{"id":2285,"date":"2026-06-03T01:34:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T01:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/?p=2285"},"modified":"2026-06-03T15:18:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T15:18:21","slug":"blink-an-led-which-board-should-you-start-with-uno-nano-or-esp32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/?p=2285","title":{"rendered":"Blink an LED: Which Board Should You Start With? (Uno, Nano, or ESP32"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2285\" class=\"elementor elementor-2285\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03a3e36 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"03a3e36\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4a60d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4a60d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2292\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-600x328.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f1ed9b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8f1ed9b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86e0c36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"86e0c36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"model-response-message-contentr_3c53b12cef7a8e53\" class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" dir=\"ltr\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"false\">\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"4\">The &#8220;Hello World&#8221; of Electronics<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\">If you are just starting your journey into IoT or robotics, there is no better first step than the classic &#8220;Blink LED&#8221; project. It\u2019s the perfect way to make sure your board is set up correctly and your code is working.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\">Today, we are looking at the three most popular boards I use at GadgetGo: the Arduino Uno, the Arduino Nano, and the ESP32.<\/p>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"7\">The Boards at a Glance<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8\">Not sure which one is right for your project? Here is a quick breakdown:<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"9\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Arduino Uno:<\/b> The classic. Best for learning and easy-to-use connections.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Arduino Nano:<\/b> The compact king. Perfect for small projects where space is limited.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"9,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"9,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">ESP32:<\/b> The powerhouse. Includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for when you are ready to take your project online.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"10\">Getting Started: What You Need<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"11\">To follow along, you\u2019ll need a few essentials. You can find all of these in our shop:<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8851bc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8851bc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-350c842 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"350c842\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><div class=\"woocommerce columns-4 \"><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a09b8fd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a09b8fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4286751 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4286751\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"503\" src=\"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-1024x503.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2293\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-1024x503.png 1024w, https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-300x147.png 300w, https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-768x377.png 768w, https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01-600x295.png 600w, https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01.png 1462w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e247fdd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e247fdd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bc6e07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bc6e07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-path-to-node=\"13\">The Wiring Guide<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"15\">The wiring is consistent for all three boards:<\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" data-path-to-node=\"16\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,0,0\">Connect the long leg (Anode) of the LED to the Digital Pin (e.g., Pin 13 or D2).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"16,1,0\">Connect the short leg (Cathode) to the GND (Ground) pin through your 220\u03a9 resistor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"17\">The Code<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"18\">The great thing is that the logic is the same! Just make sure to select the correct board in your Arduino IDE menu.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block ng-tns-c148559889-70 ng-animate-disabled ng-trigger ng-trigger-codeBlockRevealAnimation\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQhtANahgKEwjb_raIk-uUAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQxQM\">\n<div class=\"formatted-code-block-internal-container ng-tns-c148559889-70\">\n<div class=\"animated-opacity ng-tns-c148559889-70\">\n<div class=\"code-block-decoration header-formatted gds-emphasized-body-m ng-tns-c148559889-70 ng-star-inserted\">\n<p><span class=\"ng-tns-c148559889-70\">C++<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"buttons ng-tns-c148559889-70 ng-star-inserted\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<pre class=\"ng-tns-c148559889-70\"><code class=\"code-container formatted ng-tns-c148559889-70\" role=\"text\" data-test-id=\"code-content\"><span class=\"hljs-comment\">\/\/ Simple Blink Code<\/span>\n<span class=\"hljs-keyword\">int<\/span> ledPin = <span class=\"hljs-number\">13<\/span>; <span class=\"hljs-comment\">\/\/ Change to D2 for ESP32<\/span>\n\n<span class=\"hljs-function\"><span class=\"hljs-keyword\">void<\/span> <span class=\"hljs-title\">setup<\/span><span class=\"hljs-params\">()<\/span> <\/span>{\n  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);\n}\n\n<span class=\"hljs-function\"><span class=\"hljs-keyword\">void<\/span> <span class=\"hljs-title\">loop<\/span><span class=\"hljs-params\">()<\/span> <\/span>{\n  digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);\n  delay(<span class=\"hljs-number\">1000<\/span>); <span class=\"hljs-comment\">\/\/ Wait for a second<\/span>\n  digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);\n  delay(<span class=\"hljs-number\">1000<\/span>); <span class=\"hljs-comment\">\/\/ Wait for a second<\/span>\n}\n<\/code><\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 data-path-to-node=\"20\">Need Help?<\/h3>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"21\">Building your first circuit is a big deal! If you run into any trouble, send me a message on the [GadgetGo Facebook Page] or stop by the shop. I\u2019m always happy to help you debug your code or help you pick the right board for your next project.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"22\"><b data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Ready to start building? Grab your components above:<\/b><\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"27\">\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The &#8220;Hello World&#8221; of Electronics If you are just starting your journey into IoT or robotics, there is no better first step than the classic &#8220;Blink LED&#8221; project. It\u2019s the perfect way to make sure your board is set up correctly and your code is working. Today, we are looking at the three most popular [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"iawp_total_views":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2285"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2296,"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2285\/revisions\/2296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gadgetgo.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}