Best Power Supply for Raspberry Pi 3 – Complete Reviews with Comparisons

We are all witnesses of the huge technological revolution that has been happening over the past few decades. Today, high-performing computers and smartphones are an essential part of most people’s everyday routine. There is no doubt that MacBook’s and Windows PCs are the leaders when it comes to different computing devices.

Still, one particular computer has made a huge impact on the market and that is the Raspberry Pi 3. Coming as a single board computer that is an upgraded version of the Raspberry Pi 2 and the previous Raspberry Pi, it is now available for common use, and is not only used as a part of teaching computer science and the manufacturing of robotics projects.

If you were to use it as a regular desktop computer, you would need to invest in a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, a Micro SD Card (with NOOBS), and a USB Power Supply. With all of the available options, finding a proper power supply may take up quite a bit of your time, as you need to ensure that it is 2.1 A and comes with all the necessary performance features. With the intent of making the buying process easier, we came up with the top list of the best power supplies for Raspberry Pi 3. Let’s take a look at what we found.

‘Best Power Supply for Raspberry Pi 3’ Reviews

1. NorthPada Raspberry Pi 3 Power Supply

Finding an adequate power supply for the Raspberry Pi 3 is not always the easiest thing, and that is why most customers put their trust in well-known brands. The NorthPada company came out with one of the best selling chargers on the Amazon market in recent years, offering an affordable, durable, and high performing power supply.

Review

This product features everything that a proper Raspberry Pi 3 power supply should. Apart from being compatible with the newest model of the renowned single-board computer, it can work great with both the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B as well as Raspberry Pi Models A/A+/B/B+. This means that investing in a single charger will be enough to supply three different generations of the same device. It is a micro USB charger that features a cable of 150 cm, or 5 feet, which is more than what you will need.

While it does feature an inline noise feature, chances are that you will still hear a higher pitched sound once you plug the USB in, which can be annoying to some users, but most say that they get used to it. Talking about the power of this charger, the alternate current input stands at 100-240V 50/60HZ 0.3A. On the other hand, the output is at great 5V 3000mA/3A which is perfect for a device like the Raspberry Pi 3.

The design is simple and elegant. You shouldn’t expect it to withstand through heavy use and that is the reason to be quite conscious about the way you handle it. Still, the manufacturer does make up for this concern by including a 2-year exchange warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee. Overall, it is a product of great value given the price it is standing at.

What We Like

• Affordable
• High input, output
• 5-foot cable
• Compatible with most Raspberry Pi
• 2-year exchange warranty

What We Don’t Like

• Not as sturdy
• Lightning bolt
• Pitched noise

2. Yuconn Micro USB Power Supply

The Raspberry Pi 3 is an affordable single-board computer, so there is no reason that you would want to overpay for the Micro USB power supply. Much like the NorthPada power supply, the Yuconn charger is a high-quality product, and there is a good reason why it is on the best power supply for Raspberry Pi 3 list.

Review

The Yuconn Micro USB Power Supply comes with an AC Adapter featuring a 120 cm cable that is connectable with a number of different models. Apart from the Raspberry Pi 3 B/B+ models, it can charge the Raspberry Pi 2 B as well as Raspberry Pi Zero, and all the Raspberry PI models effectively. Not to forget, if you are an owner of the SoundLink Color Mini 2, consider yourself lucky because this charger covers that as well.

With an AC input of 120V and a DC output of 5V 3A/3000mA, it is an excellent power supply that you can turn on and off using the elegant and sturdy switch. While this product does look innovative, you still have to be careful about the way you use it, if you are looking to expand its lifespan.

The product does boast a 2-year exchange warranty and a 1-month refund in case the product becomes defective. A visible con is the cheaper connector that can cause an occasional electric bolt, which can be quite shocking… figuratively, of course. Still, it is a great buy for anyone on a tighter budget or someone looking for a short term solution while they wait for their permanent charger.

What We Like

• Affordable
• High input, output
• 120 cm cable
• Compatible with most Raspberry Pi, SoundLink 2
• 2-year exchange warranty

What We Don’t Like

• Cheap connector
• Noisy

3. CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Power Supply

If you are looking for a powerful charger with a regulated input and a UL certification, you are in the right place. While it is not as famous as the previous two brands, CanaKit did an excellent job at manufacturing a high-performance power supply that supports most Raspberry models. It has been adapted to Raspberry Pi 3 and does well with other devices such as Kindle.

Review

Talking about a great value product, the CanaKit is one of the best examples of an all-round Micro USB power charger. The first great thing is the 5V 2.5A regulated output that is accompanied by the input of 100-240V (alternated current). It has been tested and is compatible with the Raspberry Pi 3 device.

While it is primarily designed for the latest edition, it can be used with Raspberry Pi 2 and Pi models as long as you have the adequate adapter. It features a sturdy 5-foot long USB cord, which is very nifty.

On the other hand, we are not very satisfied with the quality of the given connector. On top of all that, the customer service is not ideal which means that you need to be quite conscious unless you enjoy buying a new charger every few months. Still, we consider it a pretty decent product for the price, especially with its low noise and great performance.

What We Like

• Affordable
• High input, output
• 5-foot long cable
• Low noise

What We Don’t Like

• Customer service
• Cheap connector

4. TSLEEN 5V 2.5A Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Charger

Talking about the best power supply for Raspberry Pi 3, the TSLEEN brand offers a phenomenal option that stands at a great value and a low price. Working brilliantly with Pi 3 and Pi 2 B/B+ models, it features a controlled input and output, enough to supply power to the device in a matter of just a few hours.

Review

This product comes with an array of innovative features. The first noticeable aspect is the regulated input of 100-240V alternate current, as well as full output of 5V 2.5A perfect for a Raspberry Pi 3. The USB cable is sitting at 150 cm in length with a sturdy connector and a power cord that you don’t need to take out thanks to the convenience of the on/off switch button.

Unlike many of its competitors, this product includes an over-voltage, temperature, and current protection feature, allowing you to stay worry-free and get the most out of it without the need for a replacement. Apart from the fixed wire, there is nothing much we can say against it. It is a fantastic product at a bargain price.

What We Like

• Affordable
• Full output, regulated input
• 5-foot cable
• Convenient on/off switch
• Over voltage, temperature, current protection

What We Don’t Like

• Fixed wire

5. Onokay Raspberry Pi 3 Power Supply

Last but not least is this full Micro USB charger that supports all Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi 2, Raspberry Pi Zero, as well as the Raspberry Pi A/A+/B/B+ models.

Review

If you are looking for a fun and compact USB charger that doesn’t require a lot of gentle handling, you are in the right place. The Onokay can withstand some heavy use. With an output of 5V 2500mA and a controlled AC input that ranges from 100 to 240V, it is enough to supply power to most Raspberry models as well as similar USB devices.

It is stable and consistent, and with a noise filter it is one of the best chargers if you are annoyed by high pitched audible signals. Still, it does lack the switch on/off button as well as the USB length being only 3.3 feet long. A longer cable would have been quite handy. Overall, it is a good product if you can’t choose between a TSLEEN or a NorthPada one.

What We Like

• Affordable
• High input, output
• Compatible with most Raspberry Pi
• Low noise

What We Don’t Like

• Lacking on/off switch
• Short USB cord

Conclusion

If you are an owner of any Raspberry Pi model, you know the importance of an adequate power supply. Our personal favorite is the TSLEEN Micro USB Charger as it is affordable, sturdy, and simple to use.