
Buttons, Switches and Joysticks
Buttons and switches are among the most basic, and sometimes necessary, parts in an electronics project. They provide you with the means to interact with your code to display data on screens, turn on an LED, run a script, reset your board and more. Switches don’t require any fancy equations to evaluate - all they do is select between an open circuit and a short circuit. Simple. If HAL 9000 had had a single off switch, it would have made a lot of things easier!
Over the years, we've offered both common and unique buttons and switches in our catalog. Each and every one of the components we've offered, from momentary to maintained, SPST to DPDT, has usually been associated with a build, project or tutorial. You'd be hard pressed to find a design that doesn't include a button or a switch in one way or another.
![]() |
![]() |
A joystick is an input device that can be used for controlling the movement of the cursor or a pointer in a computer device. The pointer/cursor movement is controlled by maneuvering a lever on the joystick. The input device is mostly used for gaming applications and, sometimes, in graphics applications. A joystick also can be helpful as an input device for people with movement disabilities.
- Product
- Qty in Cart
- Quantity
- Price
- Subtotal
-
16mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton Range
£1.4516mm Panel Mount Momentary Pushbutton Range OK, this item is pretty simple - it's a panel mount pushbutton. It's not that exciting, no LEDs, no bells & whistles. But we really like it anyway, just look at its lovely rounded shape, that elegant bevel...£1.45Qty in Cart: 0Price:£1.45Subtotal: -
Keypad, Flexible Membrane, 4x4 Matrix, 16 Key, Adhesive
Sparkfun
£7.96Keypad, Flexible Membrane, 4x4 Matrix, 16 Key, Adhesive This slim, 16-button keypad provides a useful human interface component for microcontroller projects. Convenient adhesive backing provides a simple way to mount the keypad in a variety of...£7.96 -
Mini Microswitch, SPDT, Roller Lever (COM-18161)
Sparkfun
£1.30Mini Microswitch, SPDT, Roller Lever - Sparkfun COM-18161 Although small in size, KW4-Z5F roller microswitches are rated for controlling electrical loads ranging from logic level (computer-based circuits) to power duty switching (up to 16.1 A and...£1.30 -
Thumb Joystick, Analogue, 16mm Deluxe
Sparkfun
£3.95Thumb Joystick, Analogue, 16mm Deluxe This is a 16mm deluxe thumb joystick and is very similar to the 'analogue' joysticks found inside PlayStation controllers. Directional movements are provided simply by two potentiometers - one for each axis...£3.95 -
Thumb Joystick Knob - Deluxe
Sparkfun
£1.00Thumb Joystick Knob - Deluxe These deluxe thumb joystick knobs are just like the ones you would find on a PlayStation controller. They mate perfectly with our 16mm Deluxe Thumb Joystick!£1.00 -
Rotary Encoder - Illuminated (Red/Green)
Sparkfun
£2.95Rotary Encoder - Illuminated (Red/Green) Rotary encoders are used similarly to potentiometers. They're different from potentiometers in that a Rotary Encoder has full rotation without any limitations. They output gray code so that you can tell how much...£2.95Qty in Cart: 0Price:£2.95Subtotal: -
Metal Pushbuttons, Waterproof, Coloured, Momentary or Latching
£8.00Metal Pushbuttons, Waterproof, Coloured, Momentary or Latching This is a perfect choice if you are in need of a heavy-duty Metal Pushbutton! These are very tough, small, panel-mount momentary or latching switches with an illuminated coloured LED ring...£8.00 -
Waterproof Metal Pushbutton with Coloured LED Ring
£6.43The waterproof chrome-plated metal pushbuttons from Adafruit look fantastic as well as being tough enough to withstand the high amount of punishment you plan to put them through! A colored plastic LED ring surrounds the flat actuator on the front of the...£6.43 -
Rotary Encoder LED Ring Breakout Board - Coloured
£20.95The Rotary Encoder LED Ring is a position indicator for rotary encoders. Traditional knobs with indicator lines do not give accurate representation of an encoder’s value since rotary encoders have no start or end point, therefore this breakout...£20.95 -
LED Tactile Button Range - Colored
£2.06These are simple LED illuminated tactile buttons with colored caps. It’s just like a basic tactile button, but it lights up! So now you can get visual feedback, or light up your project. These have a 12mm body and are rated for 50mA at DC 12V. They...£2.06 -
Chicken Head Knobs -14x20mm - Coloured
£1.20Chicken Head Knobs are a great way to finish off your project and make it easier to adjust the level of your death ray!Perfect for use adjusting tone/volume controls on Amplifiers, Effects pedals, Guitars and lets not forget, Bass. However these Knobs...£1.20 -
Toggle Switch and Missile Cover Range - Illuminated Colour
£3.48Toggle Switch and Missile Cover Range - Illuminated Colour This awesome-looking on-off switch is rated for 20A at 12V but who cares about all that when you're busy launching missiles! These toggle switches come with those missile switch covers that make...£3.48