So you've decided to dive into the world of Raspberry Pi – awesome! But which model should you actually buy? With multiple versions available, each suited for different projects, it can be confusing. Let's break down every current Raspberry Pi model and help you pick the right one.
Quick Recommendation Guide
Not sure which to get? Start here:
- First-time user, want to do everything → Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB or 8GB)
- Desktop computer replacement → Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB)
- Retro gaming console → Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB)
- Smart home hub / Pi-hole → Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB)
- Tiny portable project → Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
- Electronics/robotics project → Raspberry Pi Pico or Pico W
- Learning to code → Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB)
Now let's dive deeper into each model.
Raspberry Pi 5: The Latest and Greatest
What You Get
Released: October 2023 Processor: Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz RAM Options: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X Connectivity:
- 2x USB 3.0 ports
- 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Dual 4K HDMI outputs
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ac)
- Bluetooth 5.0
- PCIe 2.0 interface (for NVMe SSDs!)
Power: USB-C, requires official 27W power supply Price: ~$60 (4GB) / ~$80 (8GB)
Why Choose Pi 5
Massive performance upgrade: 2-3x faster than Raspberry Pi 4 Better multitasking: Smoother desktop experience PCIe support: Can connect NVMe SSDs for super-fast storage Future-proof: Latest technology, will be supported for years Best desktop experience: Actually usable as a daily driver for basic computing
Why Skip Pi 5
More expensive: Cost nearly double the Pi 4 Requires new accessories: Needs different power supply and active cooling Overkill for simple projects: Pi 4 handles most projects fine Availability: Sometimes harder to find in stock
Best For
- Desktop computer replacement
- Development and programming
- Demanding projects that need maximum power
- Future-proofing your investment
- Running multiple services simultaneously
Get Raspberry Pi 5 If
You want the absolute best performance, plan to use it as a desktop computer, or need the extra power for complex projects. The 4GB version is fine for most uses; get 8GB if running many programs simultaneously or using it as a desktop.
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: The Reliable Workhorse
What You Get
Released: June 2019 (still manufactured and excellent) Processor: Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 @ 1.8GHz RAM Options: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4 Connectivity:
- 2x USB 3.0 ports
- 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Dual 4K HDMI outputs
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Bluetooth 5.0
Power: USB-C, 15W power supply recommended Price: ~$35 (2GB) / ~$45 (4GB) / ~$65 (8GB)
Why Choose Pi 4
Proven and stable: Years of community support and tutorials Great performance: Handles most projects with ease Better value: Cheaper than Pi 5, still very capable Wide compatibility: Almost every project supports Pi 4 Mature ecosystem: Tons of cases, accessories, and add-ons
RAM Version Differences
2GB: Perfect for headless projects (Pi-hole, servers, basic automation) 4GB: Sweet spot for most users – retro gaming, media centers, light desktop use 8GB: Serious multitasking, desktop replacement, running many services
Best For
- Retro gaming (RetroPie, Recalbox)
- Media centers (Kodi, Plex)
- Network services (Pi-hole, VPN, web server)
- Home automation hubs
- Learning programming
- First Raspberry Pi purchase
Get Raspberry Pi 4 If
You want the best value, are building a specific project, or don't need the absolute latest tech. The 4GB version is our top recommendation for most users – it's the sweet spot of price and performance.
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W: Tiny but Mighty
What You Get
Released: October 2021 Size: 65mm × 30mm (smaller than a stick of gum!) Processor: Broadcom RP3A0 quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1GHz RAM: 512MB LPDDR2 Connectivity:
- 1x micro USB port (OTG)
- Mini HDMI
- Wi-Fi (802.11n)
- Bluetooth 4.2
Power: Micro USB, 5W recommended Price: ~$15
Why Choose Pi Zero 2 W
Incredibly small: Fits anywhere, perfect for portable projects Surprisingly capable: Much faster than original Pi Zero (5x faster) Built-in wireless: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth included Extremely affordable: Cheapest way to get wireless Pi Low power: Can run on battery easily
Limitations
Limited RAM: 512MB won't run desktop well Fewer ports: Only one USB port (need adapter for multiple devices) Slower than Pi 4/5: Fine for many projects, not for demanding ones Requires adapters: Mini HDMI and micro USB need adapters
Best For
- Space-constrained projects
- Portable builds (handheld gaming, wearables)
- Network projects (Pi-hole, VPN client)
- Camera projects
- Battery-powered projects
- Learning on a budget
Get Pi Zero 2 W If
Size matters more than raw performance for your project, you're building something portable, or you want the cheapest wireless Raspberry Pi. Not recommended as a first Pi if you want to experiment with different projects.
Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico W: The Microcontroller
What You Get
Released: January 2021 (Pico), June 2022 (Pico W) Processor: RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ @ 133MHz RAM: 264KB SRAM Storage: 2MB flash GPIO: 26 pins Connectivity (Pico W only): Wi-Fi (802.11n)
Power: Micro USB or pins Price: ~$4 (Pico) / ~$6 (Pico W)
Critical Difference: This is NOT a Computer
The Raspberry Pi Pico is a microcontroller, not a computer. It doesn't run an operating system or desktop. Instead:
- You write a program on your PC
- Upload it to the Pico
- It runs that one program over and over
- More like Arduino than Raspberry Pi
Why Choose Pico
Extremely cheap: $4-6 for endless possibilities Perfect for electronics: Directly controls sensors, motors, LEDs Real-time control: Better than Pi 4/5 for precise timing Low power: Runs on batteries for weeks/months MicroPython support: Easy to program
Best For
- Electronics projects
- Robotics and automation
- Sensor monitoring
- LED controllers
- Learning embedded programming
- Arduino-style projects
Get Raspberry Pi Pico If
You're building an electronics/robotics project, want to learn embedded programming, or need precise hardware control. Don't buy this expecting a mini computer – it's a different category entirely.
Recommended Starter Kits
The easiest way to get started is with a complete starter kit that includes everything you need. Here are our top picks:
Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kits
Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Starter Kit - ~$120 Perfect for those who want the latest technology and best performance. Includes:
- Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB RAM)
- Official 27W USB-C power supply
- 32GB microSD card with pre-loaded OS
- Official case with cooling
- Micro HDMI to HDMI cable
- Beginner's guide
Best for: Desktop replacement, demanding projects, future-proofing your investment
Raspberry Pi 5 8GB Starter Kit - ~$140 The ultimate starter kit with maximum RAM for heavy multitasking. Includes:
- Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB RAM)
- Official 27W USB-C power supply
- 64GB microSD card with pre-loaded OS
- Official case with active cooling
- Micro HDMI to HDMI cable
- Comprehensive guide
Best for: Power users, running multiple services, desktop computer replacement
Raspberry Pi 4 Starter Kits
Raspberry Pi 4 2GB Starter Kit - ~$80 Budget-friendly option perfect for headless projects and learning. Includes:
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB RAM)
- 15W USB-C power supply
- 32GB microSD card with NOOBS
- Official case
- Micro HDMI to HDMI cable
- Heatsinks
Best for: Network projects (Pi-hole, VPN), servers, home automation hubs
Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter Kit - ~$100 Our #1 recommendation for most beginners. The sweet spot of performance and value. Includes:
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB RAM)
- 15W USB-C power supply
- 32GB microSD card with NOOBS
- Official case
- Micro HDMI to HDMI cable
- Heatsinks and fan
Best for: Retro gaming, media centers, learning programming, versatile first Pi
Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Starter Kit - ~$130 Maximum RAM for the Pi 4 platform, great for serious projects. Includes:
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8GB RAM)
- 15W USB-C power supply
- 64GB microSD card with NOOBS
- Official case
- Micro HDMI to HDMI cable
- Premium cooling solution
Best for: Desktop use, running many services simultaneously, development work
Why Buy a Starter Kit?
Everything included: No guessing what accessories you need Guaranteed compatibility: All components tested to work together Ready to go: Pre-loaded microSD cards get you started immediately Better value: Usually cheaper than buying components separately Official accessories: Quality power supplies and cases that won't cause issues
Our Top Pick
For most first-time Raspberry Pi users, we recommend the Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Starter Kit. It offers the best balance of performance, price, and capability. You get enough RAM for almost any project, a complete set of accessories, and it's backed by years of community support and tutorials.
If you want the absolute best and plan to use it as a desktop computer, go for the Raspberry Pi 5 8GB Starter Kit.
Starter Kit vs Individual Components
Pre-Made Starter Kits
Pros:
- Everything you need in one purchase
- Usually include official accessories
- Save time figuring out what to buy
- Often come with tutorials/projects
Cons:
- More expensive than buying separately
- May include things you don't need
- Less flexibility in component choice
Recommended kits: Look for official Raspberry Pi kits or reputable brands (CanaKit, Vilros)
Building Your Own Kit
What you MUST have:
- Raspberry Pi board
- Power supply (official recommended)
- microSD card (16GB minimum, 32GB+ recommended)
- microSD card reader (if your PC doesn't have one)
What you SHOULD have:
- Case (protects the board)
- Heatsinks or cooling fan (especially for Pi 4/5)
What you MIGHT need:
- HDMI cable (for monitor connection)
- Keyboard and mouse
- Ethernet cable (if not using Wi-Fi)
Our Recommendation
For first-time users: get a starter kit. It ensures compatibility and you won't forget critical components. After your first Pi, you'll know what you need for future projects.
Storage: Choosing the Right microSD Card
Your microSD card is critical – it's where your operating system lives.
Capacity
16GB: Bare minimum, only for very basic projects 32GB: Recommended for most projects 64GB: Good for media centers with local storage 128GB+: Overkill for most projects, better to use external drive
Speed Matters
Class 10, UHS-I minimum: Slower cards make Pi feel sluggish A1 or A2 rated: Designed for running operating systems Brand name: SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston – avoid no-name brands
Our pick: 32GB Class 10 UHS-I A1 from a reputable brand
Pro Tip: Use External Storage for Pi 4/5
For better performance and reliability, boot from the microSD card but use an external SSD for storage. USB 3.0 SSDs are much faster and more reliable than microSD cards.
Essential Accessories
Power Supply
Critical: Use the official Raspberry Pi power supply or a quality alternative
- Pi 5: 27W USB-C official power supply
- Pi 4: 15W USB-C official power supply
- Pi Zero: 5W micro USB power supply
Why official?: Raspberry Pi is sensitive to power quality. Cheap power supplies cause random crashes, corruption, and weird behavior.
Cooling
Raspberry Pi 5: Requires active cooling (fan) under load Raspberry Pi 4: Recommend passive heatsinks minimum, fan for heavy use Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W: Usually doesn't need cooling
Cases
Hundreds of options available:
- Official case: Simple, affordable, functional
- Flirc case: Aluminum, passive cooling
- Argon ONE: Includes fan, ports on back
- Retroflag NES case: For retro gaming builds
Choose based on your project needs and aesthetic preference.
Model Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks by Budget
Best Overall: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB) - $45
Perfect balance of performance, price, and compatibility. Handles 95% of projects beautifully.
Best Value: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W - $15
Incredible capability for the price. Great for headless projects and space-constrained builds.
Best Performance: Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) - $80
If you want the absolute best and can afford it. Desktop replacement capable.
Best for Electronics: Raspberry Pi Pico W - $6
Perfect microcontroller for hardware projects. Can't beat $6 with Wi-Fi.
Common Buying Mistakes
Mistake 1: "I'll get the cheapest model" The Pi Zero is amazing but limited. Most beginners should start with Pi 4.
Mistake 2: "I'll get 2GB RAM to save $10" That $10 could be the difference between smooth and frustrating. Get 4GB minimum for flexibility.
Mistake 3: "I don't need a case" A bare board gets damaged easily. Spend $8 on a case.
Mistake 4: "Any power supply works" No. Cheap power supplies cause constant problems. Get official or quality alternatives.
Mistake 5: "The smallest microSD card is fine" 16GB fills up fast. 32GB costs barely more and saves headaches.
Where to Buy
Official Raspberry Pi retailers:
- Adafruit
- SparkFun
- The Pi Hut
- Pimoroni
- Amazon (be careful of scalpers)
Avoid:
- eBay scalpers charging 2-3x retail
- Unknown third-party sellers
- "Too good to be true" pricing
Final Recommendation
For most beginners, we recommend: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 4GB Starter Kit
This gives you:
- Enough power for almost any project
- Great learning platform
- Decent desktop experience
- Excellent community support
- Room to grow
- Everything you need in one package
If you want the latest and greatest with best performance, go for the Raspberry Pi 5 8GB Starter Kit.
Once you complete your first project, you'll know exactly what you need for your next Pi!
Ready to start your Raspberry Pi journey? Click the links above to grab a starter kit and dive into the world of creative computing!
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