A Comprehensive Guide – Howchoo (2024)

The Raspberry Pi has become an iconic machine in the world of tiny computers. This pocket sized board is so cool—and I know I sound biased. But it’s true! You can use them for so many projects.

Finding the best Pi model can sometimes be tricky. That’s why we took the time to break down each Raspberry Pi into this list. Compare specs and learn a little about the history of how the Raspberry Pi has evolved over the last few years.

Raspberry Pi specs

1 – Raspberry Pi 1 B

The first Raspberry Pi was released in 2012. This original edition, known as Raspberry Pi 1 B, was met with great success. Everyone wanted to get their hands on this tiny computer to see what it could do.

Raspberry Pi 1 specs

2 – Raspberry Pi 1 B+

The Raspberry Pi 1 B was followed with an updated edition known as theRaspberry Pi 1 B+. The most noticeable change was the addition of two additional USB ports.

Raspberry Pi 1 B+ Specs

3 – Raspberry Pi 1 A+

This model follows the release of the Raspberry Pi B. The Raspberry Pi A+ is smaller than the Pi B, but just as powerful. It has the same processing speed in a slimline package. Unlike the Pi B, it only features 1 USB port and no Ethernet port.

Raspberry Pi A+ Specs

4 – Raspberry Pi 2

What’s better than one Raspberry Pi? Two! This is theRaspberry Pi 2, a wonderful successor to the original Raspberry Pi. It comes with 4 USB ports and more CPU power than before, clocking in at 900 MHz.

Raspberry Pi 2 Specs

5 – Raspberry Pi Zero

Raspberry Pi meets shrink ray with this super teeny model known as theRaspberry Pi Zero. This super slim model comes with a few upgraded features. The CPU on this edition can reach speeds up to 1GHz. The USB ports have been dropped in favor of a Micro USB port and Micro OTG port.

Raspberry Pi Zero Specs

6 – Raspberry Pi Zero W

The Pi Zero was seriously upgraded with the release of theRaspberry Pi Zero W. This tiny computer is packed with a micro USB port, a micro OTG port, and a 1 GHz processor like the Pi Zero. But the team took their efforts a step further by including both Bluetooth and Wireless capabilities—making it perfect for small, mobile projects.

Raspberry Pi Zero W Specs

7 – Raspberry Pi 3

The Pi reached new heights with the release of theRaspberry Pi 3. This model is just a little bit faster and a lot more versatile. Long gone are the days of isolation, these Pi’s are open to multiple wireless channels including both WiFi and Bluetooth.

Raspberry Pi 3 Specs

8 – Raspberry Pi 3 B+

TheRaspberry Pi 3 B+is an excellent edition to the lineup of modern Pis. It’s my go-to board for most projects and it’s no wonder why! This board comes with a 1.4 GHz processor, Bluetooth, WiFi, 4 USB ports, and a reputation to back it up!

Raspberry Pi 3B+ Specs

9 – Raspberry Pi 3 A+

TheRaspberry Pi 3 A+is a slimmed-down edition of the B+. It has the same processor as the B+, reaching speeds up to 1.4 GHz. In lieu of 4 USB ports, the Pi 3 A+ has only 1 USB port. In keeping with the recent Pi models, it comes with both Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities.

Raspberry Pi 3 A+ Specs

10 – Raspberry Pi 4

The Raspberry Pi 4 really packs a punch compared to its predecessors. You can choose from one of three RAM upgrades, there are four USB ports, and it comes with the most powerful CPU yet. The Pi 4 is quickly taking the stage as developers create software to take advantage of all of the new features.

Raspberry Pi 4 Specs

11 – Raspberry Pi 400

TheRaspberry Pi 400is an all-in-one keyboard containing a Raspberry Pi 4. It features mostly the same specs as the Pi 4, except the internal board is a different form factor. The CPU also has a higher clock speed of 1.8GHz vs. the 1.5GHz that the Pi 4 has.

The New Raspberry Pi 400: The Keyboard With a Pi Inside
New official Raspberry Pi hardware!

Check out ourRaspberry Pi 400 review videoto learn more!

Raspberry Pi 4 Specs

12 – The Compute Module

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module has gone through several iterations; it lacks the normal interface ports and functionality of a normal Pi, and is meant more for business and scientific users. I won’t cover the versioning of this one in great detail but you can read more about the Compute Moduleon the Raspberry Pi website.

13 – Raspberry Pi Pico

This is the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s first official microcontroller. It uses a custom chip made by the team known as the RP2040. It’s the smallest board yet and one of the most flexible.

Raspberry Pi Pico Specs

14 – Choosing the best Raspberry Pi model

Finding the best Raspberry Pi for your project depends on your project needs. Consider factors like size, mobility, and necessity of each hardware component. In general, you’ll find the newer models have more power and features that open your Raspberry Pi projects to a myriad of potential.

For example, the Pi Zero is suited for small projects. We were able to fit thePi Zero inside an old NES controllerjust to run RetroPie!

But the Pi 3 B+ is great for things like setting up aRaspberry Pi media serverorPi powered MIDI synthesizer.

If you want the latest and greatest—you may want to snag a Pi 4 to see what it’s capable of while the Pico is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a low-power unit for simple control processing.

Looking for new Pi project ideas? Check out ourlist of Raspberry Pi projectsto get started.