Adafruit
Adafruit ItsyBitsy nRF52840 Express
Best compact microcontroller for space-constrained wireless IoT projects.
The Adafruit ItsyBitsy nRF52840 Express is a compact microcontroller board featuring the Nordic nRF52840 Bluetooth LE processor. It's designed for small wireless connectivity projects, acting as both a BLE central and peripheral. This board boasts a powerful 64 MHz Cortex M4 processor, 1MB of FLASH, and 256KB of RAM, making it suitable for data logging and code storage with its 2MB QSPI FLASH chip. It supports both Arduino IDE and CircuitPython, offering flexibility for developers. The ItsyBitsy nRF52840 Express is ideal for space-constrained builds, providing essential features in a tiny form factor. The Adafruit ItsyBitsy nRF52840 Express is a compact microcontroller board featuring the powerful Nordic nRF52840 Bluetooth LE processor. It boasts a 64 MHz Cortex M4 processor with 1 MB of FLASH and 256 KB of RAM, making it ideal for small wireless projects. This board supports both BLE central and peripheral roles and is compatible with Arduino and CircuitPython. It includes 2 MB of QSPI Flash for data logging and code storage, along with 21 GPIO pins, 6 analog inputs, and up to 12 PWM outputs. Its small form factor and versatile capabilities make it perfect for space-constrained applications requiring wireless connectivity.
$19.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
28
/ 1543
#28 in Development Boards
Price vs Category Average
-77%
Below average
Manufacturer
Adafruit
/ Adafruit
Who it's for
- Developers building complex, wireless, and power-efficient IoT projects
- Prototypers working within tight physical space constraints
- Beginners seeking fast, accessible coding and rapid iteration
Who should skip it
- Novices intimidated by advanced wireless stack configuration
- Makers requiring extensive I/O for complex peripheral integration
- Budget-conscious hobbyists prioritizing low-cost hardware solutions
Performance breakdown
Form Factor Efficiency
Remarkably dense layout packs serious wireless power into a tiny footprint.
Wireless Versatility
Seamlessly handles both central and peripheral roles for complex IoT ecosystems.
Development Flexibility
Dual support for CircuitPython and Arduino caters to every developer preference.
Onboard Storage Capacity
Generous 2MB QSPI flash provides ample room for extensive data logging.
Programming Accessibility
Drag-and-drop UF2 bootloader makes code deployment fast and frustration-free.
I/O Connectivity
Solid selection of GPIO and PWM pins for most compact projects.
Key Specs
Manufacturer
Adafruit
Product Category
Bluetooth Development Tools - 802.15.1
Dimensions
36 mm x 17.6 mm x 5.3 mm
Unit Weight
0.105822 oz
Frequency
2.4 GHz
Protocol
Bluetooth, BLE - 802.15.1
Tool Is For Evaluation Of
nRF52840
Product Type
Bluetooth Development Tools
Features
- Compact and powerful design
- Fast 64MHz Cortex M4 processor
- Ample 1MB Flash and 2MB QSPI Flash
- Versatile Bluetooth LE central and peripheral capabilities
- Supports Arduino and CircuitPython development environments
- Ideal for space-constrained wireless projects
- Integrated USB for easy programming and communication
- Six power pins and 21 digital GPIO pins
- Extremely compact form factor for space-constrained projects
- Powerful 64 MHz Cortex M4 processor with DSP instructions
- Ample onboard flash and RAM for complex applications
- Integrated 2MB QSPI Flash for data logging and file storage
- Native USB support for easy programming and debugging
- Dual support for Arduino IDE and CircuitPython
- Built-in UF2 bootloader for drag-and-drop programming
- Onboard LEDs for status indication and feedback
- Ideal for IoT and wireless projects
- Suitable for prototyping and development
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly value the Adafruit ItsyBitsy nRF52840 Express for its powerful features packed into a compact design. The Nordic nRF52840 core delivers robust processing and native Bluetooth Low Energy support, simplifying sophisticated IoT development. A major highlight is the seamless integration with CircuitPython, where excellent documentation significantly lowers the barrier to entry for wireless programming. Users appreciate the miniature form factor and the built-in LiPo charging circuit, enabling sleek, portable applications. While priced higher, the exceptional quality, reliability, and feature density fully justify the investment for developers and hobbyists seeking advanced, integrated wireless solutions.
Know before you buy
Yes, the ItsyBitsy nRF52840 Express is fully compatible with both environments. You can easily switch between them depending on your project requirements.
The dedicated 2MB QSPI Flash chip provides extra space for data logging, file storage, and complex code, keeping your main 1MB of internal flash free for the application itself.
Yes, the nRF52840 processor is capable of acting as both a BLE central and a peripheral device, making it highly versatile for IoT and wireless communication projects.
The board features native USB support and a built-in UF2 bootloader. This allows you to program it simply by dragging and dropping files onto the drive that appears when you connect it to your computer.
No, the ItsyBitsy nRF52840 Express operates at 3.3V logic. You should ensure that any sensors or peripherals you connect are also compatible with 3.3V logic levels to avoid damaging the board.
Absolutely. With dimensions of only 36mm x 17.6mm, it is specifically designed for space-constrained builds where you need high performance and wireless connectivity in a tiny footprint.
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