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If you use a Fire TV Stick from Amazon and your own TV also has a USB port, it’s tempting to avoid having to connect a separate power supply. Especially because the additional cable connection to a power outlet is not only inconvenient, but in most cases doesn’t look particularly great either.

In most cases, however, attempts to use the TV’s USB port as a power source quickly lead to disappointment. This may work, but it doesn’t have to. There is also a risk that an unexpected power loss could damage the Fire TV Stick. Amazon therefore expressly recommends that you power your receiver sticks using a separate power supply.

The USB ports on normal TVs are not designed to supply connected devices with power. The voltage supplied here tends to fluctuate and is often borderline low, which may no longer be sufficient if the stick has a temporarily higher power consumption, for example during a software update.

Intermediate battery compensates for fluctuations

A reader drew our attention to the Mission USB power cable, which is advertised as a workaround and can be used to reliably solve these problems.

This is achieved by a control integrated into the supply cable, which is designed to prevent power fluctuations and provide a constant and sufficient power over the long term. An integrated battery stores excess energy, which can then be returned to the Fire TV Stick if necessary.

As expensive and big as a Fire TV Stick

At 24.99 euros, the Mission power stick costs the same as what you just paid for the cheap Fire TV Stick from Amazon. In terms of size, the two devices are no different. However, if you are bothered by the otherwise necessary external power supply and the additional cable connection to the TV, you will be happy to accept these limitations when making a purchase.