The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To estimate the electricity cost of a Raspberry Pi 5 streaming to YouTube around the clock, use the setup’s average wall power—not the wattage printed on its power supply. For a continuous 30-day month, each average watt uses 0.72 kWh. Multiply that energy by your electricity rate per kWh to estimate the variable energy charge.
There is no universal monthly price: the actual draw depends on the Pi, its peripherals and workload, while electricity rates and billing rules vary by location. The figures below are transparent examples, not measurements of a Pi 5 running a particular FFmpeg command.
Estimate the monthly electricity use and cost
Use this formula, with your local marginal energy rate:
Monthly energy cost = average watts ÷ 1,000 × hours streamed × price per kWh
#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.
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A 30-day month has 720 hours, so a continuously running load uses 0.72 kWh per average watt. For example:
| Average wall draw | Energy in 30 days | Energy in 365 days | Cost calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 W | 3.6 kWh | 43.8 kWh | Multiply 3.6 kWh by your rate for a 30-day month |
| 10 W | 7.2 kWh | 87.6 kWh | Multiply 7.2 kWh by your rate for a 30-day month |
These are illustrative continuous-load scenarios, not tested Raspberry Pi 5 streaming results. Use the marginal per-kWh rate on your bill; fixed charges, taxes and network-plan fees are separate. Without your tariff and billing rules, a currency estimate would be guesswork.
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.)
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Why the Pi 5 power-supply rating is not its running cost
Raspberry Pi recommends a 27 W USB-C supply for the Pi 5. That is the supply’s capacity, not a claim that the board continuously draws 27 W. Raspberry Pi’s hardware documentation lists 800 mA as typical bare-board active current and notes that consumption varies with connected peripherals. It also says a 3 A supply limits downstream USB current to 600 mA. These are reference figures, not a measurement of a complete FFmpeg streaming setup. Raspberry Pi hardware documentation
Raspberry Pi’s 2023 launch article says peak consumption can reach around 12 W under the most intensive, pathological workloads. That is an extreme peak reference, not an expected average for a stream. The article also discusses the optional Active Cooler for an uncased board under continuous heavy load; cooling and fan activity may affect the assembled setup’s measured draw. Raspberry Pi 5 launch article
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.
Measure the real setup at the wall
- Connect a plug-in energy monitor between the outlet and the Pi’s power supply.
- Run the actual stream for a representative period. Include the board, supply conversion losses, fan, storage and any other attached devices in the measurement.
- Use the monitor’s average watt reading, preferably over a longer period if encoding load or fan activity changes.
- Calculate kWh by multiplying average watts by operating hours and dividing by 1,000. Multiply the result by your marginal electricity rate.
A measurement of the complete running setup is more useful than applying a bare-board figure to the whole system. If the stream runs fewer than 720 hours in a month, use its actual operating hours in the formula.
Account for upload capacity and data charges separately
Video resolution and bitrate determine network requirements and data transfer, not electricity cost directly. YouTube’s current encoder guidance recommends RTMP or RTMPS, constant-bitrate encoding and a two-second keyframe interval. Its recommended video bitrate ranges are 2–6 Mbps for 720p at 30 fps and 4–10 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps. These settings can help you assess sustained upload capacity; they do not establish what your ISP will charge. Check your plan for data caps, overage charges or other network fees. YouTube Live encoder settings
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
Other costs and operating considerations
- Electricity: use measured average wall draw and your own marginal rate. The illustrative 5 W and 10 W scenarios above are not Pi 5 test results.
- Internet: any data-cap or network-plan charges depend on your ISP contract; the bitrate alone does not establish a price.
- Power and cooling: choose the supply and cooling for the board and attached devices. The cited power-supply capacity and peak-load information do not prove that a particular accessory will reduce electricity use.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a 24/7 YouTube stream without keeping a Pi or another computer running at home, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos from the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, then go live. It streams the video as uploaded, up to 4K 60 fps, at one price per slot regardless of quality; it can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start a StreamNeo free day.
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.
