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Can you use these types of converters/adapters to power the Pico W? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002442614617.html

More importantly, when you'd look at the specs, what individual evaluation steps would you take and/or other important considerations in order to make the determination?

We have a bunch lying around that came with our phones over the years.

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Yes, you can use a 5V usb power adapter to power a Pico W.

USB is 5V, no other steps or considerations to take into account.

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  • Well this is good news then. Would you have an idea as to why the info out there mostly points to using a "raspberry power supply" at 15-20 $ when a much cheaper one like in the link I posted in my question would work just fine? Am I forgoing any function or capability by going with this solution VS outright power supplies?
    – Flood
    Commented Jul 13, 2022 at 14:46
  • I suspect info you are reading refers to Raspberry Pi power supplies not Raspberry Pico W power supplies. However the official power supplies are excellent and I always use them on my Raspberry Pi's and various devices. I would never buy a power supply from aliexpress.
    – CoderMike
    Commented Jul 13, 2022 at 14:53
  • That's to show the type of device not the source. Regarding steps or considerations, doesn't matter if a 5v AC to USB converter has X amps and/or X watts, it'll work with the Pico W? If not, why?
    – Flood
    Commented Jul 13, 2022 at 15:24
  • USB 2.0 power is supposed to be 500 mA, although with power supplies/chargers it is commonly more. I doubt there are many around that put out less, and that is enough to power a Pico. I don't know what the wifi chip requires although they commonly consume up to an amp @5V (so don't get anything less than that).
    – goldilocks ♦
    Commented Jul 13, 2022 at 15:39
  • @goldilocks I've just swapped the Pico W for a regular Pico and the setup is behaving the same. My takeaway so far is: So long as "any" USB source ends up bringing 5V and at least 1amp to a barebones Pico setup it should be fine. Regarding the WiFi chip, would the mere fact that it's on the Pico W cause it to consume more power than a regular Pico would, even if my micropython code doesn't use it? I have a voltmeter, where would I put the prongs to get a Voltage/Wattage/Amperage reading?
    – Flood
    Commented Jul 13, 2022 at 16:24

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