Choosing between two microcontrollers & dev boards comes down to more than the starter-kit label: do you want an ESP-32 development-board route with connected interfaces, or a PIC-focused programming setup? The ELEGOO and Microchip kits serve those different project paths, so the right choice depends on the ecosystem and bench work you expect to do.
Quick verdict
The ELEGOO ESP-32 Super Starter Kit is the more natural fit for Arduino-oriented experimentation and connected electronics. The Microchip Technology DV164120 PICkit 2 PIC16F690 PIC Microcontroller Starter Kit is better aligned with PIC development and prototyping. Their listed prices are USD 49.74 and USD 69.00, respectively-a $19.26 difference. That gap matters, but platform fit should make the final call.
| Product | Listed price | Main orientation | Useful named detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEGOO ESP-32 Super Starter Kit | USD 49.74 | ESP-32 development board | Tutorial and USB-C Dual C |
| Microchip Technology DV164120 PICkit 2 Starter Kit | USD 69.00 | PIC starter kit | PICkit 2 and new factory sealed |
Where each product wins
- ELEGOO wins for interface-rich Arduino IDE projects. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPIO, I2C, and USB give it a clearly defined set of connection options for projects that combine code with peripherals or connected-device experiments.
- Microchip wins for PIC-centered bench work. Its programmer and prototyping board support 8-, 14-, and 20-pin flash devices, giving the kit a more specific role when that pin-format support matches the project.
Product notes
ELEGOO ESP-32 Super Starter Kit
The ELEGOO ESP-32 Super Starter Kit is a sensible pick for a learner who wants a named tutorial alongside a development board. The title's USB-C Dual C wording gives a concrete reason to choose it when that connection format matters, while Super Starter Kit frames it as a guided entry point. The concrete limitation is that it is marked Not Smart Home Compatible, so it is a poor fit for a requirement built around smart-home compatibility. For hands-on electronics learning, the tutorial language is useful; for smart-home integration, that compatibility label is the clear boundary.
Microchip Technology DV164120 PICkit 2 Starter Kit
The Microchip Technology DV164120 PICkit 2 PIC16F690 PIC Microcontroller Starter Kit suits shoppers who want a clearly named PIC workflow rather than a broad connected-board experiment. Its PICkit 2 Starter Kit identity and PIC/DSPIC core give a concrete reason to choose it for work organized around that family. The package is marked new factory sealed, which clarifies its condition without changing the platform focus. The limitation is specialization: the kit is built around the PIC family, so a project aimed at the ELEGOO ESP-32's connected interfaces or an Arduino IDE workflow points elsewhere. Choose Microchip when PIC development is the destination, not simply because the title includes starter kit.
Final choice by use case
- Choose ELEGOO for Arduino IDE projects that call for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPIO, I2C, or USB. Its ESP-32 development-board format and tutorial wording also make the intended starting point clear.
- Choose Microchip Technology DV164120 for PIC16F690 work needing a programmer and prototyping board with support for 8-, 14-, and 20-pin flash devices.
In short, ELEGOO is the practical direction for connected Arduino-style experimentation, while Microchip is the focused choice for a PIC programming workflow. The $19.26 spread is secondary to choosing the platform that matches your project.
