Rabbit-Labs Flipper Zero ESP32-C5 Multi-Board Features CC1101, GPS, and Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6

Key Takeaways

• Compact alternative to bulkier ESP32 Marauder Apex 5 board
• Dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6 with external antenna options
• CC1101 adds 855‑925 MHz sub‑GHz support
• Integrated GPS enables location‑tagged wardriving logs
• $125 price targets hobbyist and professional markets

Summary

Rabbit Labs EU unveiled the Flipper Zero ESP32‑C5 multi‑board, a compact expansion that adds dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6, BLE 5, 802.15.4, a TI CC1101 sub‑GHz transceiver, GPS and a microSD slot to the popular Flipper Zero. Powered by the ESP32‑C5‑WROOM‑1U RISC‑V SoC, the board supports Wi‑Fi 2.4 GHz/5 GHz, Bluetooth LE, and Matter‑compatible 802.15.4 radios. It runs the ESP32 Marauder firmware for wireless scanning, packet capture, and wardriving, with data logged via the onboard SD slot. Priced at $125 on Tindie, the board ships from Czechia and is slated for release in March 2026.

Pulse Analysis

The Flipper Zero has become a de‑facto platform for portable hardware hacking, but its native radio suite is limited to sub‑GHz and Bluetooth. Expansion modules have proliferated, allowing users to tap into Wi‑Fi, Zigbee, Thread and other protocols. Rabbit Labs’ new ESP32‑C5 multi‑board leverages Espressif’s RISC‑V based ESP32‑C5, which brings dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 LE and an 802.15.4 radio onto a single, low‑power chip, positioning the device at the intersection of IoT connectivity and security testing.

Beyond the core SoC, the board’s design emphasizes practicality. A TI CC1101 transceiver covers the 855‑925 MHz ISM band, essential for legacy garage‑door or remote‑key‑fob analysis, while an integrated GPS module tags every packet capture with precise coordinates—critical for wardriving and field audits. The microSD slot offers on‑board storage for logs, and the USB‑C connector simplifies firmware flashing with the open‑source ESP32 Marauder suite. Together, these features provide a turnkey solution for penetration testers seeking multi‑protocol reconnaissance without juggling multiple dongles.

From a market perspective, the $125 price point undercuts comparable multi‑radio add‑ons, such as the bulkier ESP32 Marauder Apex 5, making advanced wireless testing more accessible to a broader audience. As the IoT landscape expands and regulatory scrutiny of wireless security intensifies, modular tools like Rabbit Labs’ board are likely to see heightened demand among both hobbyists and professional red‑team operators. Availability in March 2026 will test the balance between supply chain constraints and the growing appetite for compact, open‑source security hardware.