Development Boards & Microcontrollers

Development boards provide a ready-to-use platform for learning, prototyping, and product development. Every board we carry is compatible with popular tools like the Arduino IDE, STM32CubeIDE, MicroPython, or CircuitPython — so you can plug in via USB, upload code, and start building straight away.
With 1–2 day UK delivery and free shipping on orders over £25, you won’t be waiting long.

What Is a Microcontroller Development Board?

A microcontroller (MCU) is a small processor on a single circuit board — it can read sensors, control motors, switch relays, communicate over Wi-Fi, and run complex automation routines. A development board packages that MCU with everything needed for embedded development: USB connectivity, voltage regulation, pin headers, and often built-in wireless features.

Unlike bare chips that require custom circuits, development boards are designed for beginners and advanced users alike. Connect one to your computer, open your development environment, and start writing code. No complex setup required. These boards allow rapid prototype creation and are the foundation of robotics, smart homes, industrial control, and countless hobby and professional projects.

Modern dev boards come in many form factors — from tiny compact modules to full-featured evaluation boards with onboard debuggers, SPI interfaces, analog inputs, and LED matrix displays. Whether you need a low-power sensor node or a 32-bit dual-core microprocessor for AI projects, there’s a board to match.

Arduino Compatible Boards

Our Arduino Compatible Boards work seamlessly with Arduino software, shields, and the massive library of community resources — all at a fraction of the cost. Arduino is the most popular starting point for beginner electronics, and experienced developers keep these boards on hand for fast prototyping.

We stock popular options including Arduino Uno, Mega, and Pro Mini compatibles. The Arduino Uno R4 introduced a powerful 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 CPU and built-in features that make it a significant step up for anyone familiar with older boards. The Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense adds Bluetooth Low Energy and onboard sensors — all in the compact Nano form factor.

Each board works with thousands of open-source libraries and tutorials. Expand capabilities with our Arduino Shields and interface with the physical world using our range of Sensors. New to all this? Our Arduino Starter Kits are complete development kits that bundle a board with sensors, components, wires, and a breadboard — everything in one box.

ESP Boards — IoT Development Board Options

Need WiFi, Bluetooth, or both? Our ESP boards from Espressif are among the most popular choices for Internet of Things projects worldwide. These powerful boards connect to your network, talk to cloud services, and control devices and applications remotely — all for just a few pounds.

The ESP8266 provides solid WiFi connectivity with enough power for most common applications — think weather stations, smart gadgets, automated lighting, and sensor networks. The ESP32 steps things up with a multi-core setup, built-in Bluetooth, additional GPIO pins, SPI flash, and a built-in DAC. Both are programmable through popular tools and support MicroPython and the SDK for advanced work.

Wemos D1 Mini — Compact WiFi Board

The Wemos D1 Mini is one of the most beloved WiFi-enabled boards in the maker community. Its tiny size, built-in WiFi, and stackable shield system make it ideal for IoT builds where space matters.

The D1 Mini can run a web server, connect to MQTT brokers, sense environmental conditions, and switch relays with ease. A wide ecosystem of stackable shields — including OLED displays, motor drivers, battery packs, and relay boards — lets you build sophisticated systems without messy wiring. It’s a favourite for home automation with firmware like Tasmota, and for compact sensor nodes.

STM32 Development Boards

STM32 microcontrollers from STMicroelectronics are the backbone of professional embedded work. Built around powerful ARM processors, STM32 boards offer exceptional performance, rich peripheral sets, advanced security features, and outstanding energy efficiency — making them ideal for serious commercial projects.

The STM32 Nucleo range is particularly popular. STM32 Nucleo boards give you an affordable entry point into the ecosystem with onboard ST-LINK debuggers and Arduino-compatible headers. Whether you’re exploring ARM development boards for the first time or building a commercial prototype, the Nucleo range provides the performance and development tools you need.

These MCU boards are widely used in real-time control systems, sensor connections, and connected devices. Their ARM Cortex-M cores deliver the power needed for demanding applications while maintaining efficient operation for battery-powered builds.

Raspberry Pi Pico & RP2040 Boards

The RP2040 is a microcontroller designed by Raspberry Pi, and it’s become a favourite in the maker world. Our RP2040-Zero compatible boards pack that power into a compact package at a brilliant price.

With generous RAM and storage, a unique programmable I/O (PIO) system, and support for both C/C++ and MicroPython, the Pico handles everything from custom USB devices and mechanical keyboards to real-time control and signal processing. The Raspberry Pi Pico W 2 adds WiFi connectivity, turning this affordable board into a capable wireless node.

For those wanting a full single board computer (SBCs), the Raspberry Pi 5 offers desktop-class performance with a vast software ecosystem — perfect for media servers and development system setups that need a full operating system. These boards are backed by outstanding documentation and one of the largest communities in electronics.

More Boards Worth Knowing

Beyond the most popular platforms, several other options deserve attention depending on your project:

Teensy — A high-performance, compact board popular for audio projects, USB devices, and applications that need serious processing speed in a small package.

Adafruit Circuit Playground — An all-in-one board packed with onboard sensors, LEDs, and buttons. Ideal for learning and classroom use.

DFRobot FireBeetle — Designed specifically for energy-efficient applications with excellent battery life and built-in wireless connectivity.

Arduino Portenta — Arduino’s industrial-grade line, built for professional use, machine vision, and edge computing.

NVIDIA Jetson — When your project demands GPU-accelerated AI and machine learning at the edge, this delivers serious compute power for computer vision.

How to Choose the Best Microcontroller Development Board

With so many options, picking the right board can feel overwhelming. Here’s a straightforward guide:

Complete beginners: Start with an Uno or Nano compatible. The learning resources are unmatched, and you’ll find tutorials for almost anything. Our development kits include everything you need in one package.

WiFi and IoT: Choose an ESP board. For the smallest footprint, the Wemos D1 Mini is hard to beat.

USB devices and advanced work: The RP2040 shines here, with programmable I/O that can sense and generate custom protocols.

Professional embedded work: Nucleo boards from STM32 offer the performance, debugging tools, and ecosystem for serious development.

Large projects with lots of pins: An Arduino Mega compatible gives you the most GPIO pins and memory for complex, multi-sensor builds.

AI and machine learning: Consider Raspberry Pi or NVIDIA GPU boards for projects that need acceleration.

Accessories for Your Projects

Get the most from your development board with the right accessories:

Breadboards and Wires — Our breadboards and jumper wires let you build and test circuits without soldering. Connect sensors, displays, motors, and more in minutes.

Sensors — Explore our full range of Arduino-compatible sensors for temperature, humidity, motion, light, sound, and pressure. All work with every board in this category.

Power Solutions — Keep your builds running with DC-DC converters and lithium polymer batteries for portable and off-desk setups.

Motor Control — Building something that moves? Our servo motors and motor drivers pair perfectly with any board for robotics projects.

Relay Modules — Safely control mains-powered appliances with our relay modules, available in 5V, 12V, and 24V versions for various setups.

Communication Modules — Add extra connectivity with our communication boards supporting WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and Ethernet.

Soldering and Testing Equipment

As your projects become more ambitious, proper tools make all the difference. We’re proud partners with YIHUA and FNIRSI, bringing you professional-quality equipment at hobbyist-friendly prices:

Soldering Iron Kits — Move from breadboard prototypes to permanent, reliable builds.

Soldering Stations — Temperature-controlled precision for consistent, professional results. All YIHUA products come with a 12-month guarantee.

FNIRSI Oscilloscopes & Multimeters — See what’s happening in your circuits. Essential for debugging any project.

Electronic Testing Equipment — Our complete range of measurement and diagnostic tools.

Why Buy from Kunkune?

Best Prices in the UK — Quality boards and dev kits at prices that keep your projects affordable. No minimum order — buy one board or stock up for a workshop or classroom.

Fast UK Shipping — Every order ships from the UK via Royal Mail. Standard delivery takes just 1–2 days, and it’s completely free on orders over £25.

60-Day Easy Returns — Changed your mind or ordered the wrong board? Return any item within 60 days with no hassle.

Browse our full range of development boards and microcontrollers below and start your next project today.