DC Motor Buying Guide for DIY Electronics Projects

In DIY Electronics, including Arduino, various types of DC Motors in the market can confuse a newbie. Here is an easy DC motor buying guide for DIY electronics projects for any level of user with approximate price range. A DC motor means an electrical machine that converts direct current into mechanical power. However there are various types, subtypes. For our need of DC Motor Buying Guide for DIY Electronics Projects Guide, we will keep the classification simple. If we follow 100% Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering way; many users will get confused. Our classification is flat and for practical listing, obviously based on physics.

DC Motor Buying Guide for DIY Electronics Projects : Types of Small DC Motors

We can classify as :

1. Brushed
2. Brushless
3. Stepper

In another way we can classify –

1. Permanent magnet
2. Electromagnets connected in series
3. Shunt
4. Compound

Most common 3V DC Motors like we used for this guide to control DC Motor is brushed, permanent magnet DC motor. They cost less than ½ dollar.
On the other hand, the guides for buying servo motor was separate, because for this code for TowerPro, the motor was brushless, had ball-bearing and a circuit. When some guide is taking about DC Motor in DIY Electronics, it is almost granted that we are talking about brushed, permanent magnet DC motor and stepper. We are also excluding Stepper. Stepper needs different buying guide.

Adding battery’s positive and negative end will rotate the motor is typical for brushed, permanent magnet DC motor. It is too simple and in basic Physics up to 12th Grade, this is taught.

DC Motor Buying Guide for DIY Electronics Projects : What Minimum You Need to Know

Basic question is that, why some costs ½ dollar and some costs so higher. Even we made a wooden stand for a 3V DC motor, added jumper. So much work not for a ½ dollar motor. We need to know a plain DC Motors manufacturer, RPM, whether geared or not geared, electricity consumption, form factor, input voltage, torque etc while buying a DC motor for electronics projects. The names they bear on common e-commerce websites including Ebay, Amazon has no relationship to physics.

1. Toy Motor

: Cheapest and 3V variant is usual. They usually do not have any proper ratings, specs, positive and negative ends are not soldiered. These are actually most common variant of brushed, permanent magnet DC motors. Toy Motor means miniature and low powered. Cost can be ½ USD to 2 USD.

2. Hobby DC Motor :

Hobby DC Motor is better version of Toy Motor with jumper ends. Their pricing start from 1.5 USD.

3. RC Hobby Toys Micro Motor :

These are used for RC toys. Quality can be quite higher. Their pricing starts from 3-5 USD.

4. Geared Motor :

Name tells the story. Their pricing starts from 3-5 USD.

5. Mini DC Motor :

They are usually slender and used in RC helicopters. Their pricing starts from 2-5 USD.

6. Vibration DC Motor :

They are used for vibration, like for mobile phones. Their pricing varies, sometime sold in lots.

While buying, keeping an eye on the manufacturer is most important for longer stay. Mini fan blades sometimes included in the package by the sellers. Test any plain DC Motor with applying the mentioned range of DC voltage for the first time before adding to a circuit.

DC Motor Shields for Specific Boards

In case you will add to a robotic chassis, commonly a DC Motor shield will be needed for a specific board like Arduino. They will cost within $5. Without the shield the motor can run or basic coding, even some advanced coding can be done like we shown in our previous guides.

You can buy official replacement DC motors used for Walkman like cassette players, electric shavers etc. Sony Walkman replacement motor