If you use ESP-01 modules, you've probably cobbled together some programmer with a UART module and a breadboard—I know I did.

But I ran across these little boards on Amazon and they seemed worth a try. I'm glad I did.

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They are the same width as an ESP-01 and including the USB connector, about twice as long. Construction is reasonable good with soldering probably average to slightly above for generic modules but certainly no problems.

They feature a 1117-3.3 regulator to supply the ESP-01 and a CH430G USB to UART chip to talk to it. The board only has a few additional components on it, including a 12Mhz crystal for the CH340FG and five caps for one for the 1113 and the others for decoupling.

There is a female 8-pin .1" header for the ESP-)1, of course, and a slide which to select between UART and programming configurations.
It's a two layer board but all components are on the top side with only the pins for the connectors and switch appearing on the bottom.

Using it couldn't be easier. Connect the USB connector to a port on the machine running the IDE, make sure the switch is set to "PROG", and upload a sketch. To see serial communications, for example in the serial monitor, set the switch to UART.

The only complaint I have is the USB connector, I would have much preferring a USB-C or MicroUSB female to the USB-A male, but that's a minor thing and not enough to even take a point off.

Definitely recommended.

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One of our readers reported the following: “found out that you can program the board with a USB-to-TTL module model CP2102 and that the CH340 model does NOT work“. This is the FTDI programmer we’re using.

One of whose readers? I'm sorry but I don't know what you are talking about. As I wrote these boards, and the CH430 ICs on them work perfectly.

 

hi Y,
I use this version, from Amazon. USBASP V2.0
E

 

hi Y,
I use this version, from Amazon. USBASP V2.0
E
View attachment 270666

Hey, Eric. I have those too. They work very well combined with this little BoB for the ATTinyXX.

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I also have this version of the USBTinyISP which is equally good, though I prefer a MicroUSB to the USB-A connector.

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I use this programmer from Sparkfun, to program ATTiny 45 and 85s using the Arduino IDE.

 

I use this programmer from Sparkfun, to program ATTiny 45 and 85s using the Arduino IDE.

I’ve seen those but haven’t used them. They look good, very clean with just what you need.

Specifically for the ATTinyXX I have this much more complicated but very capable Arduino UNO R3 Shield that offers a lot of functionality in a much more complicated package than the SparkFun programmer. It has a ZIF socket which is great compared to the normal DIP socket where I am also nervous about bending pins. The socket handles up to 14pin devices so larger ATTiny MCUs can be used. The picture shows the included SOP-8 to DIP adapter that comes with it. It also has a nice onboard test LED for a quick check the chip is OK. It does require an UNO, of course, so if you don’t have one it’s a little pricey but it offers a lot of functionality. Also, the Tindie seller has ATTiny85-20PUs in stock for a good price! (if you buy them with the programmer). The shipping from Israel took a couple of weeks, but it is very well packaged and arrived perfect.

I can recommend this if you need the extended capabilities, or need to program several chips and want to do it quickly.

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