Arduino FAQ

Arduino is a fantastic platform with a lot of possibilities. Because there are so many possibilities, you are probably not yet familiar with everything. We often receive questions from our customers. That is why we have compiled a number of frequently asked questions into one FAQ . We will continue to update this FAQ, as more possibilities are added. Do you miss a question that you think is relevant to others? Let us know!

Which Arduino is best to buy?

That absolutely depends on what you want to do with the Arduino. If you are a beginner, the Arduino Uno is a good choice. If you want to make an extensive project, you might be better off choosing an Arduino Mega. If you have a small project, one of the Arduino Nanos is probably better suited. If you are going to use Arduino professionally, take a look at the MKR boards or the Portenta H7.

What is Arduino?

Arduino is an Italian company that develops Open-source single-board computers. These computers are based on a simple microcontroller board and a user-friendly programming environment. Each board has a number of inputs and outputs. The inputs can be used to read various sensors. The outputs can be used to control lights, small motors, relays and other actuators.

Are Arduino clones just as good?

We don't think so. Arduino clones are often produced in a cheaper way. The quality and lifespan of a clone can therefore be low. Of course there are also good clones available. These are usually not much cheaper than an original Arduino. By buying an official Arduino board you also help with new developments of Arduino.

Can Arduino run python?

Yes, it is possible to program the Arduino with Python. However, this is not the standard programming language. The Arduino is programmed in a C++ dialect by default.
The Arduino Portenta H7 works with Python.

How does an Arduino work?

In short, an Arduino works as follows: The Arduino board has various inputs and outputs. You can connect components, sensors & actuators to these inputs and outputs. By means of a code, you let the Arduino know what to do with the data from a sensor. For example, you can display the value of a distance sensor on a display.
A sensor is not necessarily needed. You can also give the Arduino a fixed program that it has to execute. For example, making an LED light blink.

Are Arduino and Raspberry Pi compatible?

Arduino and Raspberry Pi are similar but can do completely different things. An Arduino is the best choice for making a robot. A Raspberry Pi is the best choice for making a camera. If you want to build a robot with a camera, you can make the Arduino and Raspberry Pi work together. This is only suitable for an advanced user of both platforms.

Which Arduino starter kit is best?

This differs per person. Depending on what you want to do with your Arduino you can choose a starter kit.
One starter kit contains a few components to get started. The other contains a whole lot of components, sensors and motors with which you can make many electronic projects. Think carefully about what you want to achieve with the starter kit and choose the best kit that way!

Your Arduino question not answered?

Didn't find your Arduino question? Don't worry, our website has various information pages. These go into more depth on certain topics. Take a look at these pages and you will probably still get the answer to your question. If you really can't figure it out, please feel free to contact us. We will then see if we can help you further.