Waveshare has rolled out a budget-friendly smart home display designed for people who like to build, customize, and tinker rather than plug in and go. The new ESP32-S3 4.3-inch AI Voice display is essentially a compact wall-mountable touchscreen control panel that can be used as an affordable alternative to mainstream smart displays—especially if you want more freedom to tailor the interface and add your own sensors or smart home features.
At the heart of the device is an ESP32-S3 running a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor clocked up to 240MHz. That choice makes it a solid base for DIY smart home projects, custom dashboards, and lightweight voice-enabled automations. Unlike many off-the-shelf smart displays that lock you into a fixed ecosystem, this unit is built to be expanded. You can connect additional hardware like temperature sensors, switches, or even motors, opening the door to projects such as custom thermostat panels, room status displays, or simple control surfaces for smart devices. If you plan to mount it on a wall, some add-ons may be less convenient physically—but the flexibility is still a major selling point for makers.
The built-in 4.3-inch touchscreen comes with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and supports multi-touch gestures with up to five fingers. For storing interface assets and UI elements, there’s a microSD card slot, which can be handy when you’re experimenting with different layouts or running media and graphics directly from removable storage.
Voice control is also part of the package thanks to a dual-microphone array, making it possible to build voice-triggered functions and simple assistant-style interactions in your own projects. For connectivity, WiFi and Bluetooth are included, which enables wireless data transfer and online features such as pulling live weather data or syncing information from other devices on your network.
Power options add to the versatility: the display can run from a battery, which can be useful for cleaner installations or portable prototypes.
Pricing is positioned to be approachable for DIY buyers. Waveshare lists the smart home display at $40, while the enclosure is an additional $6. For anyone looking for a low-cost touchscreen smart home controller with ESP32-S3 performance, voice input via dual microphones, and the ability to connect extra components, this is a compelling little platform—as long as you’re prepared to spend time on setup and customization to get the most out of it.
