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If you've ever started a project only to find the exact development board or custom-printed circuit board (PCB) is out of stock, you know how frustrating that can be. Picking the right retailer can save time, cut costs, and dramatically speed up your build. In the UK there are specialist suppliers that cater to everyone from hobbyists fresh to soldering to pros building industrial prototypes. This guide walks you through the best places to buy development boards and related parts in the UK, how to choose the right board, and practical tips to save money and avoid headaches along the way.
RS Components is a go-to for professionals and serious hobbyists who want a reliable supply chain and a huge inventory. You’ll find everything from single-board computers to microcontrollers and power modules, often in stock or available for quick dispatch. RS’s strength is consistency: if you need a specific part measured in inches for a mechanical enclosure, or a certified component for a commercial build, RS is a safe bet.
Farnell (element14) is another major supplier with a massive catalogue that includes Raspberry Pi boards, Arduino-compatible boards, and specialised dev kits. The site also has datasheets and reference designs that are handy when you’re planning a project. If you’re prototyping something that might scale, Farnell’s range and technical resources make it a strong choice.
If you’re building projects with Raspberry Pi or small single-board computers, Pimoroni is charmingly maker-focused. They sell curated kits, HATs, and breakout boards with quality documentation and friendly guides. For creatives and educators who want quick-start projects, Pimoroni often feels like shopping at a boutique that understands what makers actually need.
The Pi Hut specialises in Raspberry Pi boards, accessories, and add-ons like camera modules, cases, and HATs. If your project revolves around the Pi ecosystem, The Pi Hut is one of the fastest ways to get exactly the accessory you need — often with clear wiring guides and compatibility notes that stop you from guessing.
While not exclusively UK-based, Mouser and Digi-Key offer huge inventories and fast shipping to the UK. They’re especially useful if you need unusual parts or specific manufacturer variants. For low-volume, hard-to-find components, these distributors often save the day — and their websites are great for cross-referencing part numbers and datasheets.
Rapid Electronics is a UK favourite for education and hobbyist projects. They stock microcontroller boards, sensors, breadboards, and many prototyping essentials at sensible prices. If you’re teaching a workshop or buying for a classroom measured in inches for panel cutouts, Rapid’s bundling and kits make logistics simpler.
Kitronik is a strong option for educational kits, Arduino and micro:bit accessories, and PCB prototyping aimed at schools and young makers. They design a lot of their own add-ons and breakout boards with clear lesson plans, which is a boon if you’re introducing someone to electronics without getting bogged down in datasheets.
Smaller shops like Cool Components and Hobbytronics add value through curated selections and personal support. They’re excellent when you want specialist hobbyist advice and quick turnaround on small orders. Think of these shops like friendly local bike mechanics — they know their products well and can point you to the right tiny sensor or connector that big catalogues might hide.
Start with the question: “What do I want this board to do?” Are you creating a media centre, a robot, a simple data logger, or a product prototype? Different use cases require different strengths — processing power, GPIO count, or low power. Choosing a board that matches the problem is like picking the right tool from a toolbox: don’t bring a wrench to a screwdriver job.
A huge advantage of popular platforms (Raspberry Pi, Arduino) is the community. Tutorials, example code, and troubleshooting posts save hours. If you’re new, favour a board with strong community backing — it’s like having a neighbour who’s already built what you want.
Count the digital and analog inputs/outputs you need, plus serial interfaces like I2C, SPI, and UART. If your project will grow, check for expansion headers or compatible HATs and shields. A board with more pins than you currently need is often a wise investment — think of it as a room with space for future furniture.
Beware of power budgets. Battery-powered projects need boards that sip power; desktop builds can tolerate beefier modules. Also consider the board’s physical size in inches — will it fit your enclosure, or will you need to custom-cut a panel?
Evaluate cost versus longevity. Low-cost boards are great for learning but may be discontinued quickly. If you plan to produce a product, choose a board or chip with a predictable lifecycle and reliable supply to avoid redesigns down the road.
Sensors for temperature, motion, light, and pressure are the building blocks of many projects. Look for boards with clear pinouts and example code. Breakouts that keep sensitive sensors off noisy power rails are a small investment with big benefits.
Never underestimate a solid power plan. Quality power supplies and battery modules with onboard charging circuits save debugging time. Choose power solutions rated in inches where you reference connector sizes or cable lengths, and make sure voltage and current margins are realistic for your actuators and displays.
Good enclosures protect your electronics and make a project look finished. Many UK retailers sell Raspberry Pi cases, project boxes, and mounting plates. If you’re designing a custom housing, think about mounting holes and board-to-panel spacing in inches to avoid a last-minute frantic drill session.
For printed circuit boards, you can either buy generic prototype PCBs (perf boards, protoboards) from UK suppliers, or order custom PCBs from manufacturers that ship to the UK. Global PCB fabricators like JLCPCB and PCBWay offer low-cost prototype boards and ship quickly, while European fabs such as Eurocircuits provide high-quality options closer to home. If lead time or customs is a concern, check for UK-based fabricators or partner services provided by the major distributors.
If you’re just starting, shops like Pimoroni, The Pi Hut, Kitronik and Rapid Electronics shine with kits and tutorials. They make the first build painless. For commercial or advanced prototype work, RS Components and Farnell offer wider industrial choices, certifications, and higher reliability. Think of one group as a comfortable bicycle for learning, and the other as a dependable truck for hauling serious work.
Want to get more value from every purchase? Compare unit prices across suppliers and watch for bulk discounts if you need multiple boards or components. Use clearance and outlet sections for bargains on older but perfectly usable boards. Consider buying kits that bundle sensors and accessories — they often cost less than buying each part separately. Finally, cross-check part numbers and footprints before ordering to avoid the frustration of incompatible headers or mismatched mounting holes. Small mistakes there can cost more than the part itself.
Concerned about e-waste? Buy only what you need and favour suppliers who offer repair parts or replacement modules. Some UK vendors specialise in refurbished components and recycled boards, giving your project a smaller environmental footprint. When designing a product, choose components that are easy to remove and replace so repairs don’t become landfill fodder.
When ordering from non-UK vendors, factor in shipping and potential customs charges. Sometimes the cheapest board overseas becomes pricier after adding those fees, so compare landed cost rather than sticker price. For quick turnarounds, local warehouses or UK distributors can be worth a small premium. Also check return and warranty terms for international orders — repairs across borders can take longer than you’d like.
Building a classroom set? Choose educational-focused suppliers that offer kits, lesson plans, and bulk discounts. Prototyping a product? Lean on RS or Farnell for industrial parts and predictable availability. Need a single board tonight? Smaller UK shops often have faster local dispatch. Match the vendor to the project stage and you’ll avoid supply-chain headaches that stall momentum.
There’s no single perfect store for every situation. The trick is matching your needs to the retailer’s strengths: big distributors for availability and certifications; maker shops for community, kits, and rapid inspiration; global fabs for low-cost custom PCBs; and local specialists for quick parts and personal support. Keep a shortlist of two or three vendors that cover your usual needs and you’ll be able to switch quickly when one source runs dry.
Finding the right development board or PCB supplier in the UK is part research, part personal taste, and part planning. Start with what matters most for your project — whether that’s community support, industrial availability, price, or turnaround time — and pick shops that align with those priorities. Explore Pimoroni or The Pi Hut for beginner-friendly kits, turn to RS Components and Farnell for professional parts, and don’t hesitate to use global fabricators for low-cost custom PCBs when appropriate. With the right retailers in your bookmarks, your next project will move from idea to working prototype much faster than you might expect.
