How much does it cost to run a sound machine?
A sound machine costs about 0.05¢ per hour, 0.7¢ a day, $0.20 a month and $2 a year at typical use (10 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Sound machines draw 1-5 W; a Hatch Rest or LectroFan running 10 hours a night is about 10 kWh a year.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.01 | 0.3¢ | $0.08 | $1 |
| 2 hours | 0.02 | 0.3¢ | $0.09 | $1 |
| 4 hours | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| 8 hours | 0.03 | 0.6¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| 12 hours | 0.04 | 0.8¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| 24 hours | 0.07 | 1.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
Cost to run a sound machine in every state
The same sound machine 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¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.10¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
How to cut the cost
- Set a timer instead of running all day.
- Turn off the night light when not needed.
- Use a lower volume; it reduces amplifier draw slightly and protects hearing.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Schedules the machine off during the day.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound machine | 3 | 10 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
| Night light | 1 | 12 hours a day | $0.03 | $0 |
| Baby monitor | 5 | 24 hours a day | $0.66 | $8 |
| Smart speaker | 3 | 24 hours a day | $0.39 | $5 |
| Breast pump | 10 | 1.5 hours a day | $0.08 | $1 |
| Kids ride-on car (Power Wheels) | 25 | 2 hours a day, 3 days a week | $0.12 | $1 |
| Baby bottle warmer | 400 | 30 minutes a day | $1.16 | $14 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a sound machine per hour?
A sound machine drawing 3 watts uses 0.00 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.05¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.04¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.1¢.
How much does it cost to run a sound machine per month?
At typical use (10 hours a day), a sound machine 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 a sound machine use?
Most sound machines use 1 to 10 watts. Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a sound machine use?
About 0.04 kWh a day and 14 kWh a year at typical use (10 hours a day).
Does a sound machine use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 14 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 a sound machine or a night light?
At typical use, a sound machine costs about $2 a year versus $0 for a night light. So the night light 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 a sound machine?
- Set a timer instead of running all day.
- Turn off the night light when not needed.
- Use a lower volume; it reduces amplifier draw slightly and protects hearing.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.