12 of the 13 features in our table differ between the HC-SR04 and the VL53L0X.
Ultrasonic · 2 cm to 4 m · Trigger and echo pulses · 5 V
The classic ultrasonic module: 2 cm to 4 m, a wide beam, and it sees glass and dark objects.
Watch out: It runs at 5 V and its echo pin outputs 5 V: use a divider on a 3.3 V board. Soft surfaces and steep angles return weak echoes.
Laser time-of-flight · up to 2 m · I²C · 2.6 to 3.5 V
ST’s small laser time-of-flight sensor: up to 2 m in the dark, about 1.2 m on white indoors, over I²C.
Watch out: Sunlight and dark targets shorten the range. Every unit starts at 0x29: to use several, hold the others in reset with XSHUT and change the addresses in software.
| Feature | HC-SR04 | VL53L0X |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Ultrasonic | Laser time-of-flight |
| Range | 2 cm to 4 m | up to 2 m |
| Accuracy | down to 3 mm (maker figure) | within ±3 % (high-accuracy mode) |
| Field of view | 15° (“measuring angle” in the datasheet) | 25° |
| Readings per second | – | 50 per second |
| Interface | Trigger and echo pulses | I²C |
| I²C address | Not I²C | 0x29 (changeable in software) |
| Supply | 5 V | 2.6 to 3.5 V |
| Current while measuring | 15 mA | 19 mA |
| Current between readings | – | 3 µA |
| ESPHome | ultrasonic | vl53l0x |
| Status | Generic module | Available |
Open the sensor comparison →Tick what your project needs and see which sensor fits best.
VL53L0X: I²C address, wiring and pull-ups →
The HC-SR04 offers a longer range, a wide beam that also sees glass and dark surfaces, and a 5 V supply. The VL53L0X offers a standard I²C bus shared with other sensors and a 3.3 V supply without a 5 V rail.
Range: 2 cm to 4 m for the HC-SR04, up to 2 m for the VL53L0X. Accuracy: down to 3 mm (maker figure) and within ±3 % (high-accuracy mode). The target’s colour and material, and sunlight, change both.
Not as a drop-in: the HC-SR04 uses trigger and echo pulses and the VL53L0X I²C, so the wiring and the code change. Check the supply too: 5 V for the HC-SR04, 2.6 to 3.5 V for the VL53L0X.
VL53L0X vs VL53L1X HC-SR04 vs JSN-SR04T
Figures from the makers’ datasheets and product pages and the ESPHome documentation, checked in November 2026.