Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero
Expert rating5.5 / 10
- SoC:
- Allwinner H2+
- CPU:
- Quad-Core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz
- Memory:
- 512MB DDR3
- Storage:
- microSD
- Price:
- $15
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Manufacturer: Banana Pi Last updated: 2026-09-12
Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H2+/Quad-Core Cortex-A7 1.2GHz/512MB DDR3/Raspberry Pi Zero Form-Factor Clone) Review
Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero ultra-compact single-board computer with an Allwinner H2+ quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU, 512MB DDR3 RAM, built-in WiFi, and a Raspberry Pi Zero-matching form factor and 40-pin header layout.
This is Banana Pi's most direct Pi Zero homage: same tiny footprint, same header pinout, same mounting holes, but with WiFi built onto the board itself rather than requiring the Zero W's add-on radio module, at a price that regularly undercuts the official board.
Overview
Aimed squarely at the ultra-budget end of the market, the BPI-M2 Zero uses an older but proven Allwinner H2+ SoC (also found in early Orange Pi Zero boards) to deliver a genuinely tiny, genuinely cheap Linux computer with onboard wireless, matching the Raspberry Pi Zero's dimensions closely enough to fit most Zero-shaped cases.
Performance & Connectivity
With only 512MB of RAM and older Cortex-A7 cores, the M2 Zero is best suited to lightweight headless tasks rather than any kind of desktop use; onboard WiFi and a 40-pin header (solder-your-own, matching Pi Zero convention) keep it flexible for simple IoT and sensor projects.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, the M2 Zero is considerably cheaper but far behind in CPU performance and RAM, making it suitable only for the lightest workloads. Compared to the newer Banana Pi BPI-M4 Zero, the M2 Zero is a full generation older, slower, and limited to WiFi 5 rather than WiFi 6.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Banana Pi |
|---|
| CPU Architecture | ARM |
|---|---|
| Memory | 1 GB |
| Storage Type | microSD |
| Has AI Accelerator / NPU | No |
| Wireless | WiFi 5 |
| GPIO Header | Yes |
| Price | 15 USD |
| Use Case | Ultra-Compact / Budget |
| Model | BPI-M2 Zero |
| Processor | Allwinner H2+, Quad-Core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 |
| Power | 5V/2A Micro-USB |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating5.5 / 10
A functional, extremely cheap Pi Zero clone for the lightest headless tasks, but its 512MB RAM ceiling and dated CPU make the Zero 2 W or BPI-M4 Zero better investments for most new projects.
Best for
- Extremely simple headless IoT or sensor nodes
- Learning basic embedded Linux at minimal cost
- Projects needing a bare-minimum WiFi-connected board
Not for
- Any workload needing more than 512MB RAM
- Desktop use or anything CPU-intensive
- New builds where the Pi Zero 2 W's price difference is small
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H2+/Quad-Core Cortex-A7 1.2GHz/512MB DDR3/Raspberry Pi Zero Form-Factor Clone)?
The Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H2+/Quad-Core Cortex-A7 1.2GHz/512MB DDR3/Raspberry Pi Zero Form-Factor Clone) is a single board computer from Banana Pi. Key specs: Processor Allwinner H2+, Quad-Core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz, CPU Architecture ARM, GPU Mali-400MP2, Memory 1, Storage Type microSD.
Will the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H2+/Quad-Core Cortex-A7 1.2GHz/512MB DDR3/Raspberry Pi Zero Form-Factor Clone) work with my current setup?
The Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H2+/Quad-Core Cortex-A7 1.2GHz/512MB DDR3/Raspberry Pi Zero Form-Factor Clone) lists Processor is Allwinner H2+, Quad-Core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H2+/Quad-Core Cortex-A7 1.2GHz/512MB DDR3/Raspberry Pi Zero Form-Factor Clone) best suited to?
It suits extremely simple headless iot or sensor nodes, learning basic embedded linux at minimal cost, projects needing a bare-minimum wifi-connected board.
What are the drawbacks of the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero (Single-Board Computer/Allwinner H2+/Quad-Core Cortex-A7 1.2GHz/512MB DDR3/Raspberry Pi Zero Form-Factor Clone)?
It is a poor fit for any workload needing more than 512mb ram, desktop use or anything cpu-intensive, new builds where the pi zero 2 w's price difference is small.
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