Mastering electronics is not just about understanding circuits and components; it’s about unlocking the potential to innovate, create, and repair devices that power the world. Whether you’re looking to design your own gadgets, improve your technical skills, or simply satisfy your curiosity about how things work, learning electronics is a rewarding journey.

Before you can dive into advanced projects, it’s crucial to start with the basics: understanding Ohm’s Law, circuit analysis, and the operation of essential components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors. Building this foundation will enable you to tackle more complex topics and practical applications, from designing printed circuit boards (PCBs) to troubleshooting electronic devices.

Drawing from my experience in my coursework in electronics, I’ve compiled this Best Courses Guide (BCG) to offer you the most effective ways for learning electronics. We’ll explore top online courses and resources to help you achieve mastery in electronics and PCB design.

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• Top Picks
• Courses Overview
• Why You Should Trust Us
• How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them

Here are our top picks

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Courses Overview

• 6 courses are free and 1 is paid
• The Electrical Engineering subject is followed by 86.7K learners on Class Central
• Courses in this guide have more than 1.3M enrollments and views

Best Courses for Linear Circuits Analysis (MIT)

The Circuits and Electronics course offered by MIT OpenCourseWare is well-made and engaging. The instructors’ ability to break down complex concepts into clear and concise lessons makes learning enjoyable and accessible. The course covers a broad spectrum of topics in circuits and electronics, providing a solid foundation for further study.

The comprehensive course materials, including detailed lecture notes and challenging problem sets, are invaluable resources that enhance the learning experience. The real-life examples and practical applications discussed throughout the lectures help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world scenarios, making the content more relatable and easier to grasp.

The course’s well-organized structure ensures a logical flow of information, making it easy to follow along with the lectures. The inclusion of practical lab exercises and the instructor’s real-world tips and tricks, drawn from extensive experience, add significant value to the course.

Overall, this course is highly recommended for anyone interested in electrical engineering. This course offers a thorough and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of circuits and electronics. The fact that it is freely available through MIT OpenCourseWare makes it an even more attractive option.

Key Highlights

• Clear and concise teaching style that simplifies complex concepts
• Comprehensive coverage of a wide range of topics in circuits and electronics
• Valuable course materials, including lecture notes and problem sets
• Real-life examples and practical applications that enhance understanding
• Well-organized lectures with a logical progression
• Practical lab exercises and real-world tips from the instructor
• Recommended for both beginners and those with prior knowledge
• Free access through MIT OpenCourseWare.

Alternatively, you can take this course through edX in a three-course series:

Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis covers the fundamentals of linear circuits, including resistive elements and networks, circuit analysis methods (such as KVL, KCL, and the node method), independent and dependent sources, linearity, superposition, and Thevenin & Norton methods. The course also introduces digital abstraction, combinational gates, and MOSFET switches. This beginner-friendly course includes interactive videos, textbook readings, homework, online labs, and optional tutorials.

Circuits and Electronics 2: Amplification, Speed, and Delay delves deeper into linear circuit components, focusing on MOSFET large signal and small signal analysis, amplifiers, capacitors, inductors, and dynamics of first-order networks and circuit speed. The course features design and lab exercises, interactive videos, readings, and a final exam.

Circuits and Electronics 3: Applications explores advanced topics in linear circuits, such as the dynamics of capacitor, inductor, and resistor networks, design in the time and frequency domains, op-amps, and analog and digital circuits and applications. Weekly lab exercises, interactive videos, readings, and a final exam are included.

Best Intro to Nonlinear Electronic Devices (Georgia Institute of Technology)

The Introduction to Electronics course by Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera is a well-structured course designed for beginners in nonlinear electronic devices who already have some prior knowledge of linear circuits. The course starts with a brief review of linear circuit concepts in the first module, making it easier for learners to transition into more complex topics. Dr. Ferri and Dr. Robinson deliver clear and straightforward lectures, which cover essential electronic devices such as Op Amps, diodes, MOSFETs, and BJTs. The comprehensive coverage and practical approach help students understand and design basic electronic circuits.

The course materials, including quizzes and assignments, are useful for reinforcing the concepts taught in the lectures. However, some learners feel that the course assumes more prior knowledge than expected for an introductory course, making it challenging for those without a solid foundation in linear circuits and physics. Despite this, the course is praised for its clear explanations and practical applications, making it a valuable resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of electronics.

Key Highlights

• Designed for beginners in nonlinear electronic devices with prior knowledge of linear circuits
• Brief review of linear circuit concepts in the first module
• Comprehensive coverage of electronic devices such as Op Amps, diodes, MOSFETs, and BJTs
• Useful quizzes and assignments for reinforcing learning
• Some prior knowledge of basic electronics and physics recommended

This course is ideal for beginners with a basic understanding of linear circuits who want to expand their knowledge into nonlinear electronic devices.

Best Course for Understanding Semiconductors and Transistors (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

If you want to dive deep into the world of semiconductors and transistors, Introduction to Semiconductors, PN Junctions, and Bipolar Junction Transistors, offered by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is ideal. This 8-week course, part of the Principles of Semiconductor Devices Professional Certificate Program, requires 2-4 hours of study per week. The instructors will guide you through intrinsic semiconductor materials, current-voltage characteristics, optical properties, and BJT switching characteristics, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of these fundamental electronic components.

What you’ll learn:

• Fundamental concepts of semiconductors, including energy band diagrams and carrier concentration
• Doping effects and PN junction formation
• Current-voltage characteristics and real-world behavior of PN junction diodes
• Optical properties of PN junctions and the principles of photodiodes, solar cells, and LEDs
• Basic and advanced operation of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), including their switching characteristics and circuit models.

This course is perfect for anyone looking to gain a solid foundation in semiconductor devices and transistors, with detailed explanations and practical applications.

Best Comprehensive Course for PCB Design (Udemy)

Crash Course Electronics and PCB Design is a fast-paced, in-depth course perfect for anyone looking to master electronics and PCB design from the ground up. In this course, you’ll learn to analyze and construct analog and digital circuits, design and assemble printed circuit boards (PCBs), and use tools like Altium CircuitMaker and Labcenter Proteus.

The course covers atomic physics, Ohm’s Law, circuit analysis, AC/DC circuits, filters, amplifiers, transistors, and FETs. Andre, with over 35 years of experience, breaks down complex concepts into understandable lectures and practical applications. His engaging teaching style and hands-on demonstrations, including building and testing circuits, make this course ideal for anyone transitioning into electronics. You’ll build three complete products, ready for production, and get a free PDF of Andre’s textbook, “Design Your Own Video Game Console.” This course is an excellent starting point for gaining practical expertise in electronics and PCB design.

What you’ll learn:

• Analyze and construct basic analog and digital circuits
• Design, assemble, and run printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Use CAD and design tools such as schematic entry, PCB layout and routing, circuit simulators, and MATLAB
• Operate basic electronics lab equipment like oscilloscopes, power supplies, and signal generators
• Hands-on techniques such as solderless breadboarding, wire wrapping, and soldering
• Practical applications through the design and production of three complete products.

Best FREE Online Textbook with Exercises (All About Circuits)

All About Circuits (allaboutcircuits.com) is an excellent educational resource for anyone interested in learning about electronics and electrical engineering. The website offers a wide array of free educational materials, including textbooks, video tutorials, worksheets, and webinars from industry experts, making it a valuable tool for students, hobbyists, and professionals alike.

Textbooks: All About Circuits provides a comprehensive set of online textbooks covering various topics in electricity and electronics. These textbooks, authored by Tony R. Kuphaldt, are updated regularly by community members and cover everything from basic concepts to more advanced topics. The textbooks are designed to be accessible and useful for both beginners and experienced learners.

Video Tutorials and Lectures: The site hosts a rich collection of video tutorials that cover fundamental electronics concepts, analog and digital topics, and specific components like Op-Amps, diodes, MOSFETs, and BJTs. These tutorials are narrated by experienced contributors, making complex topics easier to understand. Additionally, there are video lectures on various topics, including circuit simulation and AC resistive circuits, which are organized into different categories to help learners navigate through the content efficiently.

Worksheets and Exercises: For hands-on learning, All About Circuits offers numerous worksheets that allow students to test their knowledge and apply what they’ve learned. These worksheets cover a broad range of topics and are an excellent way for students to practice and reinforce their understanding.

Webinars and Technical Articles: The site also features webinars from industry experts, providing insights into the latest trends and technologies in electronics. Alongside these, technical articles offer in-depth analyses and tutorials on various subjects, from fundamental theories to practical applications and advanced topics.

Calculators and Tools: All About Circuits includes a variety of calculators and tools designed to help with electronic circuit design and analysis. These tools are accompanied by explanations of the underlying concepts, making them practical and educational.

Best Electronics Course for High Schoolers or Complete Beginners (Khan Academy)

Khan Academy’s Introduction to Electrical Engineering is the ideal course for high school students and complete beginners. The course provides a solid foundation in electrical engineering through engaging and clear content. You will learn about essential topics such as current, voltage, circuit analysis, amplifiers, and semiconductor devices. The interactive videos and quizzes help reinforce learning, making the course both informative and enjoyable. Additionally, this course includes video instructions and plenty of exercises to practice what you’ve learned, ensuring a thorough understanding of the material. As a free resource, it is highly accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

What you’ll learn:

• Fundamental electrical quantities like current and voltage
• Basic circuit analysis, including resistor circuits, DC and AC circuit analysis
• Operational amplifiers and their applications
• Semiconductor devices such as diodes
• Electrostatics, including electric force, fields, and potential
• Introduction to signals and systems with Fourier series
• Hands-on projects with home-made robots and Lego robotics
• Reverse engineering household items to understand their internal workings.

While this course is an excellent starting point for beginners, it may not delve deeply enough into advanced topics for more experienced learners.

Best YouTube Series for Young Electronics Enthusiasts (Adafruit Industries)

The Circuit Playground series by Adafruit Industries is an engaging and educational YouTube series perfect for introducing young learners to the world of electronics. Hosted by Adabot, a curious robot, each episode explores a different aspect of electronics, making complex concepts accessible and fun.

What you’ll learn:

• Fundamentals of Electronics: Basic principles such as how circuits work, components like resistors and capacitors, and the concept of current and voltage
• Hands-On Learning: Practical demonstrations of soldering, building circuits, and using various electronic components
• Interactive Content: Episodes include interactive elements that encourage viewers to follow along and try building their own circuits.

What’s Next

If you’re looking to dive deeper into electronics and have practical questions about component-level electronic circuits, design, repair, component buying, test gear, and tools, check out the subreddit /r/AskElectronics. They also offer a comprehensive wiki that addresses commonly asked questions and provides educational resources.

For more tutorials and projects, you can explore GreatScott! for engaging electronic tutorials and projects. Additionally, Paceworldwide offers excellent basic soldering tutorials and lessons on rework and repair.

Why You Should Trust Us

Class Central, a Tripadvisor for online education, has helped 60 million learners find their next course. We’ve been combing through online education for more than a decade to aggregate a catalog of 200,000 online courses and 200,000 reviews written by our users. And we’re online learners ourselves: combined, the Class Central team has completed over 400 online courses, including online degrees.

How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them

Trying to find “the best” can be daunting, even for those of us who live and breathe online courses. Here’s how I approached this task.

First, I combed through Class Central’s Catalog and the internet to find a variety of free and paid open courses, some with certificates. You don’t need to enroll in a university to learn about Electronics.

When choosing courses, I considered the following factors:

• Renowned Institutions: I looked for recognized institutions in Electronics
• Instructor experience: I sought instructors with extensive experience in Electronics and engaging presentation styles
• Popularity: I checked numbers of enrollments and views to find popular courses
• Course content: I examined courses that covered a range of topics and presentation styles, including the basics and more advanced topics. I watched some course videos to sample courses I hadn’t already taken
• Learner reviews: I read learner reviews (when available) to get a sense of the quality of each course, leveraging the Class Central database with its thousands of course ratings and reviews written by our users as well as available course provider reviews.

Then, I defined the scope for these recommendations. An Electronics course can cover various topics, so I chose top courses from a range of sub-fields. Ultimately, I used a combination of data and my own judgment to make these picks. I’m confident these recommendations will be a reliable way to learn about Electronics.