TV vs. soundbar: running cost
A soundbar is cheaper to run: about $14 a year versus $27 for a TV at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $13 difference.
| TV | Soundbar | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 80 W | 30 W |
| Watt range | 25–250 W | 10–120 W |
| Typical use | 5 hours a day | 5 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 150 kWh | 76 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.4¢ | 0.5¢ |
| Cost per day | 7.4¢ | 3.7¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.24 | $1.13 |
| Cost per year | $27 | $14 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $65 | $33 |
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What drives the difference
- TV: Typical LED-LCD 4K TVs draw 60-120 W in standard picture mode; HDR and vivid modes can nearly double that. Five hours a day is close to the US household average.
- 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 TVs use about 25% less power than standard models at the same size.
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 TV or a soundbar?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a TV costs about $27 a year versus $14 for a soundbar. That's $13 more, or 2.0× as much.
How many watts do TV and soundbar use?
A TV typically draws 80 W (range 25–250 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.