WaveShare 4.2inch E-Ink Display 400x300 Black White Two-Color SPI

4.2-inch E-Ink Display for Embedded Projects

This 4.2-inch E-Ink module shows 400 x 300 pixels in black and white with two grey levels. It draws 26.4 mW during a full refresh that takes four seconds and uses almost no power while the image stays on screen. The 3.3 V to 5 V supply range and onboard voltage translator let it connect directly to Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Jetson Nano or Nucleo boards. Makers building shelf labels, instrument readouts or other always-visible indicators will find the ultra-low consumption and no-backlight design a practical fit.

SPI Interface Limits Refresh Speed and Colour

Communication runs over 3-wire or 4-wire SPI, so the host controller must shift every pixel serially; a full-screen update therefore needs about four seconds. The panel shows only black and white with two grey levels, so gradients, photos or colour coding are not possible. The 0.212 mm dot pitch gives a fixed 400 x 300 resolution that cannot be scaled, and the 3.3 V to 5 V logic level means the host must tolerate that voltage range. Projects needing video-rate animation, colour or higher resolution will need a different display technology.

Compact PCB With Standard Pin Header

The board measures 103.0 mm by 78.5 mm with an active area of 84.8 mm by 63.6 mm, so it fits inside small enclosures or on a breadboard. A standard pin header provides the SPI lines, power and ground, making wiring straightforward for prototyping or permanent mounting. No backlight is fitted, so the last image remains readable after power is removed, and the wide viewing angle keeps text clear from off-centre positions. Builders who need a ruggedised bezel, a different connector pitch or a larger active area will have to design their own carrier board.