How much does it cost to run a streaming device?
A streaming device costs about 0.05¢ per hour, 0.8¢ a day, $0.24 a month and $3 a year at typical use (5 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Sticks draw 2-4 W while streaming; most stay at 1-3 W when 'off'. Even year-round they use under 25 kWh.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming stick | 3 | 0.05¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Streaming box (Roku Ultra / Apple TV) | 5 | 0.09¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.29 | $4 |
| Nvidia Shield | 10 | 0.2¢ | 1.4¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
At 5 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 | 0.7¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| 4 hours | 0.04 | 0.8¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| 8 hours | 0.05 | 0.9¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| 12 hours | 0.05 | 1.0¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| 24 hours | 0.07 | 1.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
Cost to run a streaming device in every state
The same streaming device costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $7 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¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.04¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.05¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.06¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.07¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.36 | $4 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.08¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.09¢ | $0.40 | $5 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.10¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.1¢ | $0.58 | $7 |
How to cut the cost
- Power the stick from the TV's USB port so it shuts off with the TV.
- Use a streaming stick instead of a game console for video; it uses about 20 times less power.
- Disable 'always on' ambient mode or screensavers that keep the box active.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Replaces 25-70 W cable boxes and consoles for most viewing.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming device | 3 | 5 hours a day | $0.24 | $3 |
| TV | 80 | 5 hours a day | $2.24 | $27 |
| Cable box / DVR | 25 | 24 hours a day | $3.29 | $39 |
| Smart speaker | 3 | 24 hours a day | $0.39 | $5 |
| Nintendo Switch | 13 | 2 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 25 | 2 hours a day | $0.33 | $4 |
| Soundbar | 30 | 5 hours a day | $1.13 | $14 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a streaming device per hour?
A streaming device 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 streaming device per month?
At typical use (5 hours a day), a streaming device costs about $0.24 a month and $3 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 streaming device use?
Most streaming devices use 2 to 15 watts, depending on the setting (streaming stick 3 W, streaming box (roku ultra / apple tv) 5 W, nvidia shield 10 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a streaming device use?
About 0.04 kWh a day and 16 kWh a year at typical use (5 hours a day).
Does a streaming device use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 16 kWh a year it's a small share (0.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a streaming device or a TV?
At typical use, a streaming device costs about $3 a year versus $27 for a TV. So the streaming device is cheaper by about $24 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a streaming device?
- Power the stick from the TV's USB port so it shuts off with the TV.
- Use a streaming stick instead of a game console for video; it uses about 20 times less power.
- Disable 'always on' ambient mode or screensavers that keep the box active.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.