Elecrow has launched a new 5-inch touchscreen display designed for makers, smart home enthusiasts, and DIY electronics projects. Priced at around $30, the compact module offers an affordable way to build a custom smart home control panel, interactive dashboard, sensor monitor, or embedded display system.
This is not a plug-and-play smart display like a consumer smart speaker screen. Instead, it is a programmable development display built around the ESP32-S3 platform. That makes it especially appealing for users who want full control over the interface, features, and integrations. With LVGL support, developers can create custom graphical user interfaces more easily, whether for home automation, device control, data visualization, or hobby projects.
The display uses a 5-inch IPS panel with an 800 x 480 resolution, offering clear visuals for menus, readings, buttons, and status screens. Capacitive touch support allows users to interact directly with the interface, making it suitable for controlling lights, checking room temperatures, monitoring sensors, or managing connected devices once properly configured.
Brightness is rated at 450 cd/m², which should be sufficient for indoor use, though outdoor visibility under strong direct sunlight may be limited. The display is also built for demanding environments, with a stated operating temperature range of -30°C to 80°C, making it flexible enough for a variety of embedded applications.
Wireless connectivity is one of the key strengths of the module. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for network-based projects and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless communication with nearby devices. Power is delivered through USB Type-C, keeping setup simple and convenient.
Under the hood, the touchscreen module is powered by an ESP32-S3 SoC. It also supports UART and SPI interfaces, giving makers room to expand the system with sensors, modules, and other peripherals. Speaker connections are available as well, opening the door to projects that require basic audio output or alerts.
The board measures 137 x 84 x 13.75 mm. However, users should note that it does not come with a dedicated enclosure, and the circuit board remains exposed. For a polished smart home hub or wall-mounted controller, a custom case or 3D-printed housing may be needed.
Overall, Elecrow’s new 5-inch ESP32-S3 touchscreen display is a practical and budget-friendly option for anyone building a custom smart home dashboard, IoT controller, or compact embedded interface. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch input, an IPS screen, and expansion options, it offers plenty of potential for creative projects at a relatively low cost.
