Passionate about electronics and audio, I quickly discovered the "DFPlayer Mini": a small and very affordable audio player.
Since the features and build quality seem to vary greatly depending on the manufacturers and versions, this guide will help clarify things.
By the way, thanks to the "DFPlayer Mini," I sell the "Ambi'Son Mini" module in the shop, and I offer two free guides to help you build your own sound box, DF only or with an Arduino (also possible with a Raspberry Pi).
Introduction
This player is always manufactured in China by several companies. It is sold in many places, but many copies exist and do not work the same, or sometimes not at all... I’m thinking of "MP3-TF-16P" and other "BY8001-16P" that I won’t cover here.
Physically
The DFPlayer Mini is a small electronic board with many pins, capable of holding a MicroSD card (sometimes called "TF").
Electronically
It offers a "Line" output and an amplified 3W output.
Computationally
This module can read WAV, MP3, and WMA files from a MicroSD card (sometimes called "TF") formatted in "Fat16", "Fat32", or "ExFat" and can communicate with an Arduino (or a clone, like I use) or Raspberry Pi via RX/TX.
In practice
While theoretically, it has everything to be liked, in practice things are different: depending on the manufacturers and versions, the features they offer are not always there.
It’s highly likely that for economic reasons, to keep the price as low as possible, and because it only (almost) affects people who are not very picky, the quality and features sometimes change drastically.
In this comparison, we can see the removal of several components, and even the difference in the audio chip: a "DFROBOTILISP3," a "GD3200B," a "GD3200D," and finally a "TD5580A."
Here are now the characteristics of the versions I had on hand, from the best to the worst.
1. DFR0299 from DFRobot
Compared to all other versions, it is perfect! Which is normal, as it is DFRobot who designed this player.
How to recognize it
Its LED is blue, its audio chip is a "DFROBOTILISP3," and all the component placeholders are filled (and there are many). Bought in 2024 at 5.90$, directly from "DFRobot" (beware of customs fees: in my case, it was €4 for 2 DF!). "DFRobot" and "DFR0299" are written on the packaging. It is also sold for €6.55 at "BerryBase".
Qualities
- Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
- Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
- Good audio quality
- Stereo Line output
- Usable "AdKey 1&2" inputs
- Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
- Upon powering the DFPlayer Mini, a short circuit (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" starts all files from the SD card, in a loop
- After powering the DFPlayer Mini, a short circuit of more than 1 second (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" starts file 0001, in a loop
Known flaws
- Speaker output is Mono, a summation of both channels (left + right)
2. Before 2023
Compared to all the following versions, it is... (almost) perfect!
How to recognize it
Its LED is red, its reference "HW-247A" is printed in white on the circuit, its audio chip is a "GD3200B," and all component placeholders are filled. Bought before 2023, €3.02 at "Reichelt", I don’t remember what was written on the packaging.
Qualities
- Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
- Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
- Stereo Line output
- Usable "AdKey 1&2" inputs
- Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
- Upon or after powering the DFPlayer Mini, a continuous short circuit (without series resistor) of more than 1 second on "AdKey 1" starts file 0001, in a loop
Known flaws
- Average audio quality
- Speaker output is Mono, a summation of both channels (left + right)
- Upon powering the DFPlayer Mini, a short circuit (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" does not start all files in a loop, only file 0001 in a loop
3. In 2023
This version is entirely mono and accumulates other flaws.
How to recognize it
Its LED is red, its reference "HW-247A" is printed in white on the circuit, but this version has fewer components (some placeholders are empty) and its audio chip is a "GD3200D." Bought in 2023 for €2.50 at "BerryBase", I received them in packaging marked "BerryBase" and "Sertronics GmbH."
Qualities
- Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
- Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
- Usable "AdKey 1&2" inputs but degraded
- Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
Known flaws
- Average audio quality
- Mono Line output, no summation: only channel 1 (left)
Worsened flaws
- Degraded "AdKey 1&2" inputs: for example, upon powering the DFPlayer, a short circuit (without series resistor) on "AdKey 1" no longer starts anything
- Mono Speaker output, no summation: only channel 1 (left)
3. In 2024: the "v0.5.1"
This version accumulates all the flaws and is not even autonomous.
How to recognize it
Its LED is red, its reference "HW-247A" and version "v0.5.1" are printed in white on the circuit, and its audio chip is a "TD5580A." Bought in 2024 for €3.02 at "Reichelt", I received them in packaging marked "BerryBase" and "Sertronics GmbH."
Qualities
- Reads MicroSD cards (sometimes called "TF")
- Plays MP3, WAV, and WMA
- Communicates via RX/TX thanks to "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
Known flaws
- Average audio quality
- Sometimes poorly soldered ground on the card reader, which can cause the player to stop working: needs to be resoldered
- Mono Line output, only channel 1 (left)
- Mono Speaker output, only channel 1 (left)
Worsened flaws
- "AdKey 1&2" inputs unusable: nothing works anymore...
Conclusion
Although this small module is still very nice, it is no longer autonomous and must be controlled by an Arduino or a Raspberry Pi to be used.
Do you know of other versions? Do you have suggestions or questions? Contact me or comment below this guide.
