Hot air brush vs. flat iron: running cost
A flat iron is cheaper to run: about $1 a year versus $10 for a hot air brush at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $10 difference.
| Hot air brush | Flat iron | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,100 W | 60 W |
| Watt range | 800–1,300 W | 30–150 W |
| Typical use | 15 minutes a day, 4 days a week | 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week |
| Energy per year | 57 kWh | 4 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 20¢ | 1.1¢ |
| Cost per day | 2.8¢ | 0.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.86 | $0.06 |
| Cost per year | $10 | $1 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $25 | $2 |
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What drives the difference
- Hot air brush: Hot air brushes like the Revlon One-Step draw about 1,100 W; the Dyson Airwrap is rated 1,300 W.
- Flat iron: Flat irons draw 30-150 W, mostly during heat-up; a year of regular use costs a few dollars.
Ways to cut either cost
Heat protectant
Lets you use lower temperature settings with good results.
See options on Amazon Microfiber hair towel
Less water to remove means fewer minutes on high heat.
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 hot air brush or a flat iron?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a hot air brush costs about $10 a year versus $1 for a flat iron. That's $10 more, or 13.9× as much.
How many watts do hot air brush and flat iron use?
A hot air brush typically draws 1,100 W (range 800–1,300 W). A flat iron draws 60 W (range 30–150 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.