What Kinds of Electronics Products Does SparkFun Electronics Sell?

Updated

SparkFun Electronics sells the parts needed to build electronics projects: sensors, microcontroller and development boards, breakout boards and Qwiic-compatible modules, kits, and supporting components. It is an online retail store rather than a manufacturer-only shop, so the catalog mixes SparkFun-branded boards with third-party products. It is a good fit if you are assembling a project from modules and want sensors that connect over Qwiic I2C; it is not the place to look for finished consumer devices.

Sensors

The homepage highlights several sensor categories, with environmental and power sensing as current focal points:

  • Air quality: the STCC4/SHT40 CO2 Sensor measures CO2 directly while monitoring temperature and humidity, with environmental compensation and Qwiic connectivity. The SFA40 Formaldehyde Sensor measures HCHO from 0–2000 ppb with low cross-sensitivity and built-in compensation.
  • Current and power: the Non-Invasive Current Sensor uses an ADE7953 with a 100A split-core current transformer to measure AC current without breaking the circuit. There is also an INA237 current sensor breakout.
  • Distance: the Benewake TF-NOVA LiDAR distance sensor.

For a typical indoor air-quality build, the CO2 sensor is the starting point; add the formaldehyde sensor if you need HCHO readings as well.

Microcontrollers and Development Boards

The catalog includes microcontroller boards and single-board computer accessories. Examples shown on the site include Teensy boards (described as a "fan favorite" with more speed and power), the Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 in a 10″ portrait format, and the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 with 64GB storage and 4GB RAM in a wireless variant. Availability varies: the Compute Module 5 is listed as backorder, while the display is in stock.

Breakout Boards and Qwiic Modules

Many products are breakout boards that expose a chip on a small PCB, often with Qwiic connectors so sensors can be chained over I2C without soldering. The MCP4725 I2C digital-to-analog converter breakout is one example. Qwiic is the common thread across the sensor lineup, which matters if you want to prototype quickly: a Qwiic-enabled sensor plugs into a compatible board and is detected automatically by SparkFun's data-logging products.

Kits and Supporting Components

Kits bundle the parts for a specific task. The Non-Invasive Current Sensor Kit pairs the ADE7953 board with the 100A split-core transformer. Supporting components such as current transformers are sold separately, so check whether a kit already includes what you need before ordering both.

What to Check Before Buying

  • Stock status: listings distinguish in-stock from backorder items, so confirm availability for time-sensitive projects.
  • Quantity pricing: several products show a lower "as low as" price, which typically applies at higher quantities.
  • Connectivity: confirm whether a board is Qwiic/I2C, since that determines whether it works with your existing setup without extra wiring.
  • Shipping: the site advertises free domestic shipping on most orders over $100.

If your project is sensor-driven and you want modular, plug-in parts, SparkFun's catalog covers the main categories. If you need a specific chip or a finished product, search the full catalog rather than relying on the featured new releases.