Arduino UNO R3 Clones Now Cost Less than $5

An original Arduino UNO R3 costs about nearly $25, and I remember clones would cost about $10 on Aliexpress, but today I’ve been informed about VISduino, an Arduino UNO R3 clone, with some cost optimizations such as cheaper components and connectors, which sells for just 15.50 CNY (~$2.50 US) on Taobao, and $4.90 on Electrodragon. But double checking on Aliexpress, I could find another popular Arduino UNO R3 clone for $4.58 including shipping, but no USB cable.

VISduino
VISduino Arduino Board Clone

Both boards cut costs by replacing ATmega16U2 by CH340 USB to serial chip, and replacing the ATMEGA328P-PU MCU (DIP) by an SMT version of the Atmel MCU such as ATMEGA328P-AU (QFP).

Other changes on VISduino include:

  • Replaced USB B-type connector by a micro USB port
  • Added extra through holes side-by-side with the Arduino headers for easier debugging.
  • Extra 2×4 pin holes with TX, RX, VCC, GND, and I2C pins

You may have to install extra drivers for CH340.

Thanks to Benjamin (Zoobab) for the tip.

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8 Comments
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Tarjei
Tarjei
9 years ago
zoobab
9 years ago

@Tarjei
Seems to be the same design as the Visduino, only the USB connector is a big type B instead of the microusb one.

Simos
9 years ago

For Linux the USB to serial chip should be already supported. Check with

$ modinfo ch341

The USB IDs are the same with those at the driver that is found at http://wch.cn/downloads.php?name=pro&proid=65

Al
Al
9 years ago

I prefer the type b over micro, doesn’t break as easily especially for kids

with lcd shield (2x uno + 2x lcd shield) for US$13.30
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/UNO-R3-USB-Cable-1602-Keypad-Shield-for-Arduino/1800790614.html

fkpwolf
9 years ago

ehh, how to make money if this is so cheap?

Klaus
Klaus
9 years ago

I find this even more interesting: A 32bit ARM Board with 64K Flash, 20k RAM, 72MHz (STM32F103) http://www.aliexpress.com/item/STM32F103C8T6-ARM-STM32-Minimum-System-Development-Board-Module-For-Arduino/32246273606.html for $4.52 with shipping!

onebir
onebir
8 years ago
Khadas VIM4 SBC