Most companies are in business to make money. If mass producing a product, a company might be tempted to use cheaper components to increase its overall profit. But cheap electronic components may not always be a good idea in mass production. Keep reading to see what a few of our readers have to say on the matter.
Don East

Don East

Don East is an electronics engineer that has helped develop musical instrument products for some of the biggest brands. He also spends his time as the editor for a music blog called Killer Rig..

No, Go For Quality

Using cheap electronic components in any design is generally not a good idea.

In some cases, the components will pass quality checks initially and make it out to the consumer before failing. This can create a nightmare for the company that now needs to either recall the product or deal with the failed units individually. This can also hurt the brand’s reputation, depending on the severity.

Using quality components in a mass-production environment is always a better idea.

It Depends On The Situation

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to cheap electronic components and mass production. On the one hand, you want to save money on components, but on the other hand, you don’t want to sacrifice quality.

When it comes to electronic components, it’s important to find a balance between cost and quality. In some cases, spending a little extra on higher-quality components that will last longer and provide a better overall product might be worth it. However, in other cases, using cheaper components might be more cost-effective.

It really depends on the specific situation and what your priorities are. If cost is your primary concern, you might be better off with cheaper components. But if the quality is your top priority, you might want to spend a little extra on better components.

Brandon Wilkes

Brandon Wilkes

Brandon Wilkes, Marketing Manager at The Big Phone Store.
Christen Costa

Christen Costa

Christen Costa, CEO, Gadget Review.

No, They Can Cause Serious Quality Control Issues

Cheap electronic components are not good for mass production because they can cause serious quality control issues. Higher-quality components are more reliable and thus create fewer issues during production.

No, Cheap Parts Won’t Last As Long

Using cheap electronic components can offer a great way to get the parts you need for a lower cost. However, those cheap parts may or may not work and may or may not last very long. The problem with cheap electronic parts is the lifetime of that part might not really save you that much money.

If you inevitably have to replace the part quickly, or often because it doesn’t last, you’re creating more waste and spending more money over time than you would if you just bought higher quality, more expensive parts.

Kyle MacDonald

Kyle MacDonald

Kyle MacDonald, Director of Operations, Force by Mojio.
Anthony Vaccaro

Anthony Vaccaro

Anthony Vaccaro, Vice President for US Sales at Timewatch.

Yes, If The Product Will Only Be Used Once or Twice

In terms of mass production, it’s important to note that cheap components are not necessarily better than more expensive ones. The quality of the materials and parts used to build a component can vary wildly, and the overall lifespan of an electronic device can be heavily impacted by how well its components were made.

Cheap components [are] more likely to break down over time, which means you’ll have to replace them more often. This leads to higher costs in both labor and materials.

However, there are situations where cheap components can be a good choice for mass production. For example: if you’re building something that will only be used once or twice (like a one-time “event” item), then using cheaper parts may make sense if they’re adequate for your needs.

Yes, If You Like Unpredictability

Cheap electronic components may be good for your bottom line, but they can make mass production results more unpredictable. You are more likely to experience quality control issues with cheap components, which may end up being more costly than using better components in the first place.

Adam Rossi

Adam Rossi

Adam Rossi, CEO of TotalShield.

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors' statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.