The 27 best semiconductor brands
Motorola, Philips and Texas Instruments lead our ranking of 27 semiconductor brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Semiconductor brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Motorola
Mid-century Motorola transistors, many NOS, with 2N3055 power types and MPSA small-signal parts for vintage builds.
Top products: 2N3055A· MJ15003· MPSA42
Website: motorola.com |Brands like Motorola
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Philips
Philips semiconductor parts, historically spun into NXP, covering diodes, transistors and ICs for consumer electronics.
Website: usa.philips.com |Brands like Philips
Popularity 7.4/10
-
3
Texas Instruments
Analog amplifiers, power regulators and microcontrollers form the core of TI's catalogue, with datasheets widely available online.
Website: ti.com |Brands like Texas Instruments
Popularity 3.9/10
-
4
Fairchild Industries
Fairchild Industries is a technical brand that deals with various industrial tools and machinery. When innovation and technology shook hands, Fairchild Industries was born. Their primary vision is to provide every industry with proper and functional gear and accessories. Their team blends material expertise, engineering design, and cutting-edge software. If you are looking for best-in-class tools and accessories, try Fairchild Industries!
Brands like Fairchild Industries
Popularity 3.7/10
-
5
NXP
Microcontrollers, high-power RF LDMOS transistors and triacs, plus development boards for embedded prototyping.
Top products: FRDM-K64F· LPC11E14FBD48· MRFE6VP6600N
Popularity 3.4/10
-
6
Toshiba
Japanese maker whose 2SC series silicon transistors remain common in vintage audio and general electronics repair.
Top products: 2SC2879
Website: toshiba.com |Brands like Toshiba
Popularity 3.3/10
-
7
Hitachi
Hitachi's linear ICs and discrete parts date from its semiconductor line, often sought for legacy equipment repairs.
Top products: HA1137W
Website: hitachi.com |Brands like Hitachi
Popularity 2.4/10
-
8
NEC
Businesses and home users who need office phones, memory modules and remote controls can find equipment from NEC, a Japanese electronics company with a long history in telecommunications and computing hardware. Its products include business telephone systems and computer components.
Website: necdisplay.com |Brands like NEC
Popularity 2.3/10
-
9
NTE
Replacement semiconductor catalogue for TVs, radios and hobby circuits, with cross-referenced equivalents for obsolete parts.
Website: nteinc.com |Brands like NTE
Popularity 2.3/10
-
10
RCA
RCA transistors and early CMOS logic, including the 4000 series, popular for hobby projects and vintage electronics.
Website: rcaaudiovideo.com |Brands like RCA
Popularity 2.2/10
-
11
Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric has always strived to create a varied range of products of the highest quality in its entire term of existence. Their most popular products include air conditioners, semiconductors and devices, and visual and imaging. Mitsubishi Electric has a...
Website: mitsubishielectric.com |Brands like Mitsubishi Electric
Popularity 2.1/10
-
12
Vishay
Discrete passives, diodes, MOSFETs and resistors, supplied in bulk for production runs and prototyping.
Website: vishay.com |Brands like Vishay
Popularity 2.1/10
-
13
STMicroelectronics
Power MOSFETs and STM32 microcontrollers, with Nucleo boards that suit hobbyists and quick prototypes.
Brands like STMicroelectronics
Popularity 2.0/10
-
14
Sumitomo
Sumimoto is a company that excels at making tires. The company started a long time ago, and they are still going strong. They boast about being one of the leading tire manufacturers in the world. They have innovative designs and...
Website: sumitomotire.com |Brands like Sumitomo
Popularity 1.7/10
-
15
Panasonic
Image sensors and discrete parts make up this Japanese maker's chip range, alongside its wider electronics lines.
Popularity 1.7/10
-
16
GE
GE's 1950s germanium power transistors and selenium rectifiers are the parts vintage radio restorers still ask for by number, though little new stock exists.
Website: gelighting.com |Brands like GE
Popularity 1.6/10
-
17
Central
Central semiconductors corporation supplies transistors and thyristors, believing in constant innovation backed by brilliant engineering. The company has always worked towards customer satisfaction, thus boosting the shopping experience. A detailed overview of all their products can be accessed on their...
Popularity 1.3/10
-
18
Infineon
Semiconductors have been revolutionary for humans by filling the world with electronic appliances that make our lives easier. Infineon provides innovative semiconductor solutions for various technologies that you use daily. They offer a wide variety of microelectronics like sensors, microcontrollers,...
Website: infineon.com |Brands like Infineon
Popularity 1.3/10
-
19
Littelfuse
Littelfuse produces circuit protection components such as fuses, thermistors and reed switches for electronic equipment. The company began in 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Its components are used across many industries that depend on electronic equipment, helping protect circuits from overload.
Website: littelfuse.com |Brands like Littelfuse
Popularity 1.2/10
-
20
Samsung
South Korean electronics company Samsung sells phone covers for Galaxy S8 and S10 models and for iPhones. These cases are designed to protect the phone from everyday knocks and scratches. Samsung also makes televisions, phones and home appliances under the...
Website: samsung.com |Brands like Samsung
Popularity 1.2/10
-
21
AMD
AMD designs processors and graphics cards for desktop computers and gaming systems. The Silicon Valley-based semiconductor company also makes technology for servers, cloud computing and other intelligent devices. Its chips reach personal computers, data centres and entertainment products alike.
Website: amd.com |Brands like AMD
Popularity 1.2/10
-
22
Fujitsu
IT is a field of knowledge that is growing at an extreme rate. All the ideas and concepts within the stream are proving to be useful for the development. Fujitsu Global is one of the leading IT services providers across...
Website: global.fujitsu |Brands like Fujitsu
Popularity 1.1/10
-
23
Intel
Who hasn’t heard about Intel, the world’s renowned technology company? Over the years, the company has undertaken corporate responsibilities for various firms boosting global technology. Intel has instilled its state-of-the-art AI in smart devices, participating in the digital revolution. The...
Website: intel.com |Brands like Intel
Popularity 1.1/10
-
24
Fuji
Fuji builds electrical protection and switching equipment through Fuji Electric, including molded case and earth leakage circuit breakers. Its line includes vacuum circuit breakers for reliable, low-maintenance operation and the GLOBAL-TWIN MCCB. Motor breakers are designed to avoid nuisance trips...
Popularity 1.0/10
-
25
ITT
ITT manufactures engineered components for industrial and transport markets. Its catalog includes electronic parts such as wire and cable, solenoid valves, transistors and vacuum tubes. The company draws on decades of engineering experience.
Website: itt.com |Brands like ITT
Popularity 1.0/10
-
26
Sony
Shortly after World War 2, Masaru Ibuka founded the Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K., a telecommunications and engineering corporation. He wanted technology to contribute to Japan’s culture and future. Despite starting small, he never gave up and stressed the importance of...
Website: sony.com |Brands like Sony
Popularity 1.0/10
-
27
Diotec
Based in Heitersheim, Germany, Diotec is a professional supplier of semiconductor components essential for modern electronic devices. The company has been an active producer of diodes and rectifiers since its establishment in 1973 to become one of the key competitors...
Website: diotec.com |Brands like Diotec
Popularity 1.0/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola | motorola.com | – | – | – | – |
| Philips | usa.philips.com | /Philips | – | @philips | – |
| Texas Instruments | ti.com | – | – | – | – |
| Toshiba | toshiba.com | /ToshibaAmerica | – | @ToshibaAmerica | toshibainnovation |
| Hitachi | hitachi.com | /hitachi.global | hitachi | @HitachiGlobal | – |
| NEC | necdisplay.com | – | – | – | – |
| NTE | nteinc.com | /nteelectronics | – | @NTEElectronics | – |
| RCA | rcaaudiovideo.com | /RCA | – | – | – |
Semiconductors Buying Guide: A Comprehensive Guide to Help You Make Informed Decisions
Welcome to the ultimate semiconductors buying guide, a comprehensive resource designed to help you make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing semiconductors. Semiconductors are an essential component of modern electronics, and they play a crucial role in powering devices like computers, smartphones, and other high-tech gadgets.
With so many semiconductors on the market, it can be challenging to know how to choose the best one for your needs. Whether you're an electronics enthusiast, a hobbyist, or a professional user, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about semiconductors to make a well-informed decision.
What are Semiconductors?
Semiconductors are electronic components that conduct electrical currents under certain conditions. They are made from materials that have unique electrical properties, such as silicon or germanium. Semiconductors are used in a range of electronic devices, from basic consumer electronics to advanced scientific equipment.
The electrical conductivity of semiconductors can be controlled through the addition of impurities, a process called doping. Adding impurities can create either p-type or n-type semiconductors. P-type semiconductors have an excess of positive charge, while n-type semiconductors have an excess of negative charge.
Types of Semiconductors
There are two main types of semiconductors: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic semiconductors are pure and contain no impurities. They conduct electricity poorly at low temperatures but become better conductors as the temperature increases. Extrinsic semiconductors are impure and contain added impurities, which enhances their electrical conductivity. The impurities added to extrinsic semiconductors affect their electrical conductivity and their use in electronic circuits.
Factors to Consider when Buying Semiconductors
Before buying semiconductors, there are several factors you should consider:
- Type of Semiconductor: As mentioned earlier, there are two types of semiconductors: intrinsic and extrinsic. You should choose the type of semiconductor that suits your needs based on the intended use of the device.
- Application: Different semiconductors have different properties that make them better suited for specific applications. For instance, some semiconductors are better suited for power control than others. The intended application will determine the type of semiconductor you need.
- Operating Voltage: The operating voltage is an essential consideration when choosing a semiconductor. It must be compatible with the voltage required by the device in which it will be used. Choosing a semiconductor with a lower voltage rating will lead to underperformance, while a semiconductor with a higher voltage rating will damage the device.
- Current Capacity: The current-carrying capacity of a semiconductor is another critical factor to consider. It must be sufficient to handle the current required by the device, without overheating or failing.
- Package Type: Semiconductors come in different package types, including surface-mount devices (SMDs) and through-hole devices (THTs). The package type can affect the ease of installation and removal, the size of the device, and other factors.
- Price: The cost of semiconductors varies depending on the brand, quality, and other factors. You must balance quality and price to get the best value for your money.
Where to Buy Semiconductors
There are plenty of places to buy semiconductors, including online marketplaces, electronic shops, and manufacturer websites. When buying semiconductors, always purchase from reputable sellers who have a proven track record for providing quality products.
You can also buy semiconductors in bulk, which can help you save money in the long run, especially if you're a professional user or a business owner who needs to stock up on semiconductors.
Top Semiconductors Brands on the Market
There are many semiconductors brands on the market, but some stand out for their superior quality, performance, and reliability. Whether you're a professional user or an electronics enthusiast, these are some of the top semiconductor brands to consider:
- Microchip: Microchip is a leading semiconductor manufacturer with a diverse product line that includes microcontrollers, analog and mixed-signal ICs, and memory products.
- STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics is a global leader in microcontrollers, digital and analog ICs, power management, and more.
- Texas Instruments: Texas Instruments is a renowned semiconductor company known for manufacturing high-performance analog and digital ICs, processors, and more.
- NXP Semiconductors: NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company that creates solutions for several industries, including automotive, security, IoT, and more.
- Analog Devices: Analog Devices produces a wide range of semiconductor products, including analog and digital ICs, sensors, and more.
Conclusion
Buying semiconductors may seem daunting, but with this comprehensive guide, you now have the knowledge and expertise to make an informed decision. When buying semiconductors, always consider the type of semiconductor, intended application, operating voltage, current capacity, package type, and price. Always purchase from reputable sellers and consider buying in bulk for the best value.
Remember, semiconductors are an essential component of modern electronics, and choosing the right semiconductor can make all the difference in the performance of your devices.
