The Best Arduino Starter Kits

Learning programming and electronics may seem like a highly complicated step, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be such. Arduino, an open-source software and hardware company, specializing in microcontrollers, introduces starter kits for anyone willing to acquire new skills. In case you didn’t know, Arduino was created in 2005 by Italy’s Interaction Design Institute. The company’s hardware is licensed by the Lesser General Public License, which ensures all components are manufactured solely by Arduino, passing all quality and safety checks.

In this guide, we’ve gathered the five best programming starter kits by Arduino. Suitable for students of all ages and focused on different skills, they provide knowledge through theory and hands-on projects. You don’t need to be overwhelmed by the thought of using the kits because they can teach all your beginners. These kits will be of great help when you want to create devices that can be a great addition to your smart home or when you want to make remote-controlled robots. Read on to discover the perfect Arduino bundle that will teach you to utilize new knowledge in custom experiments.

We’re starting this guide with the Official Arduino Starter Kit, which doesn’t require any prior knowledge. The kit was developed to introduce people of all ages to the basics of programming, coding, and electronics.

The lessons include an introduction to sensors and actuators, and they’ll explain the difference between analog and digital signals and teach safety measures. Of course, the tutorials also help to utilize received information, performing custom experiments effectively. The project book contains an introduction to the basics and detailed tutorials on 14 fun projects. For instance, students can learn how to create keyboard musical instruments or a universal master control for all devices.

Some of the most fun experiments include a mystic crystal ball that answers questions and a love-o-meter that is essentially a thermometer. Larger sets with the same functionality are available for groups of over eight students. As this kit doesn’t get too deep into the theoretical, the Arduino Education starter kit may be more suitable for younger kids. Finally, let’s take a look at what the kit contains:

• Arduino Projects Book  
• Arduino Uno E3
• USB cable
• Breadboard (400 pins)
• 70 solid-core jumper wires
• Easy-to-assemble wooden base
• 9V battery snap
• Stranded jumper wires (black and red)
• Six phototransistors
• Six potentiometers (10 10KΩ)
• Ten pushbuttons
• Temperature sensor (TMP36)
• Tilt sensor
• Alphanumeric LCD (16×2 characters)
• LEDs (one bright white, one RGB, eight red, eight green, eight yellow, and three blue)
• Small DC motor (6/9V)
• Small servo motor
• Piezo capsule  
• H-bridge motor driver (L293D)
• Two Optocouplers (4N35)
• Two MOSFET transistors (IRF520)
• Three capacitors  
• Five diodes (1N4007)
• Three transparent gels (red, green, blue)
• 40 male pins 
• 20 Resistors (220 ohms)
• Five resistors (560 ohms)
• Five resistors (1 kiloohm)
• Five resistors (4.7 kiloohms)
• 10 Resistors (10 kiloohms)
• Five resistors (1 megaohm)
• Five resistors (10 megaohms)

Pros

• The ultimate starter kit with all necessary materials
• Fun experiments with detailed guidance
• Good value
• High-quality components

Cons

• Doesn’t come with programming software
• Not the most affordable

Specification

• Price $104.47
• Pin Header 40 Pin
• Resistors (20 x 220O, 5 x 560O, 5 x 1KO, 5 x 4.7O, 10 x 10KO, 5 x 1MO, 5 x 10MO)
• Item Dimensions 6.3 x 9.06 x 1.77 inches

ELEGOO is another reliable source for Arduino starter kits, and among the best options you can get your hands on in 2022 is the Mega 2560 Complete Starter Kit. You can rest assured that this kit offers premium quality and will work with Arduino IDE with no issues. The components you get with it amount to more than 200. 

Customers will get a cd in the kit that consists of a pdf with 33 lessons. You can also expect to receive a gy-521 sensor module with a pin header and an lcd1602 module. The kit has an impressive package with a clear listing. It has a box where you can keep your diodes, buttons, IC, LED, etc.

Here’s the complete list of things you get with the kit:

• MEGA2560 Controller Board
• LEDs (five Yellow, five Red, five Green, five Blue, and one RGB)
• Ten Ceramic Capacitor(22pf & 104pf)  
• Two Photoresistor  
• Thermistor
• Five Diode Rectifier (1N4007)  
• Four Electrolytic Capacitor (10UF 50V & 100UF 50V)  
• Ten NPN Transistor (PN2222 & S8050 )  
• Tilt Switch
• Two Buttons (small)  
• 1-digit 7-segment Display
• 4-digit 7-segment Display
• Sound Sensor Module
• LCD1602 Module (with pin header)
• IC L293D
• IC 74HC595
• Buzzers (1 x Active, 1 x Passive)
• RTC Module
• DHT11 Temperature and Humidity Module
• Two Potentiometers
• Rotary Encoder Module
• Joystick Module
• Keypad Module
• 5V Relay
• IR Receiver Module
• Breadboard
• Servo Motor (SG90)
• Stepper Motor
• ULN2003 Stepper Motor Driver Board
• Prototype Expansion
• Power Supply Module
• HC-SR501 PIR Motion Sensor
• Ultrasonic Sensor
• GY-521Module
• 3V Servo Motor
• MAX7219 Module
• Remote
• 9V 1A Power Supply
• 65 Jumper Wire
• Water Lever Sensor
• USB Cable
• 9V Battery with DC
• RC522 RFID Module
• 120 Resistors (10Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 330Ω, 1KΩ, 2KΩ, 5.1KΩ, 10KΩ, 100KΩ, 1MΩ)  
• 20 Female-to-male Dupont Wires

Pros

• User-friendly instructions and tutorials
• Many modules to play around with
• Comes with a small box for your diodes, buttons, IC, LED, etc.

Cons

• Build quality of components could be better

Specification

• Price $65.99
• Pin Header N/A
• Resistors N/A
• Item Dimensions 13.7 x 8.4 x 1.9 inches

For those who are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Kuman Complete Starter Kit would be a suitable choice for you. The kit comes with 44 components, and you’ll have the opportunity to make up to 23 projects. Customers get PDFs containing step-by-step instructions, detailed project tutorials, and eBooks. You can’t go wrong with this kit because it has everything you need while having a reasonable price tag. 

Here is the complete list of components included with the kit:

• Kuman UNO R3 Development Board
• USB cable
• Prototype extension board
• Mini breadboard
• 5V stepper motor
• ULN2003 stepper motor driver board
• LEDs (five Red, five Green, five Yellow, and one three-color)
• Two Vibration Sensors
• Flame sensor
• LM35 temperature sensor
• Infrared receiver
• Three Photoresistors
• Four Keycaps
• Four Key switches
• Adjustable potentiometer
• Passive buzzer (piezo buzzer)
• Active buzzer (tone generator)
• Jumper cap
• Large breadboard
• Remote Control
• 16 x 2 Screen LCD
• Breadboard module
• HC-SR04 module
• Component box
• DuPont line 10pin
• 30 Breadboard lines
• 8*8 dot matrix
• 1-digit 8-segment tube
• 4-digit 8-segment tube
• IC 74HC595
• Battery Holder
• Resistors (5 x 220Ω, 5 x 330Ω, 5 x 1KΩ, 5 x 10KΩ)
• Battery 9V
• 40pin pin header
• Thermistor module
• Touch sensor
• CD with tutorial
• Plastic box

Pros

• Affordable
• Create up to 23 projects
• Complete components
• Great for beginners

Cons

• No printed instructions
• White jumper wires could have better quality

Specification

• Price $29.99
• Pin Header 40 Pin
• Resistors (5 x 220O, 5 x 330O, 5 x 1KO, 5 x 10KO)
• Item Dimensions 5.8 x 2 x 8.3 inches (14.7 x 5.1 x 21.1 cm)

The Smraza Ultimate Starter Kit is another excellent Arduino starter kit that’s fit for beginners on a budget. This kit comes with all the common-use components you would need to kickstart your Arduino projects. It will be easy for you to create electrical circuit connections because of the kit’s stable breadboard that’s easy to set up. Users will get to embark on 16 lessons with all the parts that come with the kit. The kit comes with a sample code, libraries, software, and PDF instructions. When the time comes you want to do more advanced Arduino projects, you can easily expand the kit by getting updated sensors. If ever you encounter any issue, you can quickly reach them through their technical support.

Here is everything included with the Smraza Ultimate Starter Kit:

• R3 Controller Board
• Breadboard Holder
• 400 tie-points Breadboard
• Servo Motor
• 5V Relay
• IC 74HC595
• 5V DC Motor
• Precision Potentiometer
• Active Buzzer
• Two 2N3904 Transistors 
• Two 1N4148 Diodes  
• DHT-11(Temperature and Humidity Sensor)
• Two Photoresistors
• LEDs (five Yellow, five Red, five Green, five Blue, and one RGB)
• Four 12mm Buttons(large) 
• 9V Battery adapter
• USB Cable
• 65*Jumper Wire
• 100 Resistors (50 330Ω, 50 10KΩ)
• Fan
• Keycaps (one White, one Yellow, one Green, one Red)
• 4-digit 7-segment display

Pros

• Affordable
• Excellent variety of small parts

Cons

• Need more types of resistors
• Quality of parts could be better
• Noticeable typos on the online guide

Specification

• Price $27.99
• Pin Header 40 Pin
• Resistors (10X 2K, 10X 5.1K, 10X 10K, 10X 10R, 10X 330R)
• Item Dimensions 5.9 x 4.1 x 2 inches

The SunFounder Project Super Starter Kit is yet another option that comes with a wide range of components for you to be able to create various projects. You can make up to 42 projects, and each one will come with a tested code and circuit diagram. The development board that comes with the kit will work with Arduino Mega 2560, Motors, Ultrasonic Models, 1602 12C LCD, etc. The kit also has C language courses that are compatible with interactive graphical programming based on Scratch and Arduino IDE. Customers will get free technical support upon purchase. 

Here are all the components you will be getting with the kit:

• MEGA2560 Controller Board
• 5V Relay
• Remote Control
• Servo Motor (SG90)
• Five USB Cables
• LCD1602 Character Display
• IR Receiver
• Humiture Sensor
• Joystick PS2
• 74HC595
• L293d
• Five Buttons (small)  
• Power Supply Module
• Stepper Motor
• Stepper Motor Driver
• Active Buzzer
• 4-Digit 7-Segment Display
• 7-segment display
• 65 Jumper Wires (Male to Male)  
• 9V Battery Clip Connector
• Ten Dupont wires (Female to Male)  
• Breadboard
• LEDs (five Yellow, five Red, five Green, five Blue, five White, and one RGB)
• Resistors (ten each of 10Ω, 100Ω, 220Ω, 330Ω, 1KΩ, 2KΩ, 5.1KΩ, 10KΩ, 100KΩ, 1MΩ)
• Tilt Switch
• Thermistor
• Four Capacitor Ceramics 100nF  
• Photoresistor
• 1N4007
• Potentiometer
• Two NPN Transistors (S8050)  
• Small Motor
• Fan
• Ultrasonic Sensor Module

Pros

• Lots of parts
• Comes with 42 online tutorials
• Not too pricey
• C language tutorials

Cons

• PDF instructions are pretty complicated

Specification

• Price $42.99
• Pin Header 40 Pin
• Resistors (8 x 220O, 4 x 1KO, 4 x 10KO, 1 x 1MO, 1 x 5.1MO)
• Item Dimensions ‎9.76 x 8.07 x 2.28 inches