Best Raspberry Pi for MagicMirror – Expert Recommendation to Choose

alexa123

I have researched the best Raspberry Pi models for the past few days because I want to set up a MagicMirror at home. I read reviews on tech blogs, YouTube channels, and trusted forums, and they are marking these two as the best options:

Vilros Raspberry Pi 5
https://www.amazon.com/Vilros-Raspberry-Starter-Kit-MAX/dp/B0D232HN74
Raspberry Pi 5 8GB
https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-8GB-SC1112-Quad-core/dp/B0CK2FCG1K

However, I am having trouble deciding which one would best suit my needs and need your expert advice. I plan to use the MagicMirror for displaying calendar, weather, news, and home automation controls.
So which one should I buy? Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

sdetweil

@alexa123 you will need a power supply, and a video cable or adapter, and a case and fan are not bad additions…
8gb is large (for now!!)

nowayto

@alexa123

They suggested you the best option,
but these are way powerful for what you really need for running a MM.
Clearly, more powerful=better
But on my experience I run a simple instance of MM on a Raspberry 3 A+, daily.
For simple instance I mean these modules: basic clock, CalendarEXT3, basic calendar, MM-Formula1 and a module for monitor the solar panel energy production.
So you don’t need very powerful machines, in my opinion.
The best advice is, as sdtweil said, USE a Raspberry power supply
NOT a simple charger

rkorell

@alexa123 as already stated Pi5 is kind of oversized.
I had build up two identical mirrors - one for me and later on a second one (a clone) for a fried of mine.
My own is on a Pi5/8GB which was always hot and the power supply was hot as well - which led to some major modifications in my mirror setup because I had to move the power supply out of the frame - which was not that easy, annoying and unsatisfying…
The ONLY fact that IS useful and is an argument for the Pi5 is the really smooth integration of a NVME SSD disk which I had performed and am happy with. The fan on the pi5 is HUGE ! (NOT the „official Pi 5 fan“ tiny thingi which isn’t sufficient). Picture of fan

The second mirror (clon) is software-wise nearly identical but is installed on a (spare) Pi4 which layed around so it was no problem to overhand it to my friend. This is performance/capacity wise identical and MUCH colder. The SD-card reliability problem on this Pi4 is solved with an USB-SSD-Stick.

Today I might go for the Pi4 again…

Good luck!
Ralf