Cordless drill (charging) vs. tool battery charger: running cost
A cordless drill (charging) is cheaper to run: about $1 a year versus $3 for a tool battery charger at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $2 difference.
| Cordless drill (charging) | Tool battery charger | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 70 W | 100 W |
| Watt range | 30–150 W | 30–300 W |
| Typical use | 1 hour a day, 1 days a week | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week |
| Energy per year | 8 kWh | 19 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.3¢ | 1.8¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.4¢ | 0.9¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.12 | $0.29 |
| Cost per year | $1 | $3 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $3 | $8 |
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What drives the difference
- Cordless drill (charging): Charging a 20 V 2-5 Ah battery takes 0.05-0.12 kWh; weekly charging costs under $1 a year.
- Tool battery charger: Tool chargers draw 50-250 W while charging and 0.5-3 W when left plugged in with no battery.
Ways to cut either cost
Brushless motors are 10-30% more efficient, extending runtime per charge.
See options on AmazonEliminates charger standby between uses.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a cordless drill (charging) or a tool battery charger?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a tool battery charger costs about $3 a year versus $1 for a cordless drill (charging). That's $2 more, or 2.4× as much.
How many watts do cordless drill (charging) and tool battery charger use?
A cordless drill (charging) typically draws 70 W (range 30–150 W). A tool battery charger draws 100 W (range 30–300 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.