YUMI Smart Pi One: a compact SBC that surprises with completeness and usability
- Docker, Electronics, Linux, Tutorials
The world of Single Board Computers is crowded, but only a few boards truly stand out. Some aim for raw power, others for aggressive pricing. The YUMI Smart Pi One takes a third route: it doesn’t try to be a performance monster, but rather a compact device, rich in ports, easy to configure, and backed by clear documentation.
And it’s exactly this balance that makes it interesting, especially for developers looking for a board that’s practical to integrate into real projects.
Design and build qualityThe first impression is positive: the board measures just 72×60 mm, weighs only 33 grams, yet it never feels like a toy. The layout is clean, with the main connectors neatly distributed along the edges.
On the top side you get HDMI, Ethernet, audio jack, and three USB 2.0 ports, while on the edge there’s a USB-C port for both power and data. The 40-pin GPIO header follows the Raspberry Pi standard, which makes it instantly familiar for anyone used to working with Pi accessories.
I particularly appreciate the presence of some uncommon but very useful extras:
integrated microphone, perfect for IoT or surveillance applications
IR receiver, opening the door to remote-controlled media centers
From a hardware developer’s perspective, this is a well-thought-out design that prioritizes practicality.
This is where the Smart Pi One really shines. Connectivity isn’t an afterthought here; it’s the very core of its philosophy.
Video: HDMI up to 1080p
Audio: 3.5 mm jack + HDMI audio + onboard microphone
Networking: Ethernet 10/100
USB: three USB-A 2.0 + one USB-C (OTG + PD)
GPIO: 40 pins with UART, SPI, I²C, PWM, fully Raspberry Pi compatible
Expansion: DVP camera interface
This variety means you won’t need a drawer full of adapters. Having audio, video, networking, and GPIO already onboard makes prototyping dramatically faster.
And the decision to stick to a Raspberry Pi–compatible pinout is a huge win: you can reuse existing shields, sensors, and tutorials without tedious rewiring.
One of YUMI’s strongest points is the software.
Unlike many low-cost SBCs that leave you struggling with half-baked community images, YUMI provides official Debian 12 and Ubuntu builds (Armbian-based), ready to flash onto a microSD card (YUMI-LAB Wiki).
The first boot is smooth: flash the card with balenaEtcher, power on via USB-C, log in over SSH, and you’re good to go. The documentation is well structured, covering not only the basics (updates, package management, network setup) but also practical GPIO recipes with code examples in Python and C.
At its heart, the board runs on an Allwinner H3, a quad-core Cortex-A7 at 1.3 GHz with a Mali-400MP2 GPU, paired with 1 GB DDR3 RAM.
No illusions here: you won’t run heavy Docker stacks or machine learning models.
But in real-world scenarios, it holds its ground:
as a Klipper/Mainsail host for 3D printing, it’s perfect—low power, stable, and cool
as a lightweight home server (Home Assistant, OpenMediaVault, basic Plex) it works fine, as long as you keep workloads moderate
for retro-gaming, it’s excellent up to 16-bit consoles and handles some 32-bit, but not more
This is a board that encourages realistic expectations: it won’t do everything, but what it promises, it delivers reliably.
Thermals are always a concern with Allwinner chips. The H3 does get warm, but not uncontrollably so. In open environments you can use it passively, but in enclosed cases or with continuous workloads, adding a heatsink is a must.
The difference here is that YUMI provides an official heatsink, available directly from their store alongside the board.
I tested it, and when paired with the Smart Pi One, it makes the setup rock-solid: no throttling, stable temps, and worry-free operation even in compact enclosures.
The Smart Pi One comes from YUMI-LAB, a team that has worked on maker-oriented projects and robotics with a clear focus on practical usability.
It was first introduced in the context of their Kickstarter campaign for the YUMI 3D Printer, a multi-color printer that gained international attention (Kickstarter YUMI 3D Printer). In that campaign, the Smart Pi One was showcased as the ideal “brain” for Klipper and maker projects, especially within the YUMI Smart Pad ecosystem.
This origin story highlights its maker DNA: it’s not a generic rebadged SBC, but a board designed and tested in real-world prototyping environments.
👍 Pros
Comprehensive connectivity: USB-C PD, Ethernet, GPIO, microphone, IR all onboard
Raspberry Pi–compatible ecosystem for accessories and libraries
Official Linux images and clear documentation
Official heatsink accessory makes it thermally perfect
Ideal for Klipper, home automation, and educational projects
👎 Cons
H3 CPU and 1 GB RAM limit advanced workloads
No integrated Wi-Fi (USB dongle required)
The YUMI Smart Pi One isn’t for those chasing raw performance. It’s for those who want to learn, prototype, and build.
Perfect for classrooms, for makers who want a quick-to-configure system, or for anyone needing a lightweight home server with low power consumption.
Its real strength lies not in benchmarks, but in the package: complete connectivity, ready-to-use software, an official heatsink, and practical guides.
In short: this is a board that makes you want to get your hands dirty—and rewards you for it.
YUMI kindly provided us with a Smart Pi One board, the official heatsink, and a microSD card free of charge. However, this has not influenced the opinions expressed in this review. We have not been paid to write about the product, nor to speak positively about it.
