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

Hours used per day
WattagePer hourPer dayPer monthPer 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.

One day of a streaming stick or box (0.10 kWh) is the same electricity as

Electricity per year at typical use, on a log scale: #6 of 95 appliances, from least to most.

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

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

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Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz