The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A Raspberry Pi 4’s electricity cost depends on the average power draw of the complete setup, how long it runs, and your local electricity rate—not the 15 W rating of its recommended power supply. AWS Lightsail’s entry Linux VPS, meanwhile, is a $5 USD/month bundled hosting plan, not a like-for-like replacement for a Pi playing a YouTube playlist. You need to define the job and compare equivalent workloads before deciding which costs less.
First, define what “YouTube playlist stream” means
The phrase can describe different setups, and their costs are not directly comparable:
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- Playing YouTube on the Pi: The Pi acts as a playback device connected to a display or other output. Its electricity use depends on the Pi and attached equipment. A generic VPS price does not show that the VPS can replace this playback setup.
- Hosting a playlist-related service: The Pi might run an application that manages playlist information or controls playback. That workload differs from playing video locally.
- Hosting media: The Pi might store or serve video files. This involves storage and data-transfer needs that are not established by a YouTube playback power figure or a VPS headline price.
The available figures support a Pi electricity estimate and an AWS VPS plan reference; they do not establish cloud equivalence for any of these scenarios. The calculations below are useful once you identify which task you mean.
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How much power does a Raspberry Pi 4 use?
Raspberry Pi recommends a 5 V, 3 A (15 W) USB-C power supply for the Pi 4. That is the supply’s recommended capacity, not the board’s typical continuous consumption. Raspberry Pi’s official documentation gives approximate readings of 0.6 A average at idle and 0.78 A average during H.264 video playback, under a specific setup using a standard OS image from June 2019. The measurements included HDMI, keyboard, mouse, and Ethernet; connected devices can increase power use.
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- 3.5A USB-C power supply specially designed and tested for the Raspberry Pi 4
- Includes noise filter for added stability
- 18 AWG Cable
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At 5 V, those current readings correspond to approximate power of 3 W at idle and 3.9 W during that documented H.264 playback setup (voltage multiplied by current). They are context-specific estimates, not a guarantee for every Pi 4 or every way of playing a YouTube playlist. For a separate historical test, Raspberry Pi reported 2.1 W idle and 6.41 W under synthetic load in a 2019 beta-firmware thermal-testing article. Those results came from documented test conditions and firmware revisions, so they should not be treated as universal consumption figures. Alex Bate of Raspberry Pi wrote on 28 November 2019 that “The last four months of firmware updates have taken over half a watt out of idle power and nearly a watt out of fully loaded power.” That observation describes the firmware tests in that article.
For the most relevant number, measure the complete setup at the wall while it does the task you intend to run. Include any display, USB storage, network equipment, or other devices whose consumption you want included. A board-only estimate will understate the total if those devices are part of the setup.
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- 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
Calculate the Pi’s electricity cost
Use average power in watts, runtime in hours, and your electricity tariff in cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh):
- Calculate energy:
kWh = average watts × hours ÷ 1,000. - Calculate cost:
energy cost = kWh × your tariff per kWh.
For example, using the documented approximate 3.9 W playback estimate for a 5 V Pi 4 setup, 24 hours of operation would be about 0.0936 kWh (3.9 × 24 ÷ 1,000). Multiply that energy by your own tariff to estimate the daily electricity cost. This illustration uses the documented playback estimate, not a measurement of your particular setup, and excludes equipment not included in that setup.
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- 【Broad Compatibility】Perfect replacement or backup charger for Raspberry Pi 4, Orange Pi 5/5B, and other USB-C devices requiring stable 5V 4A power (not compatible with Pi 5's higher power needs).
To estimate a month, use the hours the device actually runs in that month; for an always-on 30-day estimate, that is 720 hours. State the assumed wattage and tariff alongside the result. Tariffs vary by location and may change, so there is no single worldwide monthly electricity cost.
What the cloud-hosting price includes—and does not prove
AWS lists its entry public-IPv4 Linux Lightsail VPS bundle at $5 USD/month, with 0.5 GB memory, 2 vCPUs, a 20 GB SSD, and 1 TB transfer. The price and regional allowances can change, so check the current Lightsail listing and the terms for your region before buying.
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- [Compatibility]: Fit for Raspberry Pi 4, Pi 4 Model B.
- [Power Specs]: Input 100V-240V 50/60Hz; Output: 5V 3A.
- [Plug Type]: Type-C, USB-C plug. Product cable length 3.3 feet, with ON/Off Switch Design.
- [Safety Smart]: Built-in emergency protection mechanism with short circuit, over current, over voltage, over temperature protection.
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This is a bundled hosting service, not a measured electricity bill and not proof that the VPS can do the same job as a Pi playing YouTube. Whether it suits a playlist-related application or media workload depends on what you need to run, its resource use, storage, traffic, and service requirements. The plan’s included resources alone do not settle that question.
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How to compare the total costs fairly
There is no defensible break-even figure from the published power and plan prices alone. Use the same workload and time period on both sides, then account for the costs that apply to your setup.
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- 3.5A USB-C power supply specially designed and tested for the Raspberry Pi 4
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- 18 AWG Cable
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| Cost or requirement | Raspberry Pi 4 setup | AWS Lightsail entry Linux bundle |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring reference | Measured average watts × operating hours ÷ 1,000 × local tariff per kWh | $5 USD/month for the listed public-IPv4 Linux bundle; verify current regional terms |
| Resources described | Depends on the board, storage, peripherals, and software in the actual setup | 0.5 GB memory, 2 vCPUs, 20 GB SSD, and 1 TB transfer in the listed bundle |
| One-time or ancillary costs | Board, power supply, storage, peripherals, internet connection, and maintenance may apply | Any additional service or transfer charges may apply; the cited bundle price does not establish all possible costs |
| Task suitability | Depends on whether the Pi plays YouTube, hosts an application, or serves media | Must be assessed for the intended software, workload, and traffic; not established as equivalent to local YouTube playback |
Keep the Pi’s purchase price separate from its operating expense, but include it if you are comparing total ownership cost over a chosen period. Also decide whether internet service, maintenance, and any cloud add-ons belong in your comparison. The answer can change with local electricity rates, actual measured consumption, traffic requirements, and whether you already own the hardware.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos
If by “playlist stream” you mean keeping a YouTube channel live continuously using uploaded videos, that is a different task from playing YouTube on a Pi or renting a general-purpose VPS. StreamNeo is #1 to consider for this 24/7 streaming use case: it runs from the cloud, supports uploaded video at up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and offers a free first day.
Or let it run in the cloud
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud.
Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, playlists and looping, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and StreamNeo team support. The video streams as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, without a re-encode or quality tiers. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month; the same product is available with daily, weekly, six-month, or yearly billing, and you can cancel any time. UPI and cards are accepted in India; card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support. See StreamNeo for details, then start the free day.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Raspberry Pi documentation — recommended Pi 4 supply and approximate power measurements.
- Raspberry Pi thermal testing article — historical beta-firmware measurements and test context.
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B product page.
- AWS Lightsail pricing — current bundle details should be checked for applicable regional terms.
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.
