If you’ve been interested in the Raspberry Pi but haven’t gotten around to getting one, there has never been a better time. With the release of the Raspberry Pi 4, you get a much more powerful piece of hardware than ever. The new model packs more powerful hardware and can even drive 4K displays at 60Hz.
Of course, unless this isn’t your first Raspberry Pi, you’ll probably need some accessories, too. Like any computer, you’ll want a keyboard and mouse as well as a power supply. Beyond that, there is a lot you can do with the tiny computer, so we’ve put together a list of a few great accessories.
7” Touch Screen
While you can plug the Raspberry Pi 4 into any monitor with the right connection, this isn’t ideal for every build. If you want to build an all-in-one device with your Raspberry Pi, a touch screen will help.
The 7-inch Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Display has a resolution of 800 x 480 and comes with the necessary cables to connect it to your Pi board. This isn’t as sharp as it could be, but it’s also affordable, which is great if you’re looking to build a DIY IoT device with your Pi 4.
Mini Wireless Keyboard
If you plan to use your Raspberry Pi 4 more as a general computer, you could use a standard keyboard and mouse. That said, maybe you’ll have it plugged into your TV or located somewhere where a wired connection is inconvenient.
The Mini Wireless Keyboard from AMBOLOVE is compatible with Raspberry Pi devices and more importantly, has cool color backlighting. This handheld design features a built-in touchpad, that makes using your Raspberry Pi easy, no matter how hard it is to reach.
Case with Cooling
Because the new Raspberry Pi 4 is more powerful than ever, it’s also more prone to overheating. Don’t worry, though, because as long as you cool it properly, you have nothing to worry about. Why not throw it in a case while you’re at it?
The Smraza Raspberry Pi 4 Case includes a fan as well as three heat sinks to keep your board cool. The black and clear design also adds a touch of style while keeping the board protected.
MicroSD Card
To get a basic operating system up and running, you don’t need a lot of storage. That said, depending on what you’re doing with your Raspberry Pi, you might end up wanting more than you initially thought. Why not get a 64GB microSD card out of the gate?
There are plenty of options available, but the SanDisk 64GB Ultra card costs just over $10 and is well-reviewed to boot.
Classic Game Controllers
People love using the Raspberry Pi to build retro gaming machines, and with the new model being more powerful than ever, it’s the most capable for gaming yet. Still, you don’t want to play your favorite old games using arrow keys, do you?
For less than $50, you can buy a five-controller bundle that features NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and PlayStation-style controllers. That will handle most, if not all, of your retro gaming needs.
Conclusion
The above accessories are just general recommendations. Not everyone will need all of them, but at least one of the above will probably appeal to you. Beyond that, a lot of what determines the accessories you need will come down to what you plan to do with your Raspberry Pi 4.
You may not even be sure what you want to do with your Pi yet. If that’s the case, take a look at our list of cool projects you can build using a Raspberry Pi.
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