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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Soundbar in the US? (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 $0.004 per hour, or about $0.54 per month at 4 hours a day in United States (average). Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (10 W) | $0.002 | $0.007 | $0.22 | $2.63 |
| Typical (25 W) | $0.004 | $0.018 | $0.54 | $6.57 |
| High (60 W) | $0.011 | $0.043 | $1.30 | $15.77 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day ≈ 36 kWh per year.
In the US, with electricity at $0.18 per kWh (source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, 2026-06), a typical soundbar costs $0.004 per hour and about $6.57 per year at 4 hours a day. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 222.2 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 ($1.58) 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