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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Streaming Stick or Box in India? (2026)
A streaming stick draws 2 to 5 watts while playing, and most stay on in a low-power state around the clock. They are the cheapest way to stream, far below a console or a desktop PC.
A typical streaming stick or box (4 W) costs ₹0.024 per hour, or about ₹2.88 per month at 4 hours a day in India. Cheap to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (2 W) | ₹0.012 | ₹0.048 | ₹1.44 | ₹17.52 |
| Typical (4 W) | ₹0.024 | ₹0.096 | ₹2.88 | ₹35.04 |
| High (10 W) | ₹0.060 | ₹0.24 | ₹7.20 | ₹87.60 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 4 h/day ≈ 6 kWh per year.
In India, with electricity at ₹6.00 per kWh (source: Typical urban domestic slab rate; national average ≈ ₹5.5/unit FY2025-26, 2026-04), a typical streaming stick or box costs ₹0.024 per hour and about ₹35.04 per year at 4 hours a day. Each ₹1.00 of electricity buys roughly 41.7 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a streaming stick or box
- Stream on the stick rather than a game console, which can use 20 times more.
- Use the TV's USB port for power so the stick turns off with the TV.
- Turn off screensavers and ambient modes that keep the TV awake.
In standby it draws about 2 W, which adds roughly 18 kWh (₹105.12) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a streaming stick cost to run?
Around 20 to 30 kWh a year including standby, a dollar or two.
Do streaming devices use electricity when off?
Most never truly turn off. They draw 1 to 3 watts waiting for a remote press.
Which streaming device uses the least power?
Small HDMI sticks. Full-size boxes with more processing draw 5 to 10 watts.
Compare with
Cost by region
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