Tablet charging vs. laptop: running cost
A tablet charging is cheaper to run: about $2 a year versus $16 for a laptop at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $15 difference.
| Tablet charging | Laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 15 W | 40 W |
| Watt range | 5–35 W | 15–200 W |
| Typical use | 1.5 hours a day | 6 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 9 kWh | 91 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.3¢ | 0.7¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.4¢ | 4.5¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.14 | $1.36 |
| Cost per year | $2 | $16 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $4 | $40 |
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What drives the difference
- Tablet charging: An iPad battery holds about 0.03 kWh; daily charging uses roughly 10-15 kWh a year including charger losses.
- Laptop: Laptops draw 15-60 W from the wall while working and charging; gaming laptops draw 100-230 W under load. Chargers left plugged in with nothing attached draw under 0.5 W.
Ways to cut either cost
GaN USB-C charger
Efficient, low-standby charger.
See options on Amazon GaN USB-C charger
More efficient and lower standby than older brick chargers.
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 tablet charging or a laptop?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a laptop costs about $16 a year versus $2 for a tablet charging. That's $15 more, or 10.1× as much.
How many watts do tablet charging and laptop use?
A tablet charging typically draws 15 W (range 5–35 W). A laptop draws 40 W (range 15–200 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.