Top 5 Arduino boards of 2024

Arduino, a platform that has revolutionized the world of electronics and DIY projects, continues to evolve and expand its capabilities. With a vast array of boards available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In this blog post, ThinkRobotics presents the top 5 Arduino boards of 2024, considering factors like versatility, performance, cost-effectiveness, and specific use cases.

1. Arduino Micro

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The Micro is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega32U4 (datasheet), developed in conjunction with Adafruit. It has 20 digital input/output pins (of which 7 can be used as PWM outputs and 12 as analog inputs), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a micro USB connection, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a micro USB cable to get started. It has a form factor that enables it to be easily placed on a breadboard.

The Micro board is similar to the Arduino Leonardo in that the ATmega32U4 has built-in USB communication, eliminating the need for a secondary processor. This allows the Micro to appear to a connected computer as a mouse and keyboard, in addition to a virtual (CDC) serial / COM port. It also has other implications for the behavior of the board; these are detailed on the Getting started with the Arduino Micro.

2. Arduino Leonardo without Headers

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The Arduino Leonardo is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega32u4 (datasheet). It has 20 digital input/output pins (of which 7 can be used as PWM outputs and 12 as analog inputs), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a micro USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.

The Leonardo differs from all preceding boards in that the ATmega32u4 has built-in USB communication, eliminating the need for a secondary processor. This allows the Leonardo to appear to a connected computer as a mouse and keyboard, in addition to a virtual (CDC) serial / COM port. It also has other implications for the behavior of the board; these are detailed on the Getting started with the Arduino Leonardo.

3. Arduino Portenta H7 Lite

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The Portenta H7 Lite is a cost-effective solution, designed for complex environments where radio communication is not suitable or possible. It is perfect for developers who want to leverage the computational power of the Portenta H7, without the need for video output or advanced security features. 

The Portenta H7 Lite simultaneously runs high-level code and real-time tasks thanks to its two processors. For example, it can execute Arduino-compiled and MicroPython code at the same time, and have the two cores communicate with one another.

Key benefits include:

Dual Core - Two best-in-class processors in one, running parallel tasks

AI on the edge - So powerful it can run AI state machines

Customization - The board is highly customizable in volumes

High-level programming language support (Micropython)

4. Arduino Nano Every with headers (ABX00033)

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The Arduino Nano is the preferred board for many projects requiring a small and easy to use microcontroller board. The small footprint and low price, make the Nano Every particularly suited for wearable inventions, low-cost robotics, electronic musical instruments, and general use to control smaller parts of a larger projects.

The Arduino Nano Every is an evolution of the traditional Arduino Nano board but features a lot more powerful processor, the ATMega4809. This will allow you to make larger programs than with the Arduino Uno (it has 50% more program memory), and with a lot more variables (the RAM is 200% bigger).

5. Arduino Portenta H7 Lite Connected

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The Portenta H7 Lite Connected is designed to provide the computational power of the Portenta H7 for AI applications and low-latency control solutions, with a module that is made more cost-effective by removing the high-resolution video interface feature.

It fills the gap between the full H7 and the H7 Lite versions by integrating wireless connectivity, adding yet another option for Arduino Pro clients to build the perfect solution with the right combination of performance and simplicity.

The Portenta H7 Lite Connected simultaneously runs high-level code and real-time tasks thanks to its two processors. For example, it can execute Arduino-compiled and MicroPython code at the same time, and have the two cores communicate via a Remote Procedure Call mechanism that allows calling functions on the other processor seamlessly for real multitasking. Your machine learning algorithms can now run simultaneously alongside low latency sensor/actuator interaction.

Key benefits include-

• Dual Core - Two best-in-class processors in one, running parallel tasks
• AI on the edge - So powerful it can run AI state machines
• Onboard wireless module - Simultaneously manage WiFi and Bluetooth® connectivity
• High-level programming language support (Micropython)
• Security - Onboard secure element for certificates storage and management

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Arduino ecosystem continues to grow, offering a diverse range of boards to suit various projects and applications. The top 5 Arduino boards highlighted in this article, the Arduino Micro, Arduino Leonardo, Arduino Portenta H7 Lite, Arduino Nano Every, and Arduino Portenta H7 Lite Connected, each provide unique strengths and capabilities. Whether you're building a simple IoT device, a complex robotic system, or an AI-powered application, there's an Arduino board that can empower your creativity.