Cable box / DVR vs. TV: running cost
A TV is cheaper to run: about $27 a year versus $39 for a cable box / DVR at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $13 difference.
| Cable box / DVR | TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 25 W | 80 W |
| Watt range | 10–40 W | 25–250 W |
| Typical use | 24 hours a day | 5 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 219 kWh | 150 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.4¢ | 1.4¢ |
| Cost per day | 11¢ | 7.4¢ |
| Cost per month | $3.29 | $2.24 |
| Cost per year | $39 | $27 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $95 | $65 |
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What drives the difference
- Cable box / DVR: Cable and satellite DVRs draw nearly the same power whether 'on' or 'off' because the hard drive and tuners keep running, so they use 130-300 kWh a year.
- TV: Typical LED-LCD 4K TVs draw 60-120 W in standard picture mode; HDR and vivid modes can nearly double that. Five hours a day is close to the US household average.
Ways to cut either cost
Certified TVs use about 25% less power than standard models at the same size.
See options on AmazonCuts power to the soundbar, console and streaming boxes when the TV turns off.
See options on AmazonRuns the provider's app at about 3 W instead of 25 W around the clock.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a cable box / DVR or a TV?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a cable box / DVR costs about $39 a year versus $27 for a TV. That's $13 more, or 1.5× as much.
How many watts do cable box / DVR and TV use?
A cable box / DVR typically draws 25 W (range 10–40 W). A TV draws 80 W (range 25–250 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.