Perspex vs ABS Enclosures: Which Case for Your Board?
By Official Hobby Components Online Store | Buy Electronic Kits, Components, Boards, Shields, Modules | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: Comparisons
Compare perspex and ABS enclosures for Arduino Uno and other boards. Learn the trade-offs in protection, visibility, and cost to choose the right case for your project.
Quick answer
For most projects, an ABS enclosure like the Hammond 1551KBK offers better dust and splash protection at a slightly higher price, while a clear perspex case like the Low Profile Perspex Case For Arduino Uno provides full connector access and a low cost. Choose perspex for prototyping and ABS for permanent or outdoor installations.
Protection vs Access
The Hammond 1551KBK ABS enclosure uses lap joint construction to resist dust and splashing water, making it suitable for environments where the board might be exposed to debris or accidental spills. In contrast, the Low Profile Perspex Case For Arduino Uno leaves all connectors accessible without removing the lid, which is ideal when you need to frequently plug and unplug cables during development or testing.
Visibility and Aesthetics
Clear perspex cases let you see the board and LED indicators at a glance, which is helpful for debugging or when the board itself is part of the display. ABS enclosures have a satin textured finish that hides the interior, giving a clean, professional look when the electronics don't need to be visible.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Protection: ABS enclosure offers dust and splash resistance; perspex case does not.
- Cost: ABS enclosure is USD 0.94 (catalog price), perspex case is USD 0.88 (catalog price). Both are budget-friendly.
- Access: Perspex case allows full connector access without removal; ABS enclosure requires opening the lid. If you frequently swap cables, the perspex case saves time.
- Visibility: Clear perspex shows the board and LEDs; ABS hides the interior.
Product facts
- Hammond 1551KBK ABS Enclosure (80x40x20): The Hammond 1551KBK ABS enclosure has lap joint construction that provides protection against ingress of dust and splashing water. This makes it a better choice for projects exposed to the elements or workshop environments where debris is present.
Hammond 1551KBK ABS Enclosure (80x40x20) - Low profile Perspex Case For Arduino Uno: The Low Profile Perspex Case For Arduino Uno provides access to all connectors on any Uno that conforms to the Arduino specification. You can plug and unplug cables without removing the case, saving time during prototyping and testing.
Low profile Perspex Case For Arduino Uno
Which case fits your project?
Best for
- Developers and makers who need quick access to connectors during prototyping
- Permanent or outdoor installations where dust and moisture are concerns
Not for
- Projects requiring full environmental sealing (neither case is waterproof)
- Applications needing a rugged, impact-resistant enclosure (ABS is not shatterproof)
