Banana Pi

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 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.

Our verdict

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

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Brand	Banana Pi
Model Number	BPI-M2 Zero

Processor

SoC Model	Allwinner H2+, Quad-Core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz

Graphics and AI

GPU Model	Mali-400MP2

Power

Power Input	5V/2A Micro-USB

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

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)?

Key specs for the Banana Pi BPI-M2 Zero: CPU Architecture ARM, GPU Mali-400MP2, Storage Type microSD, Processor Allwinner H2+, Quad-Core Cortex-A7 @ 1.2GHz, Wireless WiFi 5, GPIO Header Yes.

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?

Best suited to: 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)?

Not the best 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.