Sonoff BasicR2
WiFi smart switch based on ESP8285, widely used in the open-source home automation community. Easily flashable with Tasmota or ESPHome for local-only smart home control without cloud dependency.
$4.90
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Specifications
Certifications
Components
Espressif ESP8285 — single-core Xtensa LX106 at 80MHz with built-in 1MB flash and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n. Pin-compatible with ESP8266 but with integrated flash.
Single-pole single-throw relay rated for 10A at 250V AC, used to switch mains-powered loads like lights and small appliances.
Bus Interfaces
Sonoff BasicR2
The Sonoff BasicR2 is a WiFi smart switch based on the ESP8285 chip, widely adopted in the open-source home automation community. While it ships with Sonoff's proprietary eWeLink firmware, its ESP8285 MCU makes it trivially flashable with Tasmota or ESPHome — enabling fully local smart home control without any cloud dependency.
Why It Matters for Open Hardware
The BasicR2 is one of the most popular devices in the Tasmota/ESPHome ecosystem. Its low cost, reliable relay, and easy-to-flash ESP8285 make it a gateway device for many people entering the open-source smart home world.
Key Features
- ESP8285 MCU — single-core 80MHz with built-in 1MB flash
- 10A relay — suitable for lights and small appliances (100-240V AC)
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n — 2.4GHz connectivity
- Compact form factor — fits inside most junction boxes
- UART header — accessible for serial flashing with Tasmota/ESPHome
Flashing with Tasmota/ESPHome
The BasicR2 has accessible UART pads (3.3V, RX, TX, GND, GPIO0) that allow serial flashing. Many guides exist for converting it to run Tasmota or ESPHome, making it work with Home Assistant and other local-first platforms.
Important Notes
- Ships with closed-source eWeLink firmware (cloud-dependent)
- The hardware itself is not open source, but the ESP8285 MCU is fully programmable
- Once flashed with Tasmota/ESPHome, it operates completely locally
- Do not open or modify while connected to mains power
Use Cases
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