If you are a Raspberry Pi user, you will quickly learn that the range of possible displays on the market is staggering. It can be hard to choose which one is right for your needs and budget with the myriad options available. In order to make things easier, we have compiled a list of things you should consider when selecting a display for your Raspberry Pi single-board computer.

1. Resolution of the Display

An angled shot of the TCL 50-inch Class 5-Series 4K UHD

Screen resolution is the number of individual pixels a screen can show horizontally and vertically. For example, a display with a resolution of 3840x2160 (4K) has 3,840 horizontal pixels per row and 2,160 vertical pixels per column. Together with factors such as PPI (pixels per inch) and screen size, the resolution determines how crisp and sharp images will look. Raspberry Pi OS doesn’t list an official minimum resolution, but you should aim for 480x320 or higher.

The Raspberry Pi 4B and Pi 400 are capable of running two 4K displays simultaneously. To maximize your desktop experience, be sure to check out the best 4K displays for Raspberry Pi 4 or 400.

2. Screen Size of the Display

Mobvoi Home Treadmill Incline Extreme Close Up of LCD Screen Display

Screen size refers to the actual physical dimensions of the screen and is measured diagonally across the screen. Thanks to the Raspberry Pi's HDMI output, you can connect it to any size HDMI monitor or TV.

Alternatively, you may want something more portable. The official Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Display is a 7-inch, multitouch screen with a 800x480 resolution, but you will find displays as small as 3.5 inches (diagonal size). It all hinges on your preference and intended application.

3. Refresh Rate of the Display

The refresh rate of a display refers to how quickly it can draw a new image on the screen. The refresh rate also affects whether you experience screen tearing or frame drops when using the display. Note that the refresh rate of a monitor can only be as fast as the GPU of the computer allows. The Raspberry Pi's 4K video output is set to 30Hz by default, but it can be adjusted up to 60Hz on a Pi 4 or 400.

For a Raspberry Pi 4, look for a display with a refresh rate of at least 60Hz if you are planning to use it in a desktop environment or for emulation.

4. The Interface Used by the Display

Connect the ribbon to the DSI port

There are three main ways in which you can connect a display to your Raspberry Pi: through the HDMI port, DSI port, or the GPIO expansion header (I2C or SPI).

The Raspberry Pi 4 and 400 have two micro-HDMI ports, while most other models come with full-size HDMI ports. You can also connect a display HAT to your Raspberry Pi’s GPIO header and use it mounted on your Pi.

5. Touchscreen Functionality

A finger touching a touchscreen display

This is another helpful feature to look out for when picking a display. Having a touchscreen display means that you can use your Raspberry Pi without a keyboard or mouse attached and can be quite handy when working on the go. Note that you'll need to install an on-screen keyboard such as Onboard, however.

Since HDMI cannot transmit touchscreen signals, touchscreen monitors for the Raspberry Pi usually route touch input data as well as power through the USB-C connector. Alternatively, you can use the MIPI DSI port or use the GPIO header’s serial interfaces. You should also be aware of the differences between capacitive and resistive touchscreens when choosing a touch display.

6. Power Consumption

The power requirements of the display are another factor to consider, especially if you need a portable setup. E-ink displays, by their nature, use less power but are usually more expensive and have a very slow refresh rate. LED and LCD screens, on the other hand, are relatively less expensive but consume more power in most cases.

7. Peripherals/Accessories for the Display

If you have a display that uses a different connector to that on the Raspberry Pi, you are going to need an adapter to get it to work. For instance, if you are a stickler for nostalgia, and you absolutely have to use an old monitor for your retro project, you are going to need an HDMI-to-DVI or HDMI-to-VGA adapter. It may also be useful to have a display that has its own battery pack for certain projects where you can’t connect to the mains.

8. Using Your Laptop/Smartphone as a Display With VNC

control-raspberry-remotely

If you don’t have a monitor, and you don’t want to get one, you can use VNC to access your Raspberry Pi’s desktop remotely from your laptop or smartphone. It is a relatively straightforward process if you are using the default Raspberry Pi operating system as RealVNC is already pre-installed. All you need to do is enable the VNC server and install VNC Viewer on your laptop/smartphone, then use the latter to log in remotely with your Pi's IP address, username, and password.

Best Portable Displays for Raspberry Pi

There are several excellent portable displays you can use with your Raspberry Pi. Here are three of the most popular and inexpensive smaller screens you can buy.

Raspberry Pi Official Touch Display

The official 7” inch Raspberry Pi Touch Display is a very popular choice for most users looking for a viewing device for their Pi. It is a modest, multitouch 800x480 display that you can buy for around $78. It is powered through the GPIO port and connects to the DSI port with a ribbon cable. Also, setting up this Raspberry Pi touchscreen is easy, as long as you take the necessary precautions.

Specifications:

  • Screen Size: 7 inches
  • Resolution: 800x480 pixels
  • Interface: DSI, GPIO
  • Active area: 154.08 x 85.92 mm
  • Refresh Rate: 60Hz
  • Touch Panel: Ten-point capacitive touch

Elecrow 5 Inch Portable Raspberry Pi Touchscreen Display

Elecrrow Display 5-inch Display
Image Credit: Elecrow

This 5-inch touchscreen display from Elecrow is simple and small enough for your embedded projects. It connects to the Raspberry Pi via HDMI and USB. You don’t have to install any touch drivers as it works right out of the box, at least on Raspberry Pi OS. It features built-in speakers and includes mounting screws and standoffs, so you can mount the Raspberry Pi on the display.

Specifications:

  • Screen Size: 5 inches
  • Interface: HDMI, 2 x USB-C
  • Resolution: 800x480
  • Dimensions: 121.11 x 95.24 mm
  • Refresh Rate: 60Hz
  • Touch Screen Type: Five-point capacitive touch

NewSoul Portable Monitor

If you are willing to shell out some extra cash, the NewSoul Portable Monitor is a beautiful $269 display that definitely offers a lot of bang for your buck. It supports full HD maximum and five-point capacitive touch. It also comes with a stand that works in both landscape and portrait modes.

Specifications:

  • Screen Size: 15.6 inches
  • Interface: HDMI, 2 x USB-C
  • Resolution: 1920x1080 pixels
  • Dimensions: 375.9 x 225.8 mm
  • Refresh Rate: 60Hz
  • Touch Type: Five-point capacitive touch

Choose the Best Display for Your Project

In choosing a display for your Raspberry Pi, you need to consider what you will be using it for. If all you need is a digital readout for your home IoT sensor or your DIY alarm clock, a simple, low-res LCD will suffice. If you will be using your Raspberry Pi as a productivity work engine instead, you may want to invest in a high-quality monitor with better specs.