It's no secret that I love exploring projects that utilize an e-ink display. Every time I see one, I just have to check it out and write about it. They're sleek, they look great, and they don't consume a lot of power—what's not to love?

I've already checked out a ton of Raspberry Pi projects that use an e-ink display, but the Pi is by far not the only option people have available to them. Some people have made some excellent projects using the ESP32 microcontroller, too. So, I wanted to take some time to explore some of the cooler ESP32 e-ink displays I came across during my searches.

3 Create a DIY air quality monitor

Looks good, and keeps an eye on the air you breathe at the same time

My favorite thing about e-ink displays is that they can pretty much turn any DIY project into something that wouldn't look amiss on your living room shelf. You don't need to make a project that focuses on looking good; just put it on an e-ink display, put that display in a nice frame, and it now looks the part.

Want some proof? Well, check out this e-ink air quality monitor. It's quite simple in design, but because it utilizes an e-ink display, you can place it in almost any room and it'll look great. The monitor checks the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and VOC levels of the air around you, making it a convenient set piece.

2 Build a minimalist weather forecast display

Keeping things simple

You'll usually find that e-ink projects keep things on the simple side. It's likely because there'sn't a whole lot of advanced functionality available with e-ink; the refresh rate is relatively low, and touchscreens are mainly out of the picture. But that's fine, because people can focus on making their projects as tidy and minimalist as possible.

For instance, take this real-time weather e-ink display that's powered by an ESP32. The designer wanted a quick and easy way to check the weather outside, and I think they really nailed their original concept:

Opening apps to check the weather felt like a hassle... when the weather is just right outside. Why am I unlocking my phone, digging through apps, and getting hit with distraction—just to find out it's raining?

So I built something better.

WeatherPaper is a minimalist, always-on e-paper display that quietly shows the weather in real-time. No glowing screen. No noise. No attention-hogging. It just sits there, like a little window that tells you if you'll melt, freeze, or vibe today.

And now I barely even think about the weather app—because my desk tells me first.

If you like a clean setup, a gadget that doesn't need charging every few days, or want to feel less glued to your phone, this project is specifically for you.

If you want to make one yourself, the creator has uploaded all the necessary instructions on Instructables. It doesn't look too complex, so give it a go if you want a simple weather tracker you can place pretty much anywhere you want.

1 Just make a really stylish picture frame

I mean, it's the obvious choice, right?

E-ink displays are great for displaying static images. E-ink displays also look their best when they're put into a picture frame. Put two and two together, and you discover one of the easiest but best-looking ways to combine an ESP32 with an e-ink display.

The best part of this idea is that you're not restricted to just one image. If you want, you can set it up so that the ESP32 cycles through different photos, images, or art pieces to mix things up. And if you're really brave, you can add Wi-Fi compatibility to your project so you can add and remove images on the fly.

Due to the low refresh rate, you'll probably not want to upload animated media like GIFs to the display. However, if you just want something that displays a static image for an hour or so before cycling, an e-ink display fits the bill just fine.

E-ink displays and ESP32s are a match made in heaven

Hopefully, by now, you know why I have such a huge appreciation for e-ink displays. Whether you want it to keep an eye on your air quality, inform you of the weather, or just look nice on your wall, they really can do it all. Here's hoping people keep tinkering with the tech and finding new ways to combine them.