Should I program them with C++, or use ESPHome?
#ESP32 smart devices
pale niche
obsidian harbor
it probably depends on yoru use case but around here your are probably going to see esphome more than anything else
sinful solstice
Esphome is pretty dead simple to use, especially as it comes with being able to push remote updates
If I recall you can put some clang stuff even into esphome if you have a need for that but personally I would just write the features myself at that point
sullen oak
if you know C++ and know how to program them (arduino IDE?) , I'd go for it. I have just uploaded a piece of yaml code to the esp Bluetoth Proxy but it's a pain. You are not in control, yet another syntax to master, pure frustration for me. But I don't know how to push BLE advertising to HA directly, so I am slowly accepting the proxy way😤
unique moth
You can do C++ in ESPHome too: by creating your own components or just doing stuff in lambdas. ESPHome is very popular because it took away the boring parts and automated them in a very consistent and reasonable way. Knowing how to do things directly can't hurt either, if you have the time and enthusiasm for debugging.