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Raspberry Pi 3 Model B vs Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against single-board computers at a similar price

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W scores 6.9/10 overall, ahead of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B at 6.4/10.

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W leads on performance and value.

They score the same on software support, storage and I/O and networking.

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

6.4/10verdict: good, not the best

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B suits people who want a small board for GPIO projects, simple services or learning. It fits builders who need a 40-pin header with camera and display ports. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs fast networking, USB 3 or storage beyond a microSD card.

Typically about £33 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

6.9/10verdict: buy

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is for people who need a wireless quad-core Arm board for headless projects. It suits those replacing an original Pi Zero or building embedded and IoT jobs that need a 40-pin footprint and Bluetooth. It is a poor fit for anyone who wants a desktop, wired networking or fast storage.

Typically about £14.40 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightRaspberry Pi 3 Model BRaspberry Pi Zero 2 W
Software support30%10/1010/10
Performance25%5/106/10
Storage15%4/104/10
I/O and networking15%5/105/10
Value15%5/107/10
Overall6.4/106.9/10

Specifications

SpecRaspberry Pi 3 Model BRaspberry Pi Zero 2 W
Processor (SoC)Broadcom BCM2837, quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.2 GHzBroadcom BCM2710A1, quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A53 at 1GHz
Memory1GB RAM512MB LPDDR2
Storage optionsmicroSD slot only, for OS and datamicroSD card slot only
Networking100Base Ethernet; wireless LAN and Bluetooth2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, BLE, onboard antenna; no Ethernet
GPIO40-pin extended GPIO header40-pin HAT-compatible I/O header footprint, unpopulated
Video outputsFull-size HDMI, 4-pole stereo and composite video port, CSI camera port, DSI display portMini HDMI port; composite video via test points
Power inputMicro USB, up to 2.5 A switched supplyMicro USB, rated 5V DC 2.5A (supply rating)

Strengths and weaknesses

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

  • + 40-pin GPIO header plus CSI camera and DSI display ports
  • + Built-in wireless LAN and Bluetooth
  • + Production promised until at least January 2028
  • − Ethernet is 10/100 only, not gigabit
  • − No USB 3; four USB 2.0 ports
  • − microSD only, with no M.2 or NVMe support published

Skip it if:

  • Anyone who needs gigabit Ethernet or USB 3 for fast file transfers
  • Buyers who want NVMe or M.2 storage rather than a microSD card
  • People who need more than 1GB of RAM for several services or VMs
Read the full Raspberry Pi 3 Model B review ›

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

  • + Quad-core 1GHz CPU is a clear step up from the original Zero
  • + Drop-in replacement for the original Zero, easing migration
  • + Wi-Fi is competent and the onboard antenna is decent
  • − 512MB RAM hampers web browsing
  • − Runs hot under load and needs cooling
  • − No Ethernet, no 5GHz Wi-Fi, header pins unpopulated

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need wired Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi
  • Anyone wanting a browser-based desktop with 512MB of RAM
  • Buyers who need fast storage or USB 3 peripherals
Read the full Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W review ›

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