How much does it cost to run an electric toothbrush?
An electric toothbrush costs about 0.03¢ per hour, 0.6¢ a day, $0.20 a month and $2 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. The charging base draws about 0.5-2 W around the clock whether or not the brush needs charging, roughly 4-15 kWh 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 | 0.00 | 0.03¢ | $0.01 | $0 |
| 2 hours | 0.00 | 0.05¢ | $0.02 | $0 |
| 4 hours | 0.01 | 0.1¢ | $0.03 | $0 |
| 8 hours | 0.01 | 0.2¢ | $0.07 | $1 |
| 12 hours | 0.02 | 0.3¢ | $0.10 | $1 |
| 24 hours | 0.04 | 0.6¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
Cost to run an electric toothbrush in every state
The same electric toothbrush costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $6 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¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.02¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.03¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.29 | $4 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.29 | $4 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
How to cut the cost
- Unplug the base and charge once a week; most batteries last 2-3 weeks.
- Use a travel case with USB charging only when needed.
- Plug it into a switched outlet and switch it off between charges.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Charges in a few hours as needed instead of sitting on an always-on base.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric toothbrush | 2 | 24 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
| Electric shaver | 5 | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | $0.05 | $1 |
| Phone charger | 10 | 2 hours a day | $0.12 | $1 |
| Hair dryer | 1,800 | 9 minutes a day | $1.48 | $18 |
| Curling iron | 50 | 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.05 | $1 |
| Flat iron | 60 | 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.06 | $1 |
| Hot air brush | 1,100 | 15 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.86 | $10 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric toothbrush per hour?
An electric toothbrush drawing 2 watts uses 0.00 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.03¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.02¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.07¢.
How much does it cost to run an electric toothbrush per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), an electric toothbrush costs about $0.20 a month and $2 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an electric toothbrush use?
Most electric toothbrushs use 1 to 3 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an electric toothbrush use?
About 0.04 kWh a day and 13 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does an electric toothbrush use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 13 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run an electric toothbrush or an electric shaver?
At typical use, an electric toothbrush costs about $2 a year versus $1 for an electric shaver. So the electric shaver is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an electric toothbrush?
- Unplug the base and charge once a week; most batteries last 2-3 weeks.
- Use a travel case with USB charging only when needed.
- Plug it into a switched outlet and switch it off between charges.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.