There are few things more frustrating in the world of single-board computing than data corruption. I learned this the hard way. We had a Raspberry Pi 4 set up as a long-term environmental sensor, logging temperature, humidity, and air quality data to an attached SSD every minute. It ran flawlessly for three months, collecting a valuable dataset for a local community project. Then, a momentary power flicker—less than a second long during a storm—was all it took. The Pi rebooted uncleanly, the file system on the SSD was corrupted, and the entire dataset was lost. The project was set back months. This single, tiny event highlighted a critical vulnerability in any serious Raspberry Pi project: reliance on inconsistent mains power. Whether you’re running a home automation server, a personal cloud, a print server, or a robotics project, an unexpected shutdown can mean more than just downtime; it can mean catastrophic data loss and hours of troubleshooting. This is precisely the problem the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A aims to solve, not as a bulky, external box, but as a sleek, integrated, and intelligent power solution.
- The UPS HAT (E) is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) expansion board specially designed for Raspberry Pi series. Onboard batt fuel gauge IC, fast charging chip and high-power buck chip to realize...
- Adopts pogo pins connector design, compatible with Raspberry Pi 5 / 4B / 3B+. Supports displaying batt level on the system, easy to check the operating state of the HAT
What to Consider Before Buying a UPS for Your Raspberry Pi
An Uninterruptible Power Supply is more than just a battery pack; it’s a key solution for ensuring stability, data integrity, and continuous operation for your critical devices. For a compact and versatile computer like the Raspberry Pi, a dedicated UPS HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) transforms it from a hobbyist board into a robust, reliable server or controller. The main benefits are clear: it provides seamless power during outages, cleans up noisy power from the grid to prevent crashes, and allows for graceful, automated shutdowns to protect your operating system and data. It effectively gives your Pi the power resilience of a commercial-grade server or a modern laptop, opening up a new world of possibilities for portable and mission-critical applications.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a Raspberry Pi enthusiast, a developer, or a system administrator who is running a project where uptime is non-negotiable. This includes those managing home automation systems with Home Assistant, running a Pi-hole ad blocker for their entire network, hosting a personal website, or building a portable device that needs to function away from a wall outlet. It’s a perfect fit for anyone who has invested significant time into their software setup and cannot afford to have it wiped out by a simple power cut. Conversely, it might be overkill for those who only use their Raspberry Pi for casual tinkering, learning to code, or as a simple desktop replacement where an unexpected reboot is merely an inconvenience. For those users, a standard high-quality power supply is often sufficient.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A key differentiator for a UPS is its form factor. Traditional UPS systems are large, heavy boxes designed to sit on the floor. A UPS HAT, however, is designed to integrate directly with the Raspberry Pi, maintaining a compact footprint. The Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A matches the Pi’s footprint perfectly, though it adds significant height (5.8cm) to accommodate the four 21700 batteries. You must ensure your project’s enclosure has enough vertical clearance for this stacked configuration.
- Capacity/Performance: For a Raspberry Pi, performance isn’t just about battery capacity (measured in mAh), but also about the quality and stability of the power output. The Raspberry Pi 5 is particularly power-hungry and sensitive to voltage drops. This HAT’s ability to deliver a stable 5V at a massive 6A (30W) is its standout feature, ensuring the Pi and its connected peripherals (like SSDs and displays) run without any undervoltage issues, even under heavy load.
- Materials & Durability: The quality of the components directly impacts reliability. We were immediately impressed by the build quality of this HAT. The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is thick and well-made, with clean solder joints and high-quality components. It includes a sturdy plastic base and metal standoffs for a secure, wobble-free assembly. This solid construction, confirmed by other users, gives you confidence that it will reliably protect your expensive Pi.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: How easy is the UPS to set up and monitor? The Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A utilizes an innovative pogo pin connector, which simplifies assembly and leaves the GPIO header completely free—a massive advantage over older designs. Maintenance involves managing the four 21700 Li-ion batteries (which you must source separately). The real power comes from its I2C communication interface, which allows for detailed software monitoring of battery status, a feature essential for advanced users wanting to automate shutdowns or monitor power consumption.
Understanding these factors will help you decide if this highly integrated solution is the right fit for your specific Raspberry Pi project.
While the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A is an excellent choice for integrated power management, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition, including more traditional UPS models. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Apc Back-UPS essential series provides battery backup and surge Protection ideal for your home and home office
- Note: This model is not compatible with the DXP6800 and DXP8800 series.
- 950VA / 520W Backup Battery Supply
Unboxing the Waveshare UPS HAT (E): First Impressions and Key Features
Our unit arrived in a compact, well-protected box. Inside, we found the main UPS HAT board, a small bag containing all the necessary brass standoffs and screws, and a laser-cut acrylic base plate. The first thing that struck us was the quality of the board itself. The blue PCB is robust, the components are neatly arranged, and the battery holders feel secure and well-soldered. This isn’t a flimsy, cheap accessory; it feels like a serious piece of engineering designed to handle significant power.
However, it’s crucial to note what is *not* in the box, a point echoed by many users. The four required 21700 Lithium-ion batteries are not included, which is standard practice for safety and shipping regulations but is an additional purchase you must factor in. There is also no printed user manual; instead, Waveshare directs you to their extensive online wiki. While the wiki is incredibly detailed, with schematics and sample code, beginners might miss the immediacy of a printed quick-start guide. Finally, no USB-C cables are included. Despite these omissions, which are common in the DIY electronics space, the hardware itself makes a stellar first impression. The star of the show is the pogo pin connector, a set of spring-loaded pins that press directly onto the Raspberry Pi’s power and I2C contacts, which you can see in the detailed product images. This elegant design choice immediately sets it apart from competitors.
What We Like
- Robust 5V 6A output is perfect for the power-demanding Raspberry Pi 5.
- Innovative pogo pin design simplifies installation and frees up GPIO pins.
- Bi-directional USB-C fast charging offers laptop-like convenience.
- Excellent I2C monitoring provides real-time data on battery health and status.
- High-quality construction and included mounting hardware.
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires separate purchase of four 21700 Li-ion batteries.
- No printed manual included; relies entirely on online documentation.
- Adds significant height to the Raspberry Pi stack.
A Deep Dive into the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A’s Performance
A UPS HAT lives or dies by its performance and reliability. It’s not enough to simply keep the Pi running; it must do so with stable power, integrate seamlessly, and provide the user with the control and information they need. We put the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A through its paces in a series of real-world tests, from installation to full-load stress testing, to see if it truly delivers on its impressive specifications.
The Pogo Pin Revolution: Installation and Integration
The assembly process for this HAT is, in our opinion, a masterclass in thoughtful design. Anyone who has worked with multiple Raspberry Pi HATs is familiar with the “GPIO blockade”—a HAT that covers all 40 GPIO pins, preventing the use of other peripherals. Waveshare has completely sidestepped this issue with its pogo pin connector. Installation involves screwing the included standoffs onto the HAT, inserting your four 21700 batteries, placing the Raspberry Pi on top, and securing it with screws. The spring-loaded pogo pins automatically make a firm and reliable connection with the necessary power, ground, and I2C pads on the underside of the Pi. It’s a beautifully simple and effective system.
This design has two profound benefits. First, it makes the physical installation foolproof; there are no pins to bend or misalign. As one user noted, “once the pins are lined up its great.” Second, and most importantly, it leaves the entire 40-pin GPIO header on the Raspberry Pi completely accessible. On the power-hungry Pi 5, which often requires active cooling, this is a non-negotiable feature. We were able to install the HAT and then attach an official Raspberry Pi Active Cooler to the GPIO pins without any conflict. This single design choice elevates the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A from a simple power supply to a core component of a truly expandable system.
Powerhouse Performance: 5V 6A Output and Bi-Directional Charging
The headline feature here is the power delivery, and it does not disappoint. The official Raspberry Pi 5 power supply is rated for 5V 5A (27W). This HAT exceeds that, offering a stable 5V at up to 6A (30W). In our testing, we connected a Raspberry Pi 5, an NVMe SSD via a PCIe adapter, and a 7-inch touchscreen display. We then ran a CPU and memory stress test to maximize power draw. The system remained perfectly stable, with no undervoltage warnings (the dreaded lightning bolt icon) in sight. This robust output ensures that even the most demanding Pi 5 projects will have all the clean, stable power they need.
The other side of the power equation is charging, and the bi-directional USB-C PD port is another game-changer. It supports fast charging protocols up to 40W, allowing you to recharge the four large 21700 batteries remarkably quickly. More importantly, it provides true UPS functionality. You plug your main power adapter into the HAT’s USB-C input port. The HAT then powers the Pi and charges the batteries simultaneously. If the mains power is cut, the switchover to battery power is instantaneous and seamless; the Pi doesn’t even register a flicker. This functionality, as a user perfectly summarized, “effectively gives your pi the same power functionality as a laptop.” You can plug it in to work and charge, then unplug it and take your entire project on the go without ever needing to shut it down. This feature truly sets it apart from simpler battery packs.
Intelligent Power Management: The Brains of the Operation
What truly elevates this HAT into the “expert” category is its onboard intelligence. It’s not just a collection of batteries; it features a dedicated microcontroller (MCU) and a fuel gauge IC (the CW2217B) that communicate with the Raspberry Pi over the I2C bus. This is the same interface used for many sensors and peripherals, and it allows for sophisticated, real-time monitoring.
Getting this up and running does require some minor software setup. We followed the instructions on the Waveshare wiki, which involved enabling the I2C interface on the Pi and downloading their sample Python code. Once set up, we had access to a wealth of information directly from the command line or within our own scripts. We could read the precise battery voltage, the real-time current draw (both positive during discharge and negative during charging), the overall power consumption in watts, and, most usefully, the estimated remaining battery capacity as a percentage. This level of insight is invaluable for creating custom scripts, such as programming the Pi to perform a safe, graceful shutdown when the battery level drops below 10%. While some users noted the lack of a printed manual makes this less “immediate,” we found the online documentation to be comprehensive and more than sufficient for anyone comfortable working with the Raspberry Pi’s software environment.
Living with the HAT: Real-World Scenarios and Battery Life
The practical runtime of the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A is entirely dependent on the 21700 batteries you install. We opted for four high-quality 5000mAh cells, giving us a massive 20,000mAh (or approximately 74Wh) reservoir. To test this, we ran a Raspberry Pi 5 in a typical “headless server” state (idling with Wi-Fi on) and it ran for well over 24 hours. Under a constant heavy load, compiling software with all four cores maxed out, the runtime was closer to 6-7 hours. This is an enormous amount of backup power, easily capable of riding out almost any common power outage.
In practice, it transforms how you can use the Pi. It can now be the brain for a mobile robot that can return to a charging dock. It can be a portable data logger for field use. Or it can simply be a home server that gives you complete peace of mind. We also appreciated a subtle side benefit mentioned by a reviewer: the combined weight and larger footprint of the Pi and HAT assembly makes it far more stable on a desk. It no longer slides around at the slightest tug of a cable, feeling more like a permanent, robust piece of equipment. If your project demands reliability and resilience, the runtime and stability offered by this setup are hard to beat.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience with the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) is strongly reflected in the feedback from the wider user community. There is near-universal praise for the clever pogo pin connection, with one user stating it “made assembly a simple job” and celebrated that it “makes it possible to still use the GPIO for a fan.” The overall build quality is another common highlight, described as “excellent” and “solid,” making users confident that it won’t break or fail.
The performance is consistently lauded, with one happy customer reporting it “works exactly how I’d hoped!” and effectively gives the Pi laptop-like power functionality. This aligns perfectly with our findings on its seamless power switching and bi-directional charging capabilities.
However, the feedback isn’t without its criticisms, which are fair and important to consider. The most common complaints revolve around what’s *not* included. Multiple users point out the lack of batteries, cables, and a printed manual. One review noted that it’s “a valid product but not very immediate, suitable for expert users.” This is a key point: the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A is aimed at the core Pi audience who are comfortable sourcing their own components and working with online documentation. It is not a plug-and-play appliance, but rather a high-performance component for a custom project.
How Does the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) Compare to Traditional UPS Solutions?
While the Waveshare HAT is a specialized tool, it’s helpful to compare it against traditional, general-purpose UPS units to understand its unique place in the market. The key difference lies in integration and purpose: the HAT is a DC-to-DC solution designed for a single board, while traditional UPS systems are AC-to-AC solutions designed for multiple, larger devices.
1. APC BR1500GI Uninterruptible Power Supply
- The APC Back-UPS PRO Series offers guaranteed battery backup and surge protection for high performance computer systems, networks, external storage devices, game consoles and other electronics
- This UPS Backup includes premium features such as Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR), an LCD display, energy saving functionality, and PowerChute management software
The APC BR1500GI is a heavyweight power protector. With a 1500VA rating, it’s designed to keep a desktop computer, monitor, router, and other critical office hardware running through an outage. Comparing it to the Waveshare HAT is like comparing a lorry to a sports car. If your goal is to protect your entire workstation—including the Pi, your internet connection, and your monitor—the APC is the obvious choice. It provides far more power and more outlets. However, for a dedicated, portable, or space-constrained Pi project, it is complete overkill, being large, heavy, and inefficient for powering a single low-voltage DC device.
2. APC Back-UPS BX500CI 500VA UPS
- Note-Plug the UPS to a wall outlet and observe any audible noise from the UPS prior to pressing the On button.Turn on the unit without any load connected to the UPS outlets and observe for any audible...
- English (Publication Language)
The APC BX500CI is a much more modest and budget-friendly external UPS. It’s a great entry-level option if you need to keep your Raspberry Pi and your internet modem/router online simultaneously. It provides basic surge protection and enough battery backup for a safe shutdown. However, it still requires you to plug your Pi’s standard AC adapter into it, adding clutter and suffering from the efficiency losses of converting AC to DC twice. It offers none of the portability, GPIO access, or detailed I2C monitoring that makes the Waveshare HAT a truly smart and integrated solution.
3. APC Easy UPS BVX1200LI-GR 1200VA UPS
This APC Easy UPS model sits between the other two in terms of power, offering a substantial 1200VA capacity. Like the BR1500GI, its primary use case is for protecting multiple AC-powered devices in a home or small office setting. It features Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to clean up power, which is a great feature for mains-powered equipment. However, for a Pi-specific application, it shares the same drawbacks as the other APC units: it is bulky, lacks portability, and doesn’t offer the deep, software-level integration that is the hallmark of the Waveshare HAT. It solves the problem of “power outages” but not the problem of “integrated, portable, and intelligent Pi power.”
Final Verdict: Is the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A the Right Choice for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) for Raspberry Pi 5 5V 6A is a brilliantly designed and exceptionally capable piece of hardware. It is, without a doubt, one of the best power solutions we have ever tested for a Raspberry Pi. Its combination of a high-current 6A output, an ingenious GPIO-saving pogo pin design, and intelligent I2C monitoring makes it a top-tier choice for any serious Pi user. It successfully transforms the Raspberry Pi into a resilient, reliable machine capable of handling mission-critical tasks or operating completely untethered from a wall outlet.
This is not a product for the absolute beginner. Its reliance on online documentation and the need to purchase your own batteries place it firmly in the enthusiast and pro-user category. However, for its target audience, these are minor hurdles. If you are building a home server, a portable robotics project, or any system where data integrity and continuous uptime are paramount, this HAT is an outstanding investment. It provides the power, intelligence, and peace of mind needed to take your Raspberry Pi projects to the next level. If you’re ready to make your Pi truly unstoppable, we highly recommend you check the latest price and availability for the Waveshare UPS HAT (E) today.
Last update on 2025-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API