Available from the manufacturer · 100+ piece · 5-10 Tage
Teensy – Everything You Need to Know
Teensy is a compact and powerful microcontroller development board developed by PJRC. It is aimed at both beginners and professional developers and is used in the maker scene as well as in industrial applications.
Thanks to modern 32-bit microcontrollers, high clock speeds, and a large number of digital and analog inputs and outputs, Teensy is suitable for a wide range of projects. Typical areas of use include robotics, home automation, audio and music applications, gaming controllers, wearables, as well as measurement and control systems.
Getting started is quick, as Teensy is usually programmed using the Arduino IDE. A large community, numerous example projects, and freely available libraries make it easy to begin. In addition, you can find practical tutorials, project ideas, and background knowledge about Teensy and microcontroller projects on our BerryBase Blog.
How does a Teensy work?
At its core, a Teensy consists of a powerful microcontroller that executes programs directly. Unlike a single-board computer, there is no operating system running in the background; instead, the code controls the hardware directly.
Programming is usually done via the Arduino IDE in C or C++. The compiled code is transferred to the board via a USB cable using the Teensy Uploader. After uploading, the program starts immediately and runs continuously on the microcontroller.
Sensors, LEDs, motors, displays, or other modules can be connected via the GPIO pins. In addition, many Teensy models support interfaces such as I²C, SPI, UART, and USB, making it possible to implement complex electronics projects. This direct and efficient way of working makes Teensy particularly suitable for time-critical and performance-intensive applications.
Our Most Popular Teensy Models Compared
| Image | Model | Flash | Pin Types | GPIO | Connectivity | Special Features | Typical Applications | Link |
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Teensy 4.0 | 2048 KB | Digital, Analog, PWM | 40 (all interrupt-capable) | USB, CAN, I2C, SPI, UART | 600 MHz Cortex-M7, dynamic clock scaling, RTC, FPU, pre-soldered headers | Signal processing, audio, real-time control, prototyping | View product |
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Teensy 4.1 Lockable + Ethernet | 8192 KB | Digital, Analog, PWM | 55 (42 of which are breadboard-compatible) | USB, CAN, I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet, microSD | Lockable, 600 MHz, USB host, SD, more memory, no headers | Secure systems, network projects, expandable storage solutions | View product |
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Teensy 4.1 with Ethernet | 8192 KB | Digital, Analog, PWM | 55 (42 of which are breadboard-compatible) | USB, CAN, I2C, SPI, UART, Ethernet, microSD | 600 MHz, USB host, SD, pre-soldered headers | IoT, network projects, data acquisition, audio | View product |
Additional Components & Extensions for Teensy
A Teensy can be expanded with a wide range of external components to create custom projects. Commonly used are temperature sensors for measuring environmental values, motion and distance sensors for robotics or detection applications, and displays and indicators for outputting measured values and status information. These components are usually connected via a breadboard, enabling quick and flexible setups without permanent wiring.
For more specialized requirements, Teensy-specific extensions are available. The Flash memory chip for Teensy 4.1 adds additional non-volatile storage to the board and can be combined with a PSRAM chip to provide large data buffers if needed. The Teensy Prop Shield LC is designed for light and sound projects and combines audio output, LED control, and memory on a compact board. For audio applications such as signal processing, synthesizers, or recording projects, the Teensy 4 Audio Shield offers a specially adapted extension with suitable inputs and outputs.
What to Consider When Buying
When purchasing Teensy boards and extensions, it is important to clarify your project requirements in advance. Check whether a board already has pre-soldered headers, as this makes it easier to connect to breadboards and prototyping boards without additional soldering. With models like the Teensy 4.1 without headers, you may need to add them separately or use suitable shields.
Also consider which interfaces and peripherals you need: For network or IoT applications, an Ethernet kit can be useful, while audio, display, or sensor combinations require appropriate shields and modules. The available memory capacity also plays a role if you need to store large amounts of data or buffer memory. Compare these factors before purchasing to ensure your Teensy setup perfectly matches your requirements.