So, you have a CircuitPython project and want to connect it to the internet? You may want to consider adding MQTT to your project. MQTT is an extremely popular and lightweight protocol which can connect your project to the internet and quickly process network events.

MQTT is a small, lightweight protocol which is incredibly easy to use in scenarios where bandwidth is at a premium, your project is sending a small amount of data every so often, or if you'd like to process network events incredibly quickly (clicking a button would cause your project to do something).

We've built a robust MQTT module for CircuitPython called CircuitPython MiniMQTT to quickly get you started connecting your projects to the internet and sending data around.

In this guide, you will set up your CircuitPython board with the necessary libraries, connect to the internet and connect your CircuitPython board to either a MQTT broker of your choice or the free Adafruit IO MQTT broker. We've included code-walkthrough and advanced usage sections to this guide so you can roll your own MiniMQTT project!

Parts

You'll need a CircuitPython board which either has network connectivity built-in or external network hardware .

All-in-One CircuitPython WiFi Boards

Don't want to add extra hardware to your project? Consider grabbing a board which has an ESP32 WiFi co-processor built-in!

Adafruit Metro M4 Airlift Lite dev board with SAMD51 an ESP32 Wifi Co-processor.
Give your next project a lift with AirLift - our witty name for the ESP32 co-processor that graces this Metro M4. You already know about the Adafruit Metro...
$34.95
In Stock
Front view of a Adafruit PyPortal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display with a pyportal logo image on the display.
PyPortal, our easy-to-use IoT device that allows you to create all the things for the “Internet of Things” in minutes. Make custom touch screen interface...
$54.95
In Stock

Externally Connected CircuitPython Network Hardware

If you already have a project which uses a CircuitPython board without internet connectivity, you can easily add WiFi connectivity with an externally connected AirLift module.

WiFi

If you're using an Adafruit Feather, adding WiFi connectivity to your project is as easily as snapping the the AirLift FeatherWing on top.

Angled shot of Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing.
Give your Feather project a lift with the Adafruit AirLift FeatherWing - a FeatherWing that lets you use the powerful ESP32 as a WiFi co-processor. You probably have your...
$12.95
In Stock

If you're using a CircuitPython board with an Arduino form-factor, you'll want to pick up an AirLift Shield.

Angled shot of Wi-Fi co-processor shield PCB.
Give your Arduino project a lift with the Adafruit AirLift Shield - a shield that lets you use the powerful ESP32 as a WiFi co-processor. You probably have your favorite...
Out of Stock

If none of the form factors above work for your project - we also have a breakout board which can connect to any microcontroller over SPI.

Top view of Adafruit AirLift Breakout Board.
Give your plain ol' microcontroller project a lift with the Adafruit AirLift - a breakout board that lets you use the powerful ESP32 as a WiFi co-processor. You probably...
$9.95
In Stock

Ethernet

Wireless is wonderful, but sometimes you want the strong reliability of a wired connection. If your project is going to be part of a permanent installation, you'll want to add ethernet networking to your project. 

Angled shot of a Adafruit Ethernet FeatherWing with an Ethernet cable connected to it.
Wireless is wonderful, but sometimes you want the strong reliability of a wire. If your Feather board is going to be part of a permanent installation, this Ethernet...
$19.95
In Stock
Angled shot of a Ethernet Shield for Arduino.
The W5500 Ethernet Shield for Arduino from Seeed Studio is a great way to set up your projects with internet connectivity with just a single chip.  Similar to the
$39.95
In Stock

This guide was first published on Jul 23, 2019. It was last updated on Mar 28, 2024.

This page (Overview) was last updated on Mar 08, 2024.

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