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Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GB vs Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit

Both kits are built on the same Raspberry Pi 5 board, so the real decision is memory and what comes in the box. The PRO kit's 8GB suits desktop use, browsers with many tabs, and heavier compiling; the Essentials 4GB handles retro gaming, media servers, and most home projects. Owners consistently praise the Pi 5's speed and dual HDMI output, and the Vilros kits are known for including the parts people forget to order.

  • Choose the Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO if you want 8GB of RAM and a complete bundle that gets you running without buying extras separately.
  • Choose the Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit if your projects are light on memory and you would rather add only the accessories you need.

Prices

  • Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GB: $175.00 at Vilros (last seen Nov 9)
  • Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit: $149.99 at Vilros (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit is $25.01 cheaper than the Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GB at the latest prices (Nov 9)
Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO Turbine Black 8GB RAM

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GB

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO Turbine Black 8GB RAM

4.8(3,600 ratings)
$175.00at VilrosChecked 20 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Vilros
Pros
  • 8GB handles desktop browsing and heavier builds
  • Kit includes case, cooling, power and storage
  • Same fast Pi 5 board as the cheaper kit
  • Strong owner ratings for completeness
Cons
  • More memory than many projects need
  • Larger bundle means more parts to assemble
  • Overkill for simple GPIO or server tasks
Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit

Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit

$149.99at VilrosChecked 20 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Vilros
Pros
  • 4GB is enough for most hobby projects
  • Lower outlay leaves room for project parts
  • Same Pi 5 performance and ports
  • Compact, simple build
Cons
  • 4GB limits desktop multitasking and compiling
  • May need a separate case, cooling and power supply
  • Fewer extras in the box

What separates them

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GBRaspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit
RAM8GB LPDDR4X4GB LPDDR4X
Box contentsComplete kit: board, case, cooling, power supply, storage, cablesEssentials kit: board plus core basics
Processor2.4 GHz quad-core Broadcom ARM2.4 GHz quad-core Broadcom ARM
WirelessWi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0
Ports2x micro HDMI, 4x USB-A, USB-C, Gigabit Ethernet2x micro HDMI, 4x USB-A, USB-C, Gigabit Ethernet
CoolingActive cooling included in the kitPassive cooling only unless added
Best workloadDesktop use, multitasking, compiling, VMsRetro gaming, media servers, light automation

Price history

$175.00$135.99
Nov 1Nov 10
  • Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GB: lowest $175.00 on Nov 1 at Vilros; $175.00 on Nov 10.
  • Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit: lowest $135.99 on Nov 10 at Best Buy.

Prices at every store

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GB

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $269.95Free shippingChecked 20 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • VilrosNew

    Availability unknown

    $175.00Checked 20 h ago
    Visit Vilros
  • VXB.com BearingsNew

    Availability unknown

    $414.95Checked Nov 1
    Visit VXB.com Bearings

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 3 stores and price history →

Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit

  • VilrosNew

    In stock

    $149.99Checked 20 h ago
    Visit Vilros
  • Best BuyNew

    Out of stock

    $135.99Free shippingChecked 20 h ago
    Visit Best Buy

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecRaspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GBRaspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit
Installed Memory8 GB RAM4 GB RAM
Processor Speed2.4 GHz—
Gb Capacity8GB—
StyleVilros Complete Kit—
Connections—Micro HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, RJ45 (LAN)
Bluetooth—Yes
Processor—Broadcom, ARM
Wi-Fi—Yes
Depth (")—2.2
Internal Storage—No
Type of Memory Card—microSD
Processor Speed (GHz)—2.4
Show all 27 specsShow fewer specs
SpecRaspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GBRaspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit
Memory Type—LPDDR4
Memory Card Reader—No
GPU—Yes
Processor Cores—4
No. of HDMI (pcs)—2
Ethernet Speed (max)—1 GBit/s
Width (")—3.3
No. of USB-A (pcs)—4
Weight (oz)—2.6
Release Year—

What reviewers say

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO 8GB

  • 4.8 / 53,600 ratings

Ratings are very high, and owners mostly praise the kit for arriving complete and running cool. Complaints center on fan noise and the extra cost versus a bare board.

What people mention
  • CoolingPraisedOwners say the turbine case and fan keep the Pi 5 from throttling during long builds and heavy loads.
  • Fan noiseMixedThe active cooler is audible; some find it fine, others want a quieter or fanless setup.
  • CompletenessPraisedBuyers like getting the board, case, power supply, and accessories in one order.
  • ValueMixedSome say the kit premium is worth the convenience; others say a bare board plus parts is cheaper.

Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Vilros Essentials Kit

Owners rate the Pi 5 as the most usable Raspberry Pi yet, praising the speed jump and dual display outputs. Common complaints are heat and the power supply requirement, and some find the 4 GB version tight for heavier workloads.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners say it feels far snappier than earlier models for browsing, coding and emulation.
  • HeatCriticisedReviewers report the board throttles under sustained load unless a fan or heatsink is fitted.
  • Power supplyCriticisedUsers note it needs a 5V/5A USB-C supply to run at full speed and warn weaker chargers cause problems.
  • PortsPraisedThe dual micro HDMI outputs and four USB-A ports are called generous for a board this small.

Questions and answers

Is 8GB worth it over 4GB for a Raspberry Pi 5?
Yes if you run a desktop, many browser tabs, containers, or compile software. For retro gaming, media servers, and simple automation, 4GB is enough and the extra memory goes unused.
Which kit is better for a beginner?
The PRO kit, because it includes the case, cooling, power supply, and storage you would otherwise have to pick separately. The Essentials kit assumes you already have or will buy those parts.
Do both kits use the same board?
Yes. Both are Raspberry Pi 5 boards with a 2.4 GHz quad-core CPU, dual micro HDMI, four USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0. Only the RAM and bundled accessories differ.
Does the Pi 5 need active cooling?
It runs hot under sustained load, and the Pi 5 throttles without adequate cooling. The PRO kit includes active cooling; with the Essentials kit, plan to add a fan or heatsink for heavy use.
Which lasts longer?
Both use the same board and have similar hardware life. The PRO kit's included case and cooling protect the board better, which helps long-term reliability under load.

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2023
Bluetooth Version—5.0
Height (")—0.7
Wi-Fi Standard—Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
SATA—No
RAM—4 GB