As an experienced DIY enthusiast, you would already know that Arduino boards are an incredibly flexible way to prototype electronics projects with ease. From basic Blink programs to advanced robotics, these open-source microcontroller boards enable endless possibilities.
But did you know there are over 15 different types of Arduino boards available today? Each with their own set of capabilities best suited for certain applications.
In this guide, I provide a comprehensive feature-by-feature analysis of the 15 most popular Arduino boards to help you pick the right board confidently based on your specific needs as an expert maker.
A Quick Primer on Arduino Boards
For those new to the platform, Arduino boards consist of an Atmel AVR microcontroller with built-in memory and processing capacity, input and output pins to connect sensors / actuators, USB ports, reset buttons and pre-loaded bootloaders that accept code uploads through the Arduino IDE.
They provide a plug-and-play way to create interactive electronics prototypes without needing to understand circuit design intricacies or coding firmware from scratch. Versatile libraries and an active community further their beginner friendliness.
While the early boards were based on simple 8-bit Atmel chips like the ATmega328, rapid evolutions over the past 15+ years have led to boards with 32-bit processors, wireless connectivity, board sizes miniaturized for wearables and a vast array of form factors.
Next, let‘s dissect the 15 popular options to reveal their capabilities.
Entry-Level Arduino Boards
I recommend kicking off your Arduino adventures with an entry-level board with just the right balance of features, performance and pricing. These boards based on 8-bit Atmel chips have all that you need for basic LED programs, simple robotics and other starter projects. Their gentle learning curve also makes the coding and electronics easier to grasp.
Arduino Uno
Of course, we must start with the good old Arduino Uno based on the ubiquitous ATmega328P chip running at 16 MHz speed and 5V operating voltage. Its 14 digital I/O pins (6 capable of PWM), 6 analog input pins and 32KB Flash storage provide ample room for basic projects. Easy to slot into a breadboard.
Arduino Nano
If a compact form factor is important, check out the tiny Arduino Nano. Just 4.5 cm x 1.8 cm in size but retains the 16 MHz clock speed. Lacks an onboard USB port so you‘ll need a separate cable for programming but that‘s a small price to pay for its size. Matches Uno‘s capabilities and also uses the ATmega328P.
Arduino Mega 2560
For more demanding projects that require additional memory storage or I/O pins, level up to the Arduino Mega 2560. Its beefier ATmega2560 chip runs at 16 MHz speed but with a whopping 54 digital I/O pins (15 PWM pins), 16 analog inputs and 256 KB storage! Ideal for advanced robotics, 3D printers and other memory-intensive applications.
Advanced Next-Gen Boards
While classic boards are great to get started, as your skills grow, you will likely crave for more processing muscle and unique built-in options. Modern boards will unleash next-level possibilities. These do come at a premium price point but pack in powerful 32-bit processors and futuristic wireless connectivity modules for cutting-edge projects.
Arduino Due
Featuring an ultra-fast 84 MHz 32-bit ARM Cortex M3 chip, the Arduino Due leaves competition behind on raw number crunching capacity. 96 KB RAM and 512 KB Flash provide headroom for intensive tasks. With 54 digital I/O pins, this is blazing fast agile board for projects involving complex algorithms, machine learning and computer vision.
Arduino Yun
The Arduino Yun ingeniously combines the simplicity of the ATmega32u4 processor with the power of a separate BCM2835 chip that runs Linux and WiFi. This offers high flexibility for Internet of Things applications as it can act as a standalone computer but retain easy programmability through the ATmega32u4. There is also a microSD slot and 64MB RAM onboard with wireless networking capabilities.
Arduino MKR Family
Designed for wireless IoT functionality right off the bat, the MKR family boards feature either WiFi or GSM cellular connectivity plus Bluetooth Low Energy capabilities. This allows you to easily connect sensors to cloud platforms. Choice of form factors like the compact Arduino MKR ZERO or the Arduino MKR GSM 1400. All rocking 32 bit processors.
Wearable Tech Arduino Boards
For e-textiles and ultra-compact projects with non-traditional form factors, check out these flexible wearable boards. They can literally be sewn onto fabric!
LilyPad Arduino
The iconic oval shaped LilyPad board designed specifically for e-textiles can be stitched directly to fabric using conductive threads. Low power consumption ensures small batteries can last longer. At its core sits the ATmega328P processor handling the signals from sensors and powering LEDs, vibration motors or other wearable components that make up your project.
Arduino Gemma M0
Measuring just 1 inch diameter, easily the smallest board of the lot! Don’t let the tiny size fool you – the Gemma M0 packs a punch with a 48 MHz 32-bit processor to push graphics-heavy projects using 64 RGB NeoPixel LEDs with ease. Designed specifically for wearable projects where size is at a premium.
There are a ton of other specialty boards including the Robot Control Board, Industrial 101, Esplora and more variants. Each matches specific situations. But discussing every Arduino goes beyond this intro guide. The above covers the most popular ones representative of the key capability levels.
Now over to you – evaluate your skill level, project needs and budget to pick the right board confidently. Please leave a comment if you need any help in making the decision!
