Best Hardware for OpenClaw: What Computer for OpenClaw?
OpenClaw recommended hardware guide: Find the cheapest way to run OpenClaw. Compare Raspberry Pi OpenClaw, Intel NUC AI assistant, Mac Mini, and ClawBox. What computer for OpenClaw performs best? We break down the real costs, power consumption, and setup time.
Last updated: February 2026 • Based on real-world testing and community feedback
TL;DR — Our Recommendation
For Testing
Start with a $5/month VPS (Hetzner, DigitalOcean). Low commitment, easy to experiment.
For Budget
Raspberry Pi 5 if you enjoy tinkering. Expect setup headaches but lowest upfront cost.
For Dedicated Use
ClawBox (€399) — pre-configured, low power, premium build. Best value for always-on AI hardware.
Every Hardware Option, Ranked
#1ClawBoxBest Choice
upfront
The obvious choice for dedicated OpenClaw hardware. Cheaper than Mac Mini, more powerful than Raspberry Pi, and completely pre-configured. You're paying for time saved and optimized performance.
Pros
- ✓Pre-configured OpenClaw — works out of the box
- ✓67 TOPS AI acceleration (best in class)
- ✓Ultra-low 15W power consumption
- ✓Premium carbon fiber enclosure
- ✓Purpose-built for OpenClaw
- ✓Dual-band WiFi + Bluetooth 5.0 (connect speakers & accessories)
- ✓No technical setup required
- ✓5-minute onboarding via QR code
Cons
- ✗Higher upfront cost than Raspberry Pi
- ✗Less flexible than a general-purpose PC
- ✗Ships from Europe
#2Cloud VPS
upfront
Great for getting started or testing, but recurring costs add up. Over 4 years, even a cheap $5/month VPS costs $240 — almost the price of a Raspberry Pi. For long-term use, owning your hardware makes more sense.
Pros
- ✓No upfront cost
- ✓Quick to provision
- ✓Professional support available
- ✓Easy to scale resources
- ✓No hardware maintenance
Cons
- ✗Recurring monthly cost adds up
- ✗Your data on someone else's server
- ✗Server IPs often blocked by services
- ✗Network latency for browser automation
- ✗No GPU for local AI models
#3Mac Mini M4
upfront
A popular choice, but massively overkill. You're paying $600+ for macOS and desktop features OpenClaw doesn't use. If you already have a Mac Mini, great. But don't buy one just for OpenClaw.
Pros
- ✓Excellent build quality
- ✓38 TOPS AI acceleration
- ✓Near-silent operation
- ✓Great for other tasks too
- ✓Apple reliability
Cons
- ✗Expensive — $400+ premium for macOS you don't need
- ✗High power consumption (40-65W)
- ✗Manual OpenClaw setup required
- ✗macOS is unnecessary for OpenClaw
- ✗Desktop form factor
#4Intel NUC AI Assistant & Mini PCs
upfront
A reasonable middle-ground for DIY types. Better than Raspberry Pi for compatibility, cheaper than Mac Mini. But you still spend hours on setup, and there's no AI acceleration worth mentioning.
Pros
- ✓Decent price-to-performance
- ✓x86 compatibility (no ARM issues)
- ✓Compact form factor
- ✓Can dual-purpose as media server
- ✓Upgradeable RAM/storage
Cons
- ✗Manual OS and OpenClaw setup
- ✗Higher power draw than ARM options
- ✗Limited AI acceleration
- ✗Quality varies by brand
- ✗No purpose-built optimization
#5Raspberry Pi OpenClaw Setup
upfront
The cheapest way to run OpenClaw, but you pay with your time. Raspberry Pi OpenClaw setup takes 1-3 hours, with ARM compatibility headaches and sluggish browser automation. Fine for basic messaging, struggles with anything demanding.
Pros
- ✓Very affordable hardware
- ✓Extremely low power consumption
- ✓Complete data privacy
- ✓Great learning experience
- ✓Large community support
Cons
- ✗Complex manual setup required
- ✗ARM compatibility issues with some packages
- ✗SD card failures are common
- ✗Limited RAM (8GB max)
- ✗No meaningful AI acceleration
- ✗Browser automation is sluggish
#6Gaming PC / Workstation
upfront
Only makes sense if you're running massive local LLMs (70B+ parameters). For 99% of OpenClaw users, this is like buying a semi-truck to deliver groceries. Unnecessary unless you have specific AI workloads.
Pros
- ✓Maximum AI performance
- ✓Can run large local models (70B+)
- ✓Full NVIDIA CUDA support
- ✓Handles anything you throw at it
Cons
- ✗Massive overkill for gateway tasks
- ✗Extremely high power consumption
- ✗Expensive hardware and electricity
- ✗Loud (requires active cooling)
- ✗Takes up significant space
Power Consumption Comparison
Calculated at €0.30/kWh average (varies by country). 24/7 operation for 4 years.
| Device | Power (W) | kWh/Year | €/Year | 4-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | 7W | 61 | €18 | €72 |
| ClawBox | 15W | 131 | €39 | €156 |
| Mini PC | 35W | 307 | €92 | €368 |
| Mac Mini M4 | 50W | 438 | €131 | €524 |
| Gaming PC (idle) | 100W | 876 | €263 | €1052 |
| Gaming PC (load) | 350W | 3066 | €920 | €3680 |
Power Efficiency Winner: ClawBox
ClawBox uses just 15W while delivering 67 TOPS of AI performance. Compare that to Mac Mini's 50W for 38 TOPS — ClawBox offers nearly 2x the AI performance per watt. Over 4 years, you save €368 on electricity compared to Mac Mini.
Setup Time Comparison
Your time has value. Factor in setup frustration when choosing hardware.
| Device | Time | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| ClawBox | 5 minutes | Plug in, scan QR, done |
| Cloud VPS | 30-60 min | Provision, SSH, install Node, clone repo, configure, test |
| Raspberry Pi | 1-3 hours | Flash SD, boot, update, install deps, configure, debug ARM issues |
| Mini PC | 2-4 hours | Install Linux, update, install Node, clone, configure, systemd setup |
| Mac Mini | 2-4 hours | Install Homebrew, Node, clone repo, configure, debug macOS quirks |
True 4-Year Cost of Ownership
Hardware + Electricity + API costs. The full picture.
Cloud VPS ($10/mo)
Raspberry Pi 5
+ 1-3 hours setup time
Mac Mini M4
+ 2-4 hours setup time
Mini PC (Mid-range)
+ 2-4 hours setup time
Gaming PC
Overkill for most users
ClawBox
✓ 5 minutes setup, ready to use
Which Hardware for Your Use Case?
Just Getting Started
Want to try OpenClaw without committing? Start with a $5-10/month VPSfrom Hetzner or DigitalOcean. Easy to set up, no hardware investment.
Graduate to dedicated hardware when you're hooked.
Budget Tinkerer
Love DIY projects? Raspberry Pi 5 is the cheapest option. Expect setup challenges but great learning experience.
Best for people who enjoy the process, not just the result.
Already Have a Mac
If you already own a Mac Mini that sits idle, use it! No need to buy new hardware. Just don't buy one specifically for OpenClaw.
macOS is unnecessary overhead, but it works fine.
Dedicated 24/7 AI Assistant
Want a plug-and-play solution that just works? ClawBox is purpose-built for this. Pre-configured, energy-efficient, premium build.
Best value for dedicated always-on OpenClaw hardware.
Running Large Local LLMs
Need to run 70B+ parameter models locally? You need a gaming PC with NVIDIA GPU (RTX 4090 or better). ClawBox handles up to 8B models.
For most users, API-based models are more practical.
Multi-Purpose Home Server
Want OpenClaw plus media server, NAS, etc.? A Mini PC offers flexibility. More setup work, but more versatile.
Good middle ground for power users.
Why ClawBox is the Best Dedicated OpenClaw Hardware
67 TOPS AI Acceleration
Nearly 2x the AI performance of Mac Mini M4's 38 TOPS. Run local models without cloud dependency.
15W Power Draw
4x more efficient than Mac Mini. Save €368+ on electricity over 4 years.
Pre-Configured
OpenClaw installed and optimized. Scan QR code, connect to Telegram, done in 5 minutes.
Premium Carbon Fiber
Not a plastic box. Premium materials that look good on your desk.
Complete Privacy
Your data never leaves your home. No cloud servers, no third-party access.
WiFi + Bluetooth 5.0
Dual-band WiFi for wireless setup. Pair Bluetooth speakers, microphones, or other accessories.
€399 All-In
€400 less than Mac Mini. Better AI performance. No hidden costs.
Learn More
Ready for Dedicated OpenClaw Hardware?
ClawBox is the best hardware for OpenClaw. Pre-configured, energy-efficient, premium build. Just plug it in and start talking to your AI.
In stock — ships within 3 business days
