How much does it cost to run a massage chair?
A massage chair costs about 3.6¢ per hour, 3.1¢ a day, $0.93 a month and $11 a year at typical use (30 minutes a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Massage chairs draw 100-300 W while running depending on motors, heat and air bags; standby with a lit control panel is a few watts.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.27 | 4.8¢ | $1.47 | $18 |
| 2 hours | 0.47 | 8.4¢ | $2.55 | $31 |
| 4 hours | 0.86 | 15¢ | $4.71 | $57 |
| 8 hours | 1.65 | 30¢ | $9.02 | $108 |
| 12 hours | 2.44 | 44¢ | $13.34 | $160 |
| 24 hours | 4.80 | 86¢ | $26.28 | $315 |
Cost to run a massage chair in every state
The same massage chair costs $8 a year in North Dakota and $27 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¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.64 | $8 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.66 | $8 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.67 | $8 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.69 | $8 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.70 | $8 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.73 | $9 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.74 | $9 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.77 | $9 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.78 | $9 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.80 | $10 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 3.1¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.83 | $10 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 3.2¢ | $0.84 | $10 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.85 | $10 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 3.3¢ | $0.86 | $10 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.92 | $11 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.95 | $11 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.97 | $12 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.98 | $12 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 4.1¢ | $1.07 | $13 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 4.2¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 4.2¢ | $1.09 | $13 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 4.8¢ | $1.23 | $15 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 4.8¢ | $1.24 | $15 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 4.8¢ | $1.26 | $15 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 5.3¢ | $1.38 | $17 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 5.4¢ | $1.39 | $17 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 5.6¢ | $1.45 | $17 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 5.7¢ | $1.47 | $18 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 5.9¢ | $1.52 | $18 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 5.9¢ | $1.52 | $18 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 6.1¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 6.6¢ | $1.71 | $21 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 8.7¢ | $2.26 | $27 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the 15-minute programs instead of 30-minute sessions.
- Turn off seat/back heat unless needed; it adds 40-80 W.
- Switch it off at the power switch to eliminate standby.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Targeted massage for a few watt-hours per charge.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage chair | 200 | 30 minutes a day | $0.93 | $11 |
| Heating pad | 50 | 1 hour a day | $0.19 | $2 |
| Treadmill | 700 | 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $2.03 | $24 |
| Oxygen concentrator | 300 | 24 hours a day | $39.43 | $473 |
| CPAP machine | 55 | 8 hours a day | $2.50 | $30 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a massage chair per hour?
A massage chair drawing 200 watts uses 0.20 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 3.6¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 2.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 8.7¢.
How much does it cost to run a massage chair per month?
At typical use (30 minutes a day), a massage chair costs about $0.93 a month and $11 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 massage chair use?
Most massage chairs use 100 to 300 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 3 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a massage chair use?
About 0.17 kWh a day and 62 kWh a year at typical use (30 minutes a day).
Does a massage chair use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 62 kWh a year it's a small share (0.6%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a massage chair or a heating pad?
At typical use, a massage chair costs about $11 a year versus $2 for a heating pad. So the heating pad is cheaper by about $9 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a massage chair?
- Use the 15-minute programs instead of 30-minute sessions.
- Turn off seat/back heat unless needed; it adds 40-80 W.
- Switch it off at the power switch to eliminate standby.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.