How to Build Your Own Arduino Kit For Less Than $50

Building your own Arduino kit can be a fun and rewarding way to get started with electronics and programming. With just a few essential components, you can assemble an Arduino kit for under $50 that will enable you to build hundreds of projects.

Choosing the Right Arduino Board

The centerpiece of any Arduino kit is the Arduino board itself. The most popular and commonly used board is the Arduino Uno R3.

The Arduino Uno R3 provides everything you need to get started:

• ATmega328P microcontroller - gives the board computing power to run code and interact with components
• 14 digital I/O pins - enables connecting various sensors, motors, lights, etc.
• 6 analog input pins - allows reading analog voltages from pots, light sensors, etc.
• USB connection - allows programming the board from your computer
• Power jack - enables plugging in an AC/DC adapter or battery pack

Best of all, genuine Arduino Uno R3 boards can readily be found for under $10 from many online retailers. While cheap clone boards exist, investing in an authentic Arduino product helps support continued development.

Gathering Essential Components

Beyond the Arduino board itself, a variety of additional components help unlock the board's capabilities:

Breadboard

A breadboard provides space to prototype circuits without soldering. Good starter sizes are 400-830 tie points. Budget $5-10.

Jumper wires

Jumper wires connect components on the breadboard to the Arduino board. A variety pack of both male-male and male-female in multiple lengths will provide flexibility. Budget $5-10.

Resistors

A resistor assortment gives current control and protection. 220Ω resistors are particularly essential for use with LEDs. Budget $5-10 for a pack with various common values.

LEDs

LEDs allow indicators and displays. A variety pack with multiple colors helps for prototyping. Budget $5-10.

Pushbuttons

Pushbuttons provide simple digital input. Packs with at least 2-5 buttons in multiple colors are handy. Budget <$5.

Potentiometers

Potentiometers enable analog voltage division. Having 1-2 10kΩ pots adds input flexibility. Budget < $5.

Miscellaneous

Capacitors, transistors, diodes, buzzers, sensors, motors, and more can be added over time. But the components above form a versatile starter kit.

Additional Accessories

A few additional items round out your ability to use the Arduino kit:

• USB cable - A to B USB cable connects the Arduino Uno to your computer for programming and power. Budget $5-10.

• 9V power supply - While USB power is handy, a wall adapter opens stand-alone use. Budget $5-10.

• Prototyping case - A plastic project box safely stores the kit. Budget $5-10.

Putting It All Together

The total budget outlined above is approximately $40-60, well under $50. With prudent shopping at online electronics suppliers, you can likely come in at under $50 total.

The result is an Arduino starter kit with tremendous capabilities. Equipped with the essential components above, you can build the following example projects:

• LED blinking lights
• Pushbutton-controlled LEDs
• Digital dice with random number display
• Light-sensor night light
• Temperature sensor display
• Motor speed control

By learning with an affordable self-built kit, you can master Arduino basics before moving on to more advanced projects. The experience will equip you with skills applicable across a wide range of electronics and computing pursuits.

So build your own Arduino kit on a budget and start exploring the limitless world of Arduino!