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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →You can make an ESP32 lamp by printing a housing, wiring an addressable LED strip to a suitable controller and low-voltage power supply, then installing firmware. GlowLight is one documented starting point: its ESP32-C3 bedside lamp design includes printable files, schematics, and software. The exact lamp intended by the headline is not identified, so this is an example build—not a claim that GlowLight is the original design.
What this example lamp includes
GlowLight’s housing has three printed parts: a base, a lampshade, and a shade holder. Its documented electronics include a DUBEUYEW ESP32-C3 development board, an 11-LED, 5 V WS2812B strip, a push button, and a VL53L0X distance sensor. It also calls for an external 5 V supply, USB cables, M3 threaded inserts and screws, filament, and soldering tools. The project publishes its software, schematics, and 3D-printing files: GlowLight on GitHub.
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Use the project’s files and wiring as a matched design. Check that your board is the stated ESP32-C3 variant and that your strip is the specified 5 V WS2812B type; pin assignments and physical fit are not universal across ESP32 boards or lamp designs.
Choose a lamp design and plan the parts
Before printing or soldering, confirm that the design fits your printer and the components you actually have. GlowLight describes a three-piece enclosure and an M3 insert-and-screw attachment for the shade. Its README names an external 5 V supply but does not establish one current rating that applies to every possible strip or configuration.
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- Match the controller variant and pinout to the chosen project.
- Match the LED strip’s voltage and type to the design.
- Plan for the LED strip’s full-white current, not only its typical decorative effects.
- Check where USB, the power cable, and removable connections will sit before closing the base.
- Make sure the printed parts fit your printer bed and that the shade can be attached and removed as intended.
Print and assemble the housing
Print the base, lampshade, and holder from the selected project’s files, then test their fit before installing electronics. GlowLight uses an M3 threaded insert and screws to attach the shade. Follow the dimensions and assembly approach for that design rather than assuming settings or tolerances from another enclosure will transfer.
Keep access to USB and serviceable connections in mind. In a separate 2026 ESP32 lamp build, the maker reported that the controller warmed inside a compact printed column and revised the print to add ventilation. That project also addressed USB strain at the enclosure and used removable connections for easier servicing. These are useful design considerations, not evidence that GlowLight has a thermal problem: Durian Lamp project notes.
Rank #2
- Dual-Core Performance Up to 240 MHz: Run sensor processing, wireless communication, automation logic and connected-device tasks on a 32-bit dual-core ESP32 platform designed for responsive embedded and IoT projects
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- Flexible Power-Saving Modes: ESP32 power-management features support dynamic clock scaling and low-power operating modes, helping developers reduce energy use in compatible sensing, monitoring and connected-device applications, suitable for battery-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
- USB-C Programming with CP2102: Connect through USB-C for power, sketch uploads and serial monitoring, while GPIO, UART, SPI and I2C interfaces support sensors, displays, motor drivers and other modules (USB-C cable not included)
- Over-the-Air Update Support: Configure OTA functionality through a compatible ESP-32 software framework to update deployed firmware over Wi-Fi without reconnecting the board by USB for every revision
Wire the GlowLight example
For the specific GlowLight ESP32-C3 build, the documented wiring assigns GPIO 4 to the button, GPIOs 6 and 7 to the VL53L0X I²C lines, and GPIO 3 to LED data. Follow the project schematic and verify the pin labels on your exact board before connecting anything.
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- Connect the VL53L0X sensor’s power and ground, then connect its SDA and SCL lines to GPIOs 6 and 7 as shown in the project schematic.
- Connect the WS2812B strip’s data input to GPIO 3.
- Power the 5 V LED strip from the external supply specified for your build, and connect the supply ground to the ESP32 ground so the controller and strip share a reference.
- Check polarity, data direction, and wiring against the schematic before powering the circuit.
These GPIO numbers are specific to the documented GlowLight arrangement; do not copy them blindly to a different board or firmware.
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Size the LED power supply for the strip
The number of LEDs and their maximum load matter when selecting a supply. A separate ESP32-C6 lamp project gives an approximate 60 mA per LED at full white for 5 V strips and recommends powering the LEDs externally except for very short strips. It also shows the ESP32 and LED supply grounds connected together. This is contextual guidance from that project, not a GlowLight-specific current calculation: ESP32-C6 lamp project.
Do not infer that GlowLight’s named external 5 V supply is sufficient for a longer or different strip. Use the strip’s specifications and the actual LED count to determine the required supply capacity. Avoid drawing the LED strip’s full load through an ESP32 development board’s power path.
Rank #4
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos;ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- Ultra-Low power consumption, Compatible with Arduino IDE
- 1PCS 30Pin ESP32 Development Board 2.4GHz WiFi Dual Cores Microcontroller Integrated with Antenna RF Low Noise Amplifiers Filters
Install and configure the firmware
GlowLight documents an interactive setup system as well as PlatformIO and Makefile routes for building and flashing its firmware. Use the instructions in the project repository for the exact board and configuration rather than substituting commands or settings from another ESP32 project.
The repository describes button control, color-picker behavior using the distance sensor, rainbow and static-color modes, optional sunset and candle modes, and ESP-NOW synchronization. These are features claimed by the project documentation, not independently tested performance results. The sensor and synchronization features also mean that the firmware’s capabilities depend on using compatible hardware and the documented setup.
Best Value
- 2.4GHz Dual Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Development Board
- Ultra-Low power consumption, works perfectly with the Arduino IDE
- Support LWIP protocol, Freertos
- SupportThree Modes: AP, STA, and AP+STA
- ESP32 is a safe, reliable, and scalable to a variety of applications
Choose controls and features that fit the build
A button-only lamp is simpler than one with sensing or network features. Other ESP32 lamp projects may use Wi-Fi or Matter/Thread, but those approaches require compatible firmware and hardware; they are not automatic additions to GlowLight. Consider the trade-offs before choosing a design:
- Push button: straightforward local control, as in the documented GlowLight wiring.
- Distance sensing: requires a compatible sensor and firmware support; GlowLight documents a VL53L0X and sensor-based color-picker feature.
- Networked control: depends on the chosen firmware, controller, and network requirements. Do not assume a firmware feature works with a different board or pin mapping.
- Different LED strip: can change voltage, wiring, and power needs, so it should be treated as a different electrical design rather than a drop-in substitute.
Keep the build low-voltage and serviceable
The cited lamp designs are low-voltage USB or 5 V projects; they do not establish product certification for a household mains lamp. Keep mains conversion outside the printed enclosure unless you have a separately validated design and applicable safety review. Plan cable strain relief, ventilation, and access to connectors before final assembly so you can inspect or replace electronics without damaging the print.
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