CrowPi 3 Review: A Complete Raspberry Pi Learning Station
I recently had the chance to review the CrowPi 3, Elecrow’s new STEM kit built for the Raspberry Pi 5, with full support for AI projects. It’s not exactly a laptop anymore, but rather an ultimate kit with everything pre-assembled in a compact case. Let’s take a closer look.
The CrowPi 3 is a portable Raspberry Pi workstation that combines a touchscreen, sensors, and a compact design, making it ideal for learning, experimenting, and teaching coding skills without having to manually wire everything.
I’ve tested this product firsthand, so I will show you what you get with the CrowPi3, how it works in practice, and whether you should consider buying one. Let’s get started!
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next Raspberry Pi project, I’ve put together a list of 75+ ideas with full descriptions, difficulty ratings, and links to tutorials. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, there’s something here for you. Grab the list for free here!
Disclaimer: To be completely honest with you, Elecrow sent me this kit for free, so I could test it and write a review about it. I’ve tested it for real and I’m free to share my honest opinion. I want to be transparent with you. Now that’s clear, let’s move on.
Introducing the CrowPi 3
In short, the CrowPi 3 is an all-in-one educational platform designed to make programming, electronics and artificial intelligence (AI) easier to learn.
Unlike the CrowPi2 I reviewed a few years ago, the CrowPi 3 is no longer a laptop with accessories hidden under the keyboard. It looks like a compact workstation with everything assembled and ready to go.
The CrowPi 3 is primarily aimed at students, teachers, or beginners who want an easy way to learn coding and electronics. It is a great fit for classrooms, but can also be used for personal projects (you don’t have to keep a messy desk full of electronic components, and it’s already wired for you).
The CrowPi 3 packs plenty of accessories and features into such a tiny case, here are some of the key features you should know about:
- A 4.3-inch capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 800×480 pixels.
- More than 30 built-in sensors and modules, including RFID, camera, microphone, gyroscope, and more.
- Dynamic lighting effects with programmable LEDs and an 8×8 RGB matrix.
- AI capabilities, allowing you to experiment with face detection, object recognition, and other machine learning projects.
- A slot on the back where you can slide your Raspberry Pi 5, with easy installation and access to all ports. It’s also compatible with Arduino Nano, micro:bit, and Raspberry Pi Pico boards for even more project possibilities.
- Another compartment on the back to keep all electronic components ready.
- Built-in support for a rechargeable battery, makes it easier to take your projects anywhere.
The CrowPi 3 also gives you access to over 100 step-by-step courses and projects, so you are not left alone with all that stuff. In addition to wiring everything for you, these resources help you quickly start your learning journey.
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CrowPi 3: What’s in the Box?
The CrowPi 3 comes neatly packaged with everything you need to get started.
Not only do you have all the sensors pre-assembled in the case with the mini display, but Elecrow also includes a wide range of accessories and electronic components to cover most projects.
So, when you first open the box, everything is carefully packed and organized, giving a good first impression:
On the left, you have the key parts: the main case and the wireless keyboard. Then you have a drawer with all the other tiny parts you’ll need for your projects. The CrowPi 3 also comes with a manual (mostly for assembly, more on that later), and some Minecraft cardboard blocks for some projects (kids will love them!).
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Once you take everything out of the box, it becomes clear how much hardware Elecrow has included. Here’s a look at the main pieces you’ll find inside this drawer:
Bonus tip: When I started, the hardest part wasn’t the setup, it was figuring out what to build next. I ended up creating a list of 75+ project ideas with links and difficulty, so it’s easier to just pick something and try it. Grab the list here.
If you want a clearer path than jumping from tutorial to tutorial, my book gives you a step-by-step roadmap to really understand your Raspberry Pi.
Check the book here
Here is what I got in my kit:
- A USB-C power supply compatible with Raspberry Pi 5, and several USB cables.
- Two 18650 batteries.
- A wireless mouse.
- Two retro-style USB game controllers.
- Two SD cards preloaded with operating systems: one with Raspberry Pi OS for projects, and one for retro gaming.
- Servo motor and additional motor kit for robotics experiments.
- RFID reader and several RFID cards/tags.
- An infrared remote and receiver module.
- Jumper wires, resistors and various other accessories.
Note: The CrowPi 3 is available in different versions, some accessories are only available in the Advanced kit (batteries, controllers, Raspberry Pi, etc.). Check the details on the order page.
Once you’ve sorted through all the clutter, you’ll probably only have the two main parts left, which are the wireless keyboard and the main case with all the pre-assembled sensors and tiny screen.
One important thing to note is that the wireless keyboard is separate from the case itself. Unlike previous versions of the CrowPi, the CrowPi 3’s case focuses only on the electronics and display. There’s no way to put the keyboard inside the case itself (you can put it on top instead of the transparent lid, but it’s not magnetic or completely secured).
Some people will love this approach, while others might have preferred a laptop-like design. It depends on how you plan to use the CrowPi 3. If sensors aren’t the main feature you’re interested in, then a product like the CrowView Note is probably a better choice for you.
But I don’t want to give my opinion yet, let’s set it up and try a few things before revealing the good and the bad.
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Setting Up the CrowPi 3
First, you need to install your Raspberry Pi and SD card into the back slot of the CrowPi. My system came with a Raspberry Pi already plugged in, but that’s only the case for the advanced kit.
If you have batteries, you can also put them in the same place. This will keep your system running when you don’t have a working power supply plugged in (which can be useful for some projects, or just for convenience).
The sliding lid on the other side is empty, just for storing components if needed, I guess.
My package came with two SD cards. One is for the default system, and the other is for gaming. I just put in the right SD card and turned it on. It’s a custom system made just for the CrowPi 3, including the learning courses I mentioned earlier.
Most operating systems are supported, but it’s best to start with the SD card included. You can always try another distribution later, but you won’t have the courses and libraries pre-installed for everything.
If you use the SD card provided, the first boot should be straightforward. All the lights and accessories will start, and you’ll see the main dashboard on the touch screen. I feel a bit like a DJ at this point.
Using the CrowPi 3: My First Impressions
The CrowPi 3 is pretty much ready to use. Everything’s already put together, and the system’s already set up with all the necessary software, so you don’t have to do any of that setup stuff. It’ll boot right into their custom interface.
That’s a huge perk, especially for newbies who don’t want to spend hours plugging or installing libraries.
But unfortunately, that’s where I got stuck. There’s no real onboarding process once the system boots up. You’re greeted by the Elecrow custom interface, but there’s no explanation of what to do, what each icon does or where to start.
There’s a quick start guide in the box (mostly for hardware stuff), and you can access more resources through their interface, but it’s far from intuitive. For example:
- No instructions on how to connect the wireless keyboard (it took me a while to understand it was only working with the mouse USB adapter).
- I haven’t found any info on turning off all those LEDs. It’s all on by default, and I don’t think there’s a shortcut to turn them off.
- SSH is enabled by default (with user “pi,” which isn’t a good idea), but I couldn’t find the default password. I had to change it from the Raspberry Pi configuration tool.
Overall, it feels like you’re left on your own after the initial boot. Maybe there will be improvements for the official release, but at this point that is a clear drawback for beginners.
Physically, the CrowPi 3 feels well-made. The case is sturdy, and the compact layout is impressive considering how many modules are built in. Unfortunately, the fan is extremely noisy. It cools the Pi well, but it’s loud enough to be distracting (not that great for a learning kit). I ended up unplugging it.
The built-in screen is a nice idea on paper, but in practice, it’s too small for most uses. Even Elecrow’s interface doesn’t fit entirely on it, so I was a bit lost at first, not understanding where to find the usual tools and learning lessons. For anything serious, you’ll need to connect an external monitor.
Bonus tip: When I started, the hardest part wasn’t the setup, it was figuring out what to build next. I ended up creating a list of 75+ project ideas with links and difficulty, so it’s easier to just pick something and try it. Grab the list here.
The pre-installed system includes many learning resources on various topics (AI, Arduino, Pico, Python, etc.) and coded-for-you projects so you can test all the sensors and accessories with one click.
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Now I would like to be able to edit the project code directly from the interface. Like having a “Test” button and another “Edit” button that opens the code editor so I can start from their version, see how they did it and tweak a few things.
Another issue is that the tutorials only take up half the screen (so you can code on the side, I guess), but in most cases, it’s not the best experience. It’s written small and the formatting is not the best. It could have been better.
In short, the CrowPi 3 makes a strong first impression with its plug-and-play approach, but it suffers from a lack of polish where it matters most: the user experience.
If you’re comfortable figuring things out, you’ll appreciate that everything is already wired and ready to go. But for true beginners, a little more guidance would go a long way.
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Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
So, having said all that and having played with it for a while now, what do I think? Would I recommend buying it? Who is it really for?
Elecrow CrowPi 3
Pros:
✅ Fully assembled and ready to use out of the box.
✅ Wide range of sensors and accessories.
✅ Hands-on learning with 100+ projects.
Cons:
❌ Limited onboarding and unclear first steps.
❌ Interface could be more user-friendly and consistent.
Overall, the CrowPi 3 is a well-designed platform with potential. Having everything pre-assembled (sensors, screen, Raspberry Pi slot, and accessories) is incredibly convenient. It gives you a complete electronics and coding lab in a compact, portable package, and it’s something very few kits can offer.
The hardware is impressive, but the user experience still needs some work. The first few hours of using the software can be frustrating, especially for beginners. But if you know how to use Raspberry Pi and like to figure things out, you’ll learn it quickly. The time you save on assembly will be worth it.
In short, the CrowPi 3 is a great option for tech-savvy parents, educators, and individuals who want a hands-on way to explore electronics, coding, and AI, without spending hours wiring everything manually.
It’s not the kind of kit to give to a beginner and expect everything to be smooth and easy. But if you already know the basics of Raspberry Pi and want a complete hardware platform to build on, it’s a solid choice, with fun experiments you can do.
As I’m writing this, I don’t know the final retail price yet (you can find it here), so it’s hard to say if it’s “worth it” for everyone. But if you’re looking for a learning station that’s all set up for you, and the CrowPi 3 is in your budget, it’s one of the best Raspberry Pi kits I’ve tested.
If you’re interested in the CrowPi 3 or want to see everything it includes in more detail, you can find all the information and support the project on the Kickstarter page.
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