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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →There is no single monthly cost: it depends on the mini PC’s average power draw at the wall, how many hours it stays on, and your electricity rate. Use monthly cost = average watts × powered hours per day × days ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh. At the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2025 residential average of 17.30¢ per kWh, a PC averaging 10 W around the clock for 30 days would cost about $1.24 in electricity; at 20 W, about $2.49. These are calculations from stated assumptions, not measured NUC streaming costs.
Calculate your monthly electricity cost
To estimate the computer’s electricity use, multiply its average wall power in watts by the hours it is powered each day and the number of days in the billing period. Divide by 1,000 to convert watt-hours to kilowatt-hours, then multiply by your electricity price per kWh.
Monthly cost = average watts × powered hours per day × days ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh
| Average wall draw | Hours powered | Energy over 30 days | Cost at 17.30¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 W | 24 hours per day | 7.2 kWh | About $1.24 |
| 20 W | 24 hours per day | 14.4 kWh | About $2.49 |
The examples use the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2025 annual average residential electricity price of 17.30¢/kWh, reported using February 2026 preliminary data in EIA Table 5.3. They are arithmetic examples, not measurements of a particular mini PC or live-streaming setup. At that rate, each average watt costs about 12.4¢ over a 30-day month if the PC stays on continuously.
#1 Best Overall
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 14.1" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy ergonomic support with the integrated cushioned wrist rest.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a sleek black carbon color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.8 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
If the computer is powered for fewer than 24 hours per day, substitute its actual daily powered hours in the formula. Use the price per kWh on your own bill for a better local estimate. The EIA also reports a 2025 state range of 8.20¢ to 35.72¢ per kWh in average retail prices across all customer types; that is not a residential-only range. Electricity prices vary by location and customer circumstances. See the EIA explanation of electricity prices.
Why a NUC’s published power figures do not give its streaming cost
A certification figure or idle-power reading is not the same as average wall draw while broadcasting. ENERGY STAR’s certification record for the Intel NUC12WSH lists a model TEC of 27.6 kWh, long idle at 2.6 W, short idle at 5.2 W, sleep at 2.6 W, and off at 1.1 W. These are values in the product’s certification record, not measurements of live YouTube streaming consumption; the annual TEC should not be treated as a streaming estimate. The record identifies the product as a desktop computer and lists the United States among its markets. See the ENERGY STAR product record.
Rank #2
- 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.
Intel notes that BIOS power-management options vary by NUC model and that most products offer Balanced, Low-Power, and Max-Performance settings. Those settings and the system configuration can affect power use, but Intel’s guidance does not quantify live-streaming consumption. The supplied adapter’s maximum rating, CPU thermal design power, idle draw, and certification TEC are not substitutes for measuring the configured system at the wall. See Intel’s NUC power-management information.
Measure your own streaming setup
- Choose what to include. Decide whether you are measuring only the mini PC or the PC plus display and peripherals. Keep that boundary consistent when comparing estimates.
- Measure at the wall during a representative session. Use a plug-in power meter to observe the configured computer while it is running the streaming software and workload you actually use. A single idle reading will not represent a live session.
- Record powered hours. Count the hours the measured setup is on during a typical billing period, including time when it is powered but not actively streaming if that is part of your routine.
- Use your own electricity rate. Take the applicable price per kWh from your bill, then apply the formula above. If your rate changes by time of day or billing tier, use the rate relevant to the hours you run the PC for a closer estimate.
Streaming software, output resolution, encoding method, background processes, peripherals, and power settings can all differ between setups. No representative NUC wall-draw figure for a YouTube creator’s live-streaming workflow is established by the sources cited here, so a measured average is more useful than a supposed typical wattage.
Rank #3
- Note: Not suitable for MacBooks released after 2023 or devices with a protruding front camera; Not applicable to full-screen or notch-style tempered glass screen protectors; Do not use on the rear camera of the phone.
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Keep a YouTube stream running without leaving a PC on
If you need a pre-recorded video to keep streaming to YouTube while your computer is off, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud; it does not stream from a camera or to platforms other than YouTube.
Or let it run in the cloud
- Nothing has to stay powered on at home after you set up the stream.
- One flat price per slot covers the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required; it is one free day per account.
Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. The service also offers daily, weekly, six-month, and yearly billing; see StreamNeo pricing for the current options. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Rank #4
- Anti-Slip Surface - Transform your laptop into a mobile workstation with the AboveTEK portable laptop lap desk. The anti-slip surface provides a strong grip for laptops up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), while the double rubber strip on the bottom ensures a stable display or typing experience on your lap, couch, or bed.
- Retractable Mouse Pad - Retractable laptop mouse pad extends on both directions for the left/right handed with elevation along the edges for stopping mouse from falling off. The size of laptop tray is 14" X 9.7" and the size of mouse pad is 7.4" X 6.1".
- Effective Heat Shield - The effective heat shield made of sturdy and thick material protects your laptop from overheating. Prioritizes your comfort and safety, an ideal lap pad or board for working anywhere.
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