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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Soundbar in the UK? (2026)
Soundbars draw 10 to 60 watts depending on size and volume. Models with a separate subwoofer draw more, and the subwoofer has its own standby draw.
A typical soundbar (25 W) costs £0.007 per hour, or about £0.78 per month at 4 hours a day in United Kingdom. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (10 W) | £0.003 | £0.010 | £0.31 | £3.80 |
| Typical (25 W) | £0.007 | £0.026 | £0.78 | £9.49 |
| High (60 W) | £0.016 | £0.062 | £1.87 | £22.78 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day ≈ 36 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 soundbar costs £0.007 per hour and about £9.49 per year at 4 hours a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 153.8 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a soundbar
- Enable auto standby so it switches off with the TV.
- Turn the volume down. Power scales steeply with loudness.
- Unplug the subwoofer if you rarely use it.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh (£2.28) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a soundbar use?
About 0.1 kWh per 4 hour evening at typical volume, plus a small standby draw.
Does a soundbar use power when the TV is off?
Around 1 watt in standby, sometimes more if it keeps Wi-Fi active.
Is a soundbar cheaper to run than an AV receiver?
Yes. Receivers often draw 50 to 100 watts idle.
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India