BTT CB1 vs CB2 vs Raspberry Pi 5: Best Klipper Host in 2026
The BTT CB2 wins for most Klipper setups — it plugs directly into the Manta M8P, has 2GB RAM and Gigabit Ethernet, and costs $45. The Raspberry Pi 5 is overkill for Klipper but wins if you also run OctoPrint plugins or a webcam stack. The CB1 is the budget pick at $35.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Performance | Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) | The Pi 5's Cortex-A76 at 2.4GHz is roughly 3x faster than the CB2's Cortex-A55 at 1.8GHz and 4x faster than the CB1's Cortex-A53 at 1.5GHz. For Klipper alone this is overkill, but it matters for running multiple services (webcam, OctoPrint, timelapse rendering). |
| Manta M8P Integration | BIGTREETECH CB2 | Both the CB1 and CB2 plug directly into the Manta M8P's BTB socket — no USB cable, no separate power supply, no additional mounting. The Pi 5 connects via USB and needs its own 27W power supply and mounting location. |
| RAM and Storage | Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) | The Pi 5 has 4GB LPDDR4X RAM and supports NVMe SSDs via PCIe. The CB2 has 2GB RAM and 16GB eMMC. The CB1 has just 1GB RAM and MicroSD only. For Klipper, 1GB is adequate but 2GB provides more headroom for plugins and logging. |
| Network Connectivity | BIGTREETECH CB2 | The CB2 has Gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 802.11ac. The CB1 has 100M Ethernet only (via USB adapter). The Pi 5 also has Gigabit Ethernet but costs significantly more. For reliable Klipper communication, Gigabit Ethernet on the CB2 at $45 is the sweet spot. |
| Price | BIGTREETECH CB1 | The CB1 at $35 is the cheapest viable Klipper host. The CB2 at $45 adds meaningful upgrades for $10 more. The Pi 5 at $60 (board only) plus $15 power supply plus mounting hardware totals $80-100 — 2x the CB2 price. |
Which Board for Your Project?
| Use Case | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Manta M8P Klipper build | BIGTREETECH CB2 | Plugs directly into the BTB socket. 2GB RAM and Gigabit Ethernet handle Klipper, KlipperScreen, and Moonraker with headroom. No separate power supply or cables needed. |
| Budget Klipper host | BIGTREETECH CB1 | At $35, the CB1 runs Klipper adequately. 1GB RAM handles basic Klipper + Moonraker. Skip if you need webcam streaming or multiple plugins. |
| Klipper + OctoPrint + webcam + timelapse | Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) | The Pi 5's 4GB RAM and Cortex-A76 CPU handle multiple services simultaneously. OctoPrint plugins, webcam streaming, and timelapse rendering benefit from the extra power. |
| Standalone mainboard (not Manta) | BIGTREETECH CB2 | The CB2 works as a standalone SBC via a breakout board. But for non-Manta mainboards, the BTT Pi V1.2 ($30) is a simpler standalone option with direct USB connectivity. |
Where to Buy
Final Verdict
For Manta M8P builds, buy the CB2 — it is the best balance of performance, integration, and price. The CB1 works for pure budget builds where 1GB RAM is enough. The Pi 5 is only justified if you are running Klipper alongside other services that need its CPU and RAM. Most Klipper printers spend 99% of their compute time idle between GCode commands — the CB2's quad-core A55 handles this comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the CB1 handle Klipper input shaper?
Yes. Input shaper runs on the MCU (mainboard), not the host SBC. The CB1 handles Klipper's host processing (GCode parsing, Moonraker API) without issues. Resonance measurement with an ADXL345 also works fine on the CB1.
Does the CB2 run the same Klipper as a Raspberry Pi?
Yes. BTT provides a CB2 OS image with Klipper, Moonraker, and KlipperScreen pre-installed. It runs the same Klipper firmware as any other host. Configuration files are identical.
Can I use a Raspberry Pi 5 with the Manta M8P?
Yes, but via USB cable, not the BTB socket. The Pi 5 uses a different form factor than the CM4-compatible socket. You lose the integration benefit and need a separate power supply for the Pi.
Is 1GB RAM enough for Klipper?
For basic Klipper + Moonraker + Fluidd/Mainsail, yes. For adding KlipperScreen, webcam streaming (crowsnest), or heavy macro usage, 2GB provides noticeably better stability.
Which has better webcam support?
The Raspberry Pi 5 has the best webcam ecosystem with official camera modules and mature software. The CB2 supports USB webcams via crowsnest but has fewer tested configurations.