A Raspberry Pi without a display is a development board with a terminal. A Raspberry Pi with a 10 inch touch screen is a smart-home dashboard, a workshop console, a recipe display in the kitchen, a retro arcade, or any other purpose-built device. The 10 inch class is the right size for most of these uses: big enough to read across a room, small enough to fit in a wall mount or under a cabinet. After looking at 14 current 10 inch touch displays that work with Raspberry Pi, these seven stood out for driver support, resolution, touch responsiveness, and mounting flexibility. The lineup covers official Pi options, third-party HDMI displays, and DSI-connected models for clean builds.
Quick comparison
| Display | Connection | Resolution | Touch | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 | DSI | 1280 x 720 | 5-point capacitive | From Pi |
| Waveshare 10.1 inch HDMI | HDMI + USB | 1280 x 800 | 10-point capacitive | 5V external |
| SunFounder 10.1 inch IPS | HDMI + USB | 1280 x 800 | 5-point capacitive | 5V external |
| ELECROW 10.1 inch HDMI | HDMI + USB | 1280 x 800 | 5-point capacitive | 12V external |
| Waveshare 10.1 inch DSI | DSI | 1280 x 800 | 5-point capacitive | From Pi |
| Geekworm 10.1 inch HDMI | HDMI + USB | 1280 x 800 | 10-point capacitive | 5V external |
| Eviciv 10.1 inch portable | HDMI + USB-C | 1920 x 1200 | 10-point capacitive | USB-C |
Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2, Best Official
The official Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 connects directly to the Pi via DSI ribbon cable. No HDMI cable, no separate power supply, no driver installation. The display works out of the box with Raspberry Pi OS and pulls power from the Pi's GPIO header.
1280 by 720 IPS panel with 5-point capacitive touch. The display board mounts behind the panel and the Pi mounts behind the display board, making for a clean 25 mm deep package once cased.
Trade-off: 720p resolution is lower than the 800p or 1080p third-party options, and the panel size is technically 7 inch on the older display, with the new Display 2 at 7 inch as well. For a true 10 inch official Pi display, you need to look at the third-party DSI options below or use HDMI. (Note: the 10 inch class third-party DSI Waveshare display is the closest official-style alternative.)
Waveshare 10.1 inch HDMI Capacitive, Best Overall HDMI
Waveshare makes the most reliable third-party Pi displays in the 10 inch class. The HDMI version uses a 1280 by 800 IPS panel, 10-point capacitive touch via USB, and works plug-and-play with Raspberry Pi OS 11 and newer.
Driver support is the standout. Waveshare maintains a GitHub repository with driver configurations for every Pi version, and the touch overlay registers correctly across system updates. The included VESA-compatible mounting bracket fits standard 75 by 75 and 100 by 100 mm mounts.
Trade-off: HDMI displays add a cable to the build, which complicates clean wall mounts. The display requires a 5V 2A external power supply (included) rather than running off the Pi's USB.
SunFounder 10.1 inch IPS Touchscreen, Best for Kits
SunFounder bundles the display with mounting hardware, HDMI cable, USB cable, and a setup guide that walks first-time builders through every step. For a buyer building their first Pi project, this is the right pick because the documentation handles 90 percent of the questions.
1280 by 800 IPS panel, 5-point capacitive touch, and the same driver-support track record as Waveshare. The build includes a foldable kickstand for desk use without a wall mount.
Trade-off: 5-point touch is enough for most uses but does not match the 10-point on the Waveshare. The kickstand is plastic and not designed for permanent mounting.
ELECROW 10.1 inch HDMI Display, Best Build Quality
ELECROW's 10.1 inch display has the most premium feel of any third-party Pi display in this price range. The bezel is thinner, the IPS panel is brighter (450 nits versus 350 on most competitors), and the metal back plate gives a more solid mount.
1280 by 800 capacitive touch, HDMI + USB driver, and a 12V power adapter that drives the brighter backlight. The build is intended for installations where the display gets mounted in a clean enclosure and viewed daily.
Trade-off: the 12V power requirement means you cannot daisy-chain the display from the Pi's 5V supply. For workshop builds where 12V is already available, this is a non-issue.
Waveshare 10.1 inch DSI, Best Clean Build
For a wall-mount or cabinet-mount Pi build where cable management matters, the Waveshare 10.1 inch DSI display connects to the Pi via the dedicated DSI ribbon connector. No HDMI cable, no USB cable for touch, just the ribbon and a power line from the Pi's GPIO.
1280 by 800 IPS panel, 5-point capacitive touch, and full driver support in current Raspberry Pi OS. The display is roughly 4 mm thinner than the HDMI versions because the controller board is more integrated.
Trade-off: DSI cables are short and inflexible compared to HDMI, which limits how far the Pi can sit from the display. Plan for the Pi mounted directly behind the screen. Pi 5 DSI configuration uses the new dual-MIPI DSI connector, which differs from Pi 4 wiring; check compatibility before ordering.
Geekworm 10.1 inch HDMI Touch, Best Budget
Geekworm targets the price-conscious buyer who wants a working 10 inch touch display without paying for premium build. 1280 by 800 IPS panel, 10-point capacitive touch, and HDMI + USB connectivity.
The build is acceptable: plastic back, a folding stand, and a power supply included in the kit. Driver support is well-documented on Geekworm's wiki.
Trade-off: the panel is slightly dimmer than the Waveshare or ELECROW options (about 300 nits versus 350 to 450). The touch responsiveness is fine but not as crisp as the Waveshare 10-point. For a project where budget matters more than premium feel, this is the right pick.
Eviciv 10.1 inch Portable Monitor, Best for High-Res Projects
The Eviciv portable monitor is not Pi-specific, but it works well as a Pi 5 display when you want 1920 by 1200 resolution rather than the standard 1280 by 800. USB-C input (which carries video and power), HDMI input, and built-in speakers.
10-point capacitive touch, IPS panel, and a foldable case that doubles as a stand. The high resolution is the main reason to pick this over the Pi-specific options: a 1080p+ display gives sharper text for kiosk applications and more workspace for desktop use.
Trade-off: requires Pi 5 for smooth 1080p performance; older Pi versions will stutter. The USB-C power requirement adds a wrinkle if your Pi 5 power supply is already maxed out. Plan for a separate USB-C power adapter for the display.
How to choose
Match the connection type to your build
DSI is cleaner for built-in installs but limits cable length and replacement options. HDMI is more flexible and works with any future Pi or other single-board computer. For one-time custom enclosures, DSI is the right pick. For prototyping or builds that might change, HDMI is more practical.
Capacitive touch for modern use, resistive for industrial
Capacitive matches the smartphone experience and supports multi-touch. Resistive works with gloves and styluses but feels dated. Most current 10 inch Pi displays are capacitive; resistive is a niche choice for workshop or industrial use.
Driver support is everything
A 10 inch display from a no-name brand might cost half what Waveshare charges, but if the touch driver does not work with current Raspberry Pi OS, the display is unusable for the actual use case. Stick to brands with documented Linux driver support and active community testing.
Power planning matters
The Pi has limited power budget. A 10 inch display drawing 2 amps over USB can starve a Pi 4 or Pi 5 of power for other peripherals. Give the display its own power supply unless the display documentation specifically says it can run from Pi USB without issue.
For related Raspberry Pi project guides, see our Raspberry Pi 5 vs Pi 4 comparison and the breakdown in Raspberry Pi case cooling options. For details on how we evaluate maker and hobby electronics, see our methodology.
A 10 inch touch screen is the upgrade that turns a Raspberry Pi from a project into a tool. The Waveshare 10.1 inch HDMI is the most defensible pick for general use, the Waveshare DSI version is the choice for clean built-in installs, and the Eviciv portable monitor covers the high-resolution Pi 5 use case. Match the connection and driver support to your build, plan power separately, and the display will serve the project for as long as the Pi keeps running.
Frequently asked questions
Will any 10 inch touch screen work with a Raspberry Pi?+
Not reliably. The screen needs to support HDMI input (or the DSI ribbon connector on the Pi), and the touch layer needs Linux driver support, either built into Raspberry Pi OS or installable from a known repository. Cheap no-name touch displays from generic marketplaces often have no working Linux drivers, and the touch layer ends up non-functional. Stick to displays from waveshare, SunFounder, ELECROW, or the official Raspberry Pi Touch Display.
HDMI or DSI ribbon for the display connection?+
DSI ribbon (the official Raspberry Pi connector for displays) uses fewer GPIO pins and gives a cleaner cable run, but DSI displays are less common and more expensive than HDMI. HDMI is the standard most third-party touch displays use and works well across Pi 3, 4, and 5. For a clean built-in console look, DSI wins. For maximum compatibility and easier replacement, HDMI is the practical choice.
Capacitive or resistive touch?+
Capacitive touch (the same type used in smartphones) is more responsive, supports multi-touch gestures, and feels modern. Resistive touch requires pressure and only handles single-point input, but it works through gloves and with a stylus. For dashboards, kiosks, and general use, capacitive is the right pick. For workshop or industrial environments where gloves are common, resistive is the right choice.
Do I need a separate power supply for the display?+
It depends on the display. Some 10 inch touch displays draw power over USB from the Pi itself, which keeps the install clean but pulls 1 to 2 amps from the Pi's USB ports and can starve other peripherals. Most 10 inch displays come with a separate power adapter (usually 5V at 2 to 3A or 12V at 1.5A). For a stable build, give the display its own power supply rather than running it off the Pi.
What resolution should I get?+
1280 by 800 is the standard for 10 inch displays and works well for dashboards, retro gaming, and general desktop use. 1920 by 1200 (or 1080) is sharper but requires more GPU work from the Pi and can stutter on heavy graphics with a Pi 3 or Pi 4. The Pi 5 handles 1080p easily. For a Pi 4 or older, 1280 by 800 is the practical pick. For Pi 5, either resolution works.
David Lin
David Lin writes for The Tested Hub.