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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hair Straightener in California? (2026)
Flat irons and curling irons heat quickly to a set temperature and then cycle, so they average only 30 to 150 watts in use. Their cost is negligible.
A typical hair straightener (60 W) costs $0.021 per hour, or about $0.16 per month at 0.25 hours a day in California. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (30 W) | $0.010 | $0.003 | $0.079 | $0.96 |
| Typical (60 W) | $0.021 | $0.005 | $0.16 | $1.92 |
| High (150 W) | $0.052 | $0.013 | $0.39 | $4.79 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.25 h/day ≈ 5 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical hair straightener costs $0.021 per hour and about $1.92 per year at 0.25 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $0.081 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 47.6 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a hair straightener
- Turn it off as soon as you finish. Leaving it on is the only meaningful cost, and a fire risk.
- Use the lowest temperature that works for your hair.
- Straighten dry hair. Damp hair takes longer and damages more.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a hair straightener use?
Around 0.015 kWh per 15 minute session, a fraction of a cent.
Does a straightener use power when on but idle?
Yes, it cycles to hold temperature, similar to in-use draw.
Are high-wattage straighteners more expensive to run?
Not meaningfully. Session times are short.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India