Shop vac vs. table saw: running cost
A shop vac is cheaper to run: about $3 a year versus $4 for a table saw at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $1 difference.
| Shop vac | Table saw | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,200 W | 1,800 W |
| Watt range | 600–1,500 W | 1,200–3,700 W |
| Typical use | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | 30 minutes a day, 1 days a week |
| Energy per year | 16 kWh | 23 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 22¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.8¢ | 1.2¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.23 | $0.35 |
| Cost per year | $3 | $4 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $7 | $10 |
Compare at your rate and settings
What drives the difference
- Shop vac: Shop vacs draw 8-12 A (about 1,000-1,400 W) while running; most are used only minutes a week.
- Table saw: Benchtop and jobsite saws draw up to 15 A under load; they spend much of their run time spinning freely at lower draw.
Ways to cut either cost
Cyclone dust separator
Keeps the filter clear so suction stays high.
See options on Amazon Blade cleaner
Clean blades cut with less effort.
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 shop vac or a table saw?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a table saw costs about $4 a year versus $3 for a shop vac. That's $1 more, or 1.5× as much.
How many watts do shop vac and table saw use?
A shop vac typically draws 1,200 W (range 600–1,500 W). A table saw draws 1,800 W (range 1,200–3,700 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.