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How Much Does It Cost to Run a 3D Printer in the UK? (2026)
A desktop FDM printer draws 100 to 150 watts once the bed and nozzle are at temperature. Heated beds dominate, and printers with enclosures or large beds use more. Electricity is usually the smallest part of the cost of a print.
A typical 3d printer (120 W) costs £0.031 per hour, or about £5.62 per month at 6 hours a day in United Kingdom. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (50 W) | £0.013 | £0.078 | £2.34 | £28.47 |
| Typical (120 W) | £0.031 | £0.19 | £5.62 | £68.33 |
| High (300 W) | £0.078 | £0.47 | £14.04 | £170.82 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 6 h/day ≈ 263 kWh per year.
In the UK, with electricity at £0.26 per kWh (source: Ofgem price cap 1 Jul–30 Sep 2026, 2026-07), a typical 3d printer costs £0.031 per hour and about £68.33 per year at 6 hours a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 32.1 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a 3d printer
- Lower the bed temperature once the first layers stick.
- Use an enclosure in cold rooms so the bed heater cycles less.
- Switch the printer off rather than leaving it idle. Some draw 5 to 10 watts waiting.
In standby it draws about 5 W, which adds roughly 44 kWh (£11.39) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a 3D printer for 10 hours?
About 1.2 kWh at a typical 120 watts. Pick your region for the cost.
Do 3D printers use a lot of electricity?
No. A long print costs less than the filament it uses.
Does a resin printer use less power?
Usually, around 30 to 70 watts, but curing and washing stations add some.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India