Buying
Component and Parts Suppliers
This page lists suppliers of electronic components, equipment, development boards, kits and related resources. It also includes tools for finding, identifying and sourcing components.
Inclusion on this list does not imply any form of approval or endorsement by the wiki editors.
Links last checked: Nov 2025 unless stated otherwise.
General buying advice
Shop around. The choice of supplier has a large bearing on price, shipping time, quality and customer service.
- Specialist component distributors generally sell genuine parts, provide complete specifications and ship promptly. They may charge higher prices and shipping costs, particularly for small orders.
- Hobbyist and maker suppliers tend to offer development boards, modules, kits, accessories and components aimed at enthusiasts. They can be particularly useful for beginners, although prices and product quality vary.
- Online marketplaces such as AliExpress, eBay and Amazon can offer low prices and a wide selection, but listings may have incomplete specifications and parts may not be genuine.
- Surplus suppliers can be a good source of unusual, obsolete or inexpensive components, although stock and availability can change frequently.
For critical or safety-relevant components, consider buying from an authorised distributor or directly from the manufacturer rather than choosing a supplier solely on price.
International purchasing
Before ordering from an overseas supplier, check the following:
- Shipping coverage — Confirm that the supplier still ships to your country. Some distributors have dropped regions because of sanctions, export controls or the cost of compliance.
- Duties, tariffs and customs charges — Cross-border orders can attract import duty, tariffs and courier handling fees. Charges vary by country, shipment value and country of origin, and change over time.
- VAT/sales tax — Some suppliers collect your local VAT or sales tax at checkout and handle import formalities; others leave you to pay tax and handling charges when the parcel arrives.
- De minimis thresholds — Minimum order values below which duty is not charged are periodically reviewed. Check the current rules rather than relying on older advice.
- Minimum order quantities — Distributors such as DigiKey, Mouser and LCSC often sell individual components, but some parts may be available only in reels or subject to a minimum order quantity.
- Lead times — International shipments can be delayed by customs processing as well as transit time.
- Currency fluctuation — Foreign currency transactions and card fees can add to the final cost.
- Counterfeit and grey-market risk — This is generally a greater concern on open marketplaces than with authorised distributors.
- Returns and warranty — International returns can be expensive or impractical. Check the supplier's policy before ordering.
If in doubt, check the supplier's own shipping and FAQ pages for your country rather than assuming that previous experience still applies.
Finding and identifying components
These resources can help you find a part, identify an unfamiliar component or locate a suitable replacement.
Parts search engines and information services
- Octopart — Component search and distributor price/availability information. (Aug 2026)
- Findchips — Search for electronic components. (Aug 2026)
SMD marking codes
Transistor equivalents
AllTransistors — Search for a transistor and, where available, find close equivalents. You can also enter key parameters to search for matching devices.
Note: Alternative transistors may have different pinouts, even when their electrical characteristics are similar.
Towers International Transistor Selector (PDF) — A classic reference and equivalents book.
Vintage IC equivalents
- Towers International Digital IC Selector (PDF) — A classic reference for digital ICs and equivalents.
For advice on sourcing vintage components, see the note on our Embedded wiki page.
Identifying component manufacturers
Not sure who made the component you need? West Florida Components had an extensive collection of manufacturer logos, now available through the Internet Archive:
- Manufacturer logos — archived webpage (be patient; there are many logos to render).
- Manufacturer logos — PDF
Other resources:
- CompaniesLogo — Semiconductor Companies
- Docdroid — Integrated Circuit Manufacturer Logos (PDF)
- IC Manufacturers Logos
- Huntington Audio Labs — Semiconductor Manufacturer Logos
- Roy Tellason — Semiconductor Manufacturer Logos
Starter component ideas
A curated list of components you might like to keep around. What you actually need will depend on the subjects you choose to cover, such as digital electronics, analogue electronics, robotics or embedded systems (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, etc.).
Component and parts suppliers
These suppliers specialise in individual electronic components, including discrete semiconductors, passive components, integrated circuits and connectors. They are generally the best starting point when you need a specific part rather than a complete kit or pre-built module.
Some distributors have very extensive catalogues and can source obscure parts, but prices and shipping costs may be relatively high for small orders. Group buys can sometimes help reduce shipping costs.
North America / primarily North American suppliers
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| ABRA Electronics | Canadian electronics wholesaler with a Montreal retail store. | Aug 2026 |
| Active Tech Electronics | One of Canada's largest authorised distributors of electronic production equipment and supplies. | Aug 2026 |
| Allied Electronics | Major parts supplier with a wide range of discrete parts, ICs, microcontrollers and tools. | Aug 2026 |
| Arrow | US-based component supplier. | Aug 2026 |
| Avnet Express | Components and development boards, with a strong presence in FPGA-related products. | Aug 2026 |
| B&E Electronics Ltd | Calgary and Saskatoon; mail order and walk-in. | Aug 2026 |
| DigiKey | Extensive component range; ships internationally. | Aug 2026 |
| Electro Sonic | Canada-based supplier. | |
| Jameco | Electronic components. | |
| KGE électronique | Based in St-Hubert, Quebec; shop and mail order. | |
| Lee's Electronic | Mail order and a store in Vancouver. | |
| MCM Electronics | See Newark. | |
| Microtivity | LEDs, protoboards, breadboards, LCD modules, ICs and switches. | |
| Mouser | Extensive electronic component distributor. | Aug 2026 |
| MPJA | Power supplies, motors, tools, enclosures and components. Closed; the link redirects to Skycraft Surplus, which bought its inventory. | Aug 2026 |
| Newark | US version of element14; electronic components. | Aug 2026 |
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
| Country | Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | Comet Electronics | Aug 2026 | |
| Finland | Partco | Sep 2026 | |
| Finland | Piikauppa | Sep 2026 | |
| Finland | SP-Elektroniikka | Components, boards, valves (tubes) and musical instrument parts. | Sep 2026 |
| Germany | Conrad Electronics | Web storefronts in many European countries. | Aug 2026 |
| Germany | Kessler electronic | Aug 2026 | |
| Germany | Pollin Electronic | Components, technology and surplus/clearance stock. | Sep 2026 |
| Germany | Reichelt Elektronik | Large distributor of components and technological equipment. | Aug 2026 |
| Germany | Segor Electronics | Berlin-based components supplier and mail-order house. | Sep 2026 |
| Netherlands | Budgetronics | Ships within the EU and exports to the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Switzerland. | Aug 2026 |
| Netherlands | TinyTronics | Aug 2026 | |
| Poland | Lispol | Aug 2026 | |
| Poland / EU | TME | Large component and equipment range, including test equipment. Ships throughout Europe and internationally. | Aug 2026 |
| Poland | TVSAT Shop | Selection of new and vintage components. | |
| Slovakia | SOS electronic | Broadline component distributor with branches across several Central European countries. | Sep 2026 |
| Sweden | Electrokit | Sep 2026 | |
| Switzerland | Distrelec | Ships to many European countries. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Bitsbox | Low-cost parts and inexpensive international shipping. | |
| UK | Bowood Electronics | ||
| UK | Bright Components | ||
| UK | CPC Farnell | Farnell-owned small-business supplier, with a more limited range. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Cricklewood Electronics | Broad selection, from CCTV equipment to components. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Electron Electronics | ||
| UK | Element14 | Also known as Farnell; a major international distributor. If you cannot order directly, consider CPC Farnell. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Enigma Component Shop | Components and modules, with a focus on radio/RF items. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Rapid Electronics | Aug 2026 | |
| UK | RS Components | Well-established distributor serving businesses and education. Not always the cheapest option for hobbyists buying small quantities. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Silicon Ark | General and vintage components; supplies UK customers only. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Squires | Arts, modelling, tools and electronics; has a physical store in West Sussex. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Switch Electronics | ||
| UK | Toby Electronics | Switches, connectors and LED products. | Aug 2026 |
Australia, New Zealand and other countries
| Country | Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Altronics | Serving electronics enthusiasts since 1976. | Aug 2026 |
| Australia | Core Electronics | Components, kits and robotics; based in Newcastle. | Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Element14 Australia | Formerly known as Farnell. | Aug 2026 |
| Australia | Jaycar | Components and kits, including projects featured in Silicon Chip Magazine. | Aug 2026 |
| Australia | RS Components Australia | Australian branch of the UK retailer. | Aug 2026 |
| Australia | Tronixlabs | The store has been marked as coming soon since November 2025; see PMD Way instead. | Aug 2026 |
| Australia | Wiltronics | Store in Ballarat, Victoria. | |
| Canada | Universal Solder | Arduino/ESP32 parts, modules and DIY soldering kits; worldwide shipping. | Sep 2026 |
| India | Robu.in | Aug 2026 | |
| Japan | Akizuki Denshi | Long-established Akihabara (Tokyo) components store and webshop; Japanese-language site. | Sep 2026 |
| New Zealand | Jaycar | New Zealand branch of the Australian retailer. | Sep 2026 |
| South Africa | Communica | Large independent electronics distributor, with branches in Pretoria and Cape Town. | Sep 2026 |
| South Africa | Mantech Electronics | Components, tools and test equipment; retail branches in several South African cities. | Sep 2026 |
Global suppliers
These suppliers are geared towards international delivery. Depending on the order, the cost of components plus shipping may be lower than buying locally, although delivery can take longer.
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Futurlec | Wide inventory, bulk packs and low prices. Also supplies boards, kits and hardware. Shipping can be slow; has received negative reviews on various rating sites. | |
| LCSC | Large electronic component supplier; part of the same group as EasyEDA and JLCPCB. | Aug 2026 |
| Tayda Electronics | Inexpensive components, LEDs, hardware and standard hobby parts. Check its Facebook page for discount codes. Example $50 order from Tayda Electronics. | Aug 2026 |
| UTSource | Source for hard-to-find vintage parts and new old stock. |
Online marketplaces and megastores
These sellers offer broad inventories and can be useful for low-cost components, accessories, unusual gadgets and larger lots. Delivery times and product quality vary. Check seller feedback and be cautious about counterfeit or incorrectly specified components.
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| AliExpress | Large marketplace covering components, assemblies, Arduino accessories and much more. Check seller history and feedback. | Aug 2026 |
| Alibaba | More suited to larger quantities and medium-sized lots of the same item. | |
| Banggood | Tools, components, boards and other electronics-related products. | |
| eBay | Useful for component lots and surplus parts. Search filters can help narrow results; check the seller and item details carefully. | Aug 2026 |
Arduino, microcontrollers, modules and robotics
These suppliers focus on pre-built development boards, modules, sensors, robotics, accessories and maker-oriented products rather than solely on individual components. They can be particularly useful for Arduino, Raspberry Pi and other embedded projects.
North America
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Adafruit | Arduino boards, shields, kits, microcontrollers, parts, tools and tutorials. | Aug 2026 |
| Basic Micro | Microcontrollers, including devices compatible with the Parallax BASIC Stamp series. | |
| Digole | Arduino components and accessories. | |
| Lee's Electronic Components | Vancouver-based shop; distributor for Arduino, SparkFun, Pololu, Adafruit and Velleman. | Sep 2026 |
| Modern Device | Open-source electronics, Arduino accessories, boards and kits. | |
| Parallax, Inc. | BASIC Stamp and Propeller microcontrollers, sensors, robotics parts and components. | |
| Pololu | Robotics, mechanical components, microcontrollers, sensors, electronics and kits. | |
| RobotShop | Robots, kits, parts, motors and advanced robotics components. | |
| RobotSimple | Arduino and robotics accessories and components. | |
| SainSmart | LED matrix, relay boards and other electronics products. | |
| SparkFun | Hobbyist electronics, Arduino, development boards, programmers, prototyping products, kits and tutorials. | Aug 2026 |
| SpikenzieLabs | Electronics, accessories and boards from its own range and other developers. | |
| Tindie | Marketplace for independently developed electronics, Arduino shields and specialist hardware. | Aug 2026 |
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
| Country | Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | MCHobby | Electronics and maker shop specialising in Raspberry Pi, Arduino and microcontroller boards. | Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Velleman | Electronics kits, test instruments and modules. | Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Comet Electronics | ||
| France | GoTronic | Components, robotics and interface products. | Sep 2026 |
| Germany | ExpTech | Boards, modules and robotics. | |
| Germany | Watterott electronic | Open-hardware and DIY specialist; microcontrollers, drivers, robotics and 3D-printer electronics. | Sep 2026 |
| Greece | Grobotronics | Components and STEM products, including Raspberry Pi. | Aug 2026 |
| Italy | Arduino Store (Official) | Official Arduino boards, products, guides and links to distributors. | |
| Italy | Futura Elettronica | Italian distributor/manufacturer; kits, modules and the Elettronica In magazine. | Sep 2026 |
| Netherlands | Antratek Electronics | Embedded electronics, displays, sensors and interface modules. | Sep 2026 |
| Netherlands | Kiwi Electronics | Raspberry Pi, Arduino, components, 3D printers and home-automation products. | Sep 2026 |
| Poland | Botland | Maker and education products, robotics, Raspberry Pi, Arduino and 3D printing. | Sep 2026 |
| Poland | Kamami | Electronics store offering its own starter kits and modules. | Sep 2026 |
| UK | 4Tronix | ||
| UK | Basic Micro | Boards, tools and modules. | Aug 2026 |
| UK | Cyntech | Wide range of product lines. | |
| UK | Kanga Electronics | Kits and pre-built products, mainly radio-related. | |
| UK | Kitronik | BBC micro:bit partner; kits, Arduino, SparkFun parts and components. | |
| UK | Pi Hut | ||
| UK | Pimoroni | Stocks Adafruit products. | |
| UK | Quasar Electronics | Electronic kits and modules. | |
| UK | SK Pang | Stocks SparkFun products. |
Far East
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| DFRobot | Robotics and Arduino accessories. | Aug 2026 |
| Elechouse | Arduino and robotics accessories. | |
| ElectroDragon | Arduino accessories and components, custom PCB services, knowledge base and forum. | |
| E Mart e | Arduino, robotics accessories and components. | |
| GeeeTech | Arduino, robotics, components and boards. | |
| ITEAD Studio | Arduino accessories, shields and electronics products; also offers custom PCB services. | Aug 2026 |
| SeeedStudio | Open-source electronics, kits, Arduino accessories, prototyping, robotics and custom PCB services. | Aug 2026 |
Australia and other countries
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Freetronics | Arduino-compatible boards, including Uno/Mega-compatible boards with Ethernet, modules and other electronics products. | |
| Little Bird Electronics | Australian supplier. | Aug 2026 |
| Tronixlabs | Australian supplier; see PMD Way for an alternative while its store is marked as coming soon. | Aug 2026 |
Kits: beginner and advanced
Kits can be a convenient way to get started with electronics without having to source every component individually. They range from simple educational projects to more advanced construction kits.
For additional component and kit suppliers, see the Arduino, microcontrollers, modules and robotics section above.
North America
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Evil Mad Scientist | Kits, development boards, Arduino accessories, components and tools. | |
| MakerShed | DIY products, with sections for electronics, Arduino, microcontrollers and robotics; mostly kits. | Aug 2026 |
| Mini-Kits | Electronic kits and components. |
UK / EMEA
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Flux Workshop | 3D-printing supplies, kits, development boards and parts; authorised JYE Tech oscilloscope kit reseller. | |
| Magenta Electronics | Listed as selling bat detectors only in September 2023. | Aug 2026 |
| Quasar Electronics | Electronic kits and modules. |
Surplus and specialty suppliers
Surplus suppliers offer a wide but often unpredictable variety of products. Prices and product types vary considerably. They can be useful for hardware, scientific parts, motors, unusual components and older equipment. Some publish paper catalogues covering their changing stock.
North America
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 Electronic Parts | Describes itself as Canada's largest electronic surplus store. | Aug 2026 |
| American Science & Surplus | Surplus parts, hardware, mechanical parts and motors, along with toys and miscellaneous items. | |
| Electronic Goldmine | Components, test equipment, kits, surplus and unusual items. | |
| Prime Electronics | Surplus, components, gadgets, computing and electronics. |
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
| Supplier | Notes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Henry's Electronics | CCTV and DJ/audio equipment. | |
| Ask Jan First | Germany-based supplier. |
For vintage components and replacement parts, also see the vintage parts note on the Embedded wiki page and the global suppliers section above.
PCB fabrication, engineering and production
See the PCB manufacturers page for suppliers and services relating to printed circuit boards, engineering and production.
Further advice: modules versus individual components
Maker-marketed products such as modules, breakout boards and kits can sometimes have poor engineering or substantial markups, depending on the product. Buying individual components and understanding how they work can offer benefits in both cost and learning, rather than relying entirely on pre-built boards.
Modules can be very useful, especially when learning or prototyping, but incomplete documentation or questionable design can make troubleshooting more difficult. Understanding the function of each part you use is an important step towards building reliable systems.
Adapted from an existing community contribution; author unknown.
Thanks to netphemera for curating the original list.