How much does it cost to run a Mac mini?
A Mac mini costs about 0.2¢ per hour, 2.0¢ a day, $0.61 a month and $7 a year at typical use (8 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Apple-silicon Mac minis idle at 4-7 W and average around 10-15 W in normal use, making them one of the lowest-power desktops. Monitor not included.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idle / light use | 6 | 0.1¢ | 1.2¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Typical use | 12 | 0.2¢ | 2.0¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Heavy load | 50 | 0.9¢ | 7.5¢ | $2.28 | $27 |
At 8 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.04 | 0.6¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.05 | 0.8¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| 4 hours | 0.07 | 1.2¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| 8 hours | 0.11 | 2.0¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| 12 hours | 0.16 | 2.8¢ | $0.85 | $10 |
| 24 hours | 0.29 | 5.2¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
Cost to run a Mac mini in every state
The same Mac mini costs $5 a year in North Dakota and $18 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¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.46 | $5 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.46 | $5 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.46 | $6 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.47 | $6 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.48 | $6 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.54 | $7 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.55 | $7 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.57 | $7 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.62 | $7 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.71 | $8 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.82 | $10 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.91 | $11 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.92 | $11 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.00 | $12 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.00 | $12 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.04 | $12 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $1.12 | $13 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.5¢ | $1.48 | $18 |
Most efficient Mac mini models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models, out of 1,729 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $0 a year to run. The least efficient costs $42. Same size, $42 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer | CBV514-1H | 2 | $0 | Amazon |
| MAXHUB | XPG14M | 3 | $0 | Amazon |
| HP | FCW-2402A | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Amazon | RL3YT5 | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB351FU | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB305FU | 3 | $1 | Amazon |
| Samsung | SM-X110 | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| Ceibal | H9190L | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| MAXHUB | XPT34M | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
| Lenovo | TB310FU | 4 | $1 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Set the attached monitor to sleep after 5 minutes; it usually draws more than the Mac.
- Leave it in sleep rather than shut down if you use it daily; sleep is under 1 W.
- Use it as an always-on home server instead of an old tower; it can save 300+ kWh a year.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Pairs the efficient Mac with an efficient display.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac mini | 12 | 8 hours a day | $0.61 | $7 |
| iMac / all-in-one computer | 60 | 6 hours a day | $2.07 | $25 |
| Desktop computer | 90 | 6 hours a day | $3.15 | $38 |
| Computer monitor | 25 | 6 hours a day | $0.85 | $10 |
| Home server | 80 | 24 hours a day | $10.51 | $126 |
| Phone charger | 10 | 2 hours a day | $0.12 | $1 |
| Tablet charging | 15 | 1.5 hours a day | $0.14 | $2 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a Mac mini per hour?
A Mac mini drawing 12 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.1¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.5¢.
How much does it cost to run a Mac mini per month?
At typical use (8 hours a day), a Mac mini costs about $0.61 a month and $7 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 Mac mini use?
Most Mac minis use 4 to 65 watts, depending on the setting (idle / light use 6 W, typical use 12 W, heavy load 50 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a Mac mini use?
About 0.11 kWh a day and 41 kWh a year at typical use (8 hours a day).
Does a Mac mini use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 41 kWh a year it's a small share (0.4%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a Mac mini or an iMac / all-in-one computer?
At typical use, a Mac mini costs about $7 a year versus $25 for an iMac / all-in-one computer. So the Mac mini is cheaper by about $17 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a Mac mini?
- Set the attached monitor to sleep after 5 minutes; it usually draws more than the Mac.
- Leave it in sleep rather than shut down if you use it daily; sleep is under 1 W.
- Use it as an always-on home server instead of an old tower; it can save 300+ kWh a year.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.