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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Soundbar in California? (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 $0.009 per hour, or about $1.05 per month at 4 hours a day in California. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (10 W) | $0.003 | $0.014 | $0.42 | $5.11 |
| Typical (25 W) | $0.009 | $0.035 | $1.05 | $12.77 |
| High (60 W) | $0.021 | $0.084 | $2.52 | $30.66 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day ≈ 36 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical soundbar costs $0.009 per hour and about $12.77 per year at 4 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $0.54 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 114.3 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 ($3.07) 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