Arduino Uno R4 vs NXP LPC1768 mbed LPC1768
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
The Arduino Uno R4 is the latest revision of the world's most popular beginner microcontroller board, now powered by a 32-bit Renesas RA4M1 processor - a major jump from the original 8-bit design while keeping the same beginner-friendly form factor and pin layout. It remains the standard starting point for electronics education, supported by an enormous library ecosystem and the simple Arduino IDE, making it approachable for students and hobbyists building their first circuits. The WiFi variant adds built-in wireless connectivity for IoT projects, while a built-in 12x8 LED matrix on the WiFi model enables simple visual output without extra components.
The NXP LPC1768 mbed board is a compact development platform featuring a 32‑bit ARM Cortex‑M3 MCU running at 100 MHz. It includes on‑board USB, Ethernet, and a range of I/O pins, making it ideal for rapid prototyping of embedded applications. Supported by the mbed OS ecosystem, the board provides easy access to libraries, cloud services, and a web‑based IDE, allowing developers to focus on functionality rather than low‑level setup. Its robust peripherals and extensive community support make it a go‑to choice for education, hobby projects, and early‑stage product development.
Around $20-27 depending on the variant.
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Huge tutorial and library ecosystem
- Backward compatible with existing shields
- Affordable entry point
- Extensive mbed OS library support
- Built‑in Ethernet and USB ports
- Rich set of I/O peripherals
- Strong community and documentation
- Less powerful than Raspberry Pi for compute-heavy tasks
- No built-in display or OS
- WiFi variant costs more
- No built‑in Wi‑Fi module (requires external shield)
- Limited flash compared to newer MCUs
- Power consumption higher than ultra‑low‑power chips
What reviewers say
Arduino Uno R4 Reviews
4.5 (2)Highly recommend Arduino Uno R4
I picked up Arduino Uno R4 a while back and haven't looked back. Huge tutorial and library ecosystem. One minor gripe: wifi variant costs more, but it hasn't been a dealbreaker. Would recommend.
Does exactly what we need
Been a regular user of Arduino Uno R4 for a while now. Affordable entry point. No major complaints so far. Would recommend.
NXP LPC1768 mbed LPC1768 Reviews
No reviews yet.
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataThe Arduino Uno R4 is the cheaper, beginner‑friendly board with a large community and optional Wi‑Fi, while the NXP LPC1768 offers faster CPU, Ethernet, and richer I/O for more advanced projects.
Key differences
- •CPU performance: 32‑bit Renesas (Arduino) vs 100 MHz Cortex‑M3 (LPC1768).
- •Connectivity: optional Wi‑Fi (Arduino) vs built‑in Ethernet and USB (LPC1768).
- •Memory: Arduino’s unspecified RAM/Flash vs 512 KB flash/64 KB SRAM on LPC1768.
- •Price: Arduino $20‑27 vs LPC1768 $55.
- •Ecosystem: Arduino IDE & huge hobby library vs mbed OS libraries and stronger industrial focus.
Performance
LPC1768 runs a 100 MHz Cortex‑M3 delivering up to 1 DMIPS/MHz, faster than Arduino's unspecified 32‑bit Renesas core.
Build quality
Both are open‑source development boards with similar form‑factor; no specific quality differences given.
Connectivity
LPC1768 includes built‑in USB host/device and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet; Arduino only optional Wi‑Fi adds cost.
Power & efficiency
Arduino is marketed for beginners and low‑cost; LPC1768 notes higher power consumption than ultra‑low‑power chips.
Compatibility
Arduino Uno R4 is backward compatible with classic Uno shields; LPC1768 needs a 2×20 adapter for Arduino shields.
Price & value
Arduino costs $20‑27, significantly cheaper than LPC1768’s $55 MSRP.
Warranty & support
LPC1768 provides a 1‑year warranty; Arduino only lists forums and documentation.
Choose Arduino Uno R4 if…
Beginners or hobbyists needing low cost, simple IDE, and shield compatibility.
Choose NXP LPC1768 mbed LPC1768 if…
Intermediate developers needing higher speed, Ethernet, and richer I/O for complex firmware.
Common questions
Which board is cheaper to start with?
Arduino Uno R4 costs around $20‑27, while the NXP LPC1768 is priced at $55.
Do I need Wi‑Fi or Ethernet for my project?
Arduino offers optional Wi‑Fi (extra cost); LPC1768 includes built‑in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet and USB.
Can I use existing Arduino shields?
Arduino Uno R4 is directly compatible with classic Uno shields; LPC1768 requires a 2×20 pin header adapter.