Last updated October 2026. Prices are US list prices as of October 2026. Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means RPi4U may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).
Raspberry Pi prices jumped in 2026, so picking the right model matters more than it used to. The good news: most projects don’t need the most expensive board. This guide tells you which Pi to buy for what you want to build, and how to avoid paying for RAM you’ll never use.
The short answer
| If you want to… | Buy this | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Block ads (Pi-hole), run a VPN, log sensors | Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W | $15 |
| Retro gaming, a TV box, a kiosk or sign, a 3D-printer controller | Raspberry Pi 5 (1GB) | $45 |
| Run Home Assistant | Raspberry Pi 5 (2GB) | $77.50 |
| Run a media server or home NAS | Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) | $110 |
| Use it as a desktop computer | Raspberry Pi 500 (8GB) | $180 |
Not sure which project fits you? Our Which Pi do I need? tool asks five quick questions and recommends the cheapest Pi that will do the job.
Why Raspberry Pi prices went up in 2026
On April 1, 2026, Raspberry Pi raised prices on most Pi 4 and Pi 5 models with 4GB of memory or more. The reason is the cost of memory chips, which rose sharply across the whole electronics industry. The 16GB Pi 5 went from $120 in 2025 to $305 today.
The 2GB models went up next. The 2GB Pi 4 rose to $55 in February, and on October 1, 2026, Raspberry Pi added $12.50 to both 2GB boards: the Pi 4 is now $67.50 and the Pi 5 $77.50. The 1GB Pi 4 and Pi 5 and the Zero 2 W have not changed, which makes them the best value right now. Buy only the memory your project needs.
Every current model, compared
| Model | Processor | Memory | Price (US) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pi Zero 2 W | 4-core, 1.0 GHz | 512MB | $15 | Small, always-on jobs |
| Pi 4 | 4-core, 1.8 GHz | 2GB / 3GB / 4GB / 8GB | $67.50 / $83.75 / $100 / $165 | Existing Pi 4 add-ons |
| Pi 5 | 4-core, 2.4 GHz | 1GB / 2GB / 4GB / 8GB / 16GB | $45 / $77.50 / $110 / $175 / $305 | Almost everything |
| Pi 500 | Same as Pi 5 | 8GB | $180 | Plug-in desktop |
| Pi 500+ | Same as Pi 5 | 16GB + 256GB SSD | $410 | Premium desktop |
Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W ($15): the best value Pi
It’s tiny (65 × 30 mm), sips power, and has built-in Wi-Fi. It isn’t fast, but it doesn’t need to be for jobs that just run quietly in the background: a Pi-hole ad blocker, a small VPN, a weather station or a sensor logger. (For a weather station, we like the SparkFun BME280 sensor, which measures temperature, humidity and air pressure.) Its price didn’t go up in 2026, which makes it one of the few Pis that is still a bargain.
Raspberry Pi 4 ($67.50 for 2GB): no longer the budget pick
The Pi 4 used to be the cheap all-rounder, but after two price rises in 2026 the 2GB model costs $67.50, more than the faster 1GB Pi 5 at $45. Buy one only if you need something the Pi 4 has and the Pi 5 doesn’t, like its headphone jack or a case or HAT you already own. The 4GB and 8GB Pi 4 ($100 and $165) are also poor value next to a Pi 5.
Raspberry Pi 5 ($45–$305): the one to get if you need speed
The Pi 5 is roughly two to three times faster than the Pi 4. It also adds a PCIe connector, so you can attach a fast NVMe SSD instead of relying on a microSD card, plus true gigabit Ethernet and a built-in clock. How much memory to get:
- 1GB ($45): the new budget pick. It handles retro gaming, a TV box with Kodi, a digital sign or a 3D-printer controller with OctoPrint. For server jobs, use the “Lite” (no desktop) version of Raspberry Pi OS.
- 2GB ($77.50): the sweet spot for Home Assistant and most server projects.
- 4GB ($110): media servers like Jellyfin, a home NAS, or light desktop use.
- 8GB ($175) and 16GB ($305): only for running many apps at once or experimenting with local AI. Most people don’t need this much.
Raspberry Pi 500 ($180) and 500+ ($410): a computer in a keyboard
The Pi 500 is a Pi 5 built into a keyboard with 8GB of memory. Plug in a monitor and mouse and you have a working desktop, which makes it a great first computer for kids or a simple machine for learning to code. The Pi 500+ adds a mechanical keyboard, 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, but at $410 it’s hard to recommend over a used mini PC.
Don’t forget these parts
A bare Pi board won’t do anything on its own. Budget for:
- A power supply that matches your model. The Pi 5 needs a 5V/5A USB-C supply. The Pi 4 needs 5V/3A. A weak phone charger is the most common cause of crashes.
- Storage. A good 32GB or larger microSD card, or an NVMe SSD with an adapter board for a Pi 5.
- A case. Protects the board and makes it easier to mount.
- Cooling for a Pi 5. A small active cooler keeps it from slowing down under load.
- Cables. The Pi 4 and Pi 5 use micro-HDMI, not full-size HDMI.
The bottom line
For most people in 2026, the best Raspberry Pi is the cheapest one that fits the project: a Zero 2 W for simple always-on jobs, a Pi 5 1GB for gaming, TV boxes and printer controllers, or a Pi 5 2GB for Home Assistant and servers. Only step up to 4GB or more when you know your project needs it.
Ready to pick yours? Try our Which Pi do I need? tool for a personal recommendation and shopping list, or compare the top two boards in Raspberry Pi 5 vs Pi 4.
Sources: 2026 Raspberry Pi pricing guide (Mehatronika), The Register, April 2026, raspberry.tips model comparison, Raspberry Pi, October 2026.
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