How much does it cost to run a robotic pool cleaner?
A robotic pool cleaner costs about 3.2¢ per hour, 3.5¢ a day, $1.06 a month and $5 a year at typical use (2.5 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Corded robotic cleaners draw 150-200 W for a 2-3 hour cycle, about 0.5 kWh per cleaning; they let you skip running a booster pump.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
| 2 hours | 0.15 | 2.8¢ | $0.84 | $10 |
| 4 hours | 0.31 | 5.6¢ | $1.69 | $20 |
| 8 hours | 0.62 | 11¢ | $3.38 | $41 |
| 12 hours | 0.93 | 17¢ | $5.07 | $61 |
| 24 hours | 1.85 | 33¢ | $10.14 | $122 |
Cost to run a robotic pool cleaner in every state
The same robotic pool cleaner costs $4 a year in North Dakota and $13 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¢ | 2.2¢ | $0.72 | $4 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 2.3¢ | $0.74 | $4 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 2.3¢ | $0.75 | $4 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 2.3¢ | $0.76 | $4 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 2.4¢ | $0.78 | $4 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 2.4¢ | $0.78 | $4 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 2.4¢ | $0.79 | $4 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 2.4¢ | $0.80 | $4 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.80 | $4 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.81 | $4 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.82 | $4 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.82 | $4 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.82 | $4 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.83 | $4 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 2.5¢ | $0.83 | $4 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 2.6¢ | $0.83 | $4 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.87 | $4 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.87 | $4 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.89 | $4 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 2.7¢ | $0.89 | $4 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.90 | $4 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.90 | $5 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.90 | $5 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.91 | $5 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.91 | $5 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 2.8¢ | $0.92 | $5 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 2.9¢ | $0.94 | $5 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 2.9¢ | $0.95 | $5 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.97 | $5 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.97 | $5 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.97 | $5 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 3.0¢ | $0.99 | $5 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 3.2¢ | $1.04 | $5 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 3.3¢ | $1.07 | $5 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 3.4¢ | $1.10 | $6 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 3.4¢ | $1.10 | $6 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 3.7¢ | $1.22 | $6 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 3.8¢ | $1.23 | $6 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 3.8¢ | $1.24 | $6 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.40 | $7 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.40 | $7 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 4.4¢ | $1.42 | $7 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 4.8¢ | $1.57 | $8 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 4.8¢ | $1.58 | $8 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 5.0¢ | $1.64 | $8 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 5.1¢ | $1.67 | $8 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 5.3¢ | $1.72 | $9 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 5.3¢ | $1.72 | $9 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 5.5¢ | $1.79 | $9 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 5.9¢ | $1.94 | $10 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 7.8¢ | $2.55 | $13 |
How to cut the cost
- Run every 2-3 days instead of daily unless the pool is heavily used.
- Use the floor-only or quick-clean cycle when walls don't need it.
- Replace a booster-pump pressure cleaner, which uses 750-1,000 W.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses far less power than pressure-side cleaners with a booster pump.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robotic pool cleaner | 180 | 2.5 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year | $1.06 | $5 |
| Pool pump (single-speed) | 1,700 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $74.47 | $372 |
| Variable-speed pool pump | 350 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $23.00 | $115 |
| Inflatable hot tub | 2,000 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $91.99 | $552 |
| Hot tub | 4,000 | 3,000 kWh a year | $44.97 | $540 |
| Pool heat pump | 5,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $145 | $723 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a robotic pool cleaner per hour?
A robotic pool cleaner drawing 180 watts uses 0.18 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 3.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 2.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 7.8¢.
How much does it cost to run a robotic pool cleaner per month?
At typical use (2.5 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year), a robotic pool cleaner costs about $1.06 a month while in use and $5 a year over the 5 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a robotic pool cleaner use?
Most robotic pool cleaners use 100 to 250 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a robotic pool cleaner use?
About 0.19 kWh a day and 29 kWh a year at typical use (2.5 hours a day, 3 days a week for 5 months a year).
Does a robotic pool cleaner use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 29 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a robotic pool cleaner or a pool pump (single-speed)?
At typical use, a robotic pool cleaner costs about $5 a year versus $372 for a pool pump (single-speed). So the robotic pool cleaner is cheaper by about $367 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a robotic pool cleaner?
- Run every 2-3 days instead of daily unless the pool is heavily used.
- Use the floor-only or quick-clean cycle when walls don't need it.
- Replace a booster-pump pressure cleaner, which uses 750-1,000 W.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.