Electric toothbrush vs. electric shaver: running cost
An electric shaver is cheaper to run: about $1 a year versus $2 for an electric toothbrush at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $2 difference.
| Electric toothbrush | Electric shaver | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 2 W | 5 W |
| Watt range | 1–3 W | 2–15 W |
| Typical use | 24 hours a day | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week |
| Energy per year | 13 kWh | 3 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.03¢ | 0.09¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.6¢ | 0.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.20 | $0.05 |
| Cost per year | $2 | $1 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $6 | $1 |
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What drives the difference
- Electric toothbrush: The charging base draws about 0.5-2 W around the clock whether or not the brush needs charging, roughly 4-15 kWh a year.
- Electric shaver: Shavers and trimmers use a few watts while charging; annual cost is under $1.
Ways to cut either cost
Charges from any efficient USB-C charger.
See options on AmazonCharges in a few hours as needed instead of sitting on an always-on base.
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, an electric toothbrush or an electric shaver?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric toothbrush costs about $2 a year versus $1 for an electric shaver. That's $2 more, or 4.2× as much.
How many watts do electric toothbrush and electric shaver use?
An electric toothbrush typically draws 2 W (range 1–3 W). An electric shaver draws 5 W (range 2–15 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.