How much does it cost to run a mesh Wi-Fi system?
A mesh Wi-Fi system costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 10¢ a day, $3.15 a month and $38 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Each mesh node draws 6-12 W around the clock, so a 3-pack uses 150-300 kWh a year.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 nodes | 16 | 0.3¢ | 6.9¢ | $2.10 | $25 |
| 3 nodes | 24 | 0.4¢ | 10¢ | $3.15 | $38 |
| 3 nodes Wi-Fi 7 | 36 | 0.6¢ | 16¢ | $4.73 | $57 |
At 24 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 | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| 4 hours | 0.10 | 1.7¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| 8 hours | 0.19 | 3.5¢ | $1.05 | $13 |
| 12 hours | 0.29 | 5.2¢ | $1.58 | $19 |
| 24 hours | 0.58 | 10¢ | $3.15 | $38 |
Cost to run a mesh Wi-Fi system in every state
The same mesh Wi-Fi system costs $26 a year in North Dakota and $92 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¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.16 | $26 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.22 | $27 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.25 | $27 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.28 | $27 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.34 | $28 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.35 | $28 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.38 | $29 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.40 | $29 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.43 | $29 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.44 | $29 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.45 | $29 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.46 | $29 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.48 | $30 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.48 | $30 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.3¢ | $2.49 | $30 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.59 | $31 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.59 | $31 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.65 | $32 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.65 | $32 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.69 | $32 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.70 | $32 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.70 | $32 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.71 | $33 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.72 | $33 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.74 | $33 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.80 | $34 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.84 | $34 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.88 | $35 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.89 | $35 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.91 | $35 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.4¢ | $2.97 | $36 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $3.12 | $37 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.4¢ | $3.20 | $38 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.4¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.29 | $40 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.63 | $44 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.69 | $44 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.69 | $44 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.17 | $50 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.17 | $50 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.24 | $51 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.68 | $56 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.71 | $56 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.91 | $59 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.98 | $60 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.13 | $62 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.14 | $62 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.33 | $64 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $5.78 | $69 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.0¢ | $7.63 | $92 |
How to cut the cost
- Use only as many nodes as you need; each one costs about 70 kWh a year.
- Wire nodes with Ethernet backhaul so you can use fewer of them.
- Disable the LED lights and unused bands in the app.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
One well-placed router may cover a smaller home with a third of the power.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesh Wi-Fi system | 24 | 24 hours a day | $3.15 | $38 |
| Wi-Fi router | 10 | 24 hours a day | $1.31 | $16 |
| Modem | 8 | 24 hours a day | $1.05 | $13 |
| NAS | 35 | 24 hours a day | $4.60 | $55 |
| Inkjet printer | 15 | 6 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.20 | $2 |
| Starlink | 55 | 24 hours a day | $7.23 | $87 |
| 3D printer | 120 | 4 hours a day, 3 days a week | $1.74 | $21 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a mesh Wi-Fi system per hour?
A mesh Wi-Fi system drawing 24 watts uses 0.02 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.3¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.0¢.
How much does it cost to run a mesh Wi-Fi system per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), a mesh Wi-Fi system costs about $3.15 a month and $38 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 mesh Wi-Fi system use?
Most mesh Wi-Fi systems use 10 to 50 watts, depending on the setting (2 nodes 16 W, 3 nodes 24 W, 3 nodes wi-fi 7 36 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a mesh Wi-Fi system use?
About 0.58 kWh a day and 210 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does a mesh Wi-Fi system use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 210 kWh a year it's a small share (2.0%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a mesh Wi-Fi system or a Wi-Fi router?
At typical use, a mesh Wi-Fi system costs about $38 a year versus $16 for a Wi-Fi router. So the Wi-Fi router is cheaper by about $22 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a mesh Wi-Fi system?
- Use only as many nodes as you need; each one costs about 70 kWh a year.
- Wire nodes with Ethernet backhaul so you can use fewer of them.
- Disable the LED lights and unused bands in the app.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.