Don’t Miss These Top 10 Single Board Computers of 2021 for your DIY Projects

Looking for the Top 10 Single Board Computers of 2021 (SBC) for DIY Hobbyists and Electronics Engineers to make awesome Robotics, IoT, and other DIY Projects? Today, we’ve made a comprehensive listing of Single-board computers that are arranged based on their individual strengths. We have organized them based on such qualities to be perfect for your IoT projects. 

Single-board computers (SBCs) are popular nowadays. Similar to a standard-sized computer, these compact computers have many of the same basic functions, but they are much cheaper, use less energy, and are approximately the size of a matchbox.

This is an outstanding way of introducing beginners to programming and robotics.

No.	Product name	Outside India	India
1	Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 2019 (4GB)	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
2	ELEGOO UNO R3 Board ATmega328P ATMEGA16U2	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
3	NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
4	Raspberry Pi Zero WH	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
5	Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
6	NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX Developer Kit	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
7	ODROID-XU4 Single Board Computer	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
8	LattePanda 2G/32GB – a Win10 Development Board	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
9	Libre Computer Board (renegade) ROC-RK3328-CC	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon
10	Odyssey X86	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon

So, without further ado, let’s get started with the first Best Single Board Computer for you.

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Top 10 Single Board Computers of 2021 (SBC) for DIY Hobbyists and Electronic Engineers

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Raspberry Pi 4 Model B- Best SBC for IoT, Robotics, DIY Projects

The first product on our list is the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The Raspberry Pi 4 works excellently for a multitude of tasks. It works great as a desktop replacement. All home automation hubs, 3D print management servers, and HTPCs such as Kodi run flawlessly. The Raspberry Pi 4, while excellent, cannot handle all tasks. Though Steam Link allows you to stream PC games to the Pi, it can’t run modern video games. But at the price, it’s well-documented, and the Pi is no stranger to plenty of tasks. 

It can operate Linux, games, create a robot, or discover AI on the Pi.

Features

• BCM2711, Quad-core Cortex-A72 64-bit SoC 
• Bluetooth
• 2 USB 3.0 ports; 2 USB 2.0 ports.
• RPi 40 pin GPIO header 
• OpenGL ES 3.0 graphics
• MicroSD slot 
• 5V DC via USB-C connector and GPIO header (minimum 3A*)
• PoE enabled
• 2 micro-HDMI ports 
• 4kp60 decode, H264
• 2 lane MIPI CSI camera por
• 4 pole stereo audio/video port
• 2 lane MIPI DSI display port

Pros 

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Great performance
• Small footprint
• Great Operating system compatibility

Cons

• Some SBCs might be better

Conclusion

Overall, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B would be an excellent candidate for an all-in-one single-board computer. One significant shortcoming is the lack of compatibility with Windows 10, which is a limiting factor for mainstream appeal. Compared to other single-board computers, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has a number of advantages. It features a powerful processor, and its GPU is capable of outputting 4K dual-screen.

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ELEGOO UNO R3 Board ATmega328P ATMEGA16U2

The second product on our list is the ELEGOO UNO R3 Board. Elegoo is a thriving technology company with an open-source mission, committed to improving the openness of the hardware development, production, and marketing processes. SDA and SCL pins are placed near the AREF with the ELEGOO UNO R3.

Two new pins have been placed next to the RESET pin as well. IOREF has been set aside for future use and is used to regulate the board’s output voltage. ELEGOO UNO R3 is designed to work with shields using the extra pin.

It’s the same ATmega328 used in Arduino UNO R3. You can update your code using the bootloader that’s built into the ATmega328 on the UNO R3.

Features

• Microcontroller ATmega328P
• Voltage input – 7-12V
• 5 volts Electric current: 500 milliamps
• 3.3V 50MA electric current
• 14 Pins for Digital I/O (6 PWM outputs)
• Flash Memory 32k
• 16Mhz Clock Frequency

Pros 

• Enables you to update its firmware without the need for an external hardware programmer.
• Easy to use
• Inexpensive
• Great performance
• Small

Cons

• Fail Internal 5V Regulator 
• No bluetooth

Conclusion

Overall, this SBC is beginner and advanced user-friendly. This version comes equipped with the 16U2 interface chip. You are not required to locate and install dubious CH340 drivers. To the programming environment, it appears to be a genuine UNO. They simply work.

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NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer SBC

The third product on the list is the NVIDIA Jetson Nano. It provides computing productivity to run modern AI workloads at an incredible strength, and price. Devs, beginners, creators may operate AI frameworks for data processing, image recognition, and voice processing. Having a weak core,  Jetson Nano does have a Video card that is dedicated to AI processing. To do artificial intelligence, Jetson Nano is an excellent SBC.

Features

• A microSD card slot is provided for additional storage.
• HDMI output connector
• DC barrel jack for power input at 5 volts
• Connectors for MIPI CSI-2 cameras
• Expansion header 40-pin
• Micro-USB port for connection to a 5V power source or for use in Device Mode
• Ethernet Gigabit port
• Ports USB 3.0 x4

Pros 

• Excellent for robotics
• Excellent for desktop use
• This is a top-of-the-line retro gaming emulator.
• Bluetooth 
• capable of 4K@60Hz
• AI-capable

Cons

• High cost
• Larger than the other SBCs

Conclusion

Overall, you should consider the Jetson Nano if you are looking for an SBC that can be used for AI and machine learning applications as well as a general-purpose computer.

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Raspberry Pi Zero WH SBC for IoT and Robotics Projects

The RPi Zero WH is the fourth product on our list. The RPi Zero WH board with WLAN and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s the ideal SBC in many ways for the Internet of Things era. Considering its diminutive size, it features a 1 GHz Broadcom BCM2835 CPU and 512 MB LPDDR2 SDRAM.

The Raspberry Pi Zero WH is only 6.5 cm 3cm 0.5cm in size and consumes even less energy than even a decent-sized battery pack can power it for an extended period of time.

Features

• BCM28351GHz single-core processor with 512MB RAM
• Ports for mini HDMI and USB 
• 40-pin header compatible with Micro USB power HAT
• Composite video and headers reset
• CSI camera connector 
• 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN
• BLE

Pros 

• Runs Linux flawlessly
• Excellent connectivity
• A single-core CPU running at 1GHz and 512MB of RAM
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 
• Inexpensive
• Tiny size
• Excellent for robotics and other applications.
• Numerous resources from both first- and third-party sources

Cons

• Not great processor
• Low Ram

Conclusion

All in all, this product is by far the most powerful single-board computer available. While the CPU and RAM are acceptable for small projects, advanced users may wish for more. It retains all of the elements necessary to qualify as a computer, which means you can continue to use it for coding and interfacing with standard peripherals.

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Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC Single Board Computer

The Libre Computer Board AML-S905X-CC is the fifth item on our list.  The AML-S905X-CC looks nearly identical to an RPi 3. USB2.0, Ethernet, GPIO, micro USB, HDMI, and analog ports are all located in the same places as a Pi. The SD card reader on the underside of the board accepts cards up to 8GB in size. Additional eMMC connectors for fast eMMC cards clip onto the lower part of the board. 

The Amlogic S905X SoC has a processor, an ARM Cortex A53 running at 1.5GHz. The Mali-450 graphics card handles video output up to 4K resolution. 

Features

• Quad-Core 64-bit ARMv8 Cortex-A53 CPU
• Penta-Core ARM Mali-450
• 2GB of DDR3-2133 SDRAM
• GPIO Compatibility 
• 4K Ultra-HD
• Multi-Format 2.5D Programmable Pipeline Display Engine 

Pros 

• Fast processor
• Excellent desktop substitute
• eMMC storage option

Cons

• There are no GPIO libraries
• There is no reference to the pinout
• Wireless connectivity is not available

Conclusion

Overall, Libre Computer Board is a good board. It is an excellent choice for a pc replacement, as it is capable of running a variety of large applications with ease. If you require additional power but do not require GPIO features, this is an excellent board.

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NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX Developer Kit

The NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX Developer Kit is the sixth item on our list. With specialized hardware for AI, the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX pushes performance to the limit. The new Jetson Xavier speeds up the NVIDIA software in as little as 10 W while providing more than tenfold the efficiency. The Jetson Xavier’s compact form factor and energy-efficient performance enable solutions with accurate, multi-modal AI inference, paving the way for new breakthrough products.

Features

• 6-core NVIDIA Carmel 64-bit 
• 384-core NVIDIA Volta 
• Dual NVDLA engines
• 8GB 128-bit LPDDR4x
• 2 x DisplayPort 
• 10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet
• USB 3.1, 3 x USB 2.0

Pros 

• AI capable
• Excellent for robotics
• Wifi and bluetooth supported
• 4k Video output
• Small

Cons

• More expensive 

Conclusion

Overall, the NVIDIA Jetson Xavier NX can help you develop powerful machine learning-powered applications, such as image classification, and natural language processing. Jetson Xavier NX is a highly recommended board for deep learning work.

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ODROID-XU4 SBC for DIY Projects

The seventh product on our list is the ODROID-XU4 SBC. Odroid-XU4 is a cost-effective, increased power choice with one Ethernet port, HDMI 1.4a support, and an active cooler and power adapter included. The Exynos 5422 Octa-Core CPU clocks at 2 GHz and the Mali-T628 MP6 Processor supports OpenGL ES 3.1 and OpenCL 1.2. ODROID-XU4 has 2 GB of memory, but there is no built-in Bluetooth.

As an entire computer or a convenient replacement device, you can turn the board into Ubuntu, Android 4.4 KitKat, 5.0 Lollipop, and 7.1 Nougat. The MicroSD card or eMMC module is needed to install the Operating system. eMMC is advised as it helps speed up the OS boot process,  easy multitasking, and effective cloud access.

Features

• 2 GB RAM
• 64GB EMMC storage
• USB 3.0, 40 pin GPIO and HDMI
• Samsung Exynos 5422 CPU

Pros 

• Great processor
• Huge storage capacity
• Runs android very well

Cons

• No wireless connectivity

Conclusion

Overall, if you’re looking for the perfect computer capable of running Android, start by looking at Odroid. Due to its strong and excellent hardware, the ODROID XU-4 slips by. Furthermore, the ODROID XU-4 is only slightly larger than the standard Raspberry Pi SBC.

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LattePanda 2G/32GB – a Win10 Single Board Computer for DIY Projects

The eighth product on our list is the LattePanda 2G/32GB Development Board. The LattePanda has the privileged place of being the first SBC to deliver with a Windows 10 preloaded. It has an Intel Atom Cherry Trail Z8300 Quad Core 1.8 GHz processor with 2GB DDR3 RAM and an Intel HD Graphics GPU.

Flexibility is one of LattePanda’s advantages. As a result, the LattePanda is highly expandable thanks to its Arduino-compatible processor. The LattePanda has the hardware necessary for regular pc tasks, as well as imaginative DIY projects.

Features

• Intel Cherry Trail Z8350 Quad Core Processor
• Windows 10 Home Edition
• RAM of 2GB DDR3L
• 32GB storage
• Intel HD Graphics
• Integrated with ATmega32u4 
• Onboard touch panel overlay connector
• Supports 100Mbps Ethernet
• Intel Processor GPIO x 6
• ATmega Processor GPIO x 20
• Gravity Interface Connectors x 6
• Voltage: 5V@2.1A

Pros 

• Windows 10 compatible
• Great processor
• Huge storage capacity

Cons

• Costly
• Harder to use for beginners

Conclusion

Overall, LattePanda is unique in that it is built on a Windows 10 development platform. It includes a Windows 10 activation key, so you won’t need to purchase one separately. Additionally, the LattePanda is more expensive.

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Libre Computer Board (Renegade) ROC-RK3328-CC

The ninth product on our list is the Libre Computer Board (Renegade). Renegade is a great single-board computer (SBC) and an excellent Raspberry Pi alternative. Libre Computer Board ROC-RK3328 is powered by a Rockchip RK3328 SoC and is designed to be a low-power, high-performance board. It comes with a strong set of specifications and a form factor that is compatible with Raspberry Pi accessories.

Onboard are a quad-core 3D GPU with OpenGL ES 2.0 support, HDMI 2.0 with 4K HDR support, up to 4GB of DDR3, USB 3.0 ports, and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as quad-core 64-bit low power cores.

Features

• Quad-core 3D GPU 
• HDMI 2.0 
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Up to 4GB of DDR4
• USB 3.0
• Compatibility with H.265, H.264, and VP9 files
• Rockchip RK3328 SoC

Pros 

• Quick gigabit ethernet
• Great processor
• Fair priced
• Excellent alternative for Raspberry Pi board

Cons

• OS compatibility is comparable to RPi 

Conclusion

Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable SBC, the Libre Renegade Computer Board is an excellent choice. The Libre Computer ROC Renegade is a rugged minicomputer powered by a Rockchip RK-3328 soc. Indeed, this one is 40% faster than the Raspberry Pi. The Renegade computer even includes fast Gigabit Ethernet, a feature not found on many boards.

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Odyssey X86 Single Board Computer for IoT and DIY Projects

The tenth product on our list is the Odyssey X86. The Odyssey X86 is an SBC that can run Windows 10. The Quad-Core Intel Celeron J4105 is clocked at 1.5GHz with a 2.5GHz burst. There is 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a 64GB eMMC module, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth BLE, and Gigabit Ethernet. It comes with an Arduino co-processor built-in for use with Arduino-compatible sensors and modules. This machine has an Intel CPU. 

Features

• Intel Celeron J4105 
•  LPDDR4 8GB
• Microchip ATSAMD21G18 32-Bit 
• Intel UHD Graphics 600 
• Wireless connectivity
• 64Gb eMMC 

Pros 

• Great CPU
• Support wireless connectivity
• Runs on Windows 10
• Arduino co-processor

Cons

• Expensive
• Some SBC has better GPU

Conclusion

All in all, Odyssey is a unique device with a powerful CPU, 8GB of memory, and eMMC storage. With the built-in Arduino microcontroller, users will discover something new. rice is reasonable, while additional interfaces support contemporary peripherals. Appropriate voltage levels should be observed when using the GPIOs

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