There is something deeply satisfying about turning a single-board computer into a dedicated wall-mounted control panel. For years, Raspberry Pi enthusiasts have dreamed of a sleek, affordable touchscreen that can run Home Assistant, display homelab metrics, or serve as a smart home hub. The newly released Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 promises to make that dream a reality. But does it deliver the perfect Raspberry Pi wall dashboard?
In a recent hands‑on video, NetworkChuck unboxes the 10‑inch portrait version of this display, walks through the setup process, and ultimately builds a polished Home Assistant kiosk. The verdict? This display is gorgeous, reasonably priced at $80, and surprisingly easy to mount. However, there is one major catch that might disappoint owners of older Raspberry Pi models.
What Makes the Touch Display 2 Stand Out?
The first thing you notice about the Touch Display 2 is its build quality. It features a 1200×1920 IPS panel with 400 nits of brightness and true 10‑finger multitouch. Compared to the original Raspberry Pi touchscreen, this is a massive upgrade. The colors are vibrant, the viewing angles are wide, and the screen is responsive. For a $80 display, it punches well above its weight.
But the real question is whether this display can serve as the foundation for a reliable Raspberry Pi wall dashboard. The answer is yes — provided you are using the right hardware. The Touch Display 2 only works with the Raspberry Pi 5 and the Compute Module 5. If you are still running a Pi 3 or Pi 4, you are out of luck. This is a deliberate design choice: the new display uses a higher bandwidth interface that older models cannot support.
The Setup Hurdle: Firmware Update Required
Building on the excitement of unboxing, many users will hit a wall when they first power on the display. As NetworkChuck discovered, the screen lights up but shows nothing. The culprit? An outdated EEPROM firmware on the Raspberry Pi 5. The fix is straightforward: you need to update the bootloader and firmware via `rpi-eeprom-update`. Once that is done, the display springs to life.
This step is not mentioned in the quick‑start guide, so it is easy to miss. However, once you know about it, the process takes only a few minutes. In addition, you may need to enable the DSI interface in `config.txt`. After that, the Touch Display 2 works flawlessly.
Building the Ultimate Home Assistant Wall Dashboard
Once the display is working, the next step is turning it into a functional dashboard. The video showcases TouchKio, an open‑source kiosk application that runs on Raspberry Pi OS Lite. It boots directly into a full‑screen browser, which can be pointed at your Home Assistant instance. The result is a dedicated wall panel that looks clean and professional.
TouchKio is lightweight and configurable. You can hide the cursor, disable screen blanking, and even set a custom URL for automatic login. For a Raspberry Pi wall dashboard, this is a killer combination. The display’s 10‑finger touch support means you can interact with Home Assistant cards, toggle lights, and check sensors without any lag.
Mounting and Practical Considerations
Mounting the Touch Display 2 on a wall is surprisingly simple. The display comes with VESA mounting holes, so you can attach it directly to a standard wall plate. NetworkChuck used a drill and a few screws to secure it to his studio wall. The result is a flush, clean installation that looks like a commercial smart home panel.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The display requires a separate power supply (5V/3A recommended) and a ribbon cable connection to the Raspberry Pi 5. If you are mounting the Pi behind the display, you will need to manage cable routing carefully. Also, the display does not include a case, so you may want to 3D‑print or buy a bezel to protect the edges.
Is This the Perfect Raspberry Pi Wall Dashboard?
For anyone building a smart home or homelab setup, the Raspberry Pi Touch Display 2 is an excellent choice. It offers high‑resolution visuals, responsive touch, and an affordable price. Combined with TouchKio and Home Assistant, it creates a dedicated wall dashboard that rivals commercial solutions costing hundreds of dollars.
The only downside is the hardware requirement. If you already own a Raspberry Pi 5, this is a no‑brainer. If you are still on a Pi 4, you may need to upgrade. But given the performance boost of the Pi 5, that upgrade is worthwhile anyway.
To see the full unboxing, firmware fix, and dashboard setup in action, watch the video above. It is the best way to decide if this display is right for your next project.