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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hair Straightener in New York? (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 $0.017 per hour, or about $0.13 per month at 0.25 hours a day in New York. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (30 W) | $0.009 | $0.002 | $0.065 | $0.79 |
| Typical (60 W) | $0.017 | $0.004 | $0.13 | $1.59 |
| High (150 W) | $0.043 | $0.011 | $0.33 | $3.97 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.25 h/day ≈ 5 kWh per year.
In New York, with electricity at $0.29 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical hair straightener costs $0.017 per hour and about $1.59 per year at 0.25 hours a day. That is about 61% more than the US national average of $0.081 per month, because electricity in New York costs $0.29 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 57.5 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