Projector vs. OLED TV: running cost
A projector is cheaper to run: about $34 a year versus $43 for an OLED TV at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $10 difference.
| Projector | OLED TV | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 250 W | 130 W |
| Watt range | 30–450 W | 80–300 W |
| Typical use | 2 hours a day | 5 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 187 kWh | 241 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 4.5¢ | 2.3¢ |
| Cost per day | 9.2¢ | 12¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.80 | $3.61 |
| Cost per year | $34 | $43 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $81 | $105 |
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What drives the difference
- Projector: Lamp-based home projectors draw 200-350 W; eco lamp mode cuts that by about 25%. Small LED projectors draw far less but are dimmer.
- 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.
Ways to cut either cost
Laser light sources use less power per lumen than lamps and need no bulb replacement.
See options on AmazonCertified models are tested to use less power in their default picture mode.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a projector or an OLED TV?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an OLED TV costs about $43 a year versus $34 for a projector. That's $10 more, or 1.3× as much.
How many watts do projector and OLED TV use?
A projector typically draws 250 W (range 30–450 W). An OLED TV draws 130 W (range 80–300 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.