Original post from an electronics hobbyist seeking PCB manufacturers for mostly one-off boards, primarily single layer with occasional two layers. Preference is for price over time and quality over price, meaning they do not want the cheapest if quality is poor but are willing to wait longer for a lower price. The user notes a previous thread exists but is outdated, asking for 2022 recommendations and basic pricing examples.
One user states that any of the Chinese small volume companies can handle simple single or two-layer boards perfectly well 99+% of the time, and they are very cheap for small, simple boards. They note that board area significantly impacts cost, suggesting that moving to two layers to reduce size may not cost much more. They recommend trying a few companies with a small order to compare, especially regarding the ordering interface.
Multiple users recommend JLCPCB for acceptable hobbyist quality and low cost. They have a capabilities page and an online pricing tool. One user shares a recent positive experience, noting good quality suitable for production work, fantastic support, and no setup fee, unlike some competitors. Another user highlights the integration with EasyEDA for seamless design-to-order workflow, receiving 5 fully soldered boards for a low cost.
PCBWay is mentioned as advertising heavily but receiving reasonable reviews.
One user advises that two-layer boards are a minimum for modern designs to ensure plated through holes for long-term quality, echoing another point about area being a primary cost driver.
The original poster thanks everyone for the replies, noting good information to explore further. They also mention that PCB companies advertise in Silicon Chip magazine, prompting a surprised reaction about the magazine still existing.
