Reddit reviews diymore USB to Serial ESP8266 ESP-01 Adapter Wireless ESP8266 CH340 WiFi Module
We found 2 Reddit comments about diymore USB to Serial ESP8266 ESP-01 Adapter Wireless ESP8266 CH340 WiFi Module. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Perfect Companion for ESP8266: A USB-to-serial module that converts the USB interface to a serial port suitable for ESP8266.Using CH340 Serial Chip: More stable performance, powerful compatibility, support all Windows system.The main purpose is to connect ESP8266 and computer PC via serial port.Little Tip: You need to solder a pushbutton across the ground and GPIO0 pin. Only need to hold the button for a few second as you plug it into a USB port then you can let go and the ESP is in program modeFor more information on this device you can google "All in one ESP-01 to USB converter" The first result is a page on the esp8266 wiki with great information. They have details on getting into programming mode, and links for the CH340 drivers if you need them
I spent a long time trying to find ESP resources too, I can't help you breadboard it, but this is what I use for my ESP-01Ss:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J2UXXCA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You'll see in the reviews of that item that you need to add a push button to it (literally 2 solder points, and there are pictures)
Something like this would work, you might be able to find cheaper:
https://www.amazon.com/microtivity-IM206-6x6x6mm-Tact-Switch/dp/B004RXKWI6/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=push+button+arduino&qid=1564884279&s=electronics&sr=1-2
Once you have the development board with the push button on it, you put in the ESP-01S, hold down the button while you insert the usb to your PC, then run whatever software you want to write to the esp.
Hope this helps!
I use one of these as an ESP-01 programmer. Strangely, there is no button on GPIO0 so I had to solder one on--see the pictures in the reviews to see which pins. Simply stick ESP-01 in, hold down the button, plug it in to USB and hit upload. Also watch orientation, I had the ESP-01 backwards first and it got toasty real fast but luckily wasn't damaged.