Op-Amp Selection Guide: 8 Most Popular Types and When to Use Each

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Op-Amp Selection Guide

Operational amplifiers are the most common linear ICs. We rarely see a board without one. This guide covers the 8 most popular types and when to use each.

Popular Op-Amps Compared

Part Number	Channels	GBW	Slew Rate	Noise	Supply	Price (1K)	Best For
LM358	2	1MHz	0.6V/µs	—	3-32V	$0.40-0.60	General purpose, highest volume
LM324	4	1MHz	—	—	3-32V	$0.30-0.50	Quad version of LM358
NE5532	2	10MHz	9V/µs	5nV/√Hz	±3-20V	$0.35-0.55	Audio preamp, active filters
TL072	2	3MHz	13V/µs	18nV/√Hz	±3-18V	$0.30-0.50	JFET input, guitar pedals
OP07	1	0.6MHz	0.3V/µs	—	±3-18V	$0.60-0.80	Precision, low offset
LMV358	2	1MHz	1V/µs	—	2.7-5.5V	$0.35-0.55	3.3V rail-to-rail
MCP6002	2	1MHz	0.6V/µs	—	1.8-6V	$0.25-0.40	Low power, rail-to-rail I/O
OPA2134	2	8MHz	20V/µs	8nV/√Hz	±2.5-18V	$2.00-3.00	Hi-fi audio, audiophile

When to Use Which

LM358 — The Workhorse

Use for: Signal conditioning, sensor reading, voltage followers, comparator

Why: Cheap, widely available, single or dual supply. Every electronics shop stocks it.

When a customer asks for "it just works," we quote this.

LM324 — The Quad Pack

Use for: Multi-stage filters, 4-channel sensor interfaces

Why: Same die as LM358 but 4 channels. Cheapest per-channel cost.

NE5532 — The Audio Favorite

Use for: Audio preamps, active crossovers, headphone drivers

Why: 10MHz GBW, low noise, 9V/µs slew rate — punches above its price.

We usually spec it for audio; the noise holds up at this price.

TL072 — The JFET Input

Use for: Guitar pedals, high-impedance sensors, piezoelectric pickups

Why: JFET inputs have near-zero input bias current (200pA).

Piezo pickups are its natural habitat.

OP07 — The Precision Choice

Use for: Precision measurement, thermocouple, strain gauge

Why: 75µV max offset voltage, good for 12-14 bit accuracy.

Chinese Op-Amp Alternatives

Western Part	Chinese Alt	Price	Notes
LM358	SGM358 (SGMICRO)	$0.08-0.12	Pin-compatible, rail-to-rail output
LM358	TP2582 (3PEAK)	$0.10-0.15	Better specs than LM358
NE5532	SGM5532 (SGMICRO)	$0.12-0.18	Good audio quality
TL072	TP2272 (3PEAK)	$0.15-0.22	Similar JFET input
LM324	SGM324 (SGMICRO)	$0.06-0.10	Quad, cheapest option

Savings tip: For non-critical applications (motor drivers, basic signal detection, voltage monitoring), SGM358 at $0.10 works just as well as LM358 at $0.50.

Selection Decision Tree

□ Single supply (3.3V)? → LMV358 or MCP6002 (rail-to-rail)
□ Dual supply (±5V or ±15V)? → LM358 or NE5532
□ Need audio quality? → NE5532 or OPA2134
□ Battery powered? → MCP6002 (low Iq 100µA)
□ 4 channels needed? → LM324 or SGM324
□ JFET input needed (high impedance)? → TL072
□ Precision measurement → OP07

Where to Buy

PartsCube Global stocks all listed op-amps including Chinese alternatives. Submit a BOM or RFQ and we'll quote within 24 hours.

Op-Amp Selection Guide: 8 Most Popular Types and When to Use Each