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We love the Raspberry Pi! It's a great learning tool, can be a part of any DIY home automation setup, is a very capable HTPC, and can help with almost anything else a bright mind and nimble hands can get together and build. If you're thinking about diving in and tapping into your inner maker, here are a few accessories you might need to get started.
Shut down safely
Geekworm UPS HAT & Auto Power On Shield
Staff pick
This battery-powered HAT plugs into your Raspberry Pi 3 B+ or 4B and acts as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to give everything time to shut down safely. It works with both a momentary button or a latching switch for customizable power control. And this HAT can also be stacked with other accessory boards, so you can expand your Pi without limitations.
Device storage
Samsung 32GB EVO+ MicroSD Card
This 64GB Samsung microSD card will give your Raspberry Pi enough storage for the operating system, plenty of project files or media, and best of all, it comes in under $20! You can never have too much storage, in our opinion. And the EVO+ offers speeds great enough to transfer any of your files back and forth.
BYOD!
4G / 3G / GNSS HAT Module
Turn your Raspberry Pi into a bonafide mobile device with this HAT. It supports North American LTE, 3G, GLONASS, and GPS through a standard SIM card so you can make calls, send texts, and use your entire data plan if you want.
Keyboard and Mouse
Mini QWERTY Keyboard
If you'll need to talk directly with your Raspberry Pi you'll need a way to do it. This QWERTY keyboard and mouse attaches to your Raspberry Pi through Bluetooth and will work from up to 10-meters (more than 30-feet) away. And if you want some added versatility, the keyboard will work with just about any other computer you have in the home.
Old-school gamepad
8bitdo SN30 Pro Wired Controller
8bitdo's controllers are some of the best third-party options you can get and are fan favorites, for anyone, even if you're not using a Raspberry Pi. However, the SN30 Pro is great for those who want an old-school controller to play retro games on a Pi without fiddling with a keyboard and mouse.
Smart Switching
Power Relay Module for Raspberry Pi
A Raspberry Pi can do a lot of things, but if you want to control switches, plugs, or even your garage door opener, you'll need a good UL listed relay module and some DIY ingenuity. And this board works with all versions of the Pi, starting with the A+ and going up to the 4B.
Power to Learn
Sunfounder Super Starter Learning Kit
The Raspberry Pi was invented to provide young minds a gateway to the world of electronics. This project kit from Sunfounder has everything you need to get your child or even yourself on the path to electronic wizardry.
Add your own display
Raspberry Pi 7-inch Touch Display
This full-color 800x480 display is perfect for any project that is suited for a touchscreen rather than a keyboard and mouse. Everything you need to install is included including all the cables and standoffs to attach to your Pi board.
See at night
IR Night Vision Camera for Raspberry Pi 4B and 3 B+
Plug this infra-red camera directly into your Raspberry Pi and roll your own security or surveillance solution. Or use it in normal mode and have a good, dependable all-around camera.
More sensors
Raspberry Pi Sense HAT Sensors
This Sense HAT board from Raspberry Pi includes a myriad of sensors, allowing you to track pressure, orientation, and even humidity. Originally, this board was designed to launch and be used on the International Space Station, and now you can have it attached to your own Raspberry Pi. The company has even created a dedicated library with easy access to everything you can do.
RGB all the things
GeeekPi RGB CPU Cooler
RGB is all the rage nowadays, and what better way to show off than with an RGB CPU Cooler for your Raspberry Pi. The fan itself changes colors automatically, is compatible with a 5V charger, and can be powered by your Raspberry Pi itself. The best part (other than the RGB) is that this cooler works with either the Raspberry Pi 3B+ or the Pi 4, so you won't have to worry about getting the "right" one.
Take it with you
Waveshare GamePi43 Portable Console
If you want that old-school Game Boy vibe and want to take your Raspberry Pi games on the go, then you'll need the Waveshare GamePi43. This kit features everything you'll need (other than the Pi and microSD card), including the 4.3-inch IPS display and colored buttons. There are even an onboard speaker and headphone jack, so you can listen to those nostalgic sounds.
We love some Pi
We can recommend the pieces and parts you need to get started using your Raspberry Pi to do almost anything! These are the basics you should think about before you start any project but the possibilities are endless.
I'm loving the Geekworm UPS HAT & Auto Power On Shield because it's never a good idea to just cut to power on any computer. A few dollars on the HAT and some batteries and I get up to 10 hours of run-time whenever the power goes out. And it's easier than ever to stack this board with others so you can keep expanding the usefulness of your Raspberry Pi.
But when it's time to sit back and relax with some old-school games, you'll want that old-school gamepad to go with it. That's where the 8bitdo SN30 Wired Controller comes into play, with its SNES color scheme and familiar buttons. Plus, this controller can be used with Windows or the Nintendo Switch in case you want to make sure your gamepad is as versatile as your Raspberry Pi.
by Jerry Hildenbrand