Exploring Common H-Bridge Motor Drivers: A Comparison for Beginner

When working with robotics, automation, or DIY motor control projects, selecting the right motor driver is crucial. H-Bridge motor drivers are commonly used to control the direction and speed of DC motors and stepper motors. This comparison covers six popular and widely used H-Bridge motor driver modules, highlighting their voltage and current capacities, protection features, power savings, and best use cases.

Comparison Table

Detailed Overview

1. DRV8833 Dual Motor Driver Module
   • Voltage Range: 2.7V – 10.8V
   • Current Capacity: 1.5A continuous (2A peak per motor)
   • Power Savings: This driver is energy-efficient with low quiescent current, ideal for battery-powered projects.
   • Voltage Protection: Includes undervoltage lockout, preventing operation at too low a voltage, but no over-voltage protection or reverse voltage protection.
   • Thermal Protection: The built-in thermal shutdown protects the module from overheating.
   • Best For: Small robots and projects where low voltage and energy-efficient operation are crucial.
2. TB6612FNG Dual Motor Driver
   • Voltage Range: 4.5V – 13.5V
   • Current Capacity: 1.2A continuous (3.2A peak per motor)
   • Power Savings: Low standby current for efficient operation.
   • Voltage Protection: Features undervoltage lockout but lacks explicit over-voltage protection and reverse voltage protection.
   • Thermal Protection: Includes thermal shutdown, providing safe operation under heat stress.
   • Best For: Moderate-power robotics, where efficiency and thermal management are needed.
3. L298N Dual H-Bridge DC/Stepper Motor Driver
   • Voltage Range: 5V – 35V
   • Current Capacity: 2A continuous (3A peak per motor)
   • Power Savings: Less efficient than modern alternatives; generates more heat, which can require additional heat sinks.
   • Voltage Protection: Lacks both low and over-voltage protection.
   • Thermal Protection: Has thermal shutdown but may require external cooling for high-power applications.
   • Best For: Large motors or high-voltage applications where power dissipation is not a primary concern.
4. MX1508 Dual H-Bridge Board (L298N Alternative)
   • Voltage Range: 2.5V – 6V
   • Current Capacity: 1A continuous (2A peak per motor)
   • Power Savings: Highly efficient, making it ideal for low-power robots.
   • Voltage Protection: No explicit protection against low, over, or reverse voltage.
   • Thermal Protection: Lacks a dedicated thermal shutdown.
   • Best For: Low-power robotics or small DIY projects where compact size and efficiency are key.
5. Pololu DRV8835 Dual Motor Driver Carrier
   • Voltage Range: 2.5V – 10.8V
   • Current Capacity: 1.5A continuous (2A peak per motor)
   • Power Savings: Features low standby current, making it efficient for battery-operated applications.
   • Voltage Protection: Includes undervoltage lockout, but lacks over-voltage and reverse voltage protection.
   • Thermal Protection: Built-in thermal shutdown helps protect the driver from heat-related damage.
   • Best For: Low-power projects, especially for beginners or compact robots.
6. Maker Drive Simplifying H-Bridge Motor Driver
   • Voltage Range: 2.5V – 9.5V
   • Current Capacity: 2A continuous (peak current varies with heat dissipation)
   • Power Savings: Optimized with a buck-boost regulator for efficiency, supporting a wide range of input voltages.
   • Voltage Protection: Includes both undervoltage lockout and reverse voltage protection, ensuring safe operation in various configurations.
   • Thermal Protection: Features thermal shutdown, preventing overheating during extended use.
   • Special Features: Includes motor test buttons for easy testing and a built-in buck regulator for powering both the motor driver and microcontroller from a single source.
   • Best For: Mid-range power projects, educational purposes, and prototyping, especially for projects where reverse voltage protection is important.

Conclusion

• Best for Low-Power, Small Projects: The DRV8833, MX1508, and Pololu DRV8835 are perfect choices for small, energy-efficient robots and low-voltage applications, providing undervoltage protection and thermal shutdown features for safety.
• Best for Moderate-Power Projects: The TB6612FNG and Maker Drive are great for moderate-power robots. The Maker Drive stands out due to its reverse voltage protection, motor test buttons, and built-in buck-boost regulator, which makes it an excellent choice for educational and prototyping environments.
• Best for High-Power, Larger Robots: The L298N is best suited for high-voltage applications, though it may require additional cooling due to its lower efficiency.

Overall, the Maker Drive is particularly noteworthy for its unique features like reverse voltage protection, motor test buttons, and built-in buck regulator, making it an excellent all-rounder for educational and mid-range robotics projects.