Bench grinder vs. table saw: running cost
A bench grinder is cheaper to run: about $1 a year versus $4 for a table saw at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $3 difference.
| Bench grinder | Table saw | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 400 W | 1,800 W |
| Watt range | 250–900 W | 1,200–3,700 W |
| Typical use | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week |
| Energy per year | 5 kWh | 23 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 7.2¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.3¢ | 1.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.08 | $0.35 |
| Cost per year | $1 | $4 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $2 | $10 |
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What drives the difference
- Bench grinder: Bench grinders draw about 2-6 A (250-700 W); they're used briefly so energy cost is small.
- Table saw: Benchtop and jobsite saws draw up to 15 A under load; they spend much of their run time spinning freely at lower draw.
Ways to cut either cost
Wheel dresser
A dressed wheel cuts faster and runs cooler.
See options on Amazon Blade cleaner
Clean blades cut with less effort.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a bench grinder or a table saw?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a table saw costs about $4 a year versus $1 for a bench grinder. That's $3 more, or 4.5× as much.
How many watts do bench grinder and table saw use?
A bench grinder typically draws 400 W (range 250–900 W). A table saw draws 1,800 W (range 1,200–3,700 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.