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Though you don't need a Raspberry Pi case to run a Pi, many users want a sturdy case to protect their single-board computer. It doesn't only provide protection but also has an eye-catching design, built-in cooling, and some extra goodies for enthusiasts. Thanks to their popularity, there are as many Raspberry Pi 4 cases in the market as decimal places in Pi itself. That's why selecting amongst all the options can be quite a challenge.
Also, there's no single case ideal for all uses. What you may need for a media center, game emulator, or file storage server will be different from what you require for everyday DIY maker projects. In this article, we have jotted down our favorite Pi cases. You will notice that you don't always need a Raspberry pi 4 case with a fan for cooling. Have a look!
1. Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case
Want a slick home for your RPi 4 that you can show off? This eye-catching Pi case made of beautiful aluminum is an excellent option to start. It feels nice, comes at a low price, and is super easy to assemble.
The Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 case provides a fan less cooling solution. It uses a thin aluminum body as a heat sink. No fan means there is no noise at all. As for the performance, we didn't notice any thermal throttling even at maximum load. The cooling is excellent. The outer body gets hot to touch - which is obviously given.
This case comes with thermal pads on both the top and bottom. As these are plastic materials, the design doesn't block Wi-Fi signals, a common problem with most aluminum cases. You can even take the top plastic lid off for faster cooling. The bottom provides quick access to the GPIO and all the main connectors.
Overall, the Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case is one of the nicest looking cases in the market. It feels sturdy, looks great, and cools very effectively. The only problem we see is that the plastic pads have a softish finish that can degrade over the years.
Buy Here: Amazon
2. Miuzei Case for Raspberry Pi 4
The MiuZei Raspberry Pi 4 Case with a fan is a package deal. It works well for any application, is easy to assemble (not with bare hands, though), and comes with its little power supply to keep your Pi protected while you do your magic with SBC.
The enclosure is made of 9 layers of the acrylic board. Its layered design leaves enough space for Pi 4 Model B so you can access all of the ports without any barriers. Of all the cases mentioned here, the Miuzei is the most versatile. You can mount it to the wall, stick it to the sides of a cabinet or just leave it chilling on the desk.
What's more? It has a 35mm fan. While it seems pretty big for the size, it provides better heat dissipation than the regular ones. There are also multiple heatsinks to help with a quick cool down. Fortunately, the fan remains whisper-quiet even on its high setting (5V).
Therefore, if you are unsure about which case to go for, pick Miuzei Raspberry Pi 4 Case. A fantastic acrylic enclosure, a big cooling fan, multiple heat sinks, and a 5V power supply make this deal a real steal. PS: It is suitable for both Pi 4 and Pi 4 B.
Buy Here: Amazon
3. Argon NEO Raspberry Pi 4 Case
Aragon NEO is another stylish Raspberry Pi 4 case with passive cooling. It works great with all HATs, CSI, and DSI modules. It offers the best balance of all the factors you need to consider for an excellent Pi case - fit, aesthetics, and functionality. However, it is slightly bigger (and expensive) than our top pick.
Usually, there's a trade-off between a professional look and access to all key GPIO pins. Argon NEO offers professional looks, and all important GPIOs at the same time. The casing is an attractive aluminum on all sides except the bottom, which is shiny black plastic. Like the previous option, it uses a thermal pad for passive cooling.
One area where Argon NEO outshines even our top pick is the number of generous cutouts in its structure for different GPIO pins and ports. A little add-on board moves all connections to the rear, giving it a much cleaner look. You can attach a standard HAT on it without any extender/cable.
Last but not least, there's even a power button on the back. Therefore, you don't need to plug and unplug power every now and then. That said, because of its bigger size, the Argon one is ideal if you use RPI as a desktop PC or a game console.
Buy Here: Amazon
4. The Vilros Raspberry Pi 4 Case
Tired of black Pi cases and want to try something cool? The Vilros Raspberry Pi 4 Case comes in clear acrylic housing, giving it a much nicer overall feel. It's a solid little case that solves the Pi 4 heating problem at once.
While the case itself is pretty straightforward to put together, some people may have trouble with the fan orientation. The way this prebuilt fan comes attached, its wires become a bit of a chore to connect to the Pi. However, once you get through the connections part, the rest is a smooth sail as Pi fits well snug without blocking any pin.
We also love the fact that there are cutout channels underneath to maximize airflow. The package includes a vented bottom base part and a top cover featuring a preinstalled fan, along with an open GPIO port and a camera module mount. No heat sinks, though.
The only downside of this model is the fan gets its power from the GPIO pin set, and you can also hear the fan running. That said, the Vilros Raspberry Pi 4 with the fan still has a great design, very solid, and easy to assemble. If it came in other colors, we would definitely have bought another.
Buy Here: Amazon
Forget throttling. If all else fails, the official Raspberry Pi 4 case lets you push your SBC to its limits without overheating. It's a very small dark grey case with two-part ABS construction for convenient assembly.
You can also combine it with the official Raspberry Pi case fan, and the combined cost of the two still comes short of some of the options on this list. The fan fits nicely in the official Pi 4 case and comes with small heat sync for better cooling.
This case has cutouts for Audio & Video, USB & Ethernet and dual micro HDMI ports. There's also a USB-C power connector, and the case provides unrestricted access to the microSD card. When not using the fan, there is a bit of a shake when Pi 4 is housed.
While not necessary for casuals, the official Pi 4 case (with fan) allows you to perform power-intensive tasks without any throttling. It also makes overclocking a lot easier, as you can push past Pi 4's 1.8GHz limit without hitting the 80 degree Celsius throttle point.
Buy Here: Amazon
Raspberry Pi 4 Case with Fan (or Without) Buyer's Guide
Separating the wheat from the chaff needs some effort on your part. Below, we have listed all important factors when considering a Raspberry Pi 4 case.
Pin Access
Do you need access to GPIO pins, CSI camera, and display port? Many cases block your access to specific GPIO pins. Therefore, before you buy a case, consider whether you will need GPIO pins. Also, will you put a HAT on top of the Pi or just use a ribbon cable to connect to the pins? Not all cases come with all of these features.
Cooling
Whereas some cases come with a built-in fan for heat dissipation, others are made for passive cooling. Such cases turn the top and bottom of the case into heatsink. Others, such as the official Raspberry pi 4 case, come with no fan but leave some space so that you can install a fan whenever you want.
Extras
There are several enclosures that provide either a distinctive design or maximum performance. For instance, some allow users to put their SBC on the back of a display. Others come attached with a display. Still, others look and function like retro gaming consoles. Therefore, consider any extra bells and whistles that you might need.
Final Thoughts
That's pretty much all. A Raspberry Pi Case does more than just protecting the precious components. And if your Pi 4 is sitting on a desk, a case will also protect your wooden work desk. Pi Case also allows better cooling and makes your SBC very easy to move around the house. Whether you are going for a Raspberry Pi case with a fan or without, the options mentioned above will serve you well. Thank you for reading.
