What Version of Bluetooth Is on My Board?
Bluetooth Specifications by Chip
| ESP32 | ESP32-S2 | ESP32-S3 | ESP32-C6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Classic | Yes | -- | -- | -- |
| Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) | BLE 4.2 | -- | BLE 5.0 | BLE 5.3 |
| Mesh | Yes | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Thread / Zigbee | -- | -- | -- | Yes |
| Audio (A2DP) | Yes (CVSD, SBC) | -- | -- | -- |
The ESP32-S2 has no Bluetooth support at all — it is WiFi only.
Bluetooth Classic vs BLE
Only the original ESP32 supports Bluetooth Classic, which includes profiles like A2DP (audio streaming), SPP (serial port), and HID. The ESP32-S3 and ESP32-C6 only support BLE.
The common Bluetooth audio that most people know (A2DP) is part of Bluetooth Classic, so it is not available on the S3 or C6. The newer LE Audio standard requires BLE 5.2+, so while the ESP32-S3 (BLE 5.0) cannot support it, the ESP32-C6 (BLE 5.3) meets the specification requirement, though Espressif's software support for LE Audio is still evolving.
Thread / Zigbee
The ESP32-C6 is unique in supporting Thread and Zigbee 3.0 alongside BLE 5.3 and WiFi 6, making it well suited for Matter-based smart home applications.
Other Espressif MCU's that support Thread/Zigbee are the ESP32-C5 and ESP32-H2 but there are no Unexpected Maker boards using their MCUs right now.
Last Updated: February 2026