NFC Modules for ESP32 Projects
ESP32 is one of the most popular microcontrollers for IoT and wireless projects. Its built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make it ideal for NFC-enabled applications. ELECHOUSE offers several NFC modules that work natively with ESP32 over SPI, I2C, or UART.
Recommended Modules
PN532 NFC RFID Module V4 — Best All-Round Choice
The PN532 V4 supports SPI, I2C, and UART. It is the most widely documented NFC module for Arduino and ESP32, with a large community and multiple library options.
- Supported protocols: ISO 14443A/B, ISO 18092 (NFC), MIFARE, FeliCa
- Interface: SPI / I2C / UART (switch selectable)
- Library: ELECHOUSE PN532 library
- 3.3 V / 5 V compatible — direct connection to ESP32 GPIO
PN7160 NFC Module — Higher Performance
The PN7160 is NXP’s newer NFC controller. It supports ISO 15693 (NFC-V) in addition to ISO 14443, making it suitable for industrial tag reading and multi-protocol applications.
- Supported protocols: ISO 14443A/B, ISO 15693, ISO 18092, T2T, T4T
- Interface: SPI / I2C
- Better RF performance than PN532 in noisy environments
PN7161 NFC Module — Compact Footprint
The PN7161 is functionally equivalent to the PN7160 but in a smaller form factor. Suitable for space-constrained ESP32 enclosure designs.
ESP32 Wiring Summary
| Module | Interface | ESP32 Pins |
|---|---|---|
| PN532 V4 (SPI) | SPI | SCK=18, MISO=19, MOSI=23, SS=5 |
| PN532 V4 (I2C) | I2C | SDA=21, SCL=22 |
| PN532 V4 (UART) | UART | TX=17, RX=16 |
| PN7160 | SPI | SCK=18, MISO=19, MOSI=23, CS=5 |
| PN7161 | SPI | SCK=18, MISO=19, MOSI=23, CS=5 |
Which Module Should I Choose?
- Standard NFC card / tag reading with ESP32: PN532 V4 — largest library support, easiest to use
- Multi-protocol or ISO 15693 tags: PN7160
- Compact design: PN7161