To estimate an always-on OBS stream’s monthly electricity cost, measure the average wall draw of the equipment that stays on, multiply by its operating hours, then multiply the resulting kilowatt-hours by your electricity rate. OBS itself does not have one standard power draw, and a computer’s power-supply rating is not its actual consumption.
Calculate monthly energy use and cost
For a setup averaging P watts at the wall, running H hours per day for D days, use:
- Monthly energy: P × H × D ÷ 1,000 = kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Estimated energy charge: monthly kWh × your applicable price per kWh.
For continuous operation in a 30-day month, H is 24 and D is 30, so monthly energy is average watts × 0.72 kWh. That means every 1 W of average continuous draw uses 0.72 kWh over those 30 days. It is arithmetic, not an OBS power-consumption benchmark. The U.S. Energy Information Administration explains that utilities generally measure electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours: Measuring electricity.
Example with explicitly hypothetical inputs
If a complete setup averaged 100 W at the wall for 24 hours a day over 30 days, it would use 72 kWh (100 × 0.72). At a hypothetical rate of $0.20 per kWh, the estimated energy charge would be $14.40. These inputs are an illustration only—not a typical OBS setup, measured result, or estimate of your local rate.
#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.
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- 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.
Measure the equipment that actually stays on
Include the computer running OBS and any monitors or peripherals that remain powered for the stream. The most useful input is the complete setup’s average draw at the wall while it is doing representative streaming work. A power supply’s rated output does not tell you how much power the computer draws from the outlet.
Use a wall measurement when possible
A plug-in electricity usage monitor that records cumulative kWh can help establish consumption. Measure the equipment boundary you intend to cost, and leave it running long enough to capture a representative workload. The U.S. Department of Energy’s FEMP guidance says stable power can be read directly; when power fluctuates, measure energy over a period and divide by that period to find average power: Measuring Standby Power.
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.
Keep comparisons consistent
When comparing two setups, use the same measurement boundaries and workload. Record average wall watts while streaming, which equipment is included, hours of operation, the applicable rate and its time period, and whether the resulting figure covers only energy charges. Do not substitute a computer’s PSU rating for metered wall consumption.
Use your applicable electricity rate
Use the energy rate on your utility bill or rate schedule for the hours and season in question. Rates can vary by time of use or season. A bill may also include demand and fixed charges, which are not automatically represented by multiplying kWh by an energy rate. The U.S. Department of Energy’s FEMP explains these rate components in Evaluating Your Utility Rate Options.
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.
For context only, DOE FEMP’s 2024 monitor-cost guidance used 11¢/kWh, described as the average electricity price at federal facilities as of July 2024. That is a dated federal-facility assumption, not a universal or current household rate; use it only if you need an explicitly labeled arithmetic illustration. See Purchasing Energy-Efficient Displays and Monitors.
Why there is no single monthly OBS figure
The electricity cost depends on the particular computer, GPU and encoder workload, attached equipment, operating hours, location, utility and tariff. OBS’s official Knowledge Base does not establish a representative wattage for an always-on stream, so there is no supported one-size-fits-all monthly dollar amount: OBS Project Knowledge Base. A transparent calculation using your own measured watts and applicable rate is more useful than an assumed “typical” streaming PC figure.
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
Reduce consumption without disrupting the stream
If the computer must remain on, consider turning off a display that is not needed to operate the stream. DOE computer guidance also recommends using power management and turning off the monitor when a networked computer must stay on for another task. Whether those changes fit your setup depends on whether you need the display during operation: Purchasing Energy-Efficient Computers.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a continuous YouTube stream of uploaded videos, StreamNeo is an alternative to keeping an OBS computer running at home. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It streams the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free day.
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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.
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