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In 2021, PCB makers faced a two-sided challenge: demand for boards used in 5G, connected devices and data infrastructure was growing, while component and supply-chain shortages made it harder to ship on time. The industry response was to build denser, faster and more specialized boards—and to treat materials, manufacturing yield and supply resilience as strategic concerns.
Why electronics demand changed PCB requirements
5G infrastructure and devices, networking, smartphones, the Internet of Things, data centers and high-performance computing all called for circuit boards that could support more connections, faster signals or tighter packaging. A 2021 worldwide PCB outlook associated these applications with demand for rigid boards, high-density interconnect (HDI), flexible circuits and IC substrates.
The shift was not simply toward more boards. It also increased the importance of board design and material choices: a compact product with complex radio-frequency or antenna requirements can need a more intricate mainboard, while higher-frequency signals can make lower-loss copper-clad laminates more relevant. The 2021 outlook estimated China’s 5G base-station PCB demand at RMB 10.85 billion for 2021F—a forecast for China and that application, not a measure of worldwide PCB sales.
Connected products also pushed interest in edge computing: processing data closer to where it is generated rather than relying only on a distant data center. The European Commission’s March 8, 2021 report on emerging technologies in electronic components and systems presented open platforms for edge computing and IoT as opportunities for European electronics innovation.
#1 Best Overall
- Selection of Multi-Sized Proto Boards - 31 pieces double-sided prototype boards of 5 different size to meet your demands when designing your own Arduino kits, electronic experiments and DIY projects. （10 pieces 2*8cm, 10 pieces 3*7cm, 5 pieces 4*6cm, 5 pieces 5*7cm and 1 pieces 7*9cm PCB boards)
- Header Connector - 10 pieces 40 pin male header, 10 pieces 40 pin pitch right angle male headers, 10 pieces 40 pin female header; pitch: 2.54mm, single row and straight connector
- Screw Terminal Block - 8 pieces 5.08-301-2P and 5 pieces 5.08-301-3P ; pitch: 5.08mm, rated voltage: 300V, rated current: 16A
- Jumper caps - 30 pieces standard 2.54mm pin spacing circuit board jumper cap in 6 colors, 5 pieces per color
- Environmental and Elegant Packaging - Compact paper package take little footprint
Which PCB technologies were moving forward?
These technologies address different design constraints. They are not interchangeable upgrades: the right choice depends on signal requirements, available space, mechanical movement, thermal needs and whether the design can be manufactured consistently.
| Technology direction | What it helps address | Manufacturing or design consideration |
|---|---|---|
| HDI | Higher interconnect density and compact layouts | Fine features and more demanding processes make process control and yield important. |
| Flexible and rigid-flex circuits | Space-constrained designs and layouts that need a flexible section | Board construction must suit the product’s mechanical and assembly requirements. |
| High-frequency, low-loss materials | Signal transmission at higher frequencies, including radio-frequency applications | Material selection needs to be considered alongside signal integrity and the intended operating conditions. |
| Advanced substrates, including IC substrates | More compact or capable electronic packaging | They extend the range of manufacturing capabilities a supplier may need to support. |
HDI: more connections in less space
HDI was a key direction in the 2021 outlook because 5G-related designs and other compact electronics needed higher density and greater interconnect complexity. A later IPC study, published October 10, 2023 and based on a survey of 60 companies, found that reported HDI usage or fabrication had risen from 37.5% to just over 49% over the preceding five years; respondents expected further growth. That later survey supports the view that HDI adoption continued, but its figures are not a measurement of the industry in 2021.
Rank #2
- 32 Boards In Five Sizes: Choose 4 × 6 cm, 3 × 7 cm, 5 × 7 cm, 2 × 8 cm or 7 × 9 cm boards for compact circuits, controller interfaces, classroom soldering exercises and larger point-to-point builds
- Double-Sided FR4 For Soldered Prototypes: Approximately 1.6 mm FR4 provides a rigid base for permanent electronics builds, while pre-tinned plated-through holes provide solderable connections accessible from both sides
- Standard 2.54 mm Grid Fits Common Through-Hole Parts: Lay out resistors, LEDs, DIP sockets, pin headers, terminal blocks, sensors and jumper wires on a 0.1 in pitch, then create each required connection with soldered leads, bridges or insulated wire
- From Breadboard Test To Permanent Build: Transfer a proven circuit into a compact soldered assembly for sensor nodes, controllers, alarms and STEM demonstrations; corner mounting holes help secure finished boards in enclosures or on panels
- Set Expectations Before Soldering: These are isolated-pad perfboards with no breadboard-style buses or stripboard traces, and the kit does not include components, wire, solder or tools; plan the layout and check continuity before applying power
Flexible and rigid-flex circuits: adapting the board to the product
Flexible circuits and rigid-flex constructions were among the product directions associated with the changing electronics market. They can help designers fit circuitry into products where a conventional rigid board is not the only suitable form. Their use, however, depends on the device’s physical design and manufacturing requirements; flexibility alone does not make them the right choice for every board.
Low-loss materials: managing faster signals
For higher-frequency signals, the 2021 outlook pointed to lower-loss copper-clad materials. Material selection is part of signal-integrity planning, not a substitute for it: the board layout, stack-up and intended operating conditions also matter. A manufacturer and design team need to settle these requirements early enough to confirm that the proposed construction is practical to produce.
Rank #3
- Versatile PCB Board Kit: This circuit board prototype kit includes a variety of PCB board sizes to cater to diverse project requirements: 1 piece of 3.5x5.9 inches (9x15cm), 2 pieces of 2.8x3.5 inches (7x9cm), 3 pieces of 2.0x2.8 inches (5x7cm), and 5 pieces each of 1.6x2.4 inches (4x6cm), 1.2x2.8 inches (3x7cm), and 0.8x3.1 inches (2x8cm).
- Comprehensive Header Pin Set: Includes 6 pieces of male straight pin headers, 6 pieces of female straight pin headers, and 4 pieces of right-angle pin headers. Each row features 40 pins with a 0.1 inch (2.54mm) pin pitch, providing versatile connectivity options.
- Complete Terminal Blocks & Jumpers: This kit comes with 6 pieces of 2-Pin Terminal Blocks, 4 pieces of 3-Pin Terminal Blocks, and 100 pieces of standard 2.54mm pin spacing circuit board jumper caps, ensuring you have the components needed for various connections.
- Sturdy and Durable Construction: Made from high-quality FR4 fiberglass material, these PCB boards are 1.6mm thick, offering robust durability and long-lasting performance for your projects.
- Convenient Design for Easy Assembly: Each board features four mounting holes at the corners for easy assembly. The pre-tinned holes across the circuit board simplify the soldering of components and sensors, facilitating seamless project integration.
Why lead times and prices came under pressure
Shortages constrained output even as demand remained strong. IPC’s June 2021 explanation said a book-to-bill ratio above 1.00 indicates demand ahead of supply over the following three to twelve months. In July 2021, IPC reported a North American PCB book-to-bill ratio of 1.29 and said shortages were slowing shipments and building backlog. The ratio is a regional industry indicator, not a direct prediction of an individual order’s delivery date.
Costs rose too. In its November 1, 2021 components-shortage outlook, IPC reported that surveyed manufacturers said shortages and supply-chain problems had increased their costs by an average of 14.5% in 2021. That is a survey-reported average cost increase, not a universal increase in PCB prices or a guaranteed surcharge on a buyer’s order.
Rank #4
- 19pcs double sided pcb board kit for diy soldering and electronics projects - includes 5 sizes (6x 20x80mm, 6x 30x70mm, 3x 40x60mm, 3x 50x70mm, 1x 70x90mm) - compatible with arduino kits
- Screw Terminal Block and Jumper caps:8pcs 5.08-301-2p and 6pcs 5.08-301-3p screw terminal blocks; 25pcs 2.54mm pin spacing jumper caps in 5 colors (5pcs each)
- 2.54mm pitch header connectors: 8pcs 40-pin male, 8pcs 40-pin right-angle male, and 8pcs 40-pin female headers
- Circuit Board kit is made of FR4 material with a thickness of 1.6 mm, which belongs to glass fiber
- Double sided circuit board features tin-plated holes for soldering diy components and corner mounting holes for easy assembly and installation
A retrospective trade-publication account of the global PCB industry during COVID-19 described supply-chain disruption alongside continued industry growth in 2021, as well as inventory pressure and shifts in flexible-circuit use. Those observations provide context for the operating environment; they should not be treated as a universal market statistic.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What manufacturers had to improve
In a constrained market, technology leadership mattered only if a manufacturer could turn a complex design into consistent, deliverable boards. IPC’s 2023 technology study identified yield improvement, workforce training and access to competent personnel among the levers companies considered important. It also highlighted thermal management, solderable-finish choices, supply-chain lead times and compliance or environmental concerns.
Best Value
- PCB Perf Board Set: 5 Sizes Perfboard Circuit Protoboard
- Double-Sided Prototype Boards: 5 pcs 20 x 80 mm, 2 pcs 30 x 70 mm, 5 pcs 40 x 60 mm, 2 pcs 50 x 70 mm,1 pcs 70 x 90 mm
- 2.54 mm Header Pins: 5 pcs 1 x 40 pin straight male pin headers, 2 pcs 1 x 40 pin right-angle pin headers and 2 pcs 1 x 40 pin female pin headers
- 5.08 mm Screw Terminal Blocks: 5 pcs 2 pin and 5 pcs 3 pin screw terminal blocks
- 20 pcs 2.54 mm jumper caps
- Yield and inspection: More demanding designs make consistent processes and the ability to detect defects important to usable output.
- Workforce capability: Training and experienced personnel support the process control required as manufacturers move to more advanced technologies.
- Thermal design: Heat dissipation needs to be considered as part of the board and product design, rather than left until production.
- Lead-time planning: Supplier capacity and material availability can affect whether a design can be built on the required schedule.
- Compliance: Environmental and other applicable requirements can shape material, finish and production decisions.
The IPC study was published in 2023, so it is useful as later evidence of the capability issues that remained important—not as a contemporaneous survey of manufacturers in 2021.
How to evaluate a PCB supplier for these demands
For a buyer, the 2021 trends translate into a practical review of both design fit and delivery risk. Discuss the following before committing to a production schedule:
- Density and layer construction: Can the supplier build the required HDI features and stack-up, and explain how it will control process variation?
- Signal requirements: Has the design team specified operating frequency and loss requirements clearly enough to select suitable materials and a workable construction?
- Thermal needs: Are heat dissipation and the board’s role in the product’s thermal design understood?
- Mechanical form: Does the application need a rigid board, a flexible circuit or a rigid-flex design, and can the supplier manufacture and inspect that construction?
- Yield and quality controls: What process and inspection capabilities are appropriate for the design’s density and complexity?
- Lead time and supply resilience: Which materials or components could constrain the schedule, and what alternatives or sourcing plans are acceptable?
- Compliance requirements: Which environmental and product requirements apply to the intended market, and can the proposed materials and finishes meet them?
Resolve these questions during design and quotation, not after a schedule is fixed. A supplier’s ability to manufacture the specified board, manage likely bottlenecks and communicate realistic lead times matters as much as a headline technology claim.
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