Quick Answer: As of October 2026 the Raspberry Pi Zero family is the original Zero, the Zero W with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the Zero WH (a Zero W with a soldered header) and the Zero 2 W. The Zero 2 W has a 1GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU, 512MB of RAM and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The original Zero and the Zero W have a 1GHz single-core CPU. None lists an Ethernet port.
The Zero boards are small, low-cost Linux computers, about 65 mm by 30 mm. They suit projects where size, cost or low current matter more than speed. This post compares the models using Raspberry Pi's own documentation and product pages, and explains which to pick. For the wider range, see our Raspberry Pi model comparison.
Which Raspberry Pi Zero models exist?
There are four, plus a Zero 2 W variant with a soldered header. The table follows the documentation's Zero models page and the product pages, read in October 2026.
| Model | Year | CPU | RAM | Wireless | GPIO header |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | 2015/2016 | 1GHz single-core ARM11 | 512MB | None listed | Unpopulated |
| Zero W | 2017 | 1GHz single-core ARM11 | 512MB | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE | Unpopulated |
| Zero WH | 2018 | 1GHz single-core ARM11 | 512MB | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE | Pre-soldered |
| Zero 2 W | 2021 | 1GHz quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A53 | 512MB | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, BLE | Unpopulated, or pre-soldered on the "with headers" model |
Read the Zero models page in the Raspberry Pi documentation for the full list.
What is the difference between the Zero, Zero W and Zero WH?
Wireless and the header. The W adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to the original Zero. The WH is a Zero W with the 40-pin GPIO header already soldered on. The plain Zero and the W ship with an unpopulated header, so you solder your own pins before you can use the GPIO pins. If you do not want to solder, buy a model with a pre-soldered header.
How much faster is the Zero 2 W?
Raspberry Pi's Zero 2 W product brief says the quad-core CPU gives 40% more single-threaded performance and five times more multi-threaded performance than the original single-core Zero. Memory stays at 512MB. The board has the same size and connectors as the Zero W, and the brief says it fits most existing Zero cases.
The Zero 2 W's product page describes it as a $15 computer as of October 2026. The pages for the original Zero and Zero W show no price, so check a current listing for those.
What can a Raspberry Pi Zero not do?
Every Zero has limits that bigger Pis do not. All have 512MB of RAM and no Ethernet port, so the network is Wi-Fi only, and on the Zero 2 W that means the 2.4GHz band. They use micro USB: one port is for power and one is for USB OTG, so a keyboard needs an OTG adapter. The documentation adds that a Zero cannot power a keyboard and mouse together without a powered USB hub, and that plugging a device in after boot can drop the voltage enough to reboot the CPU.
Video comes from a mini-HDMI port, so you need a mini-HDMI cable or adapter. The camera port is a small 22-pin connector. See our guides to Raspberry Pi Wi-Fi setup and viewing a Raspberry Pi camera.
Which Zero should you buy?
Buy the Zero 2 W unless you have a reason not to. It has the faster CPU and the same footprint. One reason for an older board is current draw. The documentation lists typical bare-board active current as 100mA for the Zero, 150mA for the Zero W and 350mA for the Zero 2 W. If you plan a battery build, use a purpose-built power bank or UPS HAT and follow its charging instructions. See powering a Raspberry Pi with a battery for the options, and power requirements for supplies.
When is a Zero the wrong choice?
Choose a bigger board when you need Ethernet, more than 512MB of RAM, several USB ports or a desktop you will use daily. Raspberry Pi describes the Zero boards as having fewer USB ports and lower power consumption than the classic boards, and those are the trade-offs you accept. For the jobs above a full-size Pi is the simpler answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Raspberry Pi Zero W and Zero WH?
Only the header. Both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Zero WH comes with the 40-pin GPIO header soldered on, while the Zero W has an unpopulated header you solder yourself.
Is the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W faster than the Zero W?
Yes. Raspberry Pi's brief gives it 40% more single-threaded and five times more multi-threaded performance than the original Zero, whose CPU the Zero W shares. RAM is 512MB on both.
What are the Raspberry Pi Zero specs?
The original Zero has a 1GHz single-core CPU, 512MB of RAM, a mini-HDMI port, a micro USB OTG port, a CSI camera connector (version 1.3 and later) and an unpopulated 40-pin header. The W models add wireless. The Zero 2 W moves to four 64-bit cores.
Does the Raspberry Pi Zero have Wi-Fi?
The original Zero does not list wireless. The Zero W, Zero WH and Zero 2 W all have 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy.
What power supply does a Raspberry Pi Zero need?
The getting started page lists 5 V at 2.5 A over micro USB for every Zero. The power requirements table lists 1.2A for the Zero and Zero W and 2A for the Zero 2 W, so a 2.5A supply meets both.
Is there a Raspberry Pi Nano, or a smaller Pi than the Zero?
The official products page lists no board named Nano as of October 2026. Zero boards measure about 65 mm by 30 mm. The Pico is smaller at 21 mm by 51 mm, but it is a microcontroller board that does not run Linux. Our Pico guide explains it.