Start off the shelf
During initial development we prototype with COTS electronics to prove and specify the electronics solution quickly. That lets us test the product early, alongside the physical mechanical design, and gather real prototype learning and user feedback before committing to bespoke board design.
Move to a custom PCBA when
- The product must hit a size or form the off-the-shelf boards cannot fit.
- Unit cost matters at your production volumes: a bespoke board carrying only what the product needs is usually cheaper per unit than a module carrying parts you do not use.
- You are heading for certification and need control over the design that will be tested (a pre-certified radio module on a custom board is often the middle path).
- Supply chain reliability matters: a custom design lets components be selected for availability from more than one supplier.
For a worked example of moving from off-the-shelf electronics to a bespoke board, see our case study on prototyping an IoT product.