Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module vs Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board

Price Comparison

The Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board is nearly 50% cheaper than the Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module. At £27.99, it costs about £29 less than the £56.99 Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module. This significant price difference reflects their distinct purposes: one is a full-featured development board for building custom IoT projects, while the other is a specialised industrial control module designed for relay switching over Ethernet.

Core Functionality

The Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module is purpose-built for controlling up to eight electrical loads remotely via network protocols, making it ideal for automation systems. In contrast, the Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board functions as a programmable microcontroller platform capable of running complex applications, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth communication, image capture, and external storage access. The relay module’s primary role is signal switching with industrial reliability, whereas the development board serves as a general-purpose computing engine for developers.

Connectivity Options

Both devices support Ethernet connectivity, but the Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module includes PoE (Power over Ethernet) via a dedicated port, allowing power and data transmission through a single cable—ideal for industrial installations. The Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board also supports PoE via an optional module, though it requires separate purchase or configuration. While both offer Ethernet, only the relay module natively integrates PoE without additional components, enhancing its plug-and-play usability in remote setups.

Processing Power and Memory

The Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board features a 240MHz dual-core processor and 16MB of Flash memory, providing significantly more computational capacity than the relay module, which relies on an embedded MCU for protocol handling. The development board’s 8MB PS-RAM and 512KB S-RAM enable advanced multitasking and real-time processing, supporting applications like video streaming and sensor fusion. The relay module lacks such expandable memory or high-speed processing capabilities, focusing instead on stable, low-latency relay control.

Expandability and Peripherals

The Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board offers extensive peripheral support, including a USB Type-C port for programming and debugging, a TF card slot for file storage, and a camera interface compatible with OV2640 and OV5640 sensors. It also features Pico header compatibility, enabling easy integration with various shields and modules. The Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module, while robust, provides no such expansion options—its design is fixed around relay and input control, with no provision for cameras, external storage, or direct USB connectivity.

Protocol Support and Use Cases

The Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module supports Modbus RTU/TCP and MQTT protocols, enabling seamless integration into industrial SCADA systems and cloud-based platforms like Alibaba Cloud. It also includes flash-on/off functionality and digital input linkage control, making it suitable for smart agriculture, breeding farms, and automated machinery. The Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 (LE), and Ethernet via W5500, allowing broader IoT application development, from home automation to edge AI, but does not include built-in Modbus or relay-specific logic.

Build Quality and Physical Design

The Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module comes housed in a rail-mounted ABS plastic enclosure, offering rugged protection and ease of installation in industrial environments. It includes optocoupler isolation, reverse-proof circuits, and flyback diode protection for enhanced safety and durability. The Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board is designed for prototyping and development, lacking a protective case—its exposed PCB is suited for breadboarding and lab use rather than harsh industrial conditions.

Which should you buy?

Choose the Waveshare 8-Ch Ethernet Relay Module if your goal is reliable, isolated control of eight electrical circuits over Ethernet, especially in industrial or agricultural settings where safety, stability, and PoE support are critical. It’s best suited for users needing a turnkey solution for remote switching with minimal setup. Opt for the Waveshare ESP32-S3 ETH Development Board if you’re developing custom IoT applications requiring Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera integration, or external storage—especially when working on prototypes, smart home systems, or edge computing projects. At £27.99, it offers far greater flexibility and processing power for developers, despite being significantly more affordable than the relay module.