How much does it cost to run a cordless stick vacuum?
A cordless stick vacuum costs about 0.5¢ per hour, 1.0¢ a day, $0.31 a month and $4 a year at typical use (3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. 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.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| 4 hours | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| 8 hours | 0.11 | 2.0¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| 12 hours | 0.16 | 2.9¢ | $0.90 | $11 |
| 24 hours | 0.32 | 5.7¢ | $1.73 | $21 |
Cost to run a cordless stick vacuum in every state
The same cordless stick vacuum costs $3 a year in North Dakota and $9 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.41 | $5 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.46 | $5 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.3¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
How to cut the cost
- Use eco/standard mode; boost mode drains the battery 3-5x faster.
- Unplug the dock charger if the vacuum isn't stored on it; chargers idle at 0.3-1 W.
- Wash the filter monthly so the motor doesn't work harder.
- Avoid leaving the battery on the charger in hot garages.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
A clean filter keeps suction high so you finish faster on each charge.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cordless stick vacuum | 30 | 3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week | $0.31 | $4 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.94 | $11 |
| Robot vacuum | 30 | 2 hours a day | $0.69 | $8 |
| Steam mop | 1,300 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.18 | $2 |
| Wet dry vacuum mop | 560 | 15 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.22 | $3 |
| Carpet cleaner | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.20 | $2 |
| Central vacuum | 1,600 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $1.25 | $15 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a cordless stick vacuum per hour?
A cordless stick vacuum drawing 30 watts uses 0.03 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.5¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.3¢.
How much does it cost to run a cordless stick vacuum per month?
At typical use (3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week), a cordless stick vacuum costs about $0.31 a month and $4 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a cordless stick vacuum use?
Most cordless stick vacuums use 15 to 100 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a cordless stick vacuum use?
About 0.06 kWh a day and 21 kWh a year at typical use (3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week).
Does a cordless stick vacuum use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 21 kWh a year it's a small share (0.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a cordless stick vacuum or a vacuum cleaner?
At typical use, a cordless stick vacuum costs about $4 a year versus $11 for a vacuum cleaner. So the cordless stick vacuum is cheaper by about $8 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a cordless stick vacuum?
- Use eco/standard mode; boost mode drains the battery 3-5x faster.
- Unplug the dock charger if the vacuum isn't stored on it; chargers idle at 0.3-1 W.
- Wash the filter monthly so the motor doesn't work harder.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.