revision.
- Check the connector. Confirm whether the board uses Type-C or USB mini, and that you have a matching cable.
- Inspect layout details. Clear pin labels, robust connector mounting, and accessible reset pads can matter, especially when wiring or soldering the board.
- Review seller support. Check the stated return and support terms for the specific listing; the 2017 review does not establish current seller conditions.
For the original comparison and its full methodology, see Hackaday’s May 15, 2017 review.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This is D1 mini, it is a mini NodeMcu Lua WiFi board based on ESP-8266EX.
- 11 digital input / output pins, all pins with interrupt / PWM / I2C / support 1 line (except D0); 1 analog input(3.2V max input). Micro USB connection; Compatible with Arduino; 1MB Flash; 500mA resettable fuse.
- WIFI development board,4M bytes.5V 1A switching power supply (switching power supply）onboard.
- Our D1 mini development board compatible with Arduino WeMos and can be programmed in the compatible for Arduino IDE.
- 10pcs D1 Mini V4.0.0 TYPE-C USB board，the new board Add the I2C PORT
Rank #4
- TYPE-C USB D1 mini, it is a mini NodeMcu Lua WiFi board based on ESP-8266EX.
- WIFI development board: on-board 5V 1A switching power supply, 4M bytes
- this board contains 11 digital input and output pins, all pins have interrupt, PWN, I2C, 1-wire (except D0) and a micro USB connection; 1 input (under 3.2V), which compatible with Arduino; 500mA resettable fuse
- WIFI development board,4M bytes.5V 1A switching power supply (switching power supply）onboard.
- 3PCS ESP8266 ESP-12F D1 Mini TYPE-C USB Module Mini NodeMcu Lua 4M Bytes WLAN WiFi Internet Development Board for Arduino Compatible with WeMos D1 Mini NodeMcu
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.
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