An H-bridge lets a controller run a brushed DC motor forward or backward by reversing the polarity at the motor’s terminals. It can also brake or let the motor coast, while pulse-width modulation (PWM) adjusts the drive. For a micro motor, choose the driver from the motor’s voltage and startup or stall current—not its physical size—and check the limits of the specific board you plan to use.
How an H-bridge reverses a brushed DC motor
An H-bridge connects a motor between two output nodes. Switching on one diagonal pair of bridge transistors drives current through the motor in one direction. Switching on the opposite diagonal pair reverses the voltage across the motor, so it turns the other way.
“Forward” and “reverse” describe electrical states, not a guaranteed direction of travel. Motor wiring, mounting orientation, and the controller’s naming convention determine which state moves a particular robot or mechanism forward.
Forward, reverse, coast, and brake
The DRV8833 datasheet documents the following outcomes for one bridge’s two control inputs. Other drivers can use different truth tables, so use the table for the exact part you have.
#1 Best Overall
- L298N Motor Driver Controller Board Module: L298N as main chip. Can drive one 2-phase stepper motor, one 4-phase stepper motor or two DC motors
- Operating mode: H-bridge driver (dual)
- Logic voltage: 5V(current 0mA-36mA)
- Drive voltage: 5V-35V(current: 2A (MAX single bridge)
- Maximum power: 25W
| Input 1 | Input 2 | DRV8833 output behavior | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | Forward | Drive the motor with one polarity. |
| 0 | 1 | Reverse | Drive the motor with the opposite polarity. |
| 0 | 0 | High-impedance outputs; coast/fast decay | Stop actively driving the motor; its winding current decays through the documented fast-decay path. |
| 1 | 1 | Low/low outputs; brake/slow decay | Short the motor’s terminals through the bridge, producing electrical braking. |
Coasting and braking are not the same. In coast, the driver releases the motor outputs; in brake, it shorts the winding through the bridge. The motor and mechanism determine how noticeable the difference is. See the DRV8833 datasheet for its specific input logic and decay behavior.
How PWM controls speed—and why current still flows
PWM rapidly switches the bridge between drive and a non-driving or recirculation state. Changing the fraction of each cycle spent driving changes the motor’s average electrical input and can regulate speed. Duty cycle alone does not set a guaranteed speed: supply voltage, load, motor characteristics, and driver losses also affect the result.
A motor winding is inductive, so its current cannot stop instantly when a drive pulse ends. The driver must provide a path for that current. The DRV8833 documents fast decay, in which current recirculates through body diodes while the bridge is disabled, and slow decay, in which the winding is shorted. The input and PWM arrangement determine which decay behavior is used.
PWM speed control and current limiting serve different purposes. Current limiting controls winding current; it can help limit the high demand a brushed motor may draw at startup or stall. Check the motor’s electrical data and the driver’s specified conditions rather than assuming a small motor draws little current.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- 6.5V to 45V operating voltages
- 565-mΩ typical RDS (open) (HS+LS)
- 3.6-A peak current drive
- Pulse-width modulation control interface
- Current regulation without sense resistors
What to check before choosing a driver
- Motor supply voltage: Confirm that the driver’s operating range covers the motor supply you will use. Do not substitute an absolute-maximum voltage for a recommended operating condition.
- Startup and stall current: Find the motor’s current requirements in its electrical data. Compare them with the driver’s continuous and peak ratings under the relevant package and test conditions, and account for whether current limiting is available.
- Board and thermal limits: Check the IC package, heat dissipation, board layout, and cooling. A chip’s datasheet rating does not establish what a third-party breakout board can handle.
- Number and type of motors: Confirm whether you need one or two brushed DC motors, or a bipolar stepper. Check whether the driver has enough independent bridges for that use.
- Control and assembly needs: Consider the required direction, coast, brake, standby, fault, and current-control behavior, along with whether you can assemble the IC or prefer a breakout board.
- Wiring and logic reference: Follow the exact driver documentation and the board schematic. Keep motor current out of microcontroller GPIO pins, and use the motor supply and common/reference arrangement specified for the driver.
Two dual-bridge options: DRV8833 and TB6612FNG
Both parts are documented for controlling two brushed DC motors, but their published ratings are not directly interchangeable: the DRV8833 figures below are package- and condition-specific, while the cited TB6612FNG output-current figures are absolute maxima.
| Driver | Motor supply or voltage figure | Published current figures | Functions and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| TI DRV8833 | 2.7–10.8 V operating supply range, according to TI’s product page. | At VM = 5 V and 25°C: PWP and RTY package options are rated at 1.5 A RMS / 2 A peak per bridge; PW is rated at 500 mA RMS / 2 A peak. These are package- and condition-specific figures listed by TI. | Dual H-bridge for two brushed DC motors or one bipolar stepper; includes PWM winding-current regulation/current limiting and protection features. Verify the package and current datasheet for a design. |
| Toshiba TB6612FNG | 15 V supply/output figures are absolute maxima on Toshiba’s product page, not ordinary recommended operating conditions. | 1.2 A average / 3.2 A peak output current are absolute-maximum ratings on Toshiba’s product page; do not treat them as operating targets. | Two-motor brushed-DC full-bridge driver with standby, CW/CCW, short-brake, and stop functions. Consult its datasheet for recommended operating conditions and check the particular board’s limits. |
The DRV8833’s listed RMS and peak values apply under the stated voltage, temperature, and package conditions; they do not guarantee that any board using the chip can sustain those currents. Likewise, the TB6612FNG absolute maxima do not establish safe continuous operation. In both cases, assess the actual board’s thermal behavior and implementation.
Rank #4
- BTS7960 Motor driver： Compatible with for Arduino Smart Car
- Size：1.96*1.96“
- Input Voltage：6V-27V；Current：43A
- Input level：3.3-5V
- Control mode：PWM or level
Wire the driver, not the motor, to your controller’s GPIO
Microcontroller pins provide control signals; the bridge switches the motor supply. Do not run motor current through GPIO pins. Follow the driver’s wiring requirements for motor power, logic supply, ground or reference, and control inputs. A breakout board’s pin names and supply arrangements vary, so check its schematic and documentation rather than relying on a generic H-bridge wiring diagram.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DROK DC motor driver input voltage range is DC 6.5V-27V, can be input DC 12V or 24V, rated output current of each port is 7A, total output power is 160W.
- STRONG DRIVE: the motor controller board adopts dual H bridge, can drive two DC motors at the same time.
- FORWARD and REVSERSELY ROTATE: the IN1, IN2/IN3, IN4 port can control forward or reverse motor rotation.
- PWM SPEED CONTROL: enable signal terminal (ENA) input PWM can regulate speed, PWM frequency range 0-10KHZ.
- UNDER VOLTAGE PROTECTION: the motor driver module is with under voltage protection to prevent instantaneous large current from damaging the module.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →
