Minimalist Desktop RGB Matrix: WLED + XIAO ESP32-C6

Upgrade your desk setup with this ultra-compact, Wi-Fi-controlled LED matrix. By pairing the tiny Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6 with its dedicated 6x10 LED Matrix, you can create a high-density pixel display that runs hundreds of animations via the powerful WLED library.

1x Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6: A thumb-sized microcontroller with fast Wi-Fi 6 performance.

3x Seeed Studio XIAO LED Matrix: A 6x10 (60 pixels) RGB LED board designed for the XIAO form factor.

1x USB-C Cable: For power and initial setup.

Electronics:

1. Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-C6: A thumb-sized microcontroller with fast Wi-Fi 6 performance.
2. Seeed Studio XIAO LED Matrix: A 6x10 (60 pixels) RGB LED board designed for the XIAO form factor.
3. USB-C Cable: For power and initial setup.

Enclosure & Hardware:

1. 3D Printed Case: A custom-designed angled shell and backplate.
2. Diffusion Plate: A thin piece of white plastic or a 3D-printed "lens" to soften the LEDs.

Software:

1. WLED Web Installer: To flash the firmware directly from your browser.

The XIAO ecosystem makes assembly incredibly clean.

Matrix 1 (Connected to XIAO):

1. 5V & GND: Wired to the XIAO's 5V and GND pins.
2. IN: Wired to the XIAO's D0 (or your chosen data pin).
3. OUT: This is the key pin for expansion. Connect a wire from here to the IN pad of Matrix 2.

Matrix 2 (Middle):

1. 5V & GND: Connect these in parallel to the 5V and GND of the first matrix.
2. IN: Receives data from Matrix 1's OUT.
3. OUT: Connect a wire from here to the IN pad of Matrix 3.

Matrix 3 (Last):

1. 5V & GND: Connect these in parallel to the previous boards.
2. IN: Receives data from Matrix 2's OUT.
3. 
   
4. Stacking: Solder the headers so that the LED Matrix sits directly on top of the XIAO ESP32-C6.
5. Internal Wiring: For this specific 3D-printed enclosure, I used short silicone wires to connect the boards. This allows the USB-C port to face the back of the case while the Matrix faces the front, keeping the desktop look clean and cable-free from the front.
6. The Fit: Slide the electronics into the main body. The angled design ensures the display faces slightly upward toward your eyes.

No complex coding is required thanks to the WLED web tool.

1. Connect your XIAO to your PC via USB-C.
2. Open install.wled.me in Chrome or Edge.
3. Select the ESP32-C6 build and click Install.
4. Once finished, enter your Wi-Fi credentials to get the device on your network.

Navigate to the WLED IP address in your browser to set up the 6x10 grid:

1. LED Setup: Set the total LED count to 180. Ensure the GPIO matches your data pin (typically GPIO 2 for the matrix).
2. 2D Settings: Under the 2D Configuration menu, set the width to 10 and height to 6. (Check the screenshot)
3. Layout: Adjust the orientation and "serpentine" settings until the effects move correctly across the screen.

Attaching enclosure 3d model .

Settings I used :

0.08mm fine on bambuLabs A1