Product Reviews
January 7, 2020Laser Shooting Gallery
January 11, 2020
The KOTYs
During the year 2019, I evaluated over 100 electronics kits and sets. I narrowed it down to 4 finalists (with one honorable mention) and present you the Kit of the Year Awards. As the administrator of an Arduino Facebook Group with 130,000+ members, I've seen a lot. This is what rose to the top.
Note: I will also post nominees to the 2020 KOTYs here, so you can see the latest hot gear right here.
Watch the KOTYs
Coding Array - Overall Kit of the Year Winner
Where it Rocks
Great out of the box experience
Separates coding from wiring
Kit can be broken into individual modules. So cool.
Very unique and innovative
Where it Lacks
Examples could use some better commenting
More expensive than other starter kits
Keyestudio Micro:bit - Best Kit for Kids and KOTY Runner-Up
Where it Rocks
The Micro:bit platform is great for beginners
You can program with drag and drop, python, or javascript
The sensors really extend the already awesome Micro:bit
A great way to learn coding/electronics concepts
Where it Lacks
Not Arduino
Eventually you will run into limitations and have to change platforms.
RexQualis Mega Kit - Best Traditional Kit
Where it Rocks
The Mega is my favorite Arduino Board
Tons of components
Fantastic value
Where it Lacks
If you don't have a cd drive you need to get the code online
Bouncing between the arduino software and the instructions can get tricky on one screen.
Freenove RFID Kit - Best Value Kit
Where it Rocks
Amazing Value
Contains all the basics
RFID is such a "wow factor" to add to your first projects
Where it Lacks
The code is online
Not as broad as the Mega kit
