Arduino
Arduino Micro with Headers
Best compact controller for custom keyboard and mouse interface projects.
The Arduino Micro is a compact microcontroller board powered by the ATmega32u4 processor, ideal for embedded projects. It offers 20 digital I/O pins, including 7 PWM outputs and 12 analog inputs, providing ample flexibility for diverse applications. Its standout feature is native USB support, allowing it to act as a human interface device like a mouse or keyboard, alongside standard serial communication. Designed to fit easily on a breadboard, this authentic Arduino board simplifies prototyping and integration into custom electronics, making it a robust platform for developers.
$22.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
606
/ 1541
#606 in Development Boards
Price vs Category Average
-74%
Below average
Microcontroller
32416
/ ATmegau running at MHz
Who it's for
- Developers building custom USB peripherals and input devices
- Makers designing wearable tech or space-constrained electronics
- Prototypers needing quick breadboard connectivity without soldering
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious hobbyists working on simple, non-compact projects
- Beginners who rely on visual feedback for troubleshooting
- Users prone to wiring errors in dense, complex circuits
Performance breakdown
Prototyping Versatility
Breadboard-friendly design makes rapid circuit iteration seamless and efficient.
HID Emulation
Native USB support allows effortless keyboard and mouse project integration.
I/O Connectivity
Ample digital and analog pins provide significant flexibility for complex sensors.
Form Factor
Compact footprint fits perfectly into space-constrained embedded electronics projects.
Processing Power
The ATmega32u4 is reliable for standard tasks but limited for heavy computation.
Ecosystem Compatibility
Seamless integration with the Arduino IDE ensures a smooth development experience.
Key Specs
Microcontroller
ATmega32u4 running at 16 MHz
Operating Voltage
5V DC
Input Voltage Limits
6V to 20V DC
Flash Memory
32 KB (4 KB used by bootloader)
SRAM
2.5 KB
Digital I/O Pins
20 (7 PWM capable)
Analog Input Channels
12
DC Current per I/O Pin
40 mA
Features
- Native USB for mouse/keyboard emulation
- Compact, breadboard-friendly design
- 20 digital I/O pins with PWM
- 12 analog input channels
- Simultaneous serial and HID support
- Onboard EEPROM for data storage
- Direct programming via ICSP header
- Authentic Arduino product
What customers say
Customers highly value the Arduino Micro for its compact size and powerful ATmega32U4 capabilities. Its native USB functionality is a standout feature, allowing easy emulation of devices like keyboards and mice for custom peripherals. The pre-soldered headers add significant convenience, ensuring immediate, reliable connections. Quality and reliability are consistently praised, justifying the slightly higher cost for advanced users needing miniaturization. While its small footprint can present minor breadboarding challenges compared to larger boards, the Micro is regarded as an essential, high-performance tool for sophisticated, space-constrained projects demanding advanced USB communication.
Know before you buy
Yes. Because the ATmega32u4 processor features native USB support, the Micro can be programmed to emulate a HID (Human Interface Device) like a mouse or keyboard, allowing it to interact directly with your computer.
Yes, the Arduino Micro is specifically designed with a compact form factor that fits easily onto a standard breadboard, making it ideal for prototyping and custom electronics projects.
The Arduino Micro provides 12 analog input channels, giving you plenty of capacity for complex sensor arrays compared to many other compact development boards.
It can be powered directly via the Micro USB connection. If you need to use it away from a computer, it accepts an input voltage between 6V and 20V DC.
Yes, the Arduino Micro is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE. You can program it easily using the built-in bootloader via the USB connection.
While all 20 digital I/O pins can be used for standard input or output, 7 of those pins are specifically capable of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), which allows you to control things like motor speed or LED brightness.
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