E-Paper E-Ink Display 2.66" 296×152 px SPI, 2-color for Raspberry Pi Pico — Waveshare

The Waveshare E-Paper E-Ink Display 2.66" 296×152 px is a compact bistable screen module tailored for low-power projects with the Raspberry Pi Pico. The module features a 2.66-inch diagonal E-Ink panel offering 296×152 pixel resolution and two-color capability, ideal for displaying static images, text and simple graphics. The display uses an SPI interface for communication and is designed to retain content without continuous power, making it suitable for battery-powered and always-on information displays.

Advantages

This E-Paper module delivers very low power consumption because the panel is bistable and only requires power when updating content. The 296×152 resolution provides clear monochrome and two-color rendering for readable text and simple icons on a compact surface. The SPI interface simplifies hardware connections with the Raspberry Pi Pico and other microcontrollers while keeping wiring minimal. Durable E-Ink technology offers wide viewing angles and good reflectivity in ambient light, reducing the need for backlighting.

Suitable for

• Battery-powered IoT displays and sensor readouts
• Small information panels and signage
• E-readers and note displays with infrequent updates
• Wearable or portable devices that require long standby times
• Prototyping with Raspberry Pi Pico and other SPI-capable microcontrollers

Key specifications

• Display size: 2.66 inches diagonal
• Resolution: 296 × 152 pixels
• Color capability: two-color (black + one additional color)
• Interface: SPI serial communication
• Panel type: E-Paper / E-Ink, bistable
• Viewing mode: reflective, no backlight required
• Typical use case: static images or text with infrequent refresh

How to use

Connect the display to a Raspberry Pi Pico or compatible microcontroller using the SPI pins and the required power and control lines. Install the appropriate Waveshare drivers or library for your development environment to handle initialization, partial and full updates, and color handling. Prepare images or rendered text at 296×152 pixel resolution and convert them to the display’s supported two-color format before sending data. Perform updates only when the displayed content needs to change to preserve battery life.

Usage recommendations

For longest battery life, minimize refresh frequency and prefer full-screen updates only when necessary. Use ambient light for readability and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight that can warm the panel. When integrating with the Raspberry Pi Pico, follow the manufacturer’s wiring diagrams and use level shifting if your host MCU uses different I/O voltages.