• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • HOME
  • DEALS
  • ABOUT
  • RNT COURSES
  • CONTACT
  • TOOLS
  • » FREE GUIDE «

Maker Advisor

Best Tools and Gear for Makers

How To Set Up an Electronics Lab: Tools and Equipment

April 20, 2019 By Sara Santos

If you’ve decided to start learning electronics and you’re looking to set up your own hobbyist electronics lab, you’re in the right place. This guide will help you learn how to set up an electronics lab and find the right tools and equipment.

Setting Up an Electronics Lab

When you’re just getting started, it is difficult to know what tools are or aren’t essential, or what are the best tools.

This list contains a lot of different tools. You don’t need to buy them all at once. Otherwise, you’ll end up buying stuff that you don’t need or stuff you’ll never use! Start by purchasing a few essential tools related to the projects you want to do. Then, as your lab, and your expertise starts growing, upgrade you lab with new tools.

Finding the Right Spot

Making electronics projects is a lot of fun and it is nice to have a specific space to be our lab, a space where we have all we need to make our projects. It doesn’t have to be a full room or a big space. But it’s important to have “the” space! A space that is ours and where we can have all things we need to get the most of making electronics projects.

Once you have your spot, you need to set it up! We’ll show you some essential tools to set up your own electronics lab.

Multimeter

A multimeter is a measurement tool absolutely necessary. It helps you troubleshooting your circuits. Sometimes your circuits may not work because of faulty wires. Checking the connections with the multimeter can save a lot of time.

If you’re looking for one, we truly recommend an auto-range multimeter. The auto-ranging is a great advantage, because it saves you of the hassle of having to guess which range of value the electrical characteristic you’re measuring falls under. Check the best multimeters under $50.

- 22%
Neoteck Pocket Digital Multimeter 8233D PRO
Amazon.com
Neoteck Pocket Digital Multimeter 8233D PRO
$23.99 $30.99 
BUY NOW
Mastech MS8268 Series Digital Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter
Amazon.com
Mastech MS8268 Series Digital Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter
$62.99
BUY NOW
- 40%
Klein Tools MM400 Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter
Amazon.com
Klein Tools MM400 Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter
$48.95 $81.66 
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Soldering Station

Having a soldering station in an electronics lab is absolutely necessary, even if you don’t usually build permanent circuits. Many electronics components don’t come with header pins or breadboard-friendly pins attached. In these cases, you’ll need to do some soldering work. If you don’t do a lot of soldering, a simple soldering station will do the job. However, we really recommend getting a good soldering station with enough wattage and adjustable temperature. A good soldering station will last your entire life.

If you’re looking for a soldering station, you may be interested in reading our suggestions about the best soldering irons for beginners and electronics hobbyists.

Tabiger Soldering Iron Kit 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature
Amazon.com
Tabiger Soldering Iron Kit 60W 110V-Adjustable Temperature
$20.99
BUY NOW
X-Tronic Model #3020-XTS Digital Display Soldering Iron Station
Amazon.com
X-Tronic Model #3020-XTS Digital Display Soldering Iron Station
$54.75
BUY NOW
Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow)
Amazon.com
Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station FX-888D FX-888 (blue & yellow)
$117.74
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

If you are limited in terms of space, you may want to get a small portable soldering iron. We really recommend the TS80 mini portable soldering iron. It is as good as a regular soldering iron and occupies very little space. Read our review: TS100 Soldering Iron Review – Best Portable Soldering Iron.

Soldering Accessories

Besides the soldering station you also need some soldering accessories:

  • Solder: the easiest type to work with is 60/40 lead/tin.
  • Solder wick: the wick soaks up molten solder, it’s useful to clean the excess of solder.
  • Cleaning sponge: to clean the tip of your iron while soldering.
  • Tip tinner: used to clean the tip of the soldering iron.
  • Diagonal cutting pliers: useful to trim the leads after soldering.
  • Helping hand: to hold your components together while you solder.
  • Flux pen: the flux pen content aids the flowing of a lead-free solder.
  • Solder vacuum pump: this tool helps you removing the solder left when desoldering components.

For more soldering accessories, take a look at the Top 10 Soldering Accessories and Tools.

- 18%
Thermaltronics TMT-TC-2 Lead Free Tip Tinner
Amazon.com
Thermaltronics TMT-TC-2 Lead Free Tip Tinner
$6.49 $8.00 
BUY NOW
- 11%
SE MZ101B Helping Hand with Magnifying Glass
Amazon.com
SE MZ101B Helping Hand with Magnifying Glass
$12.79 $14.48 
BUY NOW
Soldering Iron Tip Cleaner and 3 Pack Brass Ball
Amazon.com
Soldering Iron Tip Cleaner and 3 Pack Brass Ball
$9.47
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Bench Power Supply

A voltage supply may not be essential in simple and beginner projects, but it is a really practical tool when it comes to circuits. It allows you to power your circuits before they are finished, to test individual circuits, to experiment, etc. Nowadays, simple bench DC power supplies aren’t that expensive anymore. In fact, you can get one for less than $100. Read the best bench power supply for electronics hobbyists buying guide.

- 14%
DC Power Supply Variable,0-30 V / 0-10 A Eventek KPS3010D
Amazon.com
DC Power Supply Variable,0-30 V / 0-10 A Eventek KPS3010D
$59.99 $69.99 
BUY NOW
Tekpower TP3005T Variable Linear DC Power Supply, 0 - 30V @ 0 - 5A
Amazon.com
Tekpower TP3005T Variable Linear DC Power Supply, 0 - 30V @ 0 - 5A
$79.98
BUY NOW
Pevono PS305 Bench DC Power Supply Variable, 0-30V/0-5A 3
Amazon.com
Pevono PS305 Bench DC Power Supply Variable, 0-30V/0-5A 3
out of stock
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Oscilloscope

An oscilloscope is a great tool for debugging and better understand what is going on with your circuits. Unlike a multimeter that only shows the voltage at a specific moment, with an oscilloscope you can see what’s happening with the voltage over time. We have an Hantek DSO5102P Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO) and it is a great entry-level oscilloscope for students, beginners and DIYers (read our review).

Hantek DSO5102P Digital Storage Oscilloscope 2Channels 100MHz 1GSa/s

Hantek DSO5102P Digital Storage Oscilloscope 2Channels 100MHz 1GSa/s

★★★★★
$299.99
$239.99
BUY NOW
Banggood.com
as of February 21, 2023 12:05 am

Oscilloscopes are expensive. A cheap regular bench oscilloscope costs at around $300. However, there are very cheap oscilloscope kits that can perform the most basic functions for a very low price. For example, the DSO150 low cost oscilloscope may cost between $25 and $40. This oscilloscope doesn’t replace a real oscilloscope, but it is good enough if you’re just getting started (read our review).

Original JYE Tech Assembled DSO-SHELL DSO150 Oscilloscope

Original JYE Tech Assembled DSO-SHELL DSO150 Oscilloscope

★★★★★
$34.99
$25.99
BUY NOW
Banggood.com
as of February 21, 2023 12:05 am

Wire Stripper

A wire stripper is essential in an electronics lab as you’ll have to strip cables many times. You can get a simple wire stripper, but we absolutely recommend you a self-adjusting wire stripper/cutter instead. It is very easy to use, adapts to a wide variety of cables and works perfectly.

Eclipse Tools CP-301G Pro'sKit Precision Wire Stripper, 30-20 AWG
Amazon.com
Eclipse Tools CP-301G Pro'sKit Precision Wire Stripper, 30-20 AWG
$4.95
BUY NOW
- 5%
Neiko 01924A Ultimate Self-Adjusting Wire and Cable Stripper
Amazon.com
Neiko 01924A Ultimate Self-Adjusting Wire and Cable Stripper
$16.99 $17.99 
BUY NOW
- 32%
IRWIN VISE-GRIP 2078300 Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper, 8"
Amazon.com
IRWIN VISE-GRIP 2078300 Self-Adjusting Wire Stripper, 8"
$25.95 $38.44 
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Needle-nose Pliers and Wire Cutter

A needle-nose pliers is always handy. You should absolutely get one. Wire cutters are also absolutely essential. You can take a look at these 5 pliers that cost less than $5 each.

- 30%
Stanley 84-096 5-Inch Needle Nose Plier
Amazon.com
Stanley 84-096 5-Inch Needle Nose Plier
$8.35 $11.99 
BUY NOW
- 13%
Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutter
Amazon.com
Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutter
$7.71 $8.89 
BUY NOW
Craftsman Evolv 6-Piece Mini Pliers Set
Amazon.com
Craftsman Evolv 6-Piece Mini Pliers Set
$49.99
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Hot Glue Gun

Hot glue is great. It is very handy for a wide variety of applications if you want to make something stick together. In electronics, hot glue is perfect to fix your circuit into a surface or to attach cables together. As the glue is an insulating material, it can help you protect your circuitry. Check our post about hot glue guns: best hot glue guns – our budget and top picks.

Philonext Hot Melt Glue Gun with 50 Pcs 190mm Glue Sticks
Amazon.com
Philonext Hot Melt Glue Gun with 50 Pcs 190mm Glue Sticks
out of stock
BUY NOW
Hot Glue Gun, Cobiz Full Size 60/100W Dual Power High Temp
Amazon.com
Hot Glue Gun, Cobiz Full Size 60/100W Dual Power High Temp
out of stock
BUY NOW
BSTPOWER Hot Melt Glue Gun Adjustable Temperature 100W Professional Full Size High and Low Temp Interchangeable Non-drip Nozzle
Amazon.com
BSTPOWER Hot Melt Glue Gun Adjustable Temperature 100W Professional Full Size...
$16.99
out of stock
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

You may also like: 4 hot glue tricks for your electronics projects 

Precision Screwdriver Set

There are components with really small screws and with specific shapes and so, at some point in your projects, you’ll need a precision screwdriver. We recommend you getting a set take comes with extension bits because you’ll need all of them sooner or later. Take a look at best precision screwdriver sets – our budget and top picks.

ShungHO Precision Screwdriver Set 6 Pcs Precision Screwdriver
Amazon.com
ShungHO Precision Screwdriver Set 6 Pcs Precision Screwdriver
out of stock
BUY NOW
- 28%
9-Piece Precision Screwdriver Set | Phillips, Flat and Torx Star
Amazon.com
9-Piece Precision Screwdriver Set | Phillips, Flat and Torx Star
$9.99 $13.99 
BUY NOW
- 28%
ORIA Screwdriver Set, Magnetic Driver Kit, Professional Repair Tool Kit
Amazon.com
ORIA Screwdriver Set, Magnetic Driver Kit, Professional Repair Tool Kit
$14.99 $20.99 
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Tweezers

Tweezers are very useful to manipulate the small electronics components. The tweezers below have an extremely small and pointed tip, which is perfect for electronics.

ESD Tweezers Tools Kit, PIXNOR 9 Pieces Precision Anti-Static Non-Magnetic Stainless Steel Tweezers with Storage Bag
Amazon.com
ESD Tweezers Tools Kit, PIXNOR 9 Pieces Precision Anti-Static Non-Magnetic...
$29.99
out of stock
BUY NOW
Warmstor Tweezers 7-pieces Precision Anti-static ESD Stainless Steel Tweezers
Amazon.com
Warmstor Tweezers 7-pieces Precision Anti-static ESD Stainless Steel Tweezers
out of stock
BUY NOW
ElleSye 10-piece ESD Safe Precision Tweezers, Anti-Static Stainless Steel Tweezers Non-magnetic ESD Tweezer Set
Amazon.com
ElleSye 10-piece ESD Safe Precision Tweezers, Anti-Static Stainless Steel...
$13.99
out of stock
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Rotary Tool and Accessories

A rotary tool is great if you like to give your projects a good finished look. This tool is good for working with acrylic, plastic, wood, and more. This tool is not essential for your lab, but it can be very useful.

WEN 2305 Rotary Tool Kit with Flex Shaft
Amazon.com
WEN 2305 Rotary Tool Kit with Flex Shaft
$19.81
BUY NOW
Tacklife RTD35ACL Advanced Multi-functional Rotary Tool Kit with 80 Accessories
Amazon.com
Tacklife RTD35ACL Advanced Multi-functional Rotary Tool Kit with 80 Accessories
$64.99
out of stock
BUY NOW
WORKPRO Multi-function Rotary Tool Kit Variable Speed with Universal Fitment Accessories and Precision Pliers and Screwdrivers Set 152 pcs
Amazon.com
WORKPRO Multi-function Rotary Tool Kit Variable Speed with Universal Fitment...
out of stock
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

3D Printer

A 3D printer is not an essential tools in an electronics lab, but it is very useful. With a 3D printer you can take your projects to the next level by building personalized box enclosures, robot parts, and much more. There is a wide variety of 3D printers for all sorts of budgets.

We have a Creality 3D CR-10 3D printer and  we’re really happy with its performance – you can read our review about the Creality CR-10 3D printer here. If you’re on a lower budget, you can take a look at these 3D Printers under $250.

Anet A8 with Included Filament
Amazon.com
Anet A8 with Included Filament
out of stock
BUY NOW
Classic TEVO Tarantula I3
Amazon.com
Classic TEVO Tarantula I3
out of stock
BUY NOW
Creality CR-10 3D Printer
Amazon.com
Creality CR-10 3D Printer
out of stock
BUY NOW
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Recommended reading: Best Hobby 3D Printers – Under $250

Assortment Kits and Electronics Components

Besides the previous tools, you need some electronics components to get started. It is easier and cheaper to get started with assortment kits. Here’s some of the assortments kits we recommend:

Elegoo EL-CK-003 Upgraded Electronics Fun Kit
Elegoo EL-CK-003 Upgraded Electronics Fun Kit
Elegoo EL-CK-003 Upgraded Electronics Fun Kit
$17.99
out of stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
XL Electronic Component Kit Assortment
XL Electronic Component Kit Assortment
XL Electronic Component Kit Assortment
$78.90
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Breadboards

Breadboard are a must for prototyping and testing your circuitry. Once you start doing electronics projects, you’ll realize that you’ll never have enough breadboards for your projects. Check the breadboard options in our Tools page. There are also breadboard kits that come with other useful accessories for the breadboard.

Elegoo 3pcs MB-102 Breadboard 830 Point
Elegoo 3pcs MB-102 Breadboard 830 Point
Elegoo 3pcs MB-102 Breadboard 830 Point
$9.99
$12.99
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Breadboard Kit
Breadboard Kit
Breadboard Kit
out of stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Jumper Wires

Jumper wires are really handy to connect components together. We recommend getting female to female, male to female, and male to male jumper wires.

You should also get hookup wire that is useful for a wide variety of applications.

120pcs Multicolored Dupont Wire Kit 40pin Male to Female, 40pin Male to Male, 40pin Female to...
120pcs Multicolored Dupont Wire Kit 40pin Male to Female, 40pin Male to Male, 40pin Female to Female Breadboard Jumper Wires Ribbon Cables Kit
120pcs Multicolored Dupont Wire Kit 40pin Male to Female, 40pin Male to Male, 40pin Female to...
$9.99
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Remington Industries Solid Hook-Up Wire Kit, 300V, 0.0253" Diameter, 25' Length
Remington Industries Solid Hook-Up Wire Kit, 300V, 0.0253" Diameter, 25' Length
Remington Industries Solid Hook-Up Wire Kit, 300V, 0.0253" Diameter, 25' Length
$21.29
$27.00
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Resistors

You’ll need resistors in most of your electronics projects. Get a 1/4 watt resistors assortment. These will meet most of your needs. Check the best resistor assortment options in our Tools page.

Elegoo 17 Values 1% Resistor Kit Assortment, 0 Ohm-1M Ohm (Pack of 525)
Elegoo 17 Values 1% Resistor Kit Assortment, 0 Ohm-1M Ohm (Pack of 525)
Elegoo 17 Values 1% Resistor Kit Assortment, 0 Ohm-1M Ohm (Pack of 525)
$11.99
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

LEDs

LEDs are awesome and are always a good fit in all electronics projects. Get an assortment with several colors and sizes. Check the LEDs assortments in our Tools page.

Elegoo 3mm and 5mm Diffused and Clear Assorted LED Kit 5 Colors with UV, RGB CA, (Pack of 350)
Elegoo 3mm and 5mm Diffused and Clear Assorted LED Kit 5 Colors with UV, RGB CA, (Pack of 350)
Elegoo 3mm and 5mm Diffused and Clear Assorted LED Kit 5 Colors with UV, RGB CA, (Pack of 350)
$9.99
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Potentiometers and Pushbuttons

Potentiometers and pushbuttons are a must. You’ll use them often.

200 Pcs Tactile Push Button Switch Micro Momentary Tact Assortment Kit
200 Pcs Tactile Push Button Switch Micro Momentary Tact Assortment Kit
200 Pcs Tactile Push Button Switch Micro Momentary Tact Assortment Kit
$22.88
in stock
3 new from $22.88
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
WGCD 18 Knurled Shaft Linear Rotary Taper Potentiometer with Cap Kit (18 PCS)
WGCD 18 Knurled Shaft Linear Rotary Taper Potentiometer with Cap Kit (18 PCS)
WGCD 18 Knurled Shaft Linear Rotary Taper Potentiometer with Cap Kit (18 PCS)
out of stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Other Electronics Components

It can also be useful getting kits with transistors, diodes, and capacitors.

Electronics-Salon 0.47uF to 1000uF Electrolytic Capacitors Assortment Kit, 13 Values, Total 200...
Electronics-Salon 0.47uF to 1000uF Electrolytic Capacitors Assortment Kit, 13 Values, Total 200 Pieces
Electronics-Salon 0.47uF to 1000uF Electrolytic Capacitors Assortment Kit, 13 Values, Total 200...
out of stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Hilitchi 24-Values 2N2222-S9018 / BC327-BC558 NPN PNP Power General Purpose Transistors...
Hilitchi 24-Values 2N2222-S9018 / BC327-BC558 NPN PNP Power General Purpose Transistors Assortment Kit - Pack of 840
Hilitchi 24-Values 2N2222-S9018 / BC327-BC558 NPN PNP Power General Purpose Transistors...
$19.78
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Ltvystore 100PCS 10Value (1N4001~1N5819) Diode Assorted Kit Set with Clear Box
Ltvystore 100PCS 10Value (1N4001~1N5819) Diode Assorted Kit Set with Clear Box
Ltvystore 100PCS 10Value (1N4001~1N5819) Diode Assorted Kit Set with Clear Box
$8.99
in stock
2 new from $8.99
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
10pF to 100nF 15Values Ceramic Capacitor Set, Hilitchi 525Pcs DIP Monolithic Multilayer Ceramic...
10pF to 100nF 15Values Ceramic Capacitor Set, Hilitchi 525Pcs DIP Monolithic Multilayer Ceramic Chip Capacitors Assortment Kit
10pF to 100nF 15Values Ceramic Capacitor Set, Hilitchi 525Pcs DIP Monolithic Multilayer Ceramic...
$13.98
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Varied Sensors and Modules

There are a wide variety of sensors and modules compatible with Arduino and other development boards. You can get some of them for a very reasonable price. Check the all the sensors options at our tools page.

Elegoo Upgraded 37 in 1 Sensor Modules Kit with Tutorial for Arduino
Elegoo Upgraded 37 in 1 Sensor Modules Kit with Tutorial for Arduino
Elegoo Upgraded 37 in 1 Sensor Modules Kit with Tutorial for Arduino
$36.99
$45.99
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Arduino Starter Kit

An Arduino Starter Kit is the easiest way to start with digital electronics and programming. We have a full post dedicated to Arduino Starter Kits that you can read here.

Elegoo EL-KIT-001 UNO R3 Project Complete Starter Kit with Tutorial for Arduino (63 Items)
Elegoo EL-KIT-001 UNO R3 Project Complete Starter Kit with Tutorial for Arduino (63 Items)
Elegoo EL-KIT-001 UNO R3 Project Complete Starter Kit with Tutorial for Arduino (63 Items)
$59.99
in stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
ARDUINO The Starter Kit
ARDUINO The Starter Kit
ARDUINO The Starter Kit
out of stock
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Cabinet organizer

A cabinet organizer is essential so that you have all your components organized. We’ve put together a list with the Best Storage Organizers For Electronic Components and Parts.

Akro-Mils 10164 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet
Akro-Mils 10164 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet
Akro-Mils 10164 64 Drawer Plastic Parts Storage Hardware and Craft Cabinet
$70.00
in stock
8 new from $70.00
7 used from $66.05
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Akro-Mils 10144 D 20-Inch by 16-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch Hardware and Craft Cabinet, Black
Akro-Mils 10144 D 20-Inch by 16-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch Hardware and Craft Cabinet, Black
Akro-Mils 10144 D 20-Inch by 16-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch Hardware and Craft Cabinet, Black
$45.95
$72.84
in stock
22 new from $45.95
7 used from $41.61
as of February 22, 2023 7:16 pm
BUY NOW
Amazon.com
Last updated on February 22, 2023 7:16 pm

Maker Advisor Tools Page

You may also find useful taking a look at our Tools page here. We share the components and tools we use more often, and compare the price on different stores, so that you can get the best price.


Wrapping Up

Well, it’s a lot of stuff for setting up your electronics lab. However, you don’t need to get overwhelmed. Electronics components kits usually come with several component units at a very low price. Additionally, you don’t need to buy all these tools at once! You can start with a small Arduino Starter Kit and some essential tools, and then upgrade your lab later on.

What tools do you have in your electronics lab or want to get for your lab? Let us know in the comments section below.

Stay Tuned

Looking for more great deals on electronics and tools? Make sure you subscribe here to catch upcoming deals and score some extra savings on your favorite gear!


[Recommended Course] Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE

Register in our brand new ESP32 course with Arduino IDE. This is our complete guide to program the ESP32 with Arduino IDE, including projects, tips, and tricks! The registrations are open, so sign up now.


Other RNT Courses

[eBook] Home Automation using ESP8266 »

Build IoT projects and home automation gadgets with the ESP8266 Wi-Fi module.

[Course] Build a Home Automation System »

Build a home automation system using open-source hardware and software.

[Course] Arduino Step-by-Step Projects »

Build 25 cool Arduino projects with our course even with no prior experience!

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: Deals, Lists, Special

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andrew Kugel says

    March 11, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    You did not cover Oscilloscopes???

    Reply
    • Sara Santos says

      March 12, 2018 at 10:32 am

      Hi Andrew.
      This article will be in constant update. We intend to add a section about oscilloscopes and other tools soon. So, stay tuned! 🙂

      Reply
      • ralph mhlanga says

        October 14, 2018 at 11:51 am

        hie can you sent me a word document with electronic equipment list for me to start a pcb manufacturing and design on my email

        Reply
        • Sara Santos says

          October 16, 2018 at 4:35 pm

          Hi Ralph.
          We don’t sell electronic equipment.
          We just recommend online products from other stores.
          Regards,
          Sara 🙂

          Reply
          • Mahmood Akbar says

            January 26, 2020 at 8:52 pm

            Thanks , it is very good page , it took me a while to think and order lab components and then while i was thinking that did i miss anything and i found your page and it helped me and sorted few things, thanks for links as well , they are quiet good if somebody want to make low cost lab.
            Suggestion from me is to stay away from ebay and amazon as there is lot of fake stuff there which does not work. i had to pay little more but i ordered from authorised distributors where i could easily get 1 year warranty for most of the stuff.
            i still bought non critical stuff from ebay such as tweezers , resistor and capacitor its etc.

      • Vladimir Stojanović says

        October 16, 2018 at 5:40 am

        High Sara, I was just wonder are you in any relation to Rui Santos…. brother … maybe…. I ‘ve been his fan well over 5 years….. keep up the great work !
        Cheers
        btw I’m struggling, still with the “purchasing” issues over at amazon…. the customs here in Serbia are giving me hell of a time….

        Reply
        • Sara Santos says

          October 16, 2018 at 4:34 pm

          Hi Vladimir.
          I’m Rui’s girlfriend and we work together on the RNT blog since 2015 (and now on Maker Advisor) – read more here.
          I’m sorry you’re having trouble with customs in your country, unfortunately there’s nothing we can do about that 🙁
          Thanks for following our work throughout all these years 🙂
          Regards,
          Sara 🙂

          Reply
      • Austin Chandler says

        February 17, 2019 at 7:46 am

        Sara: What is the possibility of your providing your great articles as a downloadable PDF file? That way, I am able to share specific articles and/or information with other people I know who would be appreciative in receiving a particular article that pertains to their individual interests from me.

        Is this possible? Let me know, OK??? THANKS!!!

        /

        Reply
        • Sara Santos says

          February 17, 2019 at 12:08 pm

          Hi Austin,
          At the moment, our guides are not available in PDF format.
          The best way to share our articles with someone is sharing the URL of the article you are interested.
          Thank you for your interest in our work.
          Regards,
          Sara

          Reply
  2. Pete Simson says

    April 13, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    Walmart sells a very nice rework soldering station for $63.95:
    walmart.com/ip/2in1-Lead-Free-Soldering-Station-Hot-Air-and-Iron-852d-SMD-Rework-Station-Digital-Welding-Tool-with-4-Nozzle-and-5-Tips/170580724

    Reply
    • Sara Santos says

      April 14, 2018 at 10:03 am

      Hi. Thanks for sharing.
      That is a great soldering station. We have that on our lab, and we really like it! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Namal Perera says

    April 28, 2018 at 7:32 pm

    Hi!
    Thanks for your leads to find essential tools!
    Kindly advice ESP series just only for experimental basis micro controllers or all are used to develop industry standard automation product already available in market place?

    Reply
    • Rui Santos says

      June 11, 2018 at 4:13 pm

      You’ll need to see your projectrequirements and if it fits your needs/countries regulations.

      Regards,
      Rui

      Reply
  4. Robert Lanteigne says

    June 23, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    very well done article, thank you

    Reply
    • Sara Santos says

      July 7, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  5. Amonzo Dobinski says

    September 15, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    These short how-to web pages are great. Now for a how-to I need: I use my workbench for my tools and stuff, but I have to put it away out of sight fairly often if I use my table saw or other tools that make sawdust. Something that would fold down and make a box 36″ x 24″ (or maybe 1.0 meter x 0.75 meter and 12″ or 30cm tall would be nice. A lid to keep the sawdust out would be good, too.

    I’ll look at Instructables and other sites also and maybe I’ll find something.

    Thank you for the articles and books.

    Reply
  6. Ox says

    October 7, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    Hi
    Thank you for the info, helped a lot.
    🙂

    Reply
    • Sara Santos says

      October 16, 2018 at 4:29 pm

      You’re welcome! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Ben Walum says

    October 25, 2018 at 1:50 am

    An ESD mat is important since many microcontrollers are static sensitive as well as a ESD safe soldering iron

    Reply
  8. Hellmut Kohlsdorf says

    October 31, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    I think these recommendations are exaggerated if you do want to set up an electronic lab as a professional, maybe, bus as an aficionado it is far too much. To define what you need to start you first need to define what is your objective. Keep adding equipment on as needed basis.

    Reply
  9. Wilfredo says

    November 4, 2018 at 4:28 am

    Great Job

    Reply
  10. John says

    November 11, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    Very interesting article. However, for those like me who are from Europe, it is not practical to purchase tools from the USA, due to customs and VAT which is imposed upon entry. So some links for items that are available via Amazon.de or Amazon,co.uk would have been nice to see.

    Also Hantek now make newer models of oscilloscope; I just bought the DSO 4102C and really like it.

    Two other things you could have added are (a) a solder wick to remove solder (or alternatively a solder sucker) and (b) not sure what they call it but its like a clip that you attach to the leg of a component when soldering, to draw off the heat and avoid damaging the component.

    For the rest of the items, I like what you listed and you have given me some good ideas. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. D. Johnston says

    December 12, 2018 at 8:45 am

    Pretty cool list of stuff.. I got lots of that stuff from garage sales and whatnot for real cheap.. good deals out there…. I think CNC mill should be on list instead of 3d printer. I bought a mini one for under $250 and i can now make my own PCBs (with everything except Plated Through Holes). Not really an essential item but having the ability to produce a rapid same day prototype is neat.

    Reply
  12. Nayyar Rashid says

    January 16, 2019 at 11:42 pm

    Hi,
    It was a great read and definitely the best article on recommendations to set up your work space… I would like to know where can I find a book having projects not related to digital electronics… I am not good with programming and stuff so I would like to start with the very basic stuff that doesn’t involve arduino and rapsberry pi… Thank you any help would be appreciated

    Reply
  13. Majid Kooyabdi says

    January 22, 2019 at 11:52 am

    Hi …
    Thanks So Much

    Reply
  14. ANAS MAHDI says

    February 13, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    good job , thank you sara we looking for more

    Reply
  15. David Ryan says

    February 21, 2019 at 11:51 pm

    Very nice list of essentials. I always find a logic probe handy when troubleshooting circuits. You get a quick confirmation of the logic state of a pin. It would be a nice addition to your list.

    Reply
    • Sara Santos says

      February 22, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Hi David.
      Thank for your comment.
      Yes, a logic probe can be very handy, I’ll add that tool to our list in the next update.
      Regards,
      Sara

      Reply
  16. António says

    March 30, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    Bom Trabalho que estão a fazer! Muito Bom! Principalmente a actualização da página. Continuem o Bom Trabalho!

    Reply
  17. Betty Hunt says

    June 27, 2019 at 2:05 pm

    Hey,

    Your content is really very helpful for the electronics lab setup. We don’t need to search for all the products from scratch, you eased everything. Thanks a lot!

    Regards,
    Betty

    Reply
    • Rui Santos says

      August 3, 2019 at 11:25 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  18. Charles says

    August 25, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    I just read out your article and enjoy this first to last. I got some cool idea about setting up my own electronics lab from your article really its help me a lot for building my own electronics lab.

    Thanks for your amazing tips.

    Reply
  19. James says

    October 9, 2019 at 11:13 am

    I read your post and got some brilliant ideas about setting up my own electronics lab. Really it’s a cool idea and I like this idea very much. Now I can easily customize my electronics lab easily.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  20. Joseph Sifakis says

    October 12, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    By reading your article I got some brilliant ideas about the build up my electronics lab. Really your idea was awesome hope I build up my electronics lab using your instruction.

    Thank you. Keep Sharing!

    Reply
  21. Arhin Ankamah says

    December 5, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    Hi, I want to set up an electronic lab and i did find this page extremely helpful. I might need some help so I hope you are mostly available. Thank you guys very much.

    Reply
  22. ALI says

    April 6, 2020 at 3:06 pm

    I really liked your article and I enjoy reading it

    Reply
    • Rui Santos says

      April 20, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  23. Michael says

    September 28, 2021 at 1:17 pm

    Hi,
    I’m also a hobbyist and need to move to a new location. Since I need to move I have to completely re setup my lab. There are a few things I’m gonna change. But I need some guidance on provisioning my measuring equipment. Thru the years I’ve gathered a lot high quality old measuring equipment. Since a lot of these have special control ports is it handy for the amateur to add these?
    Like: RS-232, RS485, IEEE488, HP, IB, LAN RJ45

    Reply
    • Bob Baylor says

      December 25, 2021 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Michael,
      IEEE488 (aka HP-IB or GPIB) is pretty expensive for a hobbyist. For example, the National Instruments USB to IEEE488 interface is several hundred dollars (US). You can build your own or buy a knock-off but the best feature of IEEE-488 is its reliability (it’s a fully hand-shaked protocol) so you might not want to use anything but the real NI interface. Even the cables are expensive – $50 to $100 each. But if your test equipment doesn’t have any other interface besides IEEE-488, then yes, IEEE-488 will be handy for you.
      HTH,
      Bob

      Reply
  24. Bob Baylor says

    December 25, 2021 at 5:32 pm

    Great list!
    I design and build hardware and firmware in my day job but will be retiring soon. This list will be great for setting up my home lab. Thank you!

    Reply
  25. Shriraghavan says

    January 20, 2023 at 6:47 am

    What is the best way to learn programming for the projects on ESP, Raspberry Pi etc.?
    Actually I have no prior experience of programming
    Kindly answer please

    Reply
    • Sara Santos says

      February 23, 2023 at 10:50 am

      Hi.
      Take a look at our other website: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/
      We have many tutorials showing how to program those boards.
      Regards,
      Sara

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

GET THE BEST TOOLS

Sign up to receive curated lists and reviews with the best tools and gear for Makers in your inbox.

Affiliate Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We also participate in programs from Banggood, eBay, Aliexpress, ShareASale, and other sites. Maker Advisor is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies (read more).

Maker Advisor is part of the Random Nerd Tutorials website. We find and select the best tools and gear that makers, hobbyists and DIYers like. We share deals, write unbiased reviews and compare tools. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Affiliate Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Complaints' Book
Copyright © 2023 - Maker Advisor - A Random Nerd Tutorials website

Free Guide: Set Up Your Own Hobbyist Electronics Lab

We send a weekly newsletter with exclusive recommended tools. 

Unsubscribe at any time with one click.

x