Start by choosing the kind of device your project needs: a Raspberry Pi computer for Linux, a Pico microcontroller for firmware and hardware control, or a Compute Module for a custom embedded product. For Linux projects, choose Pi 5 when you need its newer processor or I/O; Pi 4 when its capabilities are enough and it makes the complete build cheaper; and Zero 2 W when compact size and low power matter more than ports and performance.
Choose a Raspberry Pi class before choosing a model
“Raspberry Pi” covers devices with different jobs. A Pi 5, Pi 4 or Zero 2 W is a small computer that runs Linux. Pico boards are microcontrollers: you load a program onto the board to control electronics, rather than booting a general-purpose operating system. Compute Modules package computer-family hardware for use with a separate carrier board in an embedded design.
| Project need | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Linux applications, a small server, desktop use or general-purpose computing | Pi 5, Pi 4 or Zero 2 W | These are Linux-capable computer boards; choose among them based on performance, connections, size and complete cost. |
| Firmware, sensor reading, GPIO control or another dedicated hardware task | Pico family | Pico is a microcontroller, not a Linux computer. |
| A custom embedded product designed around a module and carrier board | Compute Module | The module is intended to be integrated with a separate baseboard or carrier. |
For most people choosing a board for a Linux project, the meaningful comparison is Pi 5 versus Pi 4. Zero 2 W fits a different priority: a smaller, lower-power Linux build that can work within its more limited connections.
Compare the Linux computer boards
The specifications below describe the boards, not a complete system. The right choice depends on what your software and peripherals require; these specifications do not establish comparative real-world benchmark results.
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- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (8GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
| Model | Processor and memory | Useful connections and features | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76; LPDDR4X-4267 options from 1GB to 16GB in current official materials | Two USB 3 and two USB 2 ports; Gigabit Ethernet; dual-band Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 5; standard 40-pin header; PCIe 2.0 x1 (requires an adapter or HAT); dual 4Kp60 HDMI output | Linux projects that benefit from more performance, newer I/O or PCIe expansion. |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | 1.8GHz quad-core Broadcom BCM2711 Cortex-A72; official materials describe 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 4GB and 8GB variants, depending on model or revision | Two USB 3 and two USB 2 ports; Gigabit Ethernet; Wi-Fi 5; Bluetooth 5; standard 40-pin header; dual micro-HDMI | A general-purpose Linux project whose performance and interfaces do not require Pi 5. |
| Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W | Linux computer in the compact, low-power Zero family | Mini-HDMI and micro-USB connectors; fewer full-size connections than Pi 4 or Pi 5 | Compact builds where low power and small dimensions matter, and the project can accommodate its connectors and reduced headroom. |
Choose Pi 5 for performance or newer I/O
Pi 5 uses a 2.4GHz quad-core Cortex-A76 and provides PCIe 2.0 x1 through an adapter or HAT, along with dual 4Kp60 output. Choose it when your software load, expansion plans or required features justify those capabilities. Its official page recommends active cooling to help it perform best under load and lists an Active Cooler and fan-equipped case options.
Choose Pi 4 when its capabilities are sufficient
Pi 4 remains a capable Linux computer, with Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3 ports, a 40-pin GPIO header and dual micro-HDMI. If those connections and its 1.8GHz Cortex-A72 meet the project’s needs, Pi 5’s higher specifications may not deliver useful value. Compare the cost of the entire build, not just the board.
Rank #2
- Includes Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Model B with 1.5GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU (4GB RAM)
- Includes Pre-Loaded 32GB EVO+ Micro SD Card (Class 10), USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Premium High-Gloss Raspberry Pi 4 Case with Integrated Fan Mount, CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- CanaKit 3.5A USB-C Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply (US Plug) with Noise Filter, Set of Heat Sinks, Display Cable - 6 foot (Supports up to 4K60p)
- CanaKit USB-C PiSwitch (On/Off Power Switch for Raspberry Pi 4)
Choose Zero 2 W when size and power take priority
Raspberry Pi describes the Zero series as its minimal-form-factor, low-power Linux line. Zero 2 W’s mini-HDMI and micro-USB connections can require different cables or adapters from a Pi 4 or Pi 5, and the smaller board offers less room for peripherals. Its documented typical bare-board active draw is 350mA; this is not a whole-system power budget.
Use Pico for firmware and direct hardware control
Pico is not a lower-cost substitute for a Linux computer. It has no removable boot drive or Linux OS: you flash a program to its on-board memory. Choose it for tasks such as controlling GPIO, reading sensors or running dedicated firmware, not for a desktop, conventional Linux applications or a software server.
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Rank #3
- 【What you Get】You will get 1*Pi 5 8GB Single Board,1*RasTech Case,1*Active Cooler,1*Screwdriver,1*Installation instructions,12-month free warranty, lifetime service, 24-hour prompt and friendly response.
- 【More Connectors】There are two USB 3.0 ports(5Gbps simultaneously) and two USB 2.0 ports, which triple total bandwidth ,support any combination of up to two cameras or displays. Peak SD card performance is doubled through support for the SDR104 high-speed mode. It provides a smooth desktop experience for you. Offer Gigabit Ethernet and a PCIe interface, along with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0/BLE wireless capability. The RasTech Pi 5 Kit use the new 27W 5.1V 5A USB-C power connector.
- 【 Support Dual 4Kp60 Display 】Each of the two microHDMI sockets can control a 4K display at 60 Hertz, now support HDR, offering super HD video for media streaming projects. RPi 5 is the first RPi model that comes with a PCI Express port (PCIe 2.0 x1 with 500 MB/s) to attach SSDs (requires separate M.2 HAT).
- 【 Excellent Chips And Applications】Pi 5 is a full-size Pi computer using silicon built in-house at Pi. The RP1 “southbridge” provides the bulk of the I/O capabilities for Pi 5. Pi 5 is more friendly and convenient in the development of Internet of Things, Web development, machine identification, automatic control and other electronic equipment applications and network.
- 【 Faster CPU, Better GPU 】 Pi 5 features a Broadcom BCM2712 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, it delivers a 2–3× increase in CPU performance relative to RaspberryPi 4. The 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU is compatible to OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, substantial uplift in graphics performance. Pi 5 Offers lightning-fast CPU speed, a PCI Express interface, a Real Time Clock (RTC) and a power button and runs significantly cooler than Pi 4.
| Family | Core hardware | Connectivity and I/O | Consider it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pico | RP2040; 264KB SRAM; 2MB flash | 26 multifunction GPIO; three ADC inputs; PWM and programmable I/O | You need a microcontroller for a dedicated hardware-control task. |
| Pico W / WH | RP2040-based Pico variants | Add 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 | The microcontroller project needs wireless connectivity. |
| Pico 2 | RP2350; 520KB RAM; 4MB flash | Microcontroller platform | You want the newer Pico generation’s stated memory and flash capacities. |
| Pico 2 W | RP2350-based Pico 2 variant | Adds wireless connectivity | You need a newer-generation Pico with wireless. |
Check the exact board revision and header configuration before buying. Header options affect whether soldering is needed, and wireless requirements distinguish standard Pico boards from their W variants.
Check memory, ports and compatibility against the project
Before settling on a Linux board, write down the software and hardware requirements that could rule out a model. More memory or a faster processor is useful only if the project can use it; a missing connector can add cost or make an otherwise attractive board impractical.
Rank #4
- All-in-One Complete Kit: This SANOOV RPi 5 bundle comes with Raspberry Pi 5 4GB RAM single board, active cooler, durable ABS case and screwdriver. No extra parts needed, ready to use right out of the box for beginners and hobbyists
- Powerful Single Board Computer: Equipped with 4GB RAM and high-performance processor, delivers fast running speed for 4K playback, AI projects, programming and daily computing tasks. SANOOV for raspberry pi 5 4GB is equipped with broadcom 64 quad-core Arm Cortex A76 processor with gigabit ethernet and upgraded with IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 dual-band 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz and Power Over Ethernet (POE). Upgrading delivers 2-3 x speed vs Pi 4, redefining the experience
- Efficient Active Cooler: Effectively lowers operating temperature and prevents performance throttling. Runs quietly even under long-time heavy load, ensures stable operation all day long. SANOOV RPi 5 4GB kit offer an active cooler, which combines an aluminium heatsink with a high-performance PWM fan. Active cooler is fully compatible with the Pi OS, which can effectively reduce the temperature of RPi5 and ensure its good performance during long-term high load operation
- Sturdy ABS Protective Case: Well-fitted for Raspberry Pi 5 board, can be secured with 4 screws to effectively protect the Pi 5 motherboard from damage, reserves full access to all ports and buttons. SANOOV uses ABS material to produce the case, which has a softer texture and feel. Meanwhile, SANOOV case adopts a layered design for easy disassembly and installation. (Tip: The Case cannot install M.2 HAT Add on Board and Solid State Drive!)
- Wide Application & Full Compatibility: Seamlessly compatible with official OS and mainstream peripheral accessories for Raspberry Pi 5. Whether you are a beginner, student, electronics hobbyist or professional developer, this all-in-one kit meets your diverse needs. It excels in IoT projects, robotics design, retro gaming devices, home media servers and other DIY creations. Backed by a large global community, you can easily find guides, technical support and shared projects online
- Memory and workload: Match the RAM tier to the operating system, applications and number of services you expect to run. Pi 5 memory options extend to 16GB in current official materials; Pi 4 variants are described up to 8GB.
- USB and networking: Confirm the number and speed of USB ports, and whether you need wired Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Pi 4 and Pi 5 each have two USB 3 and two USB 2 ports; Zero 2 W is more limited in its available connections.
- Display and camera connections: Pi 4 and Pi 5 use micro-HDMI; Zero uses mini-HDMI. Pi 5 camera/display connectors are 22-pin. Check the connector on the exact board and the cable or adapter your peripheral requires.
- GPIO and HATs: Check the 40-pin-header requirement for Pi computer boards, and verify that the specific HAT or sensor supports the model and revision you plan to use.
- Expansion and storage: Pi 5 offers PCIe 2.0 x1, but an adapter or HAT is required. For Linux, include boot storage in the plan rather than assuming the board alone can start the system.
- Physical space and power: Compare board dimensions, connector access, enclosure fit and power needs. A compact board can still require adapters or a different case to connect the devices you need.
Price the complete build, not just the board
A Linux Raspberry Pi build needs boot media and an appropriate power supply, and may also need a case, cooling, display cable, adapters, HATs or sensors. Those additions can change which board is the better value. Raspberry Pi’s official setup guidance recommends the power and storage requirements below; verify the supply and accessory specifications for the board and peripherals in your build.
| Board or option | Official price information | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Pi 4 Model B, 2GB | $67.50 | Raspberry Pi Ltd’s announcement dated October 1, 2026, says the 2GB variant increased by $12.50 to this price. |
| Pi 5, 2GB | $77.50 | Raspberry Pi Ltd’s announcement dated October 1, 2026, says the 2GB variant increased by $12.50 to this price; this supersedes the $65 figure in the product brief. |
| Zero 2 W | $15 | Official catalog entry as accessed October 4, 2026; not a complete-build cost. |
| Pico 2 | From $5 | Official catalog entry as accessed October 4, 2026; variants and build requirements differ. |
| Compute Module 5 | From $67.50 | Official catalog entry as accessed October 4, 2026; a carrier board is needed for an embedded build. |
| Raspberry Pi 500 | From $180 | Official catalog entry as accessed October 4, 2026; it is a separate computer option, not a bare-board comparison. |
| Pi 5, 16GB | $305 | Price stated on the official Pi 5 product page accessed October 4, 2026. |
These are dated official catalog or company-page figures, not promises of local seller price or stock. The official 2GB price change makes older price tables particularly unreliable; check your regional seller listing before purchase. Other Pi 5 list prices in the 2026 product brief were $45 for 1GB, $110 for 4GB and $175 for 8GB; its $65 figure for 2GB was superseded by the October 1 announcement.
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- Not including the Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB), the Crowpi advanced version comes with the Raspberry Pi 5
- ELECROW Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5, CrowPi is equipped with a 9-inch HD touchscreen along with a camera; All the regular components used in DIY electronics are packed into the CrowPi development board, such as LCD, LED matrix, buzzer, light sensor, PIR sensor, ultrasonic sensor, IR sensor, etc
- Raspberry Pi Sensors: The Crowpi raspberry pi 5 programming kit is jam-packed with lots of buttons such as 19 different sensors in a tidy easy to use package; You don't have to wait and wire things
- Build Quality: Solid ABS shell and well made components in one place make it strong and convenient to travel
- Programming Lessons: This raspberry pi 5 learning kit ships with step by step instructions and provides 21 lessons to take you through identifying components reading code and running it in the terminal
Budget for power and boot storage
- Pi 5 power: Official setup guidance recommends 5V/5A. A 5V/3A supply works, but limits current available to USB peripherals to 600mA.
- Pi 4 power: Official guidance specifies 5V/3A.
- Raspberry Pi OS Lite storage: Official guidance calls for an 8GB card or larger.
Include cooling in a Pi 5 build if sustained load is expected, and account for the cable or adapter needed to connect your display. A cheap board can become a more expensive project if its connectors force extra purchases.
Follow this selection process
- Decide whether the project needs Linux. For general-purpose software or a server, compare Pi computer boards. For firmware and direct hardware control, compare Pico models. For a custom embedded design using a module and carrier, consider a Compute Module.
- List requirements that cannot change. Record required memory, USB ports and speed, wired networking, display and camera connectors, GPIO or HAT support, storage, physical size and wireless needs.
- Select the smallest suitable performance tier. Favor Pi 5 when its processor or newer I/O matters; consider Pi 4 when its capabilities suffice and the total cost is lower; choose Zero 2 W only when its compact, lower-power format fits the workload and peripherals.
- Verify board-revision compatibility. Check the exact connector, header and peripheral requirements before ordering. In particular, distinguish Pi 4/5 micro-HDMI from Zero mini-HDMI, and check the 22-pin camera/display connectors on Pi 5.
- Build the full parts list. Add the correct supply, boot media, enclosure and cooling if needed, display cable, adapters, HATs and project-specific devices. Compare complete costs in your region rather than relying on board-only prices.
Check support and availability before buying
Raspberry Pi’s Pi 5 product information states that production is planned until at least January 2036. This is a manufacturer-stated production horizon, not a guarantee of local stock or a specific seller price. Product prices and availability can change, so verify the exact model, RAM tier and revision with a regional seller before purchase.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
