We compare eight of BeagleBoard’s best embedded development boards so you can find the perfect fit for your project.
BeagleBoard.org is dedicated to bringing advanced embedded development to your fingertips with their high-performance, community supported and open-source single board computers. Our engineers compare eight of their most popular dev boards and recommend applications for each.
1.) BeagleBone Black
The BeagleBone Black is arguably the most popular development board BeagleBoard produces. This SBC is the go-to starter if you are unfamiliar with BeagleBoard products. BeagleBone Black comes loaded with Linux right out of the box, meaning that it can be used as a standalone computer immediately or reprogrammed using a different device.
The real heart of BeagleBone Black lies within the TI AM335 processor, which delivers speeds of up to 1 GHz. There are 4GBs available for onboard Flash storage supported by 512MBs of RAM. One of the greatest things about the BeagleBone Black is the two separate 46 pin expansion headers, meaning you have 92 IO pins available to control whatever your heart desires. Speaking of control, developers have access to the Programmable Real-Time Unit Subsystem onboard the Sitara processor. This PRUSS consists of two 32-bit MCUs enabling low-latency control for real-time applications. BeagleBone Black can be used in a wide range of applications, from home-automation to IoT devices to low-cost rapid prototyping and proof of concept devices. BeagleBone Black offers a great introduction to the BeagleBoard community, no matter what your application. BeagleBoard's other dev board options don't stray far from the BeagleBone Black platform.
Check out how BeagleBone Black is actually made HERE.
2.) BeagleBone Black Wireless
The BeagleBone Black Wireless swaps out a 10/100 ethernet port for an onboard 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth connection device. BeagleBone Black Wireless is a perfect spin to use in your IoT devices right out of the box, instead of adding modules or capes onto the standard BeagleBone Black. Also, BeagleBone Black Wireless introduces the OSD3358 system-in-package (SIP) which makes derivative designs much easier.
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3.) BeagleBone Black Industrial Temperature
The BeagleBone Industrial Temp was created in partnership with Arrow. It's exactly the same as the standard model except that it meets industrial temperature standards and is built for Industrial IoT development. With a temperature rating from -40 to +85 degrees Celsius, this board perfect for rugged applications that operate in extreme environments.
4.) BeagleBone Green
The BeagleBone Green is the combined efforts of both BeagleBoard.org and Seeed Studio. This dev board is also based on the BeagleBone Black, but what sets it apart is that is has two Grove connectors. These connectors enable it to easily incorporate the large family of Seeed’s Grove sensors, including an HDMI cape.
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102010027 | BeagleBone Green
Seeed Technology Co.,Ltd Cartes et kits de développement de systèmes intégrés View5.) BeagleBone Green Wireless
SeeedStudio also makes the BeagleBone Green Wireless. The Green Wireless offers all the capability of the Green along with a built-in 2.4 GHz TI WLinkTM8 Module with two antennas. Note that the Green Wireless doesn’t use the OSD3358 SIP and also isn’t as compatible with BeagleBone Black capes as BeagleBone Black Wireless is, but it does work well with Google's IoT kit.
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102010048 | BeagleBone Green Wireless
Seeed Technology Co.,Ltd Cartes et kits de développement de systèmes intégrés View6.) BeagleBone Blue
Do you want to start building your own embedded robotics solutions, but aren't sure where to start? The BeagleBone Blue is a wonderfully affordable and complete robotics controller built around the same powerful processor as BeagleBone Black.
BeagleBone Blue has the same amount of native memory and storage as Black, but is much more geared towards robotics because of its compelling set of peripherals. BeagleBone Blue also comes with an integrated Power Management system, allowing the board to natively host eight 6V servo controls, 4 DC motor outputs, and 4 encoder inputs, as well as other dedicated headers for other interfaces like UART, SPI, DSM2 radio, and even GPS. Also, the board comes equipped with a 9-axis Inertial Measurement Unit and a barometer, which makes it a great platform for drone research and tinkering.
To learn more, check out this article: Introducing BeagleBone Blue
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7.) BeagleBoard-xM
The xM boasts an extremely powerful AM37 1GHz processor. It has on-board Ethernet and four USB 2.0 ports, as opposed to the normal two on BeagleBone Black, meaning that it can incorporate USB peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, web cameras or USB hubs. The xM does not have an onboard NAND, so the OS and data must be stored on a micro SD card – but that also means you can boot different operating systems from external media dependencies. Also, you can directly attach small camera modules for image processing on-board since the xM has an HD video-capable C64x+™ DSP core and open GL ES 2.0-capable 2d/3d graphics accelerator. These features combine together into a strong platform that can be used for anything from 3d gaming and robotics kiosks to digital signs, in vehicle entertainment, and even media centers.
8.) BeagleBoard-x15
This is a top performing, mainline Linux-enabled, power-users’ dream board. BeagleBoard-x15 boasts a whopping 2GB of RAM, 4GB of flash storage, 2D and 3D GPUs, two 700 MHz DSPs, two M4 micro controllers, and four 32 bit PRUs, all controlled by the dual-core 1.5Ghz Sitara AM5728 processor. All of which is necessary for it to run its 157 GPIO pins! It even has on-board audio outputs and a heat sink! The x15 can be used for just about anything. You could even use this as your daily computer if you wanted. BeagleBoard-X15 is hot off the press, but Arrow.com has it in stock.
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Looking for more comparison info? This quick chart lists the processor, distinguished features, and common applications for each board. Plus, you can learn more about all boards and their applications here.
BeagleBone Board Comparison Chart
| BeagleBone Board | Processor | Distinguished Features | Common Applications |
| BeagleBone Black | AM3358 1GHz ARM® Cortex-A8 | BeagleBoard.org's flasgship low-cost, community-supported development platform | Ideal for developers and hobbysits.Gaming consoles, realtime tasks, audio systems, and more! |
| BeagleBone Black Wireless | AM3358BZCZ100 Microprocessor | BeagleBone Black with WiFi and BLE on-board - 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz | Similar to the BeagleBone Black, but where wireless connectivity is an integral part of the design |
| BeagleBone Blue | AM3358 1Ghz ARM® Cortex-A8 (Integrated into the OSD3358) | BeagleBoard's Linux-based robotics computer | Great for use in robotics applications or where systems control is an integral part of the design |
| BeagleBone Green | AM3358 1GHz ARM® Cortex-A8 | This version accommodates SeeedStudio Grove headers and 4x USB2.0 host. | Similar to the BeagleBone Black, but with integration of the large host of Grove Connectors by SeeedStudios |
| BeagleBone Green Wireless | AM3358 1GHz ARM® Cortex-A8 | The Green, with WiFi and BLE on-board -2.4 GHz TI WLinkTM8 Module | Automate your Green system with onboard Grove Connectors connected with onboard WiFi and BLE |
| BeagleBoard XM | AM37x 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 | More sophisticated community-supported platform with mobile power specs | Project to development for innovators, with laptop like performance and next level expandability |