Best Arduino Boards 2023 : History, Selection, Comparison

Arduino is the most popular open-source electronics development board platform which revolutionized the world of DIY electronics and Prototyping with its huge range of products. Arduino Boards and Arduino is the best platform for hobbyists, students, and professionals like engineers and educators which helps them to create interactive projects, robotics, IoT devices, and many more exciting stuffs. So now are you ready to deep dive into Arduino's history, their development boards, and how to use these amazing boards? This article also helps you to select the right board for your project.

Table of Contents

History of Arduino 

The Arduino project was started at Interaction Design Institute Ivrea (IDII) in Italy in 2003 by a group of engineers named Massimo Banzi, David Cuartielles, Tom Igoe, Gianluca Martino, David Mellis, and Nicholas Zambetti. Their aim was to create a simple and affordable tool for designers and non-technical persons to create interactive projects with very less study of electronics and programming.

The first Arduino board developed was Ardunio 001 which includes an Atmel ATmega168 microcontroller. That board had easy-to-use hardware and software interface of Arduino IDE and was released under an open-source license to make it accessible to a wide range of users. This board marked the beginning of Arduino's revolution in the electronics industry. Over the years Arduino released numerous development boards with each having unique features and capabilities. Don't worry, We will discuss these boards in this article. The boards vary in their form factors, processing power, memory, connectivity options, design, and other features which makes them suitable for different types of projects from simple ones to complex ones.

How to Use Arduino Development Boards

Arduino development boards are designed to as user friendly and beginner friendly also. So you can use them easily without having prior experience in electronics and programming. Here are some basic steps you have to follow to get started with an Arduino board.

1) Install Arduino IDE: The Arduino IDE(Integrated Development Environment) is the software used to write code, compile and upload the program onto the Arduino board. This IDE is available for Windows, Mac OS, Android, and Linux and can be downloaded free from Arduino's website. Follow installation instructions according to your operating system.

2) Connect the Arduino Board: Once you have installed Arduino IDE, Let's connect your Arduino board to your computer using a USB cable. The board should be powered and ready to use.

3) Select the Board and Port: In Arduino IDE, select the proper board and port in the Tools tab. Board selection depends on which board you are using. 

4) Write and Upload Code: By using Arduino IDE you can write and compile C/C++ code and operate sensors and actuators like motors by uploading them to a board. You can find codes and tutorials on the Arduino website and other websites also. Once you have written the code click on compile button if your code has any error it will show in the terminal and Done Compiling will show. Then click on the Upload button to upload to the board. 

5) Interact with the Project: After successfully uploading the code board will start executing activities as per code written. You can use LEDs, sensors, motors, and other components to create a wide range of projects, such as blinking LEDs, reading sensor data, controlling motors, and more.

6) Explore Advanced Features: Arduino boards have a wide range of features like interrupts, timers, serial communication, and protocols which are used to expand the capabilities of your project. You can learn these features in Arduino documentation and online resources.

Selection of Arduino Board for Your Project

With the wide range of Arduino Development Boards, it is necessary to select the right board for your application or your project. Here are some of the factors you should keep in your mind while selecting an Arduino board-

1) Project Requirement: First determine the requirements of your project like the number of inputs and outputs needed, processing power, memory, and connectivity options that select your Arduino Board because every board has its own specifications.

2) Familiarity with programming and electronics: If you are new to electronics and programming I would suggest beginner-friendly boards like Arduino UNO and Arduino Nano which have ample documentation and tutorials on the internet. If you are experienced then try Arduino Mega and Arduino Deu which have more processing power and more I/O options.

3) Form Factor: Arduino boards come with different form factors like standard-sized Arduino UNO, the Compact Arduino Nano, and Larger Arduino Mega. Choose according to project size and space constraints.

4) Connectivity Options: Different Arduino boards offer different connectivity options like USB, Wifi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and more. Consider connectivity options that suit your project and go for the board which has this feature.

5) Budget: Arduino Boards offer different price options according to the features, you can select according to your project requirements. For example, Arduino UNO is affordable for beginners and for some beginner-level projects. Note that original Arduino Products are Expensive but Chinese Arduino Boards are cheaper than original ones with the same features. Depends on your budget which you can afford.

Arduino Development Boards 

Arduino offers a wide range of development boards that caters to different levels of expertise and project requirements. From beginner-friendly boards to Advanced boards with powerful features and even specialized IoT(Internet of Things) boards, there is an Arduino board for every need of you. Let's take a closer look at a wide range of the most popular Arduino development boards.

1) Arduino Uno: Beginner-Friendly and Versatile

     The Arduino UNO board is the most popular and beginner friendly known for its versatility and simplicity. This board comes with an ATmega328P microcontroller. The UNO is ideal and suitable for beginners because it offers a straightforward platform to learn programming and electronics.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega328P

Digital I/O Pins: 14                                                        

Analog Inputs: 6

Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Operating Voltage: 5V

Programming Interface: USB

Features: 

• The easy-to-use interface of the board for beginners.
• Large community with lots of example projects and documentation.
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, shields, actuators, and modules.

Use Cases: 

• Learning and experimenting with Arduino.
• Prototyping and building simple and less complex projects.
• Educational projects for school and workshops.

2) Arduino Nano: Compact and Portable

The Arduino Nano is a compact and portable Arduino board having similar features to Arduino UNO but is small in size. It also comes with an ATmega328P microcontroller. Arduino Nano is perfect for projects with limited space and prototypes that have smaller footprints.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega328P

Digital I/O Pins: 22

Analog Inputs: 8

Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Operating Voltage: 5V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Compact and portable design
• Wide range of I/O pins for various project requirements
• USB interface for easy programming and communication
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, shields, and modules

Use Cases:

• Compact projects with limited space constraints
• Wearable electronics
• Embedded systems projects

3) Arduino Mega: Advanced and Powerful

The Arduino Mega is an advance and powerful Arduino board which offers more I/O and higher processing power as compared to UNO and Nano. It comes with an Atmegs2560 microcontroller. The Mega is suitable for projects which require a large number of I/O or more processing power.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega2560

Digital I/O Pins: 54

Analog Inputs: 16

Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Operating Voltage: 5V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• More I/O pins and higher processing power than Arduino Uno
• Suitable for complex projects with multiple components and sensors
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, shields, and modules
• Large community support with ample documentation and tutorials

Use Cases:

• Robotics projects
• Home automation systems
• Complex automation projects

4) Arduino Due: High-Performance and Advanced

The Arduino Deu is a high-performance and advanced Arduino board in a family that offers more processing power and memory than any other Arduino board. It features an ARM Cortex-M3 SAM3X8E microcontroller. The Due is suitable for projects that require high-speed data processing, advanced control algorithms, and real-time applications.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ARM Cortex-M3 SAM3X8E

Digital I/O Pins: 54

Analog Inputs: 12

Clock Speed: 84 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• High-performance microcontroller for advanced projects
• Large memory and high processing power for data-intensive applications
• Advanced control algorithms and real-time capabilities
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, shields, and modules

Use Cases:

• Robotics projects
• Advanced automation systems
• Data-intensive applications

5) Arduino Nano 33 IoT: IoT-Enabled and Wireless

The Arduino Nano 33 IoT is specially designed for IoT applications or projects. It comes with an ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller. It has inbuilt WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. The Nano 33 IoT is the perfect choice for projects which need wireless communication and IoT connectivity.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ARM Cortex-M0+

Digital I/O Pins: 14

Analog Inputs: 8

Clock Speed: 48 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for IoT applications
• Compact and portable design
• Compatible with a wide range of IoT platforms and services
• Suitable for wireless sensor networks, remote monitoring, and IoT projects

Use Cases:

• IoT projects with wireless connectivity
• Remote monitoring and control systems
• Wireless sensor networks

6) Arduino MKR1000: IoT-Enabled and Low Power

The Arduino MKR1000 is another IoT(Internet of Things) development board of the Arduino family which comes with an ATSAMWW25 microcontroller. This board focuses on Low power consumption and wireless connectivity. We can use this board where power consumption is a major problem.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATSAMW25

Digital I/O Pins: 14

Analog Inputs: 7

Clock Speed: 48 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Low power consumption for battery-powered projects
• Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for IoT applications
• Compatible with a wide range of IoT platforms and services
• Suitable for remote monitoring, data logging, and energy-efficient projects

Use Cases:

• IoT projects with low power requirements
• Remote monitoring and control systems
• Energy-efficient projects

7) Arduino Pro Mini: Compact and Versatile

The Arduino pro mini is a compact and versatile development board by Arduino. This board is used in projects that have a compact form factor.

 

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega328P

Digital I/O Pins: 14

Analog Inputs: 8

Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V or 5V

Programming Interface: FTDI or ICSP

Features:

• Compact size for space-constrained projects
• Wide voltage range options (3.3V or 5V)
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Suitable for wearable devices, remote control systems, and embedded systems

Use Cases:

• Wearable devices
• Remote control systems
• Embedded systems

8) Arduino Lilypad: Designed for Wearables and Textile Projects

The Arduino Lilypad is a unique and beautiful Arduino board designed for wearables and textile projects. It has an ATmega328P microcontroller and a sewable design with conductive pads. This is a perfect option for projects on smart clothing, e-textiles, and wearables.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega328P

Digital I/O Pins: 14

Analog Inputs: 6

Clock Speed: 8 MHz

Operating Voltage: 2.7V to 5.5V

Programming Interface: FTDI or ICSP

Features:

• A Sewable design with conductive pads for easy integration with fabrics and textiles
• The Small and lightweight form factor for wearable projects
• Low power consumption for battery-powered applications
• Suitable for smart clothing, e-textiles, and wearable accessories

Use Cases:

• Smart clothing
• E-textiles
• Wearable accessories

9) Arduino Micro: Compact and USB Native

The Arduino micro is a compact microcontroller board that comes with an ATmega32U4 microcontroller.  The Micro is unique because it can be used as a USB device like a keyboard or mouse. It is used in such projects which require USB connectivity and human interface devices(HID).

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega32U4

Digital I/O Pins: 20

Analog Inputs: 12

Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Operating Voltage: 5V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Built-in USB interface for easy connectivity and use as a USB device
• Compact size for space-constrained projects
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Suitable for projects that require USB connectivity and HID functionality

Use Cases:

• USB devices (such as keyboards, mice, and game controllers)
• Human interface devices (HID)
• Embedded systems with USB connectivity

10) Arduino Leonardo: USB Native and Keyboard/Mouse Emulation

The Arduino Leonardo has the same features as the Arduino Micro but the difference is in size only.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega32U4

Digital I/O Pins: 20

Analog Inputs: 12

Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Operating Voltage: 5V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Built-in USB interface for easy connectivity and use as a USB device
• Ability to emulate a keyboard or a mouse for keyboard/mouse emulation projects
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Suitable for projects that require keyboard/mouse emulation, multimedia controllers, game controllers, and automation systems.

Use Cases:

• Multimedia controllers
• Game controllers
• Automation systems
• Keyboard/mouse emulation projects

11) Arduino Nano Every: Powerful and Compact

The Arduino Nano Every is a powerful and compact Arduino board that features an Atmega4809 microcontroller. It an advanced and powerful version of Arduino Nano.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega4809

Digital I/O Pins: 20

Analog Inputs: 12

Clock Speed: 20 MHz

Operating Voltage: 5V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Compact size for space-constrained projects
• Powerful ATmega4809 microcontroller for advanced applications
• Built-in USB interface for easy connectivity and programming
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Suitable for robotics, automation, and embedded systems.

Use Cases:

• Robotics
• Automation systems
• Embedded systems
• DIY projects

12) Arduino MKR Zero: Feature-Rich and Low Power

The Arduino MKR Zero is a feature-rich and low-power Arduino Board that comes with an ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller. It is designed for projects which require advanced processing power but low power consumption.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ARM Cortex-M0+

Digital I/O Pins: 22

Analog Inputs: 7

Clock Speed: 48 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Powerful ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller for advanced processing capabilities
• Low power consumption for battery-powered applications
• Built-in USB interface for easy connectivity and programming
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Suitable for IoT applications, data loggers, wearable devices, and advanced projects.

Use Cases:

• IoT applications
• Data loggers
• Wearable devices
• Advanced projects

Also Read : The Basics of Electronics: Understanding Analog and Digital Circuits and AC vs. DC Currents

13) Arduino UNO WiFi Rev2: Connectivity and IoT Ready

The Arduino UNO Wifi Rev2 is the extended version of traditional Arduino UNO which has a more powerful Atmega4809 microcontroller and built-in WiFi connectivity. The features of the UNO WiFi Rev2 make it suitable for projects that require wireless connectivity and IoT integration.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ATmega4809

Digital I/O Pins: 14

Analog Inputs: 6

Clock Speed: 16 MHz

Operating Voltage: 5V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Built-in WiFi connectivity for wireless communication
• ATmega4809 microcontroller for advanced processing capabilities
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Built-in USB interface for easy connectivity and programming
• Suitable for projects that require wireless connectivity and IoT integration.

Use Cases:

• Home automation systems
• Remote monitoring systems
• Smart devices
• IoT applications

14) Arduino Zero: Advanced and Flexible

The Arduino Zero is an advanced and flexible Arduino board that comes with an ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller. The design of this board is similar to Arduino UNO. It is designed for projects that require advanced processing capabilities, and flexible I/O options.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ARM Cortex-M0+

Digital I/O Pins: 14

Analog Inputs: 6

Clock Speed: 48 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Powerful ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller for advanced processing capabilities
• Flexible I/O options with 14 digital I/O pins and 6 analog inputs
• Built-in USB interface for easy connectivity and programming
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Suitable for IoT applications, data loggers, wearable devices, and advanced projects.

Use Cases:

• IoT applications
• Data loggers
• Wearable devices
• Advanced projects

15)  Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect: Powerful and Connected

The Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect is a powerful board that features a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller which has inbuilt WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.  It is designed for projects that require high-performance processing, wireless connectivity, and IoT integration.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: Raspberry Pi RP2040

Digital I/O Pins: 24

Analog Inputs: 8

Clock Speed: 133 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Powerful Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller for high-performance processing
• Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless communication
• 24 digital I/O pins and 8 analog inputs for versatile project options
• USB interface for easy connectivity and programming
• Compatible with a wide range of sensors, modules, and shields
• Suitable for projects that require high-performance processing, wireless connectivity, and IoT integration.

Use Cases:

• Smart devices
• Remote monitoring systems
• Automation systems
• IoT applications

16) Arduino Portenta H7: The Fastest Arduino Board

The Arduino Portenta H7 is the fastest Arduino board which has the most powerful and latest ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller and ARM Cortex-M4 coprocessor which enhances its processing capabilities to the extreme level. As its features are very advanced so it is also the most costly Arduino board in the whole family.

Specifications:

Microcontroller: ARM Cortex-M7

Digital I/O Pins: Varies depending on configuration

Analog Inputs: Varies depending on the configuration

Clock Speed: 600 MHz

Operating Voltage: 3.3V

Programming Interface: USB

Features:

• Powerful ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller with 600 MHz clock speed
• ARM Cortex-M4 coprocessor for advanced processing capabilities
• Wide range of I/O pins for versatile project options
• Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless communication
• Support for high-resolution displays

Use Cases:

• High-performance projects
• Industrial automation
• Robotics
• Advanced IoT applications

Conclusion

Arduino boards are the most popular microcontroller boards which are used in a wide range of projects and applications. From beginner-friendly boards like Arduino UNO, Nano, and Micro to the most powerful Arduino Due, Zero, and Portenta H7 we discussed each and every board. But there are many more Arduino boards that are available in the market and are designed by other manufacturers. We will study them in the next blog post. 

Whether you are a beginner in electronics and programming or you are an advanced user who needs powerful processing capability or an IoT enthusiast who needs wireless connectivity there is an Arduino board to fulfill your need. With Arduino's extensive community support and huge libraries and examples, Arduino Boards continue to be a popular choice for makers, hobbyists, students, and professionals