The low-spec Raspberry Pi Zero was launched in December 2015, but didn't feature any wireless features, limiting its use. While later revisions introduced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the device remained light on resources.

That has changed with the release of the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W in late 2021. Based on the Raspberry Pi 3, this tiny computer has a quad-core processor and 512MB of SDRAM. It can super-chare existing Pi Zero projects and jump start any new ideas you might have.

But where should you start? Here, with these 10 awesome projects for the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

1. Make a Wildlife Camera

You can use the Raspberry Pi Zero W 2 to learn what nearby wildlife is up to while you're not using.

Pairing the Pi with a compatible camera and portable power supply turns the device into a wildlife camera. This project, presented by YouTuber Maddie Moate, explains how you can set it up. You'll need a food storage box and an empty plastic pop bottle to help protect the wildlife camera from the elements.

By the end, you should have an automatic wildlife camera that you can connect to remotely to view photos.

Find full written instructions at mynaturewatch.net.

Related: Setting up a Raspberry Pi Camera Module

2. This is the Droid You're Looking For

Known as R2P10, this features the Raspberry Pi Zero mounted on the back of a robotized R2-D2 toy. It utilizes the Explorer pHAT board, which sits atop the Pi Zero using the GPIO pins, so these need to be attached.

Teaming up the Pi Zero with a HAT and a toy like this is a great way to get started with robotics. With the Explorer pHAT sensors, you should be able to program the droid to move autonomously and avoid objects.

3. Build a Portable Pocket-Sized Computer

The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is already a tiny computer, small enough to carry in your wallet. With this project, you can scale up slightly to create a PocketPi, utilizing a QWERTY-style media center remote and HyperPixel 4 display.

Once complete, you should have a handheld Linux computer suitable for most tasks.

For full instructions of this build and STL files to 3D print the chassis, check Ramin Assadollahi's blog.

4. A Compact Raspberry Pi Zero Server

Ever imagine the Raspberry Pi Zero could run as a server? This project was built with the Raspberry Pi Zero W in mind, but there's no reason why you shouldn't adapt it for the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

The idea is simple. Some cheap components and a 3D printed device combine to turn the Pi Zero 2 W into a server, relying on the microSD card for storage. It plugs directly into an electricity socket, connects to the internet over Wi-Fi, and can be used for everything from a personal cloud to a web server.

5. Binary Clock With Unicorn pHAT

Want to learn binary? One way to do this is build a clock that tells the time in binary. Learning to tell the time helps young children to gain familiarity with numbers; a binary clock can develop numerical skills in the same way.

This project uses a Raspberry Pi Zero and Unicorn pHAT. However, it should be easily upgraded for the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

"I've had a Unicorn pHAT sitting in a box for a while, but I finally used it in a simple project. Because it has four rows of LEDs, I thought it would be ideal to make a binary clock from."

While construction of this project may differ in your version, it's a great way to employ the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

6. ZeroBot - Raspberry Pi Zero FPV Robot

Relying on a Raspberry Pi Zero W, camera module, and Node.js and Socket.io for controls and interface, this FPV (first-person view) robot provides a baby's-eye view of the world.

With dual wheels powered by a mini-DC dual motor controller, gear motors, and a portable power bank, it sits inside a 3D printed chassis.

The result is a remote controllable robot that can be directed from any device with a web browser. Full instructions for the Raspberry Pi Zero W build can be found at Hackaday.io – this should be simple to upgrade to a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

7. Remote Controlled Smart Drone

Many Raspberry Pi projects presented in lists like this are perfected examples, developed and polished over time.

This one is slightly different. While the result is a working remote controlled smart drone built around a Pi Zero W, it wasn't easy.

YouTuber aka: Matchstic tells the story in this video of building a drone with a Raspberry Pi Zero W.

"This project is a monster. I started it in late 2017 for my university degree, aiming to create a drone that maps indoor spaces using photogrammetry. I've covered everything done from that time through to 2021 in this video!"

Watching the video, you'll find mention of the video streaming element causing problems. This is potentially an area where the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W could be the perfect solution.

8. Raspberry Pi Zero Wi-Fi Security Camera

This is another project that relies on the Raspberry Pi Camera Module, but don't be put off. The compact dimensions of the Zero and a camera module make them perfect bedfellows for a project like this.

Using the MotionEyeOS you can run the Pi Zero 2 W as a security camera capable of motion detection, time-lapse, and even email notifications. Another project designed with the Pi Zero W in mind, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W should slot right in as a replacement.

Find the full details of the project at The DIY Life.

9. Raspberry Pi Zero Game Boy Clone

So many retro gaming projects using a Raspberry Pi Zero go as small as possible. The designers of the Retroflag GPi avoided this obvious pitfall, instead creating a Game Boy clone around the little computer.

Happily, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W is also suited to the Retroflag GPi, with its Raspberry Pi 3 level of processing power extending the options for retro gamers. Some Sega Dreamcast and Sony PlayStation 1 games can now be played through Recalbox with this console – all thanks to the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

Related: Turn a TV into a Retro Gaming Center With Raspberry Pi Zero

10. Internet Radio Player With Raspberry Pi Zero

If you prefer to sit back and let your technology entertain you, this Spotify-capable internet radio is ideal.

While the build detailed here uses a Raspberry Pi Zero W, any model is suitable. There is no reason why the Pi Zero 2 W shouldn't make a smart, powered-up replacement.

You'll also need a cheap USB sound card and some speakers. The build uses Pi Musicbox, which plays from Spotify, SoundCloud, and Google Music accounts, as well as podcasts, and local music files.

Get Started With a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

With a Raspberry Pi Zero, you have a compact computer with enough processing power to manage many different project types. With a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, however, you get a better level of performance thanks to its quad-core processor, plus the flexibility of wireless networking. While this will have an impact on battery life for remote controlled projects, it's a fair trade-off to improve your Pi Zero-based projects.

Don't forget, you can also use your Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W to learn how to code.