Arduino Shields

What Is an Arduino Shield?

An Arduino shield is a modular circuit board that plugs directly on top of an Arduino microcontroller board. Shields use stackable pin headers that match the Arduino’s pin layout. This means you can add new features to your project without soldering or complex wiring.

Each shield adds a specific function. A sensor shield breaks out all pins for easy sensor connections. A motor shield drives DC motors and stepper motors. A CNC shield controls stepper motors for 3D printers and CNC machines. A relay shield switches mains-powered devices on and off.

Shields are designed to stack. You can place multiple shields on top of each other to combine features. For example, a sensor shield and a display shield can sit on the same Uno R3 board at the same time.

Kunkune stocks 27 Arduino shields and expansion boards. Prices start from £2.45. All shields work with Arduino-compatible clone boards. You do not need an official Arduino board. Browse our Arduino-compatible boards from £2.90.

What Types of Arduino Shields Are Available?

Arduino shields are grouped by function. The table below lists every shield type Kunkune stocks with compatible boards and typical uses.

For a complete list of Arduino shields, scroll up to browse all 27 products. Every shield in our range is in stock and dispatched within 1 working day from the UK.

Which Shields Work with Arduino Uno, Mega, and Nano?

Shield compatibility depends on the board’s pin layout and physical dimensions. Arduino Uno and Mega share the same shield header layout, so most Uno shields also fit the Mega. Nano shields are smaller and use a different form factor.

Arduino Uno shields — Most shields in the Kunkune range are designed for the Uno R3 pin layout. This includes sensor shields, display shields, relay shields, CNC Shield V3.0, Ethernet shields, and the multifunctional expansion board. The Uno has the widest shield compatibility of any Arduino board.

Arduino Mega shields — The Mega 2560 accepts all standard Uno shields plus larger Mega-specific shields. The RAMPS 1.4 is a Mega-only shield designed for 3D printers. The Mega Sensor Shield V2.0 breaks out all 54 digital pins and 16 analog pins with 3-pin headers.

Arduino Nano shields — The Nano uses a compact breadboard-friendly form factor. Nano-specific shields include the Nano Breakout Board with screw terminals, the XD-212 expansion board, the Nano Prototype Shield, and the Nano Data Logger with RTC and SD card slot.

All shields in the Kunkune range work with Arduino-compatible clone boards. You do not need an official Arduino board. Our Arduino Uno, Nano, and Mega clones use the same pin layout as originals.

What Is an Arduino CNC Shield?

An Arduino CNC shield is a specialised expansion board that controls stepper motors for CNC machines, 3D printers, laser cutters, and engravers. It stacks onto an Arduino board and accepts plug-in stepper motor driver modules like the A4988 or DRV8825.

The CNC Shield V3.0 plugs onto an Arduino Uno. It supports up to 4 stepper motors (X, Y, Z axes plus a spindle). Each axis uses a removable A4988 or DRV8825 driver module. It runs GRBL firmware for G-code control.

The RAMPS 1.4 (RepRap Arduino Mega Pololu Shield) plugs onto an Arduino Mega 2560. It supports up to 5 stepper motors, 3 temperature sensors, 6 endstop switches, a heated bed, a fan, and an extruder. This is the standard shield for DIY 3D printers running Marlin firmware.

Kunkune stocks both shields plus A4988 and DRV8825 stepper motor driver modules separately. For the full CNC or 3D printer setup, you also need a Mega 2560 or Uno board.

Which Arduino Display Shields Does Kunkune Stock?

Kunkune stocks LCD and TFT display shields that plug directly into Arduino Uno and Mega boards. These add a colour screen to your project for showing sensor readings, menus, graphics, or touch input.

2.4″ TFT Touch Screen Shield (240×320) — Full colour display with resistive touch input. Plugs directly onto the Uno R3. Uses the ILI9341 driver. Displays 262,000 colours. Includes an SD card slot for loading images.

1.8″ TFT LCD Module (128×160) — Smaller colour display for compact projects. Connects via SPI pins. Works with Uno, Nano, and Mega.

For OLED and character LCD displays that connect via wires rather than stacking as shields, browse our LCD and OLED display range.

How Do I Choose the Right Arduino Shield?

Start with what your project needs to do. Each shield adds one specific capability. Match the function to the shield type.

Need to connect multiple sensors quickly? — Get a sensor shield. It breaks out all Arduino pins into 3-pin headers (signal, VCC, GND) so you can plug sensors straight in without a breadboard.

Building a 3D printer or CNC machine? — Get the RAMPS 1.4 with a Mega 2560 for full 3D printer control, or the CNC Shield V3.0 with an Uno for simpler CNC and laser engraver projects.

Want to add a screen? — The 2.4″ TFT touch screen shield gives colour display with touch input. It plugs directly onto the Uno R3 with no wiring.

Controlling mains-powered devices? — The 4-channel relay shield switches lights, pumps, fans, and heaters from your Arduino. Ideal for home automation.

Need internet connectivity? — The W5100 or ENC28J60 Ethernet shield adds wired network access. For WiFi, consider an ESP32 board instead of a shield.

All Kunkune shields are in stock with prices from £2.45. Orders dispatched within 1 working day. Delivery in 1–2 days. Free shipping on orders over £25. 12-month guarantee and 60-day returns.