Elegoo vs Arduino
Let’s talk about Elegoo and Arduino.
Many beginners ask the same question.
“Is Elegoo just a cheap copy of Arduino?”
The answer might surprise you.
Elegoo is not a fake.
It is a clone — and that’s completely okay.
In fact, the whole point of Arduino was to be copied.
Arduino released its hardware design as open source in 2005.
This means anyone can build their own version.
And that’s exactly what Elegoo did.
So which one should you buy?
If you’re learning electronics, coding, or building your first robot…
You don’t need the most expensive board.
You need something reliable, affordable, and easy to use.
That’s where Elegoo shines.
After reading hundreds of reviews, testing kits, and comparing specs…
I can tell you this: Elegoo gives you more value for less money.
And it works perfectly with the Arduino IDE.
Arduino vs Elegoo: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Arduino | Elegoo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $25–$45+ | $8–$20 |
| Build Quality | Premium, consistent | Very good — sometimes better than official boards |
| Compatibility | 100% | 100% with Arduino IDE |
| USB Chip | ATmega16U2 (real) | ATmega16U2 (on Uno/Mega — NOT CH340!) |
| Starter Kits | Fewer parts, expensive | 200+ components, tutorials, half the price |
| Best For | Pros, commercial use, long-term reliability | Students, hobbyists, beginners, budget builders |
The main difference is cost.
Arduino boards are made in Italy.
They have top-tier quality control.
But they also cost two to three times more.
Elegoo boards are made in China.
They follow the same design.
And they work the same way.
So if you're on a tight budget, Elegoo wins.
Besides, both run the same code.
You can use the same sensors, shields, and libraries.
No changes needed.
Therefore, for most people, Elegoo is the smarter choice.
Top 5 Arduino Boards vs Elegoo Clones
Elegoo Uno R3 vs Original Arduino Uno
The Arduino Uno R3 is the most popular starter board.
And so is the Elegoo Uno R3.
Are they different?
Not really.
They are almost identical twins.
| Feature | Arduino Uno R3 | Elegoo Uno R3 |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ATmega328P-PU | ATmega328P-PU |
| USB-to-Serial Chip | ATmega16U2 | ATmega16U2 |
| Digital I/O Pins | 14 | 14 |
| Analog Inputs | 6 | 6 |
| PWM Pins | 6 | 6 |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 32 KB |
| Price | $25–$30 | $8–$12 |
Here’s the key point.
Some cheap clones use a chip called CH340.
This chip needs special drivers.
But Elegoo does not do that.
It uses the real ATmega16U2 chip — just like Arduino.
So when you plug it into your computer…
It shows up as “Arduino Uno” right away.
No extra steps.
No driver downloads.
It just works.
Also, many users say Elegoo boards feel sturdier.
The pins are solid.
The soldering looks clean.
And the USB port holds tight.
So for school projects, home labs, or DIY robots…
The Elegoo Uno R3 is perfect.
👉 Get the Elegoo Uno R3 Board (with ATmega16U2)
Elegoo Mega 2560 vs Arduino Mega
Need more power?
Then you want the Mega.
The Arduino Mega 2560 has 54 digital pins.
That’s way more than the Uno.
It also has 16 analog inputs and 256 KB of flash memory.
Perfect for complex builds.
Now let’s look at the Elegoo version.
| Feature | Arduino Mega 2560 | Elegoo Mega 2560 R3 |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ATmega2560 | ATmega2560 |
| Digital I/O Pins | 54 | 54 |
| Analog Inputs | 16 | 16 |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 8 KB |
| USB Chip | ATmega16U2 | ATmega16U2 |
| Price | $40–$45 | $15–$20 |
Again, same specs.
Same performance.
Half the price.
And real user reviews confirm this.
One person used it to control a 3D printer.
Another built a robotic arm.
Both said it worked without issues.
Also, over 16,000 Amazon buyers gave it 4.7 stars.
That’s proof of trust.
So if you’re into robotics, CNC machines, or big sensor arrays…
Grab the Elegoo Mega.
👉 Buy Elegoo Mega 2560 R3 (Official Amazon Link)
Elegoo Nano vs Arduino Nano
Sometimes size matters.
For tiny projects, wearables, or drones…
You need a small board.
That’s the Nano.
And once again, Elegoo matches the original.
| Feature | Arduino Nano | Elegoo Nano V3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ATmega328P | ATmega328P |
| USB Chip | CH340 | CH340 |
| Size | 18 x 45 mm | Same |
| Price | $20–$25 | $5–$8 |
The only catch?
It uses the CH340 chip.
Yes, you need to install a small driver.
But it takes less than a minute.
After that, it works like any other Arduino.
Plus, you can buy three Elegoo Nanos for under $20.
That’s great for IoT nodes or testing circuits.
So for compact builds, go with Elegoo.
👉 Get 3 Elegoo Nanos on Amazon
Arduino Uno R4 WiFi vs Elegoo?
Now here’s a twist.
The new Arduino Uno R4 WiFi came out in 2023.
It has major upgrades.
- ARM Cortex-M4 processor
- Built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
- 32 KB RAM (vs 2 KB on R3)
- Faster clock speed
- More future-proof design
Right now, Elegoo has no direct match.
So if you need wireless features…
You must get the official board.
However, for learning basics, stick with R3 models.
They teach the same skills.
And they cost much less.
So unless you need Wi-Fi, skip the R4.
👉 See the Arduino Uno R4 WiFi (if you need Wi-Fi)
Elegoo Leonardo vs Arduino Leonardo
The Leonardo is unique.
It can act like a keyboard or mouse.
Great for HID (Human Interface Device) projects.
And yes, Elegoo makes a clone.
| Feature | Arduino Leonardo | Elegoo Leonardo |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ATmega32U4 | ATmega32U4 |
| USB Interface | Native USB | Native USB |
| Price | $22–$28 | $9–$13 |
Same chip.
Same function.
Less money.
No driver issues.
No setup problems.
Just plug and play.
So for custom keyboards, game controllers, or USB tools…
Use the Elegoo Leonardo.
👉 Get the Elegoo Leonardo Board
Elegoo Starter Kits Beat Arduino Hands Down
Now let’s talk about starter kits.
This is where Elegoo really wins.
The official Arduino Starter Kit costs around $100.
It comes with a book, a few sensors, and basic parts.
Nice, but limited.
Compare that to the Elegoo Super Starter Kit.
| Kit | Price | Components | Tutorial | Build Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Arduino Starter Kit | ~$100 | 10+ sensors, breadboard, book | Yes (physical book) | Excellent |
| Elegoo Super Starter Kit | $45 | 200+ components, 33 projects, large breadboard | Yes (PDF + video) | Great — better wires |
Look at that.
More than double the parts.
Over 30 fun projects.
And less than half the price.
Plus, the kit includes useful extras.
Like an LCD screen with pre-soldered pins.
A power supply module.
And a 9V battery connector.
All ready to use.
No soldering needed.
The tutorial is clear and step-by-step.
You start with blinking LEDs.
Then move to buttons, sensors, and displays.
Each lesson builds on the last.
So even total beginners learn fast.
👉 Grab the Elegoo UNO Super Starter Kit (33 Projects)
👉 Or this popular 24-project version
Real User Questions About Elegoo
Can I Use Arduino IDE With Elegoo?
Absolutely.
Open the Arduino IDE.
Go to Tools → Board.
Select “Arduino Uno”.
Even if your board says Elegoo.
It will work.
No extra software.
No tricks.
Are Elegoo Boards Reliable?
Yes.
Very reliable.
Thousands of users report years of trouble-free use.
Some even say Elegoo boards last longer.
Why?
Better fuses.
Stronger reset circuits.
And solid build quality.
So yes, they are trustworthy.
Do Shields Work With Elegoo?
Yes.
Every single shield fits.
Motor shields.
WiFi shields.
LCD shields.
All work perfectly.
Pin layout is identical.
Voltage levels match.
So stack them freely.
Is Elegoo Stealing From Arduino?
No.
Not at all.
Arduino made their designs open source.
They wanted others to copy them.
That’s how the community grows.
Elegoo follows the rules.
They don’t break any laws.
They just make tech more affordable.
Should I Feel Guilty Buying Elegoo?
No.
You should not feel bad.
The founder of Arduino said:
“We made this so anyone could build.”
Buying Elegoo keeps that dream alive.
But if you can, support the original team later.
Buy one genuine board per year.
Or donate to open-source projects.
Final Advice: Start With Elegoo, Then Try Arduino
Here’s my final tip.
Begin with Elegoo.
Learn the basics.
Burn a few LEDs.
Make mistakes.
Build cool things.
Once you’re confident…
Buy one official Arduino board.
Support the creators.
Keep the ecosystem strong.
But never feel forced to pay more upfront.
Because Elegoo gives you everything you need.
Same code.
Same results.
Lower cost.
So go ahead.
Start building today.
👉 Get the Elegoo UNO Super Starter Kit – $45, 33 Projects
👉 Need more pins? Grab the Elegoo Mega 2560
// Simple Blink Code for Elegoo Uno
// Works on any Arduino-compatible board
const int ledPin = 13;
void setup() {
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
delay(500);
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
delay(500);
}This code runs on both Elegoo and Arduino.
No changes required.
Just upload and see the LED blink.
That’s the beauty of open source.
Anyone can join.
Anyone can learn.
And anyone can build.
Thanks for reading.
Now go make something awesome.
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