The Adafruit Feather nRF52840 is a compact wireless development board for Bluetooth Low Energy prototypes, portable controllers, and connected sensor nodes. It combines the Feather pinout with a Nordic nRF52840 system-on-chip, native USB, LiPo battery support, and a workflow that fits quick bench testing as well as battery-powered field trials. The board is a strong fit when a project needs 3.3 V logic, BLE connectivity, low-power operation, and a familiar maker-friendly form factor. Use it with jumper-connected sensors from the 37-in-1 Sensor Kit or with I2C accessories where the voltage and pull-up arrangement have been checked. For chip-level planning, review the Nordic nRF52840 technical information before committing to a production design. This product page is written for developers who need a practical buying and integration reference: key electrical limits, board areas, included headers, and common setup questions are listed below without embedded programming examples. Technical Specifications Parameter Value Main IC Nordic nRF52840 Bluetooth Low Energy SoC CPU ARM Cortex-M4F class core, up to 64 MHz Wireless 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Low Energy radio On-chip Memory 1 MB flash and 256 KB RAM External Storage 2 MB SPI flash for files and runtime assets Logic Level 3.3 V logic USB Native USB for programming, serial, and power Battery Support JST LiPo connector with onboard charging circuit Expansion Feather-format GPIO for I2C, SPI, UART, analog, PWM, and digital I/O User Indicators Onboard status LED and RGB NeoPixel indicator Debug Access SWD pads for low-level debugging Software Support Arduino and CircuitPython workflows Included Header Loose header/header strip included for breadboard soldering Deployment Note Check antenna clearance, power budget, and regional radio requirements before deployment Board Layout & Label Guide nRF52840 SoC - Main wireless microcontroller for BLE connectivity and application control. USB Connector - Provides power, programming, and USB serial access. LiPo JST Connector - Accepts a compatible single-cell LiPo battery for portable use. Battery Charger Area - Handles onboard charging when USB power is connected. Feather Headers - Expose power, ground, analog, digital, I2C, SPI, and UART signals in the Feather footprint. Antenna Area - Keep nearby metal, wiring, and tall components away from the 2.4 GHz antenna region. SPI Flash - External storage used by file-based firmware workflows and assets. Reset Button - Restarts the board during testing or firmware recovery. SWD Pads - Provide debug access for advanced firmware work. Status LED / NeoPixel - Useful for power, status, and diagnostic feedback. Packing List 1 x Adafruit Feather nRF52840 Express board 1 x included loose header/header strip for breadboard soldering FAQ Q: Is this a Bluetooth development board?A: Yes. It is built around the nRF52840 and is intended for Bluetooth Low Energy projects and portable connected devices. Q: Can it be powered from a LiPo battery?A: Yes. It includes a JST battery connector and onboard charging circuit. A LiPo battery is not included. Q: Are headers included?A: Yes. A loose header/header strip is included so you can solder the board for breadboard or socket use. Q: What logic level should connected hardware use?A: Use 3.3 V logic. Level shifting may be required for 5 V modules. Q: Can I use FeatherWings?A: The Feather footprint is designed for FeatherWing expansion, but every add-on should be checked for pin conflicts, voltage level, and current draw. Q: Which software workflows are suitable?A: Arduino and CircuitPython workflows are typical choices for rapid prototyping and board bring-up. Q: What sensors pair well with it?A: Low-power I2C or digital sensors are a good fit. The 37-in-1 Sensor Kit is useful for experimenting with common sensor types, and the Gravity I2C Hub can help organize multi-sensor I2C wiring when the voltage and connectors are adapted correctly. Q: What should be checked before enclosure design?A: Leave clearance around the antenna area, USB connector, reset access, and battery connector, and verify the battery capacity for the target runtime.
