There is no reliable single electricity-cost figure for leaving a YouTube video looping on a Mac mini M2: the result depends on the whole setup’s measured average power and your electricity rate. Measure the setup at the wall, then calculate watts × hours ÷ 1,000 × your price per kWh. A cloud bill cannot be called cheaper without naming a service and comparing its full cost for the same task and time period.
What the published M2 power figures can—and cannot—tell you
Apple’s power table lists 7 W idle and 50 W CPU maximum for its 2023 Mac mini configuration with an M2, 24 GB unified memory and 2 TB SSD. Apple defines idle as Finder open under default power-management settings and says its measurements are taken at the wall, including system and power-supply losses. The 50 W figure is for a compute-intensive CPU test. Neither number measures YouTube playback.
Notebookcheck reports 2.2–2.6 W idle, 28.7 W average load and 51.5 W maximum load for its M2 Mac mini review setup. Those are results from that review’s test conditions, not a YouTube-loop benchmark. They are useful context for why a measured value can vary, but they should not be presented as the expected draw of your own streaming session. Apple’s current support page also lists newer Mac mini generations, so use only the 2023 M2 row when referring to these figures. Apple’s Mac mini power-consumption table and Notebookcheck’s M2 Mac mini review provide the underlying contexts.
Measure your actual setup
For the most useful estimate, use a plug-in electricity usage monitor between the outlet and the equipment you want to count. Play the intended video and leave the setup in its normal state long enough to get a representative average reading. A meter reading of the complete setup avoids treating the Mac’s idle specification as though it were a playback measurement. No specific meter model, price or availability is established here.
#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.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 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.
- Decide what belongs in the comparison. If you want the cost of the entire viewing or looping setup, include the Mac mini, display, speakers, external storage, router or other network equipment, and any UPS. Measure all of it together where practical, or account for devices separately. A reading that excludes them is only the cost of the equipment actually measured.
- Record average wall power in watts. Use the meter’s average-power reading if available. Keep the video, display settings and connected devices representative of the session you intend to run.
- Use your marginal electricity price. Check your bill or tariff for the per-kWh charge applicable to additional consumption. Rates, currencies and tariff structures vary by location and plan.
Calculate the cost for a day or a month
Let P be average measured power in watts, H the number of operating hours, and R your marginal electricity price per kilowatt-hour:
- Energy use: P Ă— H Ă· 1,000 = kilowatt-hours (kWh)
- Energy cost: (P Ă— H Ă· 1,000) Ă— R
For a 30-day, always-on period, use 720 hours for H. Substitute your measured reading and local rate; without those inputs, a dollar total would be guesswork. In particular, do not plug Apple’s 7 W Finder-only idle figure into the formula and label the result the cost of YouTube playback.
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.
When is a cloud service cheaper?
There is not enough information to establish a cloud break-even price for this comparison. “Cloud service” might mean a virtual machine running a browser, a remote desktop, or a purpose-built streaming product; those do not necessarily perform the same job or have the same charges. A fair comparison needs a named provider and region, the required configuration, 24/7 billing terms, storage and data-transfer costs, taxes if known, and confirmation that the service can perform the intended task.
Compare that full cloud cost for the same period with the measured local energy cost—not with a generic Mac mini estimate. If you already own the Mac, its purchase price is not part of the incremental electricity bill. If you are deciding whether to buy one, equipment cost is a separate part of the decision.
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.
Set a YouTube video to loop on a computer
- Open the video’s watch page on YouTube.
- Right-click inside the video player.
- Choose Loop.
For a playlist, expand the playlist and use its Loop control. These are YouTube’s documented desktop steps: Loop videos or playlists on YouTube – Computer.
Account for YouTube’s continue-watching prompt
Looping does not establish that a viewing session will continue without interruption. YouTube says its “Video paused. Continue watching?” prompt may appear with Autoplay on before 60 minutes on web, 30 minutes on mobile, or 180 minutes on TV. The help page describes when the prompt may appear; it does not say that every manual loop triggers it or that looping avoids it. See YouTube’s continue-watching guidance.
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
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is simply to watch a video repeatedly, StreamNeo is not a replacement for YouTube’s Loop control: StreamNeo plays videos you upload to keep a YouTube channel live 24/7. If that is your goal, upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on.
- One flat price per slot for any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps; the video streams as uploaded, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, once per account.
- One always-on stream, 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, 24/7 looping and playlists, and StreamNeo team support are included. Plans have the same product; only the billing length changes.
Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.
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.
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.
