Sous vide vs. Instant Pot: running cost
A sous vide is cheaper to run: about $7 a year versus $10 for an Instant Pot at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $3 difference.
| Sous vide | Instant Pot | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,000 W | 1,000 W |
| Watt range | 800–1,200 W | 700–1,500 W |
| Typical use | 3 hours a day, 1 days a week | 45 minutes a day, 3 days a week |
| Energy per year | 39 kWh | 56 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 4.5¢ | 7.2¢ |
| Cost per day | 1.9¢ | 2.7¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.59 | $0.83 |
| Cost per year | $7 | $10 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $17 | $24 |
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What drives the difference
- Sous vide: Sous vide circulators draw 800-1,200 W while heating water, then 100-300 W to hold temperature. Insulation makes a large difference.
- Instant Pot: A 6-quart Instant Pot is rated 1,000 W and runs at full power only while coming to pressure; most meals use 0.2-0.4 kWh.
Ways to cut either cost
Insulated sous vide container with lid
Reduces heat loss so the circulator cycles less over long cooks.
See options on Amazon Instant Pot sealing ring replacement
A good seal reaches pressure faster and avoids long heating times.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a sous vide or an Instant Pot?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an Instant Pot costs about $10 a year versus $7 for a sous vide. That's $3 more, or 1.4× as much.
How many watts do sous vide and Instant Pot use?
A sous vide typically draws 1,000 W (range 800–1,200 W). An Instant Pot draws 1,000 W (range 700–1,500 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.