How Much Does It Cost to Run a Streaming Stick or Box in Connecticut? (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 $0.001 per hour, or about $0.12 per month at 4 hours a day in Connecticut. Cheap to run

Hours used per day
WattagePer hourPer dayPer monthPer year
Low 2 W$0.000$0.002$0.058$0.71
Typical 4 W$0.001$0.004$0.12$1.42
High 10 W$0.002$0.010$0.29$3.55

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 Connecticut, with electricity at 24.3¢ per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical streaming stick or box costs $0.001 per hour and about $1.42 per year at 4 hours a day. That is about 33% more than the national average for the US ($0.088 per month), because electricity in Connecticut costs 24.3¢ per kWh against 18.3¢ nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 1,028.0 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 ($4.26) 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

US states
Canadian provinces

Related appliances

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