Bosch Sensortec is the leader in environmental sensing for IoT, and their BMP/BME sensors are used everywhere—from drones and weather stations to air-quality monitors and smart-home automation.
Although many modules look identical, each generation offers different capabilities, accuracy improvements, and target applications.
This guide compares every BMP and BME sensor, explains their capabilities, and helps you choose the right one for your ESP32 or Arduino project.
1. Overview of the BMP/BME Sensor Families
Bosch environmental sensors are divided into two families:
✅ BMP Series (Pressure + Temperature)
Designed primarily for barometric pressure and altitude measurement.
Used in drones, phones, and weather stations.
✅ BME Series (Pressure + Temperature + Humidity + Gas)
Multi-sensor environmental units, suitable for air-quality and automation.
2. Full Sensor List
| Series | Sensors | Measurements |
|---|---|---|
| BMP | BMP085, BMP180, BMP280, BMP380, BMP388 | Temp + Pressure |
| BME | BME280, BME680, BME688 | Temp + Pressure + Humidity (+ Gas on 680/688) |
3. Key Specifications Table (All Sensors)
3.1 High-Level Feature Comparison
| Sensor | Temp | Humidity | Pressure | Gas (VOC) | AI Gas | Interface | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMP085 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | I²C | First-gen, obsolete |
| BMP180 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | I²C | Very common, accurate for altitude |
| BMP280 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | I²C/SPI | Low power, highly stable |
| BMP380 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | I²C/SPI | Newer, higher precision |
| BMP388 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | I²C/SPI | Highest accuracy pressure sensor |
| BME280 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | I²C/SPI | Best all-round sensor |
| BME680 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | I²C/SPI | VOC gas sensor (IAQ) |
| BME688 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | I²C/SPI | ML-based gas detection |
4. Detailed Sensor Comparison
4.1 BMP Series (Pressure-Only Sensors)
4.1.1 BMP085
- Year: 2006
- Accuracy: ±2 hPa
- Interface: I²C
- Power: 12 μA
Obsolete but historically important.
4.1.2 BMP180
- Most common early BMP due to low cost and solid accuracy
- Pin-compatible with BMP085
Specs:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pressure accuracy | ±0.12 hPa |
| Altitude error | ±1 m |
| Temp accuracy | ±1.0°C |
| Interface | I²C |
Good for drones and indoor altitude measurements.
4.1.3 BMP280
The successor to BMP180, with lower noise and optional SPI.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pressure accuracy | ±1 hPa |
| Altitude error | ±1 m |
| Temp accuracy | ±1.0°C |
| Interface | I²C / SPI |
Used in many “BME280 clones” because the packages look identical.
⚠ If you buy a very cheap “BME280,” it is often a BMP280 with no humidity sensor.
4.1.4 BMP380
A newer pressure sensor with higher accuracy and lower noise.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pressure accuracy | ±0.08 hPa |
| Altitude error | ±0.5 m |
| Interface | I²C / SPI |
More stable over temperature compared to older BMPs.
4.1.5 BMP388
Highest precision pressure sensor in the BMP family.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pressure accuracy | ±0.08 hPa |
| Altitude error | ±0.5 m |
| Temp accuracy | ±0.5°C |
| Noise level | Extremely low |
| Interface | I²C / SPI |
Used in:
- Drones
- Altimeters
- High-resolution weather stations
4.2 BME Series (Humidity + Pressure + Temperature + Gas)
4.2.1 BME280 — The Popular All-Rounder
One of the most widely used sensors in IoT and Home Assistant.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temp accuracy | ±1.0°C |
| Humidity accuracy | ±3% RH |
| Pressure accuracy | ±1 hPa |
| Interface | I²C / SPI |
| Power use | Very low |
Why it’s so popular:
- Reliable
- Accurate enough for weather stations
- Cheap
- Easy to use with ESP32/Arduino
4.2.2 BME680 — VOC Gas Sensor Added
Same as BME280 plus gas sensor.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temp accuracy | ±1.0°C |
| Humidity | ±3% |
| Pressure | ±1 hPa |
| Gas | VOC resistance sensor |
| CO₂ estimate | Software-derived |
| Power | Medium |
The gas sensor outputs:
- VOC index
- IAQ score (0–500)
- CO₂ equivalent (pseudo-calculated)
- Breath VOC score
Perfect for:
- Home ventilation systems
- Air quality monitoring
- Smart HVAC
Not ideal for real CO₂ measurement (not NDIR).
4.2.3 BME688 — AI Gas Identification
An upgraded BME680 with AI gas classification.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Gas | VOC + gas signatures |
| AI Capability | ✔ ML model training |
| Humidity | ±3% |
| Pressure | ±1 hPa |
| Temp | ±1°C |
You can train the sensor to detect:
- Coffee
- Alcohol vapors
- Smoke
- Food spoilage gases
- Custom profiles
Best for:
- Air-quality appliances
- Odour classification
- Detection of dangerous gases (non-toxic levels)
- Advanced automation systems
5. Accuracy Summary Table
| Sensor | Temperature | Humidity | Pressure | Gas Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMP085 | ±2°C | ❌ | ~±2 hPa | ❌ |
| BMP180 | ±1°C | ❌ | ±0.12 hPa | ❌ |
| BMP280 | ±1°C | ❌ | ±1 hPa | ❌ |
| BMP380 | ±0.5°C | ❌ | ±0.08 hPa | ❌ |
| BMP388 | ±0.5°C | ❌ | ±0.08 hPa | ❌ |
| BME280 | ±1°C | ±3% | ±1 hPa | ❌ |
| BME680 | ±1°C | ±3% | ±1 hPa | IAQ (moderate) |
| BME688 | ±1°C | ±3% | ±1 hPa | IAQ + AI classification |
6. Use-Case Recommendations
Best for Weather Stations
- BME280 → full environmental data
- BMP388 → high-precision pressure
Best for Home Assistant Automation
- BME280
- BME680 (if air quality needed)
Best for Air-Quality Monitoring
- BME680
- BME688 (AI-based, most advanced)
Best for Drones / Altimeters
- BMP388
- BMP380
Best for Low-Power Battery Sensors
- BMP280
- BME280
Best for Gas Classification / AI
- BME688
7. Which Sensor Should You Choose?
If you need humidity → BME280
Cheap, accurate, reliable.
If you need gas / air quality → BME680
VOC + IAQ + CO₂ estimate.
If you need AI gas recognition → BME688
Machine-learning profiles.
If you need best altitude accuracy → BMP388
If you need cheapest basic pressure → BMP180 or BMP280
8. Final Summary Table (All Sensors)
| Sensor | T | H | P | Gas | AI | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMP085 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | Legacy pressure |
| BMP180 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | Cheap pressure/altitude |
| BMP280 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | Battery pressure sensors |
| BMP380 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | Precision pressure |
| BMP388 | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | Drones, altimeters |
| BME280 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ | Weather stations, indoor sensing |
| BME680 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | IAQ, ventilation control |
| BME688 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | AI smell detection, smart appliances |