Laser printer vs. paper shredder: running cost
A paper shredder is cheaper to run: about $1 a year versus $5 for a laser printer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $4 difference.
| Laser printer | Paper shredder | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 500 W | 200 W |
| Watt range | 300–1,000 W | 100–500 W |
| Typical use | 6 minutes a day, 5 days a week | 6 minutes a day, 2 days a week |
| Energy per year | 31 kWh | 6 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 9.0¢ | 3.6¢ |
| Cost per day | 1.5¢ | 0.3¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.46 | $0.10 |
| Cost per year | $5 | $1 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $13 | $3 |
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What drives the difference
- Laser printer: Laser printers draw 400-600 W while printing (fusing toner) and spike higher on warm-up, but print only minutes a day; sleep draw of 1-3 W makes up most annual use.
- Paper shredder: Home shredders draw 150-300 W while running but are used minutes a week, so they cost well under $5 a year.
Ways to cut either cost
Shredder oil sheets
Keeps blades lubricated so the motor draws less and lasts longer.
See options on Amazon ENERGY STAR laser printer
Certified models have deep-sleep modes under 1 W.
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 laser printer or a paper shredder?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a laser printer costs about $5 a year versus $1 for a paper shredder. That's $4 more, or 4.7× as much.
How many watts do laser printer and paper shredder use?
A laser printer typically draws 500 W (range 300–1,000 W). A paper shredder draws 200 W (range 100–500 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.