Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Starter Kit vs Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Starter Kit
Buy the Pi 4 Model B Starter Kit if you want a usable desktop, media center or anything with a browser and multiple USB ports. Buy the Zero 2 W Starter Kit only when size, weight and power draw matter more than speed. The Pi 4 kit costs more than the Zero 2 W kit at most stores, so check both prices on Deal.ai before you commit.
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Choose the Zero 2 W Starter Kit if you need a tiny, low-power board for a headless sensor node, a camera project or something that fits in a small case.
- Very small and light, easy to hide in a project enclosure
- Low power draw, good for battery and solar builds
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth at a low price
- Same 40-pin GPIO header as larger Pis
What separates them
| Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Starter Kit | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Starter Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core Cortex-A53 at 1 GHz | Quad-core Cortex-A72 at 1.5 GHz, 64-bit |
| RAM | 512 MB LPDDR2 | 1 GB LPDDR4-3200 (board supports up to 8 GB) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in |
| USB ports | One micro-USB OTG port | Two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports |
| Video output | Mini HDMI, one port | Two micro HDMI ports, up to 4K |
| Size and weight | 65 x 30 mm board, kit weighs 7.4 oz | 85 x 56 mm board, larger kit |
| Power draw | Runs on a 5V 2.5A micro-USB supply, idles well under 1 W | Needs a 5V 3A USB-C supply, idles around 3 W |
Price history
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Starter Kit: lowest $142.99 on Nov 6 at Amazon.
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Starter Kit: lowest $149.99 on Nov 6 at Amazon.
Prices at every store
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Starter Kit
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- VilrosCheck price at Vilros
Specs compared
| Spec | Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W Starter Kit | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Starter Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed | 1 GHz | 1.5GHz |
| Installed Memory | 512 MB | 1GB |
| Memory Type | LPDDR2 | LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM |
| Supported Operating Systems | Raspberry Pi OS | — |
| Processor | Raspberry Pi | — |
| Number Of Cores | 4 | — |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | — |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | — |
| Board Height | 1.38 in | — |
| Board Length | 6.1 in | — |
What reviewers say
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Starter Kit
Owners of Pi 4 starter kits generally praise the board's performance for the price class and the convenience of bundled power and cooling. The common complaint is that 1GB models choke on desktop use and that kit pricing can exceed buying parts separately.
- MemoryCriticisedOwners say 1GB fills up fast with a desktop and browser, and 2GB or more is better for anything beyond headless use.
- ValueCriticisedBuyers note the kit costs much more than a bare 1GB Pi 4 board plus a third-party supply.
- PerformancePraisedThe quad-core 1.5GHz chip handles servers, media centers and coding projects smoothly.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a retro gaming console?
- The Pi 4 Model B. Its faster CPU and GPU handle N64 and Dreamcast emulation far better, and it has USB ports for controllers without adapters.
- Which is better for a battery-powered sensor?
- The Zero 2 W. It draws far less power and is small enough to fit inside a weatherproof box with a small solar panel.
- Does the Zero 2 W have Wi-Fi?
- Yes. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in, same as on the Pi 4 Model B.
- Can the Pi 4 Model B run Windows 10?
- Only through community projects and poorly. Plan on Raspberry Pi OS or another Linux build for real use.
- Is the Pi 4 kit worth the extra money?
- For a desktop, media center or anything with a browser, yes. For a headless sensor or camera node, the Zero 2 W kit is enough.
- Do both kits use a microSD card for storage?
- Yes. Both boot from a microSD card, so buy a good card separately if the kit does not include one.