For a Raspberry Pi 5, the best straightforward choice is the official Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C Power Supply: Raspberry Pi specifies a 5 V, 5 A supply mode for the board, and that mode also lets the Pi raise the current available to USB peripherals. For a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, use the official 15 W USB-C supply Raspberry Pi lists for that model. The right pick depends on your Pi model and attached USB devices—not simply on a charger’s advertised wattage.
This recommendation concerns power delivery. It does not establish whether a particular Pi can encode your chosen resolution and frame rate continuously in FFmpeg.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choose the supply for your Raspberry Pi model
| Board | Raspberry Pi’s listed supply | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 5 V, 5 A; 27 W USB-C supply | The official Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C Power Supply is the direct recommendation. A 3 A supply may be adequate with lower-power peripherals, but the Pi restricts USB peripheral power if it does not detect a 5 A supply mode. |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | 5 V, 3 A; 15 W USB-C supply | Use the official 15 W USB-C supply recommendation for this model. |
| Raspberry Pi 500 | 5 V, 5 A; 27 W USB-C supply | Raspberry Pi’s current model table lists the same voltage, current, and supply rating as for Pi 5. |
| Raspberry Pi 400 | 5 V, 3 A; 15 W USB-C supply | Raspberry Pi’s current model table lists the same voltage, current, and supply rating as for Pi 4 Model B. |
Raspberry Pi’s recommendation is explicit: “We recommend using an official Raspberry Pi power supply.” Its model guidance also notes that voltage figures are measured at the plug, so account for voltage lost through a removable cable. See Raspberry Pi’s getting-started power-supply guidance.
Why the Pi 5 supply matters for USB devices
The Pi 5’s USB peripheral current limit depends on whether it detects a 5 A supply. Without that mode, the limit is 600 mA; with it, the limit rises to 1.6 A. A lower-current supply can still work for a Pi 5 with modest USB loads, but it leaves less power available for attached devices. Raspberry Pi’s hardware documentation and USB power guidance describe this limit.
#1 Best Overall
- CanaKit Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi 5
- Power Delivery (PD) Support, including 5V / 5A (27W) specially designed for Pi 5 and up to 45W for other devices
- UL Listed
- Includes noise filter for added stability
- Thick and insulated cable (4ft length)
The official 27 W USB-C supply brief specifies up to 5.1 V at 5 A and says the supply supports USB Power Delivery. That makes it particularly relevant if you plan to connect a high-power USB hard drive or SSD. USB power is shared, however: if a device’s needs exceed what the board can provide, use an externally powered USB hub rather than assuming the Pi’s power adapter will make the device safe to run directly.
Check a third-party USB-C charger before using it
A high wattage printed on a charger does not by itself prove that it offers the Pi’s required 5 V, 5 A mode. Raspberry Pi documentation says the Pi requests 5 V modes, and the 5 V/5 A USB-PD mode is optional among supply profiles. Check the charger’s supported output profiles and cable, not just its maximum wattage. The relevant compatibility question is whether it explicitly supplies the needed 5 V current mode.
Rank #2
- USB-C Connector for the latest Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
- DC 5. 1V 3 Amp Power Supply
- 15. 3 watts, 1. 5M cable (18AWG)
- Item Weight: 3.84 ounces
- Match the board model to its listed voltage and current requirement.
- For Pi 5, check whether the supply provides and the board detects 5 V at 5 A if you need the higher USB peripheral limit.
- Include SSDs, hard drives, and other connected USB devices when assessing the load.
- Use a suitable cable and allow for voltage loss, especially with a removable or long cable.
- Move devices that exceed the board’s USB power limits to an externally powered hub.
Power reliability is only one part of an always-on stream
A stable power supply cannot guarantee an uninterrupted YouTube stream. YouTube recommends RTMPS for live ingestion, testing with representative audio and movement, monitoring stream health, and providing upload bandwidth above the total stream bitrate, with about 20% headroom recommended. See YouTube’s encoder settings and live-streaming network tips.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDo not treat a bitrate recommendation as a measurement of electrical demand: bitrate is network traffic, not a direct measure of Pi power draw. The available guidance does not establish that every Raspberry Pi model can sustain a particular FFmpeg codec, resolution, or frame rate continuously. Test your intended setup rather than inferring encoding capacity from the power-supply rating.
Rank #3
- Standard: The black GaN 27W USB-C PD Power Supply (with 1.3M Length) for Pi 5 Output: 5.1V/5A Input: AC100-240V; It allows the the Pi 5 to power a wider range of peripherals.
- High Quality Power Solution: This GaN power supply can supply for Raspberry Pi 5 current up to 5.1V/5A to Pi 5 motherboard. In addition, there is no problem that low voltage appears even in full-load power operation.
- 6-layer Protection Function: Includes various functions such as over-power protection, over-current protection, short-circuit protection, over-voltage protection, low-voltage protection, and electrostatic protection.
- Good Compatibility: The GaN 27W PD USB-C Power Supply is also capable of delivering [email protected] ,3A @ 9V, 2.25A @ 12V, and 1.8A @ 15V to PD-compatible products, making it a good cost-effective power supply for many general-purpose.Compatible with Raspberry Pi 5 16GB/8GB/4GB/2GB
- For Pi 5：The total power drawn from the four USB ports on Pi 5 is limited by default to a nominal 600mA; this limit is automatically increased to a nominal 1.6A when the USB-C PD Power Supply is detected.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep a YouTube channel live with uploaded video, StreamNeo avoids leaving a Pi, computer, or home internet connection running. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud. It supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream, and the first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 3.5A USB-C power supply specially designed and tested for the Raspberry Pi 4
- Includes noise filter for added stability
- 18 AWG Cable
- UL Listed
- 5ft Cable Length
Rank #4
- Compatible only with the Raspberry Pi 2, Pi 3 and Pi 3 B+. NOT Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5
- UL Listed
- 5-feet cable with integrated noise filter
- Micro USB plug
- Output: 5V DC / 2.5A Regulated Input: 100 - 240VAC
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.
