Vacuum cleaner vs. cordless stick vacuum: running cost
A cordless stick vacuum is cheaper to run: about $4 a year versus $11 for a vacuum cleaner at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $8 difference.
| Vacuum cleaner | Cordless stick vacuum | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,200 W | 30 W |
| Watt range | 500–1,500 W | 15–100 W |
| Typical use | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | 3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week |
| Energy per year | 63 kWh | 21 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 22¢ | 0.5¢ |
| Cost per day | 3.1¢ | 1.0¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.94 | $0.31 |
| Cost per year | $11 | $4 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $27 | $9 |
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What drives the difference
- Vacuum cleaner: Corded upright vacuums draw about 1,000-1,400 W; an hour of vacuuming a week is roughly 60-75 kWh a year.
- Cordless stick vacuum: Stick vacuum batteries hold about 0.05-0.1 kWh; the charger draws 20-60 W for 3-4.5 hours to refill a fully drained pack. The cost is a few dollars a year.
Ways to cut either cost
A clean filter keeps suction high so you finish faster on each charge.
See options on AmazonUses about 0.05-0.1 kWh per charge, a fraction of a corded upright for quick cleanups.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a vacuum cleaner or a cordless stick vacuum?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a vacuum cleaner costs about $11 a year versus $4 for a cordless stick vacuum. That's $8 more, or 3.0× as much.
How many watts do vacuum cleaner and cordless stick vacuum use?
A vacuum cleaner typically draws 1,200 W (range 500–1,500 W). A cordless stick vacuum draws 30 W (range 15–100 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.