It will depend on the type : e.g. You can get breakout boards that come pre-soldered which fit an esp-12, and an esp-01 it is pretty easy just to make up a connector yourself using 2x4 female connector and some veroboard. I haven't seen a 'socket' however for anything to fit an esp-12, which would be preferable to an esp-01.
I did recently buy a test-socket board for an esp32, however. Of course, that is not an esp8266, but it does share the same pin spacing, albeit that the esp32 has an additional edge of castellated connectors. See here : https://www.banggood.com/ESP32-Test-Boa ... rehouse=CN
except it's a 3D printed object and you have to make your own pins. The BangGood holder is a good idea but not ok for quantity ($$$). Right now, my first production is soldered. But 2 weeks later hey if I .... except I can't just pop the unit out and reprogram.
The project I'm creating is: ... in DeepSleep, (rural mailbox door opens) Rst -> gnd, boots, sends SMS to me "You have smail", DeepSleep ...
I built a programing jig, ftd1232, 4 resistors and bent pins (fingers). Works great.
While typing this I remembered the local library has some 3D printers and as I remember the conversation I just bring in the "file" and the charge something like $0.35/gram ???? sounded cheap. Just need a way to reprogram.
Thanks for the replies.