Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler: specs
Clip-on aluminium heatsink with a temperature-controlled blower fan for Raspberry Pi 5. It connects to the Pi 5's dedicated four-pin fan header.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Input voltage | 5 V DC supplied via the four-pin fan header on Raspberry Pi 5 | source Raspberry Pi Active Cooler product brief (Jan 2026), Specification, p.3 |
| Fan speed control | Pulse width modulation control with tachometer | source Raspberry Pi Active Cooler product brief (Jan 2026), Specification, p.3 |
| Maximum airflow | 1.09 CFM | source Raspberry Pi Active Cooler product brief (Jan 2026), Specification, p.3 |
| Maximum fan speed | 8 000 RPM +/- 15% | source Raspberry Pi Active Cooler product brief (Jan 2026), Specification, p.3 |
| Heatsink and fan | Single-piece anodised aluminium heatsink with a temperature-controlled blower fan fixed by three screws | source Raspberry Pi Active Cooler product brief (Jan 2026), Overview, p.2 |
| Mounting | Two spring-loaded push pins clip onto Raspberry Pi 5; pre-applied thermal pads | source Raspberry Pi Active Cooler product brief (Jan 2026), Overview p.2; Assembly instructions p.4 |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | 5 V DC from the four-pin fan header on Raspberry Pi 5 | source Raspberry Pi Active Cooler product brief (Jan 2026), Specification, p.3; no current figure given |
Pinout
We don't publish a pin table for this part: no official source we could verify gives one. Check the labels printed on your module, and see the notes below.
The product brief gives no pin table for the fan connector; the cable plugs into the connector labelled FAN on Raspberry Pi 5.
Build with it
Project ideas for the Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Cooled Raspberry Pi 5 media box: The cooler clips onto the Pi 5 and takes its 5 V from the Pi's own fan header, so no extra wiring or supply is needed. It keeps a Pi 5 running a heavy load cool.
- A wall dashboard with a Raspberry Pi 5, a 7 inch touch display and an Active Cooler: An always-on dashboard keeps the processor busy; the cooler's PWM fan only speeds up when the Pi gets warm. Learning project.
- Raspberry Pi 5 desktop: A desktop with a browser and compile jobs loads the processor for long periods; the cooler is made for Pi 5 and needs no extra supply. Learning project.
Common mistakes
- Removing the cooler after fitting it: Raspberry Pi recommends it is not removed once fitted, because removal degrades the push pins and thermal pads (source: link, Assembly instructions step 7)
- Forcing the fan connector: if there is resistance, stop, check both connectors are undamaged and that the cable is the right way round (source: link, Assembly instructions step 6)
- Fitting it with the Pi powered: switch the Raspberry Pi 5 off first (source: link, Assembly instructions step 3)
Not covered by the official source
- The brief gives no current draw or fan connector pin table.
- The brief lists an MTTF figure but its unit is unclear, so it is not used.
Sources
- link (Raspberry Pi Active Cooler for Raspberry Pi 5 product brief, published January 2026)