If you're looking for an inexpensive way to enter the world of DIY electronics, a Raspberry Pi kit is a great place to start. It's a well-built, small PC board that uses standard input and outputs for audio and video, standard USB ports, a set of simple input/output pins to connect to just about anything, and most importantly, a massive collection of accessories and a vast community of developers. This spells success, whether you're building a hobby project or a prototyping something more complicated.
CanaKit Raspberry Pi 4 2GB basic kit
Staff pick
The new Raspberry Pi 4 is a significant improvement over the 3 B+, and this kit from CanaKit has what you need to get up and running right away. This kit features 2GB of RAM, along with three aluminum heat sinks, and a USB-C power supply designed specifically for the Pi 4. You'll just need to get a case on your own when the time comes, or even if you want to.
Raspberry Pi 4 with essentials
Easily connect to an HDMI display
This Raspberry Pi 4 kit comes with a 1GB starter board, a quick start guide, and four heat sinks. Plus, once you've got everything built, there is a USB-C to microUSB adapter to go with the HDMI to microUSB adapter that is also included. With these extra adapters, you'll be able to connect your new Pi 4 to almost any HDMI display.
Vilros Raspberry Pi 3 retro arcade gaming kit
Open source opportunities
There are some tremendous open-source arcade system images built for the Raspberry Pi, and this kit is a fun way to get started with one. Vilros includes a retro-styled Nintendo case, two USB gamepads, and a 32GB Samsung EVO microSD card. This card is pre-loaded with NOOBS and RETROPIE, so you are ready to play some games after assembling everything.
GeeekPi retroflag GPi case kit
Fun design
Do you miss having a handheld game console that wasn't your smartphone? What about something that looks and feels like a Game Boy? That's exactly what you'll get with the GeeekPi Retroflag GPi Case Kit, as you will get a Zero W, 32GB microSD card, carrying case, heat sink, and the Game Boy-like case for old school on-the-go gaming.
NEEGO Raspberry Pi 4 4GB complete kit
Everything you need
There's next level Raspberry Pi kits, and then there's the NEEGO Raspberry Pi 4 Complete Kit. In addition to the expected parts, NEEGO also includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, and a mini keyboard with a built-in trackpad. This is really where you want to go if you want to get everything you think you'll need for the most portable computer possible.
Bottom line
You can do so much with a Raspberry Pi. Yes, you. This little PC board was designed with education in mind. It's easy to learn, relatively simple to master, and extremely powerful when used to control things like a smart home or robot. Best of all, they're incredibly inexpensive.
You'll find the perfect way to get started with the new Raspberry Pi 4 with CanaKit's Basic Raspberry Pi 4 kit. You get the board, the new power supply that you'll need to power it, and a set of heatsinks to keep everything running cool. It's an excellent way to transition from an older version to the new model.
