Choosing the right single board computer (SBC) in 2026 means navigating a saturated and evolving market. Whether you’re building an IoT device, a home server, or an edge AI project, this comparison simplifies your search with the top 10 SBCs available this year — covering budgets, performance, and use-case flexibility.
All recommendations here are based on the latest SBC reviews and trends in the hobbyist and professional spaces.
📊 How We Picked These SBCs
Our list emphasizes:
- Performance — CPU, GPU, RAM
- Connectivity — USB, Ethernet, Wifi, GPIO
- Community & Support
- Value for money
This mix ensures that whether you’re a beginner or a developer, there’s an excellent option for your needs.
🏆 1. Raspberry Pi 5 — Best All-Around SBC
Why it’s great:
Arguably the most well-supported SBC in the world, the Raspberry Pi 5 continues to lead in 2026 thanks to its balance of performance, community support, and ecosystem accessory availability.
Best for: Learning, media projects, general computing
Key features: ARM Cortex-A76 CPU, up to 8GB RAM, USB 3.0, dual HDMI
⚡ 2. Orange Pi 5 Pro — Best Performance SBC
An excellent choice if you need higher computational power than the Raspberry Pi. It boasts strong multi-core performance, plenty of RAM, and good storage options.
Best for: AI projects, compact servers, multimedia
Key features: Rockchip RK3588S, up to 16GB RAM, M.2 storage slot
💻 3. LattePanda 3 Delta — Best x86 SBC
If your project needs compatibility with desktop-style software or Windows, the LattePanda 3 Delta delivers x86 performance rare in the SBC space.
Best for: Windows applications, productivity workloads
Key features: Intel Celeron N5105, NVMe support, Wi-Fi 6
📉 4. Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W — Best Budget SBC
For small projects and learning the basics, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W remains a solid, extremely affordable entry point.
Best for: IoT kits, sensors, basic automation
Key features: ARM CPU, tiny form factor, micro USB
🛠️ 5. Radxa Rock 5C — Best for Linux & 8K Video
This SBC strikes a great balance of performance and affordability with support for high-res video output and strong Linux compatibility.
Best for: Multimedia projects, general Linux use
Key features: RK3588S2 CPU, 8K video output, good storage options
🔋 6. NanoPi NEO3 — Best Tiny/Embedded SBC
Perfect for lightweight or always-on systems, this micro SBC excels for small-footprint deployments.
Best for: Compact embedded applications
Key features: Small form factor, efficient performance
🔌 7. Odroid N2+ — Great All-Around Alternative
An SBC with a solid track record, the Odroid N2+ offers robust processing and is popular among hobbyists and small server builders alike.
Best for: Home servers, media centers
Key features: Amlogic S922X CPU, eMMC storage options
🖥️ 8. Khadas VIM3 — Best SBC for Pro Developers
Known for strong performance and AI-ready extensions, the Khadas VIM3 works well for advanced applications such as edge computing.
Best for: AI/ML, advanced embedded projects
Key features: High-end ARM CPU, good GPU support
📟 9. Rock Pi 4 — Solid Raspberry Pi Alternative
For a blend of performance and versatility with broad OS support, the Rock Pi 4 remains a compelling alternative to more mainstream boards.
Best for: Linux desktops, multimedia projects
Key features: Powerful ARM CPU, multiple connectivity options
🧠 10. Emerging RISC-V SBCs — Best for Future-Proofing
While still growing, several RISC-V based SBCs are gaining traction in 2026, offering open-architecture computing with strong performance in edge AI and embedded tasks.
Best for: Open-source enthusiasts, experimental builds
Key features: Open ISA, efficient design
📌 How to Choose from This List
Here’s a quick recommendation based on what you want to do:
| Project Type | Best SBC |
|---|---|
| Learning & beginner projects | Raspberry Pi 5 / Zero 2 W |
| High-performance computing | Orange Pi 5 Pro / Radxa Rock 5C |
| Windows or x86 needs | LattePanda 3 Delta |
| Compact embedded systems | NanoPi NEO3 |
| AI & advanced workloads | Khadas VIM3 / RISC-V boards |
| Media servers | Odroid N2+ / Rock Pi 4 |
📊 Comparison Table: Top 10 SBCs in 2026
| Board | CPU / SoC | RAM | Storage | Networking | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | ARM Cortex-A76 (4 cores) | 4–8 GB LPDDR4X | microSD, PCIe NVMe support | Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi | Strong ecosystem and community support |
| Orange Pi 5 Pro | Rockchip RK3588S (4x A76 + 4x A55) | Up to 16 GB LPDDR4X | microSD, eMMC, M.2 NVMe | Gigabit Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi | Excellent performance for multitasking and media |
| LattePanda 3 Delta | Intel Celeron (x86) | 4–8 GB DDR | NVMe, eMMC | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | Best choice for Windows/desktop use |
| Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W | ARM Cortex-A53 | 512 MB–1 GB | microSD | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Ultra-budget, tiny form factor |
| Radxa Rock 5C | RK3588S2 (ARM) | Up to 32 GB LPDDR4X | microSD, eMMC, NVMe | Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 | Strong media and compute performance |
| NanoPi NEO3 | ARM Quad-core | 1–2 GB LPDDR4 | microSD | Ethernet | Smallest footprint, embedded use |
| Odroid N2+ | Amlogic S922X | 2–4 GB | eMMC, microSD | Gigabit Ethernet | Balanced performance for servers |
| Khadas VIM3 | ARM (high-end) | 4–8 GB | eMMC/microSD | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Good for AI/ML projects |
| Rock Pi 4 | ARM Cortex-A72 | 2–4 GB | microSD, NVMe | Gigabit Ethernet | Raspberry Pi alternative |
| RISC-V SBCs (emerging) | RISC-V SoC | Varies | microSD / eMMC | Varies | Open-architecture boards (experimental) |
🔍 Final Thoughts
2026 brings an exciting lineup of single board computers, from budget-friendly boards that help you learn and experiment, to powerful machines capable of handling advanced media, networking, and AI workloads. As the SBC ecosystem grows, more options emerge — giving you flexibility, performance, and innovation choices no matter your project.
In the next guides, we’ll dive deeper into:
- How to Choose the Right Single Board Computer for Your Project
- What is a single board computer
- Single Board Computer vs Traditional Computer: Key Differences
- Single Board Computer FAQ: Everything Beginners Ask
👉 Keep exploring and you’ll quickly see why single board computers are ever