Elegoo vs. Arduino: Is There Any Difference?
Arduino has gained immense popularity among makers and electronics enthusiasts as a versatile microcontroller platform. However, you may often come across clone boards such as Elegoo that closely resemble the conventional Arduino boards.
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What Is Arduino?
Arduino, born in 2005, was the brainchild of a group of students and professors at the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea in Italy. They wanted to create an affordable and easy-to-use microcontroller platform as an aid for quick prototyping. It is awesome that they made it an open-source platform, gaining popularity quickly and seeing the growth of a vibrant community of users and contributors.
Arduino boards are known for being versatile and reliable, so much so that they are even used in industry. For more details on the Arduino platform, read our extensive guide onwhat Arduino is and what you’re able to do with it.
Why Is Arduino Popular?
Arduino’s popularity stems from several key factors. Firstly, it offers a user-friendly interface and an integrated development environment (IDE) that simplifies programming for beginners.
Arduino boards are versatile and compatible with various sensors, modules, and shields (add-on breakout boards). The extensive documentation, tutorials, and community support further contribute to the Arduino platform’s widespread adoption.
What Is Elegoo?
Shenzhen Elegoo Technology Co. Ltd is a company that focuses on open-source hardware production, research, and marketing. It is a relatively newer player in the microcontroller market, offering a range of development boards, components, and kits similar to Arduino. It builds on Arduino’s success by using the latter’s freely available schematics to mass-produce cheap alternative boards.
Elegoo products are designed to be affordable, making them accessible to a broader audience. The company produces microcontroller boards, including the Elegoo UNO R3. Similar to other microcontrollers like NodeMCU, the Elegoo Uno R3 is based on the ATmega328P chip, as used in the Arduino Uno.
The Elegoo Uno R3
The Elegoo Uno R3 is Elegoo’s main microcontroller board, which draws a lot from the Arduino Uno R3. Here is a breakdown of the features of the two boards:
Elegoo Uno R3
Arduino Uno R3
Microcontroller
ATmega328P-PU
Operating Voltage
Digital I/O Pins
Analog Input Pins
PWM Output Pins
Flash Memory
Clock Speed
USB Interface
ATmega16U2
Compatible with
Arduino IDE and Shields
The two boards are almost identical in their design and specs. Unlike some other cheap Arduino clones, the Elegoo features the ATmega16U2 chip for USB to serial communication (as used on the Arduino Uno), rather than the clunky old CH340.
Can I Program Elegoo Using Arduino IDE?
One significant advantage of Elegoo over some other clones is its compatibility with Arduino tools. Elegoo boards can be programmed using the Arduino IDE, which means you can leverage your existing knowledge and code base. Just select the relevant Arduino model in the Boards menu; for example, ‘Arduino Uno’ for an Elegoo Uno R3.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Elegoo vs. Arduino
Branding: Arduino has established itself as a well-known brand in the microcontroller industry, backed by a strong community. The company is the original maker of the boards and supporting software. Elegoo, although growing in popularity, is still establishing its brand presence as a manufacturer of inexpensive Arduino-compatible boards.
Build Quality: Arduino boards are known for their high-quality construction and reliable performance. Elegoo boards also offer decent build quality, considering their affordable price point, but you may notice slight differences in terms of durability.
Cost: Elegoo products are often priced more competitively than Arduino, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious users. Arduino, while relatively more expensive, justifies the cost with its established brand, reliability, and extensive support.
Support/Tools: Arduino’s vast community and extensive documentation provide excellent support for users. Elegoo also offers community forums, tutorials, and customer support, but the resources may be comparatively limited. Even so, it’s possible to use official Arduino online resources and example programs for your Elegoo board, using the same Arduino IDE.
Starter Kits: Both Arduino and Elegoo offer starter kits that include boards, components, and tutorials. Arduino’s starter kits tend to have a higher price point, reflecting the brand’s reputation and additional resources. Elegoo’s starter kits not only provide a cost-effective option for beginners, but also tend to include more components.
Elegoo vs. Arduino: Which One Is Better?
Arduino and Elegoo are both good microcontroller boards with very similar specs and design. Arduino has a long-standing reputation, robust community support, and high build quality. Elegoo offers affordability, compatibility with the Arduino platform, and a growing ecosystem.
The choice all boils down to your specific project needs, budget, and the level of community support you desire.
Want an Arduino board but aren’t sure which of the many types to choose for your project? This guide is here to help.
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