Summary

The author has obtained the official 27W USB-C Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi 5, which is necessary for optimal performance, and provides a short review of its features, price, and compatibility.

Abstract

The author of the article has recently acquired the official 27W USB-C Power Supply designed for the Raspberry Pi 5, after a two-week wait following the purchase of the Raspberry Pi 5 itself. This power supply is crucial for the Pi 5 to operate without displaying a warning message, as the device requires 5V / 5A for peak performance, an upgrade from the Pi 4's 5V / 3A requirement. The review highlights the power supply's ability to deliver various voltages and currents, its price point, and the physical attributes of the cable and adapter. The author notes the cable's thickness and length, as well as the adapter's shape, which can cover multiple outlets on a power distribution unit (PDU). The power supply is currently priced at 11.39 USD plus tax at a local store, which is lower than the online Amazon price, and the author suggests that the adapter's design could be a factor for those using a PDU.

Opinions

The author is satisfied with the performance of the Raspberry Pi 5 after obtaining the correct power supply, which eliminates the warning message previously displayed.
There is an appreciation for the power supply's ability to provide multiple power outputs, which could be beneficial for different use cases.
The author is pleased with the price paid for the power supply at the local store compared to online prices.
The thickness and length of the cable meet the author's expectations, given the higher power requirements of the Raspberry Pi 5.
The author expresses dissatisfaction with the adapter's shape, as it obstructs adjacent outlets on a PDU, and suggests purchasing an additional wall adapter to mitigate this issue.

Raspberry Pi 5: Picked up 27W USB-C Power Supply

After waiting for two weeks since the Pi 5 pickup, finally I got the official 27W USB-C Power Supply for Raspberry Pi 5.

Raspberry Pi 5: 27W USB-C Power Supply — Short Review

Disclaimer

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Intro

Although I was able to get a Raspberry Pi 5 on 7th of Nov 2023, I was not able to fully push the new Pi 5 to the limit as much as I wanted because the USB-C Power Supply I had was for Pi 4 ( 5V / 3A ).

I was open to use the new POE+ HAT for Pi 5, but I wasn’t sure when the POE+ HAT for Pi 5 would be available. Therefore, I was waiting for the official USB-C Power Supply as a alternative.

After visiting the local computer store several times daily, I finally got the official 27W USB-C Power Supply for Raspberry Pi 5.

Raspberry Pi 5: Picked one from Local Computer Store

Finally, I got a Raspberry Pi 5 and a Active Coller.

medium.com

No more warning from Raspberry Pi 5

I’ve been using the USB-C Power Supply that came with the Raspberry Pi 4 case bundle I bought before.

Raspberry Pi 4: Enclose with Smraza Case

Assemble Smraza Case I got from Amazon

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The Pi 4 USB-C Power Supply was enough for Pi 4, but it wasn’t able to provide enough power to Pi 5 when Pi 5 needs extra power.

If the connected USB-C Power Supply to Pi 5 is detected as not being enough to provides ( 5V / 5A ), then the Pi 5 shows a warning message when logging into it.

Even though there is a warning message, Pi 5 still works with the USB-C Power Supply. It’s because the Pi 4 USB-C Power Supply can provide the Pi 5’s minimum required power, 5V / 3A.

Short Review

5V / 5A

I don’t have much knowledge about Watt, Volt, and Amp. Based on what I read from the Raspberry Pi 5, 5V / 5A is required to get the best performance in Pi 5. ( I guess the 27W USB-C is introduced because it is 25W = 5V x 5I ). Pi 4 is 15W USB-C because the requirement is 5V / 3A ( 15W = 5V x 3A )

The interesting thing in Pi 5 USB-C Power Supply was that it supports various power like

5.1V / 5.0A
9.0V / 3.0A
12.0V / 2.25A
15.0V / 1.9A

Raspberry Pi 5: 5V/5A is recommended | 5V/3A is minimum requirement

Price

I paid 11.39 USD + Tax. It was the most cheapest price that I’ve seen so far online. ( I didn’t have to pay any shipping cost since it was bought from the local store. )

The Raspberry Pi 5 USB-C Power Supply is available on Amazon Marketplace. It’s price is currently 21.50 USD + Tax. ( Check in Amazon )

Currently, the Raspberry Pi 5 USB-C Power Supply is in little shortage, I guess the price on Amazon will stay on higher price until the production shortage is resolved.

Thicker Cable / Long Enough Cable

The cable is 1.2m long and 17AWG captive. Since the Pi 5 USB-C Power Supply delivers 27W — 5V/5A ( higher than for the one Pi 4 ), the cable is thinker than one for Pi 4.

And, the cable’s length 1.2m ( ~ 4 feet ). It was a usable length, but I hoped it was at minimum 1.5m ( ~ 5 feet ).

The power adapter looks pretty solid. ( and white.. why? )

Shape of Adapter

I wasn’t happy with the shape of the adapter. When I plugged the adapter to the CyberPower PDU ( CPS-1215RM ), the adapter covered at least two slots.

If you have a PDU, then this might be one of the decision factors for purchasing.

I might buy Outlet Wall Adapter that can help change the Pi 5’s adapter direction, so it doesn’t cover other outlets.

Raspberry Pi 5: Pi 5 USB-C Adapter covers two outlets in my PDU. | Outelt Wall Adapter — https://amzn.to/46n4VQH