BIGTREETECH CB1
The BTT CB1 is the cheapest Klipper host board available, pairing an Allwinner H616 quad-core Cortex-A53 at 1.5GHz with 1GB RAM in the Raspberry Pi CM4 form factor. At $35, it plugs directly into the BTT Manta M8P's SBC socket to run MainsailOS, eliminating the need for a separate Raspberry Pi.
The cheapest path to a Klipper host — perfect for Manta M8P pairing, limited by 1GB RAM.
Where to Buy
Pros
- CM4-compatible form factor plugs directly into BTT Manta M8P or M5P SBC socket
- At $35, it costs half the price of a Raspberry Pi 4 2GB
- Quad-core Cortex-A53 at 1.5GHz runs Klipper, Mainsail, and KlipperScreen simultaneously
- BTT provides a ready-to-flash MainsailOS image with pre-configured Klipper
Cons
- 1GB RAM limits concurrent processes — avoid running OctoPrint alongside Klipper
- No Gigabit Ethernet — 100Mbit Fast Ethernet only
- WiFi via external USB dongle — no onboard wireless
- Only works in CM4-socket boards — no standalone use without a carrier board
Performance for Klipper
The Allwinner H616's four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.5GHz provide enough processing power for Klipper's host-side workload. Klipper offloads real-time motion planning to the MCU (like the Manta M8P's STM32H723), so the host primarily handles the web interface, G-code parsing, and input shaping analysis.
1GB of RAM is the minimum viable for a Klipper host. Running Mainsail or Fluidd as the web frontend, Moonraker as the API layer, and Klipper itself consumes approximately 600-700MB. This leaves 300-400MB free, which is sufficient for normal operation but tight if you add webcam streaming, timelapse plugins, or OctoPrint alongside Klipper.
CM4 Form Factor and Connectivity
The CB1 uses the Raspberry Pi CM4 connector pinout, making it electrically compatible with any CM4 carrier board. In practice, it is designed for and tested with the BTT Manta M8P and M5P. Other CM4 carriers may work but are not officially supported by BTT.
Connectivity is limited compared to a full Raspberry Pi. There is no onboard WiFi — wireless connectivity requires a USB WiFi dongle connected through the carrier board's USB headers. Ethernet is 100Mbit Fast Ethernet, not Gigabit. For most Klipper setups where the host is wired via Ethernet in a printer enclosure, 100Mbit is more than sufficient for web interface access and file uploads. If you need Gigabit or onboard WiFi, the CB2 at $45 provides both.
Full Specifications
Processor
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Architecture | ARM Cortex-A53 |
| CPU Cores | 4 |
| Clock Speed | 1500 MHz |
Memory
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| ram_gb | 1 GB |
| storage | MicroSD (TF card) |
Connectivity
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| ethernet | 100M Ethernet (via USB adapter) |
I/O & Interfaces
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| USB | 2x USB 2.0 |
| display_port | HDMI |
Physical
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 40 x 55 mm |
| Form Factor | CM4-compatible SBC module |
Who Should Buy This
The CB1 plugs directly into the Manta M8P's SBC socket, powered by the board's 5V regulator. Flash BTT's MainsailOS image, insert the module, and the Klipper web interface is accessible within minutes.
At $35, the CB1 is the cheapest way to run Klipper. The 1GB RAM handles Klipper + Mainsail comfortably. Just don't add Octoprint or heavy webcam processing on top.
The CB1's 1GB RAM and 100Mbit Ethernet can bottleneck during timelapse rendering. The CB2 at $45 doubles the RAM to 2GB and adds Gigabit Ethernet for smoother webcam streaming.
Better alternative: BIGTREETECH CB2
The CB1 requires a CM4-compatible socket. For standalone use, the BTT Pi V1.2 at $30 has the same Allwinner H616 in a Pi form factor with USB ports and HDMI.
Better alternative: BIGTREETECH Pi V1.2
If configuring firmware and wiring stepper drivers feels like a lot, the Bambu Lab A1 Mini prints out of the box for under $200.
Better alternative: Bambu Lab A1 Mini
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the BTT CB1 and CB2?
The CB2 has a faster Rockchip RK3566 CPU at 1.8GHz, 2GB RAM (vs 1GB), 16GB onboard eMMC, Gigabit Ethernet, and onboard WiFi. It costs $45 vs the CB1's $35. Choose the CB2 if you plan to run webcam streaming or additional services.
Can I use the BTT CB1 with a Raspberry Pi CM4 carrier board?
The CB1 uses the CM4 connector pinout and physically fits CM4 carriers. BTT officially supports it on the Manta M8P and M5P. Other CM4 carriers may work but are untested by BTT.
Does the CB1 run MainsailOS?
Yes. BTT provides a pre-built MainsailOS image for the CB1 that includes Klipper, Moonraker, and Mainsail pre-configured. Flash to a microSD card and boot. The web interface is accessible via the CB1's IP address.
Is 1GB RAM enough for Klipper?
Yes, for Klipper + Mainsail + Moonraker alone. The stack uses about 600-700MB. Avoid running additional services like OctoPrint, webcam timelapse rendering, or Home Assistant simultaneously. For heavier workloads, the CB2 with 2GB RAM is recommended.
Does the CB1 have WiFi?
No onboard WiFi. You need a USB WiFi dongle connected through the carrier board's USB headers. Most Klipper setups use wired Ethernet instead, and the CB1's 100Mbit Ethernet port is sufficient for the web interface and file uploads.
Can I use the CB1 as a standalone computer?
No. The CB1 is a compute module that requires a carrier board with a CM4 socket. For a standalone Klipper host with USB ports and HDMI, use the BTT Pi V1.2 ($30) or a Raspberry Pi.
Should I get the CB1 or a Raspberry Pi 4?
Get the CB1 if you have a Manta M8P and want the cleanest integration at half the price. Get a Raspberry Pi 4 if you want more RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, onboard WiFi, and the ability to use the board for other projects when not printing.