Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W: Buying Guide

Hesitating to buy the Raspberry Pi Zero because you do not know much about it? No worries! As with this buying guide, it will cover everything you need to know before buying yourself a Raspberry Pi Zero or Raspberry Pi W.

This guide will cover:

What is the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W?
Why buy the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W?
Accessories to go along with the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W to get you started
- Pi Zero and Zero W starter Kits

SALE on Raspberry Pi Zero Kits

Before we start, we have good news for you makers! Right now, Seeed is having a sale on Raspberry Pi Zero starter kits and project kits!
With these Raspberry Pi Zero kits, they can help you get started with the Raspberry Pi Zero in no time!
The starter and project kits currently on sale are:
Use code: PIZERO30 to get 30% off these selected Raspberry Pi Zero kits now!

Without further ado, let us jump right in to Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W: Buying Guide first point: What is the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W?

What is the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W?

The Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W. They are computers that is smaller than your credit card which costs less than your average movie ticket at just $5 and $10 respectively which is only one third of the price of the new Raspberry Pi 4.
Despite its small size, it still offers decent computing abilities with a 1GHz, Single-core CPU and 512 MB RAM.
For connection wise, it also has a single mini HDMI port, 2 micro USBs, HAT-compatible 40-pin header, unpopulated 40-pin GPIO connector and a CSI camera connector!
For the Raspberry Pi Zero W it even includes 802.11 b/g/n wireless LAN, Bluetooth(R) 4.1 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection needs.
With its small size and low cost, it has found its way into everything and users have been experimenting it with different types of projects from a Pi Zeror retro gaming system, Pi Zero homemade inflight entertainment system to even a Pi Zero power electric skateboard!

Not convinced? Here is why you should buy the Raspberry Pi Zero!

Why buy the Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W?

Having space constraints on your Raspberry Pi projects and looking for a Raspberry Pi much smaller than a credit card? Or looking to start out electronics at low cost?

If that is the case, the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W is just for you!

At only $5 and $10 respectively for the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W, this Raspberry Pi computer costs lesser than your average meal at Macdonalds for 2 and definitely worth your every penny.

With a GPIO, SPI, I2C, UART, etc available on the Pi 0 and also built in connection to the internet and bluetooth on the Pi 0 W, it is definitely a cost effective small board computer (SBC) for beginners to start electronics. In addition, you can practice soldering and solder on a 40 pin header pins which makes attaching other electronics easier.
Standing at only 66.0mm x 30.5mm x 5.0mm, the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W small size makes it very convenient for makers to include into their projects. They have found their way inside security cameras, robots and even laptops!
- With such a small size and low cost, makers can simply add it to any project they want and with added Wifi and bluetooth on the Raspberry Pi Zero W, possibilities are endless.

What are you waiting for? Get a Raspberry Pi Zero or a Raspberry Pi Zero W here at Seeed now!

Accessories to go along with the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W to get you started

As many of you may know, the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W comes in a bare bones package which you would require some accessories to gear up your Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W to get it up and running. Hmmm…..You may be wondering in that case, what type of accessories to get?

No worries! As our list will help you turn your Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W into a computer in no time with these accessories. With great excitement, let us jump right in to the first accessory!

Raspberry Pi Zero Case ($5.90)

With no doubt, your Raspberry Pi Zero will definitely require a case to protect it and make it look much nicer and sleek.
This Raspberry Pi Zero case is an official Raspberry Pi Zero designed case for the Pi Zero and Pi Zero W.
It comes with a pink base and three white lids that are designed for different uses. They are:
- 1st lid is the common plain Raspberry case that has no hole in it. But you can still connect the interfaces like USB or HDMI on the side of the case.
- 2nd lid has a strip hole which fits the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi Zero board. As a result, you can equip a Grove Base Hat for Raspberry Pi Zero outside the case with Pi Zero, which means you can use our Grove interface for your Pi Zero.
- Last lid includes a camera hole which is suitable for Raspberry Pi Camera V2. You can place the camera in the case with Pi Zero together. Moreover, a short adaptable camera cable is provided for you to connect the camera with the Pi Zero.

2*20 Pin Male & Female header ($0.90)

There are two types of pins, male and female, which can be freely selected for pi IO GPIO pins and soldered on the Pi Zero or Pi Zero W
For the 2×20 Pin Male header you can solder this in to plug in Pi HATs, GPIO cables, etc as you would into a normal Pi.
For the 2×20 Pin Female header you can solder this into GPIO port position and make the best of the Raspberry Pi Zero GPIO port.

Micro USB to USB Female-OTG Cable ($1.90)

This micro USB to USB female-OTG cable is essential as it is used to connect your Raspberry Pi 0 or 0W to a normal USB device like a Wi-Fi dongle, mouse, keyboard, etc.

Mini HDMI to HDMI adapter ($1.90)

This is a MINI HDMI to HDMI female adapter that can be used with Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W to allow it to be connected to the monitor via an adapter and HDMI cable

5V power supply and cable ($2.90)

This is perhaps the most important accessory as without this, you can’t even power your Raspberry Pi Zero!
We believe that you guys have a Micro B USB cable lying around in your house so this 5V adapter will be sufficient to power your Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W.
- Do not own a Micro USB cable? No worries as here at Seeed, we offer a variety of Micro USB cable here.
Do take note to not power your Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W from a computer USB port as the voltage often sag and you may find yourself with a corrupt SD card! 🙁

Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 ($17.95)

Want to capture photos and videos on your Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W? This Raspberry Pi camera module V2 will be your best pick!
The Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 is a new official camera board released by Raspberry Pi Foundation.
- It carries an 8 megapixel Sony IMX219 image sensor which has a great performance in catching the high resolution of images and videos.
- The image sensor can output up to 3280×2464 pixel static images ,1080p30, 720p60 and 640x480p90 video.
For the Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W, you would require a Camera Cable for Raspberry Pi Zero to connect them together as they have a smaller CSI port.

micro SD Card with Card Reader-32GB(Class 10) ($5.60)

This micro SD card is essential for your Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W in order to get it up and running with a Operating system!
To get your Pi 0 or 0W started, you will be required to burn an OS of your choice (eg. Raspbian) on the micro SD card.
At only $5.60, you can get this 32GB super cost-effective micro-SD card!

Lazy to purchase these items individually and want them in a kit instead? No worries as here at Seeed, we offer a variety of Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W kits like:

Pi Zero W kits

Seeedstudio Raspberry Pi Zero W Complete Starter Kit ($29.00)

With this kit, it has everything you need to get your Raspberry Pi Zero W up and running. The micro TF card is also pre-installed with NOOBS (Raspbian OS) which saves you trouble.
It comes with:
- Raspberry Pi Zero W
- Mini HDMI OTG Cable
- Micro USB OTG Cable
- 2×20 Pin male header and female header
- Official Raspberry Pi camera strip
- Pi Zero Case
- 8GB Micro TF card (Pre installed with NOOBS)
- 5V 1.5 Power Adapter (US Standard)

Seeedstudio Raspberry Pi Zero W with Official Case ($20.00)

Already own the various cables like the Mini HDMI OTG cable or the Micro USB OTG cable? Then, this kit is just for you!
It comes with:
- Raspberry Pi Zero W
- Official Raspberry Pi camera strip
- Pi Zero case

Seeedstudio Raspberry Pi Zero W Barebones Kit ($20.00)

With this kit, it provides you with the bare essentials to assemble your Raspberry Pi Zero W
It comes with:
- Raspberry Pi Zero W
- Mini HDMI OTG cable
- Micro USB OTG cable
- 2×20 Pin Male and Female Header

Pi Zero Kits

Seeedstudio Raspberry Pi Zero Barebones Kit ($15.00)

For this Raspberry Pi Zero kit, it provides you with the most basic essentials which are easy to assemble with your Pi Zero.
It comes with:
- Raspberry Pi Zero
- Mini HDMI OTG Cable
- Micro USB OTG Cable
- 2×20 Pin Male and Female Header

Summary

Thats all for our Raspberry Pi Zero and Zero W: Buying Guide! I hope that this guide helped you in one way or another in the decision on whether to purchase a Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W for yourself! If you have any questions, do comment down in the comment section down below!

Purchased a Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W already? Do check out our other guide on how to set up your Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W and also project ideas!

Interested in more Raspberry Pi accessories and products? You can check out our entire Raspberry Pi products here on our Bazaar page!

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Tags: Pi Zero, Pi Zero W, Raspberry Pi 0, Raspberry Pi 0 W, Raspberry Pi accessories, Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi Zero Accessories, Raspberry Pi Zero W, Raspberry Pi Zero Wifi, Raspberry Zero