11 of the 13 features in our table differ between the VL53L1X and the TF-Luna.
Laser time-of-flight · up to 4 m · I²C · 2.6 to 3.5 V
The longer-range time-of-flight sensor: up to 4 m, 50 readings a second and an adjustable field of view (15° to 27°).
Watch out: No official ESPHome component. 2.6 to 3.5 V, address 0x29 at start-up.
LiDAR (time-of-flight) · 20 cm to 8 m · UART/I²C · 3.7 to 5.2 V
A small LiDAR: 0.2 to 8 m with a 2° beam, up to 250 readings a second, over UART or I²C.
Watch out: It needs 3.7 to 5.2 V and up to 70 mA on average (150 mA peaks). On dark targets the range drops to about 2.5 m.
| Feature | VL53L1X | TF-Luna |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Laser time-of-flight | LiDAR (time-of-flight) |
| Range | up to 4 m | 20 cm to 8 m |
| Accuracy | – | ±6 cm up to 3 m, ±2 % beyond |
| Field of view | 27° | 2° |
| Readings per second | 50 per second | 250 per second |
| Interface | I²C | UART, I²C |
| I²C address | 0x29 (changeable in software) | 0x10 (changeable in software) |
| Supply | 2.6 to 3.5 V | 3.7 to 5.2 V |
| Current while measuring | 18 mA | 70 mA |
| Current between readings | 6 µA | – |
| ESPHome | No official component | tfluna |
Same on both: status.
Open the sensor comparison →Tick what your project needs and see which sensor fits best.
VL53L1X: I²C address, wiring and pull-ups →
The VL53L1X offers a 3.3 V supply without a 5 V rail. The TF-Luna offers a longer range, more readings a second, a narrower beam, and a 5 V supply.
Range: up to 4 m for the VL53L1X, 20 cm to 8 m for the TF-Luna. Accuracy of the TF-Luna: ±6 cm up to 3 m, ±2 % beyond; the sources we read give no figure for the VL53L1X. The target’s colour and material, and sunlight, change both.
Often yes: both use I²C, but the driver changes. The I²C address changes too (0x29 → 0x10). Check the supply too: 2.6 to 3.5 V for the VL53L1X, 3.7 to 5.2 V for the TF-Luna.
Figures from the makers’ datasheets and product pages and the ESPHome documentation, checked in November 2026.