How to Distinguish Between Genuine and Counterfeit ESP32 – A Detailed Guide for IoT Engineers

In the rapidly growing IoT industry, the ESP32 series from Espressif has become one of the most popular microcontrollers thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and high performance. However, as demand increases, the market has also seen a surge in counterfeit ESP32 chips. This is a serious concern since using substandard components can directly affect product performance, cause unexpected costs, and damage business reputation.

The Problem of Counterfeit ESP32 Chips

Counterfeit ESP32 devices are often designed to look very similar to the originals. In some cases, they can even run basic programs, but their performance and reliability are far below the genuine ones. Many engineers only realize the issue once products are deployed in real-world use.

Risks of counterfeit ESP32:

• Unstable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connection → frequent disconnections, unreliable operation.

• Poor performance → unexpected resets, slower processing, failure to meet technical specs.

• Low-quality components → short lifespan, higher failure rates, disruption in production.

• No technical support or warranty → developers face debugging difficulties and increased costs.

How to Identify Genuine vs. Counterfeit ESP32

1. Visual inspection

• Logo and marking on the chip:

  • Genuine: Espressif logo and chip ID are laser-engraved with sharp, consistent font.

  • Counterfeit: blurry text, wrong font, or unusual symbols.

• Chip surface & PCB quality:

  • Genuine: smooth surface, no scratches, precisely manufactured PCB, neat soldering.

  • Counterfeit: scratched surfaces, rough solder joints, misaligned components.

• Packaging & labeling:

  • Genuine: shipped in standard ESD bags with proper labels.

  • Counterfeit: often in plain plastic bags, missing or low-quality labels.

2. Verification with esptool

Espressif provides the official esptool.py utility, which allows engineers to read chip information directly via UART.

• Connect the ESP32 to a PC, then run:

• Genuine ESP32:

  • Returns the correct Chip ID.

  • MAC Address falls within Espressif’s official range (can be verified on Espressif’s website).

  • Correctly identifies the model (ESP32, ESP32-C3, ESP32-S3, etc.).

• Counterfeit ESP32:

  • May fail to return valid information or provide incorrect IDs.

  • Sometimes returns incomplete data or a MAC Address outside Espressif’s allocation.

This method is particularly effective for engineers to verify authenticity during procurement.

The Solution – Choose an Authorized Distributor

While inspection methods are useful, the most important factor remains a trusted supply source. Even chips that look correct can be counterfeit if purchased from unreliable vendors.

Sunrich – Officially Authorized Reseller of Espressif in Vietnam

• Certified directly by Espressif.

• Guaranteed 100% genuine ESP32 products, fully compliant with Espressif standards.

• Dedicated technical support, assisting customers from R&D to mass production.

• Reliable supply and competitive pricing, suitable for both enterprises and individual IoT developers.

Conclusion

Being able to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit ESP32 chips is essential to avoid risks and ensure the long-term success of IoT projects. In addition to visual inspection and using tools like esptool, choosing an authorized distributor is the safest solution.

✨ As an officially authorized reseller of Espressif in Vietnam, Sunrich is committed to delivering trusted, high-quality IoT solutions to our customers.

📩 Contact Sunrich for consultation and quotation:
🏢 Room 1001, Trinity Tower, 145 Ho Me Tri Street, Dai Mo Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam