The 10 Best Raspberry Pi HATs and Add-On Boards in 2023
Whether you already own a Raspberry or are considering purchasing one, there are many Hardware Attached on Top (HATs) and other add-on boards that can help you get more out of the single-board computer. These boards enable you to extend the Raspberry Pi’s functionality and expand the range of possible projects to make with it.
Let’s take a look at the features of the top ten HATs and add-on boards for Raspberry Pi single-board computers in 2023.
1.Adafruit RGB Matrix Bonnet for Raspberry Pi
This powerful add-on board from Adafruit integrates effortlessly with the Raspberry Pi, allowing you to create attractive, pixel-rich displays with just the HAT and a compatible display.
This board comes in two forms, a smaller “Bonnet” version and the standard HAT format. It is basically plug-and-play and works with any 16x32, 32x32, 32x64, or 64x64 RGB LED matrix with HUB75 connections.
The Adafruit RGB Matrix Bonnet’s wide range of compatible RGB LED matrices expands the scope of possible applications, including digital signage, artwork, and installations.
Note that you will need a 5V 4A power supply for the matrix itself and a Raspberry Pi with a 40-pin GPIO header to use this add-on board.
2.Pisound: Raspberry Pi Sound Card & MIDI Interface
The Pisound expansion board is a great option for audiophiles and musicians who want to enhance their listening and recording experience. It allows for full musical expression with its high-quality audio I/O, flexible MIDI interface, and dependable stereo input and output. It also comes with a single, jack-of-all-trades button that makes the HAT capable of doing a lot more than record music.
The Pisound expansion board is a must-have for your Raspberry Pi if you plan on doing any kind of audio work, from making music to recording professionally to experimenting with different sounds. Pisound is available for around $100 from Blokas.io.
3.Picade X HAT USB-C
If you’re a true gaming fanatic, the Picade X HAT from Pimoroni is your dream come true. This impressive board allows you to play classic arcade games on your Raspberry Pi by adding a joystick, buttons, and a loudspeaker.
It features female DuPont connectors to attach your own joystick and buttons and has a 3W I2S DAC/amplifier for crisp audio delivery. All you need to do is connect the Picade X HAT to your Pi and hook it up to a power supply. The Raspberry Pi is back-powered by the USB-C port on the Picade X HAT, removing the need for a separate power supply.
The end result? A remarkable makeover that cantransform your Raspberry Pi into a fully-functioning retro gaming systemfor playing classic games and emulators.
4.Pimoroni Automation HAT
The Pimoroni Automation HAT is an add-on board that completely transforms your Raspberry Pi’s capability for interacting with the real world. Pimoroni calls it the “ultimate jack-of-all-trades Raspberry Pi HAT” because it is just that.
It features 24V-tolerant relays, analog channels, buffered inputs, and powered outputs, making it the best choice for monitoring and controlling your home automation or hydroponics system.
With the Pimoroni Automation HAT, you’re able to easily control devices, collect data from sensors, and launch robotics, home automation, and sensor-based applications, closing the gap between your Raspberry Pi and the real world.
5.Waveshare 2.7-inch E-Ink Display HAT
This 2.7-inch E-Ink Display HAT from Waveshare is a beautiful, low-power screen that can come in quite handy in your clock, music, and weather display projects. Learn more aboutwhat E-Ink display technology is.
The Waveshare 2.7-inch E-Ink Display HAT strikes a wonderful balance between compactness and legibility. This HAT allows you to display data and images with astonishing ease, whether you’re constructing an e-book reader, a weather station, or an IoT device. It also offers all thehealth and wellness benefits of an E-Ink display.
6.Waveshare Game HAT
This feature-rich expansion board was made to take your retro gaming to the next level, turning your Raspberry Pi into a powerful, portable classic gaming rig. The Waveshare HAT comes with its own faceplate and a 3.5-inch screen at 480x320 resolution, which should be sufficient for short bursts of handheld retro gaming.
It has several onboard buttons, a precision joystick, and two speakers for an immersive experience. It is a bit bulky and the speakers leave something to be desired, but for around $45, you get a complete gaming kit in a single HAT.
7.Adafruit BrainCraft HAT
Envision being able to train your Raspberry Pi to perform tasks such as image recognition, speech recognition, and real-time data analysis. The exciting realm of artificial intelligence (AI) is now accessible to everybody with the Adafruit BrainCraft HAT; no prior experience or expensive equipment is required.
The BrainCraft HAT comes with a 240×240 TFT IPS display, a five-way joystick, stereo headphones output, stereo microphone input, and stereo speaker ports among other features. It provides a solid base to build your machine learning setup upon.
8.IQaudIO DAC Pro
The IQaudIO DAC improves the quality of audio when playing local files or listening to web streams. It is a high-resolution digital-to-analog converter designed to be used with any Raspberry Pi that has a 40-pin GPIO header.
The DAC featured on this board is much superior to the Raspberry Pi’s onboard analog output. With the IQaudIO DAC Pro, you can build your very own low-cost audio streamer for less than $35.
It uses a Texas Instruments PCM5242 DAC to deliver stereo analog audio to a pair of phono connectors and also has a dedicated headphone amplifier. It is powered by the Raspberry Pi, removing the need for another power supply.
The PiJuice offers all the essentials for keeping your Raspberry Pi powered and functioning properly, even when you’re away from a mains power supply. It has a rechargeable battery, power-management circuitry, and a precise timekeeping mechanism.
If your project necessitates longer battery life, or you just want a backup, this UPS solution has you covered. With PiJuice, you may run your Raspberry Pi projects without interruption and take them with you everywhere you go.
It features two built-in, tri-colored LEDs for monitoring charge levels, a rechargeable 1820mAh battery, a real-time clock, an on/off switch, and a stacking header that allows you to put other HATs and add-ons on top of the PiJuice.
It is a bit expensive at about $75 though, and has some design flaws that detract from an otherwise great product.
10.Pimoroni Enviro pHAT
The Pimoroni Enviro pHAT is an impressive add-on board that equips the Raspberry Pi Zero (or any other Raspberry Pi model) with environmental sensing abilities. It comes packed with a variety of sensors that enable you to measure temperature, pressure, light, and color. This makes it an excellent choice for projects such as weather stations, environmental monitoring, and smart home setups.
The Enviro + Air Quality pHAT version is designed for outdoor monitoring, with a BME280 temperature, pressure, and humidity sensor, an LTR-559 light and proximity sensor, and a MICS6814 analog gas sensor. It ships for around $60 while the original Enviro board costs about $35.
Extend Your Raspberry Pi’s Functionality With HATs
Whether your interests lie in gaming, audio, automation, displays, or machine learning, these add-on boards offer enhanced functionality and customization options to suit your specific needs. Take the time to explore the unique features and potential applications of each HAT to find the perfect match for your project goals.
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