For a Raspberry Pi 5, the straightforward official choice is the Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C Power Supply. Raspberry Pi recommends 5 V at 5 A for Pi 5; a 3 A supply can still run the board with lower-power peripherals, but the Pi limits power available to USB devices if it does not detect the 5 A mode. For a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, use the official 15 W USB-C supply recommendation instead. The right choice depends on your Pi model and attached USB devices—not simply a charger’s advertised wattage.
This is the answer to the power-supply question, not a guarantee that a particular Pi can encode your chosen resolution and frame rate continuously in FFmpeg. The official guidance cited here does not establish Pi-specific FFmpeg performance.
Which power supply fits each Raspberry Pi model?
| Raspberry Pi model | Official recommendation | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 5 V, 5 A; Raspberry Pi’s 27 W USB-C supply provides up to 5.1 V at 5 A. | Whether the supply supports the Pi’s 5 V, 5 A mode, and whether USB peripherals need the higher current limit. |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | 5 V, 3 A; Raspberry Pi’s 15 W USB-C supply. | Use the recommendation for this model rather than assuming the Pi 5 supply requirement applies. |
| Raspberry Pi 500 | 5 V, 5 A; 27 W USB-C supply. | Confirm the supply and cable provide the required 5 V mode. |
| Raspberry Pi 400 | 5 V, 3 A; 15 W USB-C supply. | Confirm the model before purchasing a supply. |
Raspberry Pi says, “We recommend using an official Raspberry Pi power supply.” Its model recommendations are based on voltage measured at the plug, so removable cable voltage loss matters. [Raspberry Pi power-supply recommendations] [Raspberry Pi getting started]
Can a 3 A USB-C charger run a Raspberry Pi 5?
It can be adequate when the Pi 5 has only lower-power peripherals attached. Raspberry Pi documents a USB peripheral current limit of 600 mA when the board does not detect the 5 A supply mode; with that mode, the limit rises to 1.6 A. Those figures concern the current available to USB devices, not a promise about total system draw during FFmpeg encoding.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Do not choose a charger solely because its label says “27 W.” The Pi requests 5 V modes, and USB Power Delivery supplies may not offer the optional 5 V, 5 A mode. Check the exact supported voltage/current profiles; a higher wattage rating at another voltage does not establish compatibility. [Raspberry Pi USB current limit] [Raspberry Pi USB-PD note]
Will a Raspberry Pi 5 power an SSD while streaming?
It depends on the SSD enclosure and its power needs. The Pi 5’s 5 A supply mode raises the USB peripheral limit, which is useful for higher-power devices such as hard drives or SSDs, but USB current is shared across connected devices. Raspberry Pi advises using an externally powered hub when peripherals require more power than the board can provide. If storage disconnects or behaves erratically, test with a powered hub or a separately powered drive rather than assuming the stream itself is the cause. [Raspberry Pi USB current limit] [Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C Power Supply product brief]
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What matters when choosing a supply?
- Board model and connector: match the recommendation to the specific Pi rather than generalizing across the range.
- 5 V current mode: for Pi 5, verify explicit support for 5 V at 5 A; advertised wattage alone is not enough.
- Peripheral load: account for USB storage and other devices drawing power from the board.
- Cable voltage loss: Raspberry Pi’s voltage recommendations are measured at the plug, so a removable cable’s length and quality can affect the voltage reaching the board.
- Powered hub: move devices with power requirements beyond the board’s limits to an externally powered hub.
Power is only one part of an always-on stream
A stable supply does not guarantee a reliable YouTube stream. YouTube recommends RTMPS for live ingestion, testing with representative audio and movement, monitoring stream health, and providing outbound bandwidth above the total stream bitrate. Its guidance recommends about 20% upload headroom. Keyframe intervals should be two seconds, with four seconds as the maximum; supported codecs and recommended bitrates vary by resolution and frame rate. [YouTube encoder settings and bitrates] [YouTube live-streaming tips]
Bitrate is network traffic, not a direct measurement of electrical consumption. These YouTube settings also do not establish that every Raspberry Pi model can encode every listed format and setting in FFmpeg continuously. Confirm the capabilities of your exact board and encoding workflow separately.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Troubleshooting power-related stream problems
- Pi 5 reports or behaves as though USB power is restricted: verify that the supply supports and negotiates the 5 V, 5 A mode; a high wattage rating by itself does not prove this.
- An SSD disconnects or fails to stay mounted: reduce the USB load or connect the drive through an externally powered hub. The Pi’s USB current is shared among attached devices.
- The board is unstable despite a suitable supply rating: check the cable and voltage at the plug; cable voltage loss can matter.
- The stream drops while the Pi remains powered: check YouTube stream health and outbound bandwidth, and test the encoder settings before going live. A power supply cannot correct network disruptions.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a YouTube channel that stays live from uploaded recordings, StreamNeo is an alternative to operating an always-on Pi. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud. Nothing needs to stay on at home, it preserves uploads up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and it automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo plays uploaded videos and streams to YouTube; it does not provide a camera-based live feed. Learn more at StreamNeo or start the free first day.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 27 W Raspberry Pi 5 power supply a 27 W charging guarantee at 5 V?
No. Raspberry Pi’s product brief specifies up to 5.1 V at 5 A, and the Pi 5’s relevant USB mode is 5 V at 5 A.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Does a more powerful supply make FFmpeg encode faster?
The power-supply recommendation does not establish encoding performance. Test the exact Pi model, resolution, frame rate, and FFmpeg configuration you plan to use.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
