OLED TV vs. soundbar: running cost
A soundbar is cheaper to run: about $14 a year versus $43 for an OLED TV at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $30 difference.
| OLED TV | Soundbar | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 130 W | 30 W |
| Watt range | 80–300 W | 10–120 W |
| Typical use | 5 hours a day | 5 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 241 kWh | 76 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 2.3¢ | 0.5¢ |
| Cost per day | 12¢ | 3.7¢ |
| Cost per month | $3.61 | $1.13 |
| Cost per year | $43 | $14 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $105 | $33 |
Compare at your rate and settings
What drives the difference
- OLED TV: OLED power varies with picture content: dark scenes draw little, bright full-screen white or HDR can spike well above the average. Figures are typical mixed-content draw in standard mode.
- Soundbar: At normal listening volume soundbars draw 15-40 W; a wireless subwoofer adds 20-40 W. Network standby keeps many at 2-5 W around the clock.
Ways to cut either cost
Smart power strip
Cuts standby to the soundbar and subwoofer when the TV is off.
See options on Amazon ENERGY STAR certified TV
Certified models are tested to use less power in their default picture mode.
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 OLED TV or a soundbar?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an OLED TV costs about $43 a year versus $14 for a soundbar. That's $30 more, or 3.2× as much.
How many watts do OLED TV and soundbar use?
An OLED TV typically draws 130 W (range 80–300 W). A soundbar draws 30 W (range 10–120 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.