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I am just getting started out learning electronics and I keep finding myself having to order capacitors and transistors and other parts for simple projects.

What are the best starter sets for a beginner? i.e. who sells a good set of capacitors for a newbie? transistors, resistors, LEDs, etc...

Im interested in both complete sets (that includes different types), as well as individual sets (say, for just capacitors).

Ideally, the kits are weighted toward pieces that you will use more often.

Any suggestions?

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In answer, I'd try go for the Basic Prototyping Parts Kit from Electronix Express, and possibly the supplement if it has stuff you want.

As a meta-answer, there are a whole bunch of threads on topics like this one. I propose that we set up a FAQ, dedicated tags, or community wiki/sticky for this kind of question on supplies, stocking, and equipment, including:

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    \$\begingroup\$ Either that, or ask all the questions that need to be asked here (I think/hope we're getting close), and then mark subsequent questions as duplicates, but that feels mean. \$\endgroup\$
    – Kevin Vermeer
    Jul 27, 2010 at 18:06
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    \$\begingroup\$ I dont think this is a duplicate of those posts. I am looking for specific kits, not just lists of individual components that someone can put together themselves. i.e. kits such as the Electronix Express kit you linked. \$\endgroup\$
    – mesh
    Jul 27, 2010 at 18:33
  • \$\begingroup\$ Oh, I should add that they also sell individual resistor/capacitor/inductor/potentiometer kits on the same site. \$\endgroup\$
    – Kevin Vermeer
    Jul 28, 2010 at 12:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ "Specific kits" would be a shopping question, which is not allowed. I'm getting kind of sick of all the "I don't know anything, where should I start?" questions. Think about what you want to accomplish first, do some research, and then ask specific questions. \$\endgroup\$
    – endolith
    Mar 6, 2011 at 17:51
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SparkFun has a few various types of kits:

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You can get kits of individual components for pretty cheap on eBay. For example:

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  • \$\begingroup\$ There's little point in buying them if each bag isn't individually labeled though. >:( \$\endgroup\$
    – endolith
    Jul 27, 2010 at 20:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ To be fair, most of the ones on eBay that I've seen are labeled. I just bought a boatload of SMD caps/resistors on eBay and they all came labeled. \$\endgroup\$
    – Flyguy
    Jul 28, 2010 at 13:01
  • \$\begingroup\$ @endolith: In my above two links, the first one specifically says "Individually packed and labeled", and the second doesn't specifically say it, but the pictures show a bunch of separate little baggies with values written on them. \$\endgroup\$
    – davr
    Jul 28, 2010 at 16:18
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Rapid Electronics supplies component kits.

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This Arduino starter kit from .:oomlout:. is fantastic, it's a really good price and you can buy it with or without an Arduino Duemilanove (Programmable micro controller) - plus .:oomlout:. is a groovy company too!

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I believe that starter kit is exactly the same as Sparkfun's "Inventor kit", just that this distributor is for the UK. \$\endgroup\$
    – davr
    Jul 28, 2010 at 16:19
  • \$\begingroup\$ Yeah - it's the same kit, it's originally by .:oomlout:. but you can buy them from Sparkfun, Solarbotics, Adafruit and floris. Was using one last weekend at a Howduino event.....they're a fantastic buy. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jim
    Jul 29, 2010 at 10:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ See also bitsbox.co.uk/compkits.html and bitsbox.co.uk/poundshop.html. Several other shops also sell "GCSE kits" (e.g. Maplin) \$\endgroup\$
    – RedGrittyBrick
    May 31, 2013 at 8:29

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