Teensy 3.1
Best compact powerhouse for advanced hobbyist and engineering projects.
The Teensy 3.1 is a compact, breadboard-friendly development board featuring a powerful 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 processor running at 72MHz. It is designed for hobbyists, students, and engineers, offering significant computing capability through an adapted Arduino IDE environment or direct C programming. This board upgrades previous versions with 64K of RAM, 256K of Flash, 5V tolerant digital inputs, a 12-bit DAC, and CAN bus support. It maintains a small footprint while delivering advanced peripheral features, making it an excellent platform for complex embedded projects.
$21.60
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Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
28
/ 1541
#28 in Development Boards
Price vs Category Average
-75%
Below average
CPU
32472
/ bit ARM Cortex-M at MHz
Who it's for
- Developers requiring versatile connectivity for advanced sensor integration
- Engineers needing fast processing for complex mathematical calculations
- Makers building custom HID devices like controllers or keyboards
Who should skip it
- Hobbyists working primarily with legacy 5V components
- Students or budget-conscious creators managing large-scale deployments
- Professionals seeking plug-and-play hardware debugging solutions
Performance breakdown
Processing Power
The ARM Cortex-M4 handles complex calculations with impressive speed and efficiency.
Peripheral Versatility
Extensive I/O options provide exceptional flexibility for diverse embedded project requirements.
Form Factor
Compact design fits perfectly into tight spaces without sacrificing essential functionality.
Software Compatibility
Seamless Arduino IDE integration makes advanced programming accessible for all skill levels.
Memory Capacity
Generous RAM and Flash allocations support sophisticated code and data-heavy applications.
Prototyping Ease
Breadboard-friendly layout ensures rapid iteration and simple circuit integration.
Key Specs
CPU
32 bit ARM Cortex-M4 at 72MHz
Memory
256K Flash, 64K RAM, 2K EEPROM
Digital I/O Pins
34 total (21 shared with analog)
Analog Inputs
21 channels (13 bits usable)
PWM Outputs
12 channels
DAC Output
1 channel (12-bit resolution)
Serial Interfaces
3 UARTs, 1 SPI, 1 I2C, 1 CAN
Dimensions
1.4" x 0.7"
Features
- Powerful 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 processing
- High-resolution analog inputs available
- Integrated CAN bus support for networking
- Dedicated USB with DMA memory transfers
- Includes I2S interface for audio
- Onboard touch sensor inputs
- Breadboard-friendly compact form factor
- Includes necessary pin header
What customers say
Customers highly value the Teensy 3.1 for its exceptional speed and compact design, making it a top choice for advanced projects. Its powerful ARM Cortex-M4 core handles complex tasks like audio synthesis and fast data logging far beyond standard boards. Developers appreciate the seamless transition from the familiar Arduino environment, gaining significant performance without a steep learning curve. The hardware is consistently praised for its high quality and reliability, instilling confidence in long-running applications. While the initial price is higher, users agree the superior processing power, extensive features, and excellent support deliver outstanding value for professional grade embedded systems.
Know before you buy
Yes, the Teensy 3.1 is designed to work with the Arduino IDE via the Teensyduino add-on. This allows you to use familiar Arduino libraries and code structures while taking advantage of the board's more powerful ARM Cortex-M4 processor.
Yes, the digital inputs on the Teensy 3.1 are 5V tolerant. This makes it much easier to interface with a wide variety of standard 5V components without needing external level-shifting circuitry.
With 256K of Flash and 64K of RAM, the Teensy 3.1 offers significantly more memory than standard 8-bit boards like the Arduino Uno. This makes it well-suited for projects involving data logging, complex signal processing, or larger codebases.
Absolutely. The board features an I2S interface for high-quality digital audio and a 12-bit DAC for analog output. Combined with its 72MHz processor, it is a popular choice for building synthesizers, effects pedals, and audio players.
The compact 1.4" x 0.7" footprint is designed to fit perfectly onto a standard solderless breadboard. This allows you to prototype circuits quickly without needing custom PCBs or complex wiring setups.
Yes, the Teensy 3.1 includes integrated CAN bus support. This allows you to communicate with vehicle networks or industrial automation systems directly, provided you add the necessary external transceiver hardware.
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$22