L298N vs L293D vs TB6612FNG: Which Motor Driver Is Best?
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For most modern robots the TB6612FNG is the best choice because it runs cooler and wastes far less voltage than the older L298N or L293D, but the L298N is still fine for cheap, high-current hobby builds. Your decision really comes down to how much current your motors draw and how much efficiency matters.
How these three drivers differ
All three are dual H-bridge drivers, meaning each can run two DC motors (or one stepper) in both directions. The big differences are in current capability and how they switch the motors.
- L293D — the classic beginner chip. Uses bipolar transistors, so it drops a lot of voltage and gets hot under load. Best for tiny motors.
- L298N — a higher-current module, almost always sold on a board with a heatsink. Also bipolar, so it has a large voltage drop (often 2–3V).
- TB6612FNG — a modern MOSFET-based driver. Low voltage drop, cool running, and PWM-friendly, but rated for less peak current than the L298N.
Quick comparison
| Feature | L293D | L298N | TB6612FNG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Bipolar | Bipolar | MOSFET |
| Continuous current per channel | ~0.6A | ~2A | ~1.2A |
| Voltage drop | High | High | Low |
| Heat under load | High | High | Low |
| Board size | Small | Large | Small |
| Best for | Tiny motors | High current, cheap | Battery robots |
Voltage drop matters more than you think
On a battery-powered robot, the L298N can eat 2–3V before the motor even sees it. Feed it from a small pack and your motors run weak. The TB6612FNG hands almost all the voltage to the motor, so the same battery gives you more speed and longer run time.
Which should you choose?
- Battery-powered robots and line followers: Choose the TB6612FNG. The efficiency directly extends your run time.
- Big motors or a tight budget: The L298N is perfectly fine. It is cheap, rugged, and handles more current. Just add the heatsink and expect some voltage loss.
- Very small toy motors or learning the basics: The L293D still does the job and is the simplest to wire.
Honestly, if you are a beginner wiring your first chassis and using a wall adapter rather than a small battery, the cheaper L298N is a sensible, forgiving starting point. Save the TB6612FNG for when efficiency and size start to matter.
A quick safety note
Always add a flyback/back-EMF path (these drivers include internal diodes, but keep wiring tidy), never exceed the rated current, and disconnect power before rewiring. Motors can stall and spike current well above their running figure, so size your driver for the stall current, not the idle current.
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