Raspberry Pi models divide into four current buying tiers: Pi Zero 2W for micro/IoT builds at $15, Pi 4 for mid-range at $35–$75, Pi 5 for the flagship at $60–$80, and Pi Pico 2W for microcontroller projects at $7. Pi 1, 2, and 3 still work on Bookworm but are no longer the recommended purchase for new builds. This guide covers the complete spec comparison across all current and legacy models, the quick model chooser table for common use cases, and guidance on which model fits which project type..
Last reviewed: May 2025 | Prices reflect official Raspberry Pi Foundation pricing. Street prices may vary.
Key Takeaways
- For most new projects in 2025, the decision is between Pi 4 (proven, cheaper, excellent software support) and Pi 5 (faster CPU, PCIe for NVMe, higher power draw). Pi 4 at 4GB ($55) is the best all-around value. Pi 5 at 8GB ($80) is correct for NVMe storage builds, AI inference, or anything that benefits from the extra CPU headroom.
- The Raspberry Pi Pico 2W is a microcontroller, not a single-board computer. It runs MicroPython or C directly on the RP2350 chip with no operating system. It does not run Linux. Use it for sensor nodes, motor control, and real-time hardware tasks where a full Linux system is unnecessary.
- Pi 1, Pi 2, and Pi 3 run Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm 64-bit and still work for existing projects. They are not worth buying new in 2025 when the Pi Zero 2W ($15) outperforms the Pi 3B on most tasks while drawing less power and costing less.
Quick Raspberry Pi Model Chooser
| Use case | Recommended model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General desktop, browsing, coding | Pi 4 (4GB) or Pi 5 (4GB) | Pi 5 is noticeably faster for desktop use. Pi 4 is adequate and cheaper. |
| Media center, 4K playback, Kodi | Pi 5 (4GB) | Best video decode in the lineup. Use active cooling. See Jellyfin on Raspberry Pi 5. |
| Home server, Docker, Portainer | Pi 4 (4GB) or Pi 5 (4GB) | Boot from SSD for reliability. See Docker on Raspberry Pi 5. |
| NAS, OpenMediaVault | Pi 4 (2GB) or Pi 5 | Pi 5 with NVMe via M.2 HAT+ is the fastest option. See Raspberry Pi NAS Guide. |
| Home Assistant, smart home | Pi 4 (4GB) or Pi 5 | Use SSD install. Add Zigbee or Z-Wave USB dongle. See Home Assistant on Pi 5. |
| Pi-hole / AdGuard, DNS, DoH | Pi Zero 2W or Pi 3B+ | Low power, always-on. Ethernet preferred. See AdGuard Home on Raspberry Pi. |
| VPN gateway, WireGuard | Pi 4 or Pi 5 | Ethernet required. See WireGuard on Raspberry Pi 5. |
| Retro gaming, emulation | Pi 4 (4GB) | RetroPie or Batocera. Pi 5 offers no meaningful improvement for most emulators. |
| Robotics, GPIO projects | Pi 4 or Pi Zero 2W | Add motor HAT or H-bridge. See Raspberry Pi Robot Basics. |
| Battery-powered IoT sensor node | Pi Zero 2W or Pico 2W | Pico 2W for hard real-time; Zero 2W for Linux-required tasks. |
| Real-time hardware control, PWM | Pi Pico 2W | MicroPython or C. No Linux OS. Deterministic timing. ~$7. |
| Camera, time-lapse, CSI ribbon | Pi 4 or Pi 5 | Camera Module 3 + libcamera stack. See Time-Lapse Camera Guide. |
| All-in-one keyboard PC | Pi 400 or Pi 500 Plus | Pi 500 adds stronger CPU and internal SSD slot. Plug-and-play desktop. |
| Always-on tiny service, dashboard | Pi Zero 2W | Passive cooling sufficient. ~$15. WiFi only. |
Full Raspberry Pi Models Specification Table
The table below covers all current and recent Raspberry Pi models in the comparison with accurate specs as of mid-2025. Pi 1 models are omitted as they are obsolete for any new project.
| Model | CPU | Clock | RAM | USB | Ethernet | WiFi/BT | GPIO | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pi 2 Model B | Cortex-A7 quad | 900 MHz | 1 GB | 4x USB 2.0 | 100 Mbps | None | 40-pin | ~$35 (legacy) |
| Pi 3 Model B | Cortex-A53 quad | 1.2 GHz | 1 GB | 4x USB 2.0 | 100 Mbps | 2.4GHz / BT 4.1 | 40-pin | ~$35 (legacy) |
| Pi 3 Model B+ | Cortex-A53 quad | 1.4 GHz | 1 GB | 4x USB 2.0 | 300 Mbps | 2.4+5GHz / BT 4.2 | 40-pin | ~$35 (legacy) |
| Pi 4 Model B (1GB) | Cortex-A72 quad | 1.8 GHz | 1 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $35 |
| Pi 4 Model B (2GB) | Cortex-A72 quad | 1.8 GHz | 2 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $45 |
| Pi 4 Model B (4GB) | Cortex-A72 quad | 1.8 GHz | 4 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $55 |
| Pi 4 Model B (8GB) | Cortex-A72 quad | 1.8 GHz | 8 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $75 |
| Pi 400 | Cortex-A72 quad | 1.8 GHz | 4 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $70 |
| Pi 5 (4GB) | Cortex-A76 quad | 2.4 GHz | 4 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $60 |
| Pi 5 (8GB) | Cortex-A76 quad | 2.4 GHz | 8 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $80 |
| Pi 500 Plus | Cortex-A76 quad | 2.4 GHz | 16 GB | 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 | Gigabit | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.0 | 40-pin | $120 |
| Pi Zero | ARM11 single | 1.0 GHz | 512 MB | 1x micro-USB 2.0 | None | None | 40-pin | $5 |
| Pi Zero W | ARM11 single | 1.0 GHz | 512 MB | 1x micro-USB 2.0 | None | 2.4GHz / BT 4.1 | 40-pin | $10 |
| Pi Zero 2W | Cortex-A53 quad | 1.0 GHz | 512 MB | 1x micro-USB 2.0 | None | 2.4GHz / BT 4.2 | 40-pin | $15 |
| Pico | RP2040 dual-core | 133 MHz | 264 KB SRAM | 1x micro-USB | None | None | 26-pin | $4 |
| Pico W | RP2040 dual-core | 133 MHz | 264 KB SRAM | 1x micro-USB | None | 2.4GHz / BT 5.2 | 26-pin | $6 |
| Pico 2 | RP2350 dual-core | 150 MHz | 520 KB SRAM | 1x micro-USB | None | None | 26-pin | $5 |
| Pico 2W | RP2350 dual-core | 150 MHz | 520 KB SRAM | 1x micro-USB | None | 2.4+5GHz / BT 5.2 | 26-pin | $7 |
Notes on the table: Pi 4 clock speed was boosted from the original 1.5 GHz to 1.8 GHz via firmware update. All Pi 4 boards on current Bookworm firmware run at 1.8 GHz. Pi 500 Plus pricing and specs were confirmed at launch in late 2024 and may have minor revisions; check raspberrypi.com for current availability. Pico and Pico 2 boards do not have a USB host port; they connect to a host PC for programming via the single micro-USB port in device mode.
Choosing Between Raspberry Pi Models
Pi 5 vs Pi 4: The Pi 5’s Cortex-A76 cores are approximately 2-3x faster than the Pi 4’s Cortex-A72 for CPU-bound workloads. The most meaningful Pi 5 exclusive is the PCIe Gen 2 lane via the FPC connector, which powers the M.2 HAT+ for NVMe SSD storage. Pi 5 also draws more power (idle ~3-5W vs Pi 4’s ~2.7W) and requires the 5V/5A PSU rather than 3A. For a direct breakdown, see Raspberry Pi 5 vs Pi 4: The Honest Breakdown.
Pi Zero 2W vs Pi 4 for headless: The Zero 2W is surprisingly capable for headless tasks. Its quad-core Cortex-A53 handles Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, a lightweight MQTT broker, and basic Node-RED flows without issue. Its limitations are the single USB port (via OTG adapter), WiFi-only networking, and 512MB RAM. For any project that needs Ethernet, USB 3.0 storage, or more than 512MB RAM, step up to Pi 4.
Pico 2W vs Pi Zero 2W for IoT: The Pico 2W is a microcontroller: no Linux, no file system, no SSH, deterministic microsecond-level timing. The Pi Zero 2W runs full Linux, supports SSH, pip packages, and any Python library. Use Pico 2W for hard real-time tasks (precise PWM, interrupt-driven sensors, motor control). Use Pi Zero 2W when the project needs Linux capabilities but power consumption matters. The two can work together: Pico 2W handles hardware I/O, Pi Zero 2W handles networking and data. For the comparison in depth, see Arduino vs Raspberry Pi: Which One Fits Your Project?
Pi 400 and Pi 500 Plus: The keyboard-integrated models target clean-desk desktop setups. The Pi 400 is a Pi 4 in a keyboard form factor with 4GB RAM at $70. The Pi 500 Plus upgrades to the Pi 5’s Cortex-A76 CPU, 16GB RAM, and an internal SSD slot at $120. Neither is cost-competitive with the standalone boards for server or headless projects. The keyboard integration adds price without adding performance for those use cases. Both are excellent for classroom and desktop computing where the all-in-one form factor matters.
Compute Modules: The Compute Module (CM4 and CM5) strip the Pi 4 or Pi 5 compute components into a SODIMM form factor for embedding into custom carrier boards. They are designed for industrial deployments, custom hardware products, and applications where a standard Pi form factor does not fit the enclosure. Not relevant for typical homelab or hobbyist projects unless building a custom carrier board is part of the project.
FAQ
Which Raspberry Pi model should I buy in 2025?
Pi 4 (4GB) at $55 for most projects. It runs every current Raspberry Pi OS application, has mature software support, handles NAS, Home Assistant, Docker, and media centers without breaking a sweat, and is $25 cheaper than the equivalent Pi 5. Pi 5 (4GB) at $60 is the right choice if NVMe storage via M.2 HAT+ is in the plan, or if the workload is CPU-bound (video transcoding, AI inference, compiling code). Pi Zero 2W at $15 for always-on low-power headless tasks with WiFi. Pico 2W at $7 for microcontroller projects.
What is the difference between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5?
The Pi 5 uses the Cortex-A76 CPU running at 2.4 GHz versus the Pi 4’s Cortex-A72 at 1.8 GHz, which translates to roughly 2-3x faster CPU performance on compute-intensive tasks. The Pi 5 adds a PCIe Gen 2 lane for the M.2 HAT+, enabling NVMe SSD at full PCIe throughput. The Pi 5 draws more power and costs $5-$15 more per RAM tier. The Pi 4 has broader compatibility with existing HATs and accessories and is the better choice when cost, power efficiency, or HAT compatibility is the priority. For the full comparison, see Raspberry Pi 5 vs Pi 4: The Honest Breakdown.
Can Raspberry Pi 3 still be used with current software?
Yes. Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm 64-bit supports Pi 3B and Pi 3B+. All major software packages that run on Pi 4 also run on Pi 3, just more slowly. The Pi 3B+ is roughly 3-4x slower than the Pi 4 on CPU tasks. For existing Pi 3 projects it is worth keeping in service. For a new purchase, the Pi Zero 2W at $15 outperforms the Pi 3B on most tasks while drawing significantly less power.
Does Raspberry Pi 5 require a special power supply?
Yes. Pi 5 requires a 5V/5A USB-C power supply. The Pi 4’s 5V/3A supply will power the Pi 5 but the EEPROM will display a low-power warning and some USB peripherals may not receive sufficient current. The official Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C power supply delivers 5V/5A and is the correct choice. Pi 4 requires 5V/3A; the 5A supply for Pi 5 also works on Pi 4 without issue.
Is Raspberry Pi Zero 2W powerful enough for a home server?
For lightweight homelab tasks, yes. Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, a Tailscale exit node, a basic MQTT broker, and simple Node-RED flows all run comfortably. The constraints are 512MB RAM (limits concurrent Docker containers), WiFi-only networking (causes occasional packet loss under load), and a single micro-USB OTG port for storage. For a NAS, media server, or anything that needs Ethernet or USB 3.0 storage, a Pi 4 is the minimum. For detailed power and performance data, see Raspberry Pi Power Monitoring via USB: A Practical Guide.
References:
- Raspberry Pi product pages: raspberrypi.com/products
- Raspberry Pi 5 datasheet: datasheets.raspberrypi.com
- Raspberry Pi Pico 2 datasheet: datasheets.raspberrypi.com
- Raspberry Pi OS: raspberrypi.com/software
About the Author
Chuck Wilson has been programming and building with computers since the Tandy 1000 era. His professional background includes CAD drafting, manufacturing line programming, and custom computer design. He runs PidiyLab in retirement, documenting Raspberry Pi and homelab projects that he actually deploys and maintains on real hardware. Every article on this site reflects hands-on testing on specific hardware and OS versions, not theoretical walkthroughs.
Specifications and pricing reviewed May 2025 against official Raspberry Pi Foundation product pages.