# Adafruit Arduino Selection Guide
## Selecting an Arduino
**_So many Arduinos, so little time..._**
There are many different Arduino and Arduino Compatible microcontroller boards. Which one is right for your needs? This guide will help you to select a board that best fits your project requirements and/or level of expertise. Whether you are just learning the ropes or have specific project requirements in mind, the Adafruit Arduino Selection Guide can help you to make the right choice.
## Your first Arduino?
If you are new to Arduinos, the "Getting Started" page will help you select the right board and get you set up with the accessories you need to get going with your new Arduino.
## Looking for an upgrade?
If you are looking to step up to an Arduino with more memory, pins or horsepower, head straight to the "Bigger and Better Projects" page.
## Wrapping it up!
So you have tested and debugged your project on the breadboard and are wondering how to package it nicely. Maybe even make it portable or wearable. In that case, head over to the "Big Ideas in Small Packages" page.
## By the numbers
If you know exactly what you need and just want to know which boards have it, check out our handy Arduino Comparison Chart.
No Arduinos were harmed in the making of this guide.
# Adafruit Arduino Selection Guide
## Getting Started
If you are just getting started with the Arduino, congratulations and welcome to the world of microcontrollers and electronics!
For most people getting started with the Arduino, the Arduino UNO is an excellent choice for a number of reasons:
The UNO is the **best documented** and **best supported** of the Arduinos - if not the best documented and best supported microcontroller development board _in the world_. Seriously! There are hundreds of books, forums and blogs full of helpful Arduino information and project ideas. Almost all of this information is specifically about or applicable to the UNO.
At Adafruit alone, in addition to our helpful **support forums** , we have dozens of **tutorials**. These include the outstanding [Arduino Lesson](http://learn.adafruit.com/search?q=simon+monk) series by [Dr. Simon Monk](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1019). As well as [product tutorials](http://learn.adafruit.com/category/learn-arduino "Link: http://learn.adafruit.com/category/learn-arduino") for almost all of our Arduino compatible products.
The UNO is also the **most compatible** of all the Arduinos. Almost all existing Arduino **libraries** and **shields** are compatible with the UNO. And the UNO will run just about all of the code that has been written for earlier versions of the Arduino such as the Duemilanove and Diecimila. When you start to branch out into more ambitious projects and interface to more different devices, compatibility is an important consideration.
## For Real Beginners:
If you are new to both electronics and programming, you should consider one of our starter kits. These kits all include an Arduino Uno and a selection of accessories and electronic components to get you going.
The Adafruit [Budget Starter Pack](http://www.adafruit.com/products/193 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/193") contains the processor, USB cable, a breadboard and some basic components.
The full Adafruit [Starter Pack](http://www.adafruit.com/products/68) adds a power supply and a proto-shield kit so you can make your circuits permanent after you debug them on the breadboard.
The [Arduino Starter Kit](http://www.adafruit.com/products/1078) comes direct from the Arduino team and includes supplies to build some fun and interesting projects. The starter kit has been developed together with a series of [ten video tutorials hosted by Arduino co-founder Massimo Banzi](http://www.youtube.com/rswwwchannel "Link: http://www.youtube.com/rswwwchannel"). [Read more about the kit on Arduino.cc](http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoStarterKit "Link: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoStarterKit")
## For Programmers:
If you have some programming experience and want to get your feet wet with electronics, any of the Adafruit starter kits mentioned above will give you a good selection of parts to start with.
## For the Electronics Tinkerer:
So you know your electronics and want to try your had at programming? You probably have a good selection of common components already, so a bare [Uno](http://www.adafruit.com/products/50)might be a good place to start. You may also want to pick up a [power supply](http://www.adafruit.com/products/63 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/63") and a[USB cable](http://www.adafruit.com/products/62 "Link: http://www.adafruit.com/products/62").
You are no doubt already handy with a soldering iron, so you may also want to consider building yourself an Arduino Compatible [Menta](https://www.adafruit.com/products/795). For this you will need an [FTDI Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/products/70) instead of the standard USB cable.
## For Everyone:
Congratulations on getting started and don't forget to reward your new skills with an [Arduino Badge!](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1300)
# Adafruit Arduino Selection Guide
## Bigger and Better Projects
## Time for an Upgrade?
So your project has outgrown the Uno and you need something more. There are many options for expansion: There are many Arduino boards with more pins, more memory, more connectivity and/or more computing power compared to the Uno.
But first keep in mind that moving to a processor with more capabilities than the Uno's Atmega 328P comes with some trade-offs in compatibility. Although many of these boards have headers that are laid out to accept standard Arduino shields, the pinouts of all these boards are somewhat different.
SPI, i2c, PWM and Pin change interrupts are on different pins from a standard Arduino. In addition to all that, the Due runs at 3.3v, and many libraries have not yet been ported to support the Due's ARM processor.
So use this guide to help you select a board that will take your project to the next level. But be aware that it may not be 100% "Plug & Play" with all the shields. See our [Shield Compatibility Guide](http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-shield-compatibility) for more details.
## More Pins!
Stepping up to an [Arduino Mega](https://www.adafruit.com/products/191) gives you **40 extra digital pins** and **10 more analog input pins**.
The [Arduino Mega ADK](https://www.adafruit.com/products/563) also adds a USB port designed for integrating with Android devices.
The [Arduino Due](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1076 "Link: https://www.adafruit.com/products/1076") gives you **40 extra digital pins** , **6 extra analog input pins** and **2 analog output pins**.
## More Connectivity!
The [Arduino Ethernet](https://www.adafruit.com/products/418) is the simplest way to make your project part of the **Internet of Thing** s. As a bonus, it comes with a built-in SD card.
The Megas and the Due mentioned above all have **4 hardware serial ports** for efficient communication with serial devices.
The Due, [Leonardo](https://www.adafruit.com/products/849 "Link: https://www.adafruit.com/products/849"), [Micro](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1086)and [Flora](https://www.adafruit.com/products/659) all have **native USB** capabilities, so they can emulate keyboards, mice etc.
The Due also supports the **CAN bus** - popular for automotive applications.
## More Memory!
Having trouble fitting your code into Flash? Is you sketch crashing from lack of SRAM?
Either of the Megas will give you **8X the Flash** and **4X the SRAM**.
A Due has **16X the Flash** and **48X the SRAM** compared to an Arduino Uno!
## More Speed!
Almost all the Arduinos are based on **8-bit** microcontrollers running at **16MHz**. The Megas have more pins and memory, but they won't make your code run any faster.
The **Arduino Due** is based on a **32-bit** ARM processor running at **84MHz**. The Due is the clear winner in the speed department.
# Adafruit Arduino Selection Guide
## Big Ideas in Small Packages
Warning: Note that this guide is not being updated with new products as of March 2024.
So you want to make your project a bit less bulky or need to fit it into a confined space - maybe even make it wearable. There are many great options for embeddable or wearable Arduino projects.
## Keep it Small!
The [DC Boardino](https://www.adafruit.com/products/72) and [USB Boarduino](https://www.adafruit.com/products/91) are the most Uno Compatible options. They are about 1/3 the size of an Uno but use the same Atmega 328P processor. Your Uno sketches should run without change. The Boarduinos can be built without sockets or headers for a lower profile. The DC version can be made even more compact by eliminating the voltage regulator section of the board if you already have a regulated 5v supply.
The [Flora](https://www.adafruit.com/products/659)is both small and thin! It uses the same processor as the Leonardo, but takes up less than half the area.
The smallest of all is the [Micro](https://www.adafruit.com/products/1086). This is about 2/3 the size of the Boarduino and also uses the 32U4. Your Leonardo projects should easily port to the Flora or Micro.
## Not Too Tall!
A standard Arduino with headers is pretty chunky, and plugging things into the headers only makes it bulkier.
The Leonardo is available in a [headerless version](https://www.adafruit.com/products/883). and the [Flora](https://www.adafruit.com/products/659) has no headers either.
Both the [DC Boarduino](https://www.adafruit.com/products/72) and the [USB Boarduino](https://www.adafruit.com/products/91) can be built without sockets or headers to make a thinner package.
## Integrate!
Sure you can switch to a tinier processor, but what do you do with the rest of the electronics? Short of a custom circuit board, there is the [Adafruit Menta](https://www.adafruit.com/products/795 "Link: https://www.adafruit.com/products/795") with its built-in prototyping area.
The Menta is sized to slip into a **mint-tin** for a simple and attractive package. But they are also great for any embedded project that needs some custom circuitry.
The Menta uses an Atmega 328, so it is **compatible with the Uno** , and it has standard Arduino headers for **excellent shield compatibility!**
## Wear it with Pride!
While many of these compact processors could be worked into a project you could wear. The [Flora](https://www.adafruit.com/products/659) is specifically designed for wearable projects.
In addition to the **thin profile** and **sewable connections** , these processors are designed with rounded shapes that are **fabric friendly** with no protruding pins or sharp edges to snag on fabrics.
With their attractive appearance and [selection of similarly styled Flora peripherals](https://www.adafruit.com/category/92 "Link: https://www.adafruit.com/category/92"), these are the boards to go to when you want to wear your microprocessor on your sleeve.
The Flora is based on the Atmega 32U4 processor, so it is largely **Leonardo Compatible**.
# Adafruit Arduino Selection Guide
## Arduino Comparison Chart
The following table compares the basic features of the various Arduinos and Arduino Compatibles mentioned in this guide. (click for a larger view).
For shield compatibility, be sure to check our [Shield Compatibility Guide](http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-shield-compatibility).
_\*On the 32U4 processors there is some overlap between the Analog Input and Digital I/O pins, so the total number of I/O pins will be less than the sum of the two._
## Featured Products
### Adafruit METRO 328 Fully Assembled - Arduino IDE compatible
[Adafruit METRO 328 Fully Assembled - Arduino IDE compatible](https://www.adafruit.com/product/50)
We sure love the ATmega328 here at Adafruit, and we use them _a lot_ for our own projects. The processor has plenty of GPIO, Analog inputs, hardware UART SPI and I2C, timers and PWM galore - just enough for most simple projects. When we need to go small, we use a
Out of Stock
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### Arduino Uno Ethernet
[Arduino Uno Ethernet](https://www.adafruit.com/product/418)
**As of 9/20/2012 Adafruit is currently shipping R3 of the Arduino Uno Ethernet**
Deep in the Swiss Alps, the top secret Arduino Super-collider has accelerated both an [Arduino UNO](https://www.adafruit.com/products/50) and
No Longer Stocked
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### Arduino Mega 2560 R3 (Atmega2560 - assembled)
[Arduino Mega 2560 R3 (Atmega2560 - assembled)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/191)
[Discontinued - **you can grab ** Adafruit Grand Central M4 Express featuring the SAMD51 **instead! **](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4064)
The **Arduino Mega 2560** is a microcontroller board based on the
No Longer Stocked
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/191/guides)
### Arduino Mega R3 Android Accessory Development Kit (ADK) Board
[Arduino Mega R3 Android Accessory Development Kit (ADK) Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/563)
Fast track your Android phone hardware development or just design cell-phone robots with the Arduino ADK! The Arduino ADK is a microcontroller board based on the powerful ATmega2560 ([datasheet](http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_documents/doc2549.PDF)). It has a USB host...
No Longer Stocked
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### Arduino Micro with Headers - 5V 16MHz - (ATmega32u4 - assembled)
[Arduino Micro with Headers - 5V 16MHz - (ATmega32u4 - assembled)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1086)
_Squee_! It's the cutest, tiniest little Arduino yet! The Arduino Micro packs all of the power of the Arduino Leonardo in a 1.9" x 0.7" (48mm x 18mm) size. Although it may look like a stick of gum, its actually a USB-native 8-bit microcontroller, with 32K of flash, and...
No Longer Stocked
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### FLORA - Wearable electronic platform: Arduino-compatible
[FLORA - Wearable electronic platform: Arduino-compatible](https://www.adafruit.com/product/659)
FLORA is Adafruit's fully-featured wearable electronics platform. It's a round, sewable, Arduino-compatible microcontroller designed to empower amazing wearables projects.FLORA comes with Adafruit's support, [tutorials and...](http://learn.adafruit.com/category/flora)
In Stock
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### DC Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit (w/ATmega328)
[DC Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit (w/ATmega328)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/72)
If you've ever struggled to use a solderless breadboard with an Arduino, you understand how frustrating it can be!
This clone acts just like an Arduino, and works with the latest Arduino software. For many projects it can even be preferable! The kit includes all parts necessary, the...
No Longer Stocked
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### USB Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit w/ATmega328
[USB Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit w/ATmega328](https://www.adafruit.com/product/91)
Note: These use genuine FTDI chips, either we purchase them or they are manufactured to our specifications with the requirement of genuine FTDI chips 10/22/14 - [read...](http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2014/10/22/ftdi-drivers-brick-counterfeit-chips-with-latest-windows-update/)
No Longer Stocked
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[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/91/guides)
## Related Guides
- [OLED TRON Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/oled-tron-clock.md)
- [Adafruit Flora Bluefruit LE](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-flora-bluefruit-le.md)
- [Let’s Put LEDs in Things!](https://learn.adafruit.com/lets-put-leds-in-things.md)
- [Arduino Lesson 17. Email Sending Movement Detector](https://learn.adafruit.com/arduino-lesson-17-email-sending-movement-detector.md)
- [Arduino Lesson 8. Analog Inputs](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-8-analog-inputs.md)
- [FLORAbrella](https://learn.adafruit.com/florabrella.md)
- [Adafruit 1.27" and 1.5" Color OLED Breakout Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-1-5-color-oled-breakout-board.md)
- [Memories of an Arduino](https://learn.adafruit.com/memories-of-an-arduino.md)
- [Chameleon Scarf](https://learn.adafruit.com/chameleon-scarf.md)
- [Photocells](https://learn.adafruit.com/photocells.md)
- [Circuit Playground Sound-Controlled Robot](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-sound-controlled-robot.md)
- [Arduino Lesson 13. DC Motors](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-13-dc-motors.md)
- [Smart Cocktail Shaker](https://learn.adafruit.com/smart-cocktail-shaker.md)
- [Haptic Headband](https://learn.adafruit.com/haptic-headband.md)
- [Plush Game Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/plush-game-controller.md)