Comparison page

ICM-20948 vs MPU6500

Side-by-side selection notes for specs, ecosystem readiness, known issues, and data confidence. This page is generated from structured component fields instead of a hand-written article.

ICM-20948

Projects needing 9-axis IMU and I2C with a commonly available sensors part.

MPU6500

Projects needing 6-axis IMU and SPI with a commonly available sensors part.

Specification Matrix

DimensionICM-20948 MPU6500

CategorySensorsSensors

MakerTDK InvenSenseTDK InvenSense

CoreNot specifiedNot specified

ClockNot specifiedNot specified

WirelessNot specifiedNot specified

Voltage3.3V3.3V

LibrariesArduino, MicroPythonArduino

Price$4.00 - $10.00$1.00 - $3.00

Known Tradeoffs

ICM-20948

Breakout boards may use different pin labels or regulator choices
Clone modules can differ from the original datasheet part

MPU6500

Breakout boards may use different pin labels or regulator choices
Clone modules can differ from the original datasheet part

Open Individual Model Pages

ICM-20948

TDK InvenSense

9-axis motion sensor used in newer IMU breakouts with better vendor support than many legacy modules.

China-madeSensors86% confidence

MPU6500

TDK InvenSense

6-axis IMU with I2C and SPI interfaces used in drones and compact motion boards.

China-madeSensors82% confidence