NAS vs. Wi-Fi router: running cost
A Wi-Fi router is cheaper to run: about $16 a year versus $55 for an NAS at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $39 difference.
| NAS | Wi-Fi router | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 35 W | 10 W |
| Watt range | 10–90 W | 5–25 W |
| Typical use | 24 hours a day | 24 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 307 kWh | 88 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.6¢ | 0.2¢ |
| Cost per day | 15¢ | 4.3¢ |
| Cost per month | $4.60 | $1.31 |
| Cost per year | $55 | $16 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $133 | $38 |
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What drives the difference
- NAS: Spinning hard drives add 5-8 W each; a 4-bay NAS averages 30-40 W, about 300 kWh a year.
- Wi-Fi router: Routers run 24/7 and draw 6-20 W, about 50-175 kWh a year.
Ways to cut either cost
Modem-router combo
One box draws less than a separate modem and router.
See options on Amazon Large capacity hard drive
Consolidating to fewer drives cuts NAS draw by 5-8 W per drive removed.
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 NAS or a Wi-Fi router?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an NAS costs about $55 a year versus $16 for a Wi-Fi router. That's $39 more, or 3.5× as much.
How many watts do NAS and Wi-Fi router use?
An NAS typically draws 35 W (range 10–90 W). A Wi-Fi router draws 10 W (range 5–25 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.