By making Arduino an open-source platform, the Institute made the technology freely available to anyone, which led to a vast array of starter kits. Today, everyone from young children to seasoned professional techies use them to build everything from simple devices that turn on the lights to robots controlled remotely via WiFi. Arduino kits are great for teaching students about science, technology, engineering, and math. Given their popularity, there are a lot of kits available. We look at some of the best and break down what you’ll find and how to choose one suited to your project and learning goals.
Best overall: Official Arduino Starter KitBest value: Elegoo UNO Project Basic Starter KitBest robot kit: ArcBotics Sparki Robot KitBest beyond the basics: Sunfounder Mega2560 R3 Project KitBest WiFi set: GAR Monster Starter Kit for Arduino
How we chose the products
Methodology
Arduino kits have many similarities, so making our selection was not easy. Often with our reviews there are several key components to highlight, but Arduino starter kits have dozens, if not hundreds, of elements. In this case, it’s not a very practical approach. What we’ve done instead is ensure that a kit includes key elements, then focus on how each kit satisfies the needs of a particular learner. Does it suit a complete beginner? An intermediate user? Does it meet the criteria for STEM learning? By doing that, we believe we’ve provided a broad selection that offers something for just about everyone. We also considered value, of course, and most Arduino starter kits are very affordable. That said, we included a premium option for those enthusiastic makers who want to develop multiple projects without having to shop for more components. Not surprisingly, larger kits also tend to offer greater versatility.
The Best Arduino Starter Kit: Reviews & Recommendations
Best overall: Official Arduino Starter Kit
Why it made the cut: This kit, from the company that invented the Arduino system, teaches makers of all ages how software and hardware interact to produce real-world results. Specs:
Board: UNO R3Number of Components: Over 100Projects included: 15
Pros
High-quality components170-page project book is easy to understandMany additional free resources available online
Cons
Premium priceSoftware must be downloaded
Picking the best Arduino starter kit is no easy task given the huge variety. That said, nobody has more expertise teaching beginners than the Arduino organization, and its official starter kit provides a wide-ranging yet easy-to-understand introduction to coding and electronics. The Official Arduino Starter Kit is ideal for STEM learning, or for adult hobbyists or professionals interested in these areas. It features the latest UNO R3 microcontroller board, and more than 100 components. The array of switches, sensors, actuators, motors and displays offers terrific versatility. The kit includes an excellent project guide book. The Arduino software (called IIntegrated Development Environment, or IDE) isn’t supplied, but is available as a free download. Buyers pay a premium for the name, but the official Arduino starter kit is backed by an array of online resources that allow makers to expand their learning and undertake projects far beyond the 15 provided within this excellent kit.
Best value: Elegoo UNO Project Basic Starter Kit
Why it made the cut: Elegoo makes a number of highly-rated Arduino starter kits. This one may be the most affordable one you’ll find, but it offers all the basics needed to get started. Specs:
Board: UNO R3Number of Components: Over 100, though many are duplicatesProjects included: Eight
Pros
Remarkably low costGood quality componentsIDE included on CD
Cons
Breadboard (a plastic board used to prototype projects) is smaller than some expectLimited project scope
The Elegoo UNO Basic Starter Kit is designed for those who want to try Arduino without spending much money. It includes the UNO R3 microcontroller, a reasonable assortment of components, and a CD that contains a PDF tutorial and the IDE software. The tutorials focus on introducing the concepts of using code to drive electronic devices. It is a valuable introduction for beginners. The tutorials are very informative, and produce real world-results like illuminating an LED, activating a buzzer, and other fun projects). That said, keen learners will soon seek more demanding challenges, and although they’ll find other projects online, the variety of components included in this kit may limit their ability to pursue them. The kit offers a couple hundred components, but many of them are duplicates. For example, it includes five red LEDs, five green LEDs, etc. Although it includes 130 resistors, they are limited to 10 types. Every component has its use in basic projects, but this kit does not offer the versatility that might appear at first glance.
Best robot kit: ArcBotics Sparki Robot Kit
Why it made the cut: There is undeniable excitement that comes with building a vehicle that responds to commands and performs actions. The ArcBotics Sparki combines immense educational value with great fun. Specs:
Board: Arduino-compatible (see description)Number of Components: Over 40Projects included: 100
Pros
Hugely engaging and educationalEnormous range of lessonsRobot is pre-assembled
Cons
Relatively expensiveSome might prefer to build the robot
Most Arduino-based robots don’t come in an Arduino starter kit with a variety of electronic components—they usually arrive with the board pre-installed. Mechanical components like body and wheels (or legs in some cases) may require assembly or they may, like the ArcBotics Sparki, come pre-built. Although this bot comes fully assembled, an assortment of 40 sensors and other modules provide a huge variety of experimental options. The primary focus here is on coding and the results it can achieve. Users can teach the robot tasks like following a path, avoiding obstacles, grabbing objects, and writing or drawing. They can also control the robot remotely via Bluetooth. Professional educators have developed more than 100 ‘lessons,’ a number that the company continues to expand. The ArcBotics Sparki doesn’t use an Arduino board, but it is compatible with Arduino code. An included visual drag-and-drop programming environment adds to the learning options (though it’s not helpful if you’re specifically looking to learn coding).
Best beyond the basics: Sunfounder Mega2560 R3 Project Kit
Why it made the cut: Budget Arduino starter kits are great for introducing beginners to coding and electronics, but eager learners soon want more. The SunFounder kit provides the logical ‘next step’ and great value for money. Specs:
Board: MEGA2560 R3Number of Components: 291Projects included: 40
Pros
MEGA2560 board offers increased versatilityOnline tutorials extend capabilitiesConvenient storage case
Cons
Not ideal for beginners
Inexpensive entry-level Arduino kits provide a great way to start learning about coding and electronics. But their versatility is somewhat limited, and those eager to continue learning may soon want more. Fortunately, they don’t need to spend a great deal of money to extend their skill set. This SunFounder kit offers an extensive collection of components and is great value. The kit is based on the MEGA2560 board, which is larger than the UNO and provides a wider range of connectivity options. That allows users to employ more complicated wiring. Used in conjunction with items like an ultrasonic ranging module, joystick and tilt switch, makers can build more complex mechanisms. Although the kit includes 40 projects, many more can be developed using online resources. Users must download the IDE separately. While SunFounder provides some code, it, like instructions, is not as comprehensive as it might be. It’s less detailed than some competitors’, meaning learners may have to find solutions elsewhere or use other online resources to maximize the kit’s potential. While these challenges are not difficult to overcome, we would not recommend this kit for beginners.
Best WiFi set: GAR Monster Starter Kit for Arduino
Why it made the cut: It’s expensive, but the GAR Monster starter kit can help beginners build and control complex wireless systems. Specs:
Board: MEGA2560, UNO R3, NANO, ESP32 WiFi & BluetoothNumber of Components: Over 500Projects included: None (see description)
Pros
One of the largest component collections availableIncludes three different microcontroller boardsWireless capabilities
Cons
ExpensiveMay be overwhelming for beginners
Goliath Automation and Robotics (GAR) claims its Monster starter kit for Arduino is second only to its $500 Colossus kit as the largest kit available. While the Monster starter kit is not cheap, it is impressively comprehensive. Although it will definitely appeal to more advanced users, it includes basics like the UNO R3 board that make it suitable for beginners. As a maker’s skills and knowledge increase, the MEGA2560 board allows them to pursue more complex projects, and the NANO and ESP32 platforms make it possible to develop wireless systems. The GAR Monster starter kit also is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and Raspberry Pi. The instructions are fairly basic, and the main repository for projects is online. GAR offers an expanding library, but that’s really just the start. Given the number and variety of components provided, those wishing to extend their knowledge will find literally hundreds of suitable projects on the internet.
Things to Consider Before Buying an Arduino Starter Kit
Arduino is an open-source hardware and software platform, which means anyone can copy the designs to produce an Arduino starter kit. As a result, many are essentially clones of the original and are largely similar. That said, the quality and content of each kit can vary considerably. Here’s what to look for.
Boards
The core of every Arduino starter kit is a board that contains a microcontroller. This can interpret a signal (input) and perform an action (output) based on instructions supplied by the user. For example, pressing a button might turn on a light or move an object. Arduino UNO, MEGA2560 and NANO are the most common boards, but many others are available. Each has its own specification, which will become of greater importance as a maker’s knowledge increases. Size may be a consideration if the goal is to build the board into, say, a robot or other confined space. UNO is the most basic and usually recommended for beginners. One of MEGA’s key features is the ability to accept more connections if the project’s wiring is complicated.
Projects/Tutorials
Most Arduino starter kits come with a number of projects or tutorials. These may be contained within a booklet or a DVD containing a PDF. Quantity varies from a single tutorial to the 40 projects included in our best value suggestion. The creative possibilities of a particular kit usually exceed what is covered by the tutorials, however. Manufacturer’s websites, and those run by Arduino enthusiasts, provide almost limitless expansion and variation. Video tutorials are common. Note however that if they are not specific to a particular kit, buying additional components may be necessary.
Components
There are literally thousands of Arduino components and modules available. It’s certainly an area worth exploring. For beginners it is undoubtedly easiest to buy a starter kit and follow the tutorials provided. A ‘breadboard’ is a key component, allowing circuits to be built without soldering. While many Arduino components are available individually, there is a compelling argument for buying additional starter kits, even for those people who have gained some experience. This is especially true if a maker has a particular project or range of projects in mind. Larger starter kits frequently contain parts for related projects, and buying one can often be easier than compiling an extensive shopping list. They are convenient, and may offer better value. Compatibility issues aren’t common—all components should follow the Arduino standard—but buying from the same manufacturer ensures everything works together.
Final Thoughts
We can’t think of a better place to start the Arduino adventure than with the official Arduino starter kit. It provides a number of excellent examples of how software and electronics have real-world impact. However, it does come at a premium price. The Elegoo Uno is an Arduino starter kit for those who want to test the waters at minimal cost. Nevertheless it has sufficient content to prove absorbing, and deliver satisfying results.
