How much does it cost to run a soundbar?
EIA data · June 2026About 78.1¢ a month at the U.S. average price of 18.34¢ per kilowatt-hour — but that figure moves a long way depending on where you live. Set your state below.
4.3 kWh a month at the U.S. average, 18.34¢/kWh for June 2026. Excludes fixed charges, taxes and time-of-use rates, which vary by utility and are on your bill.
Typical 15–150 W. Use the figure on your own label if you have it.
A soundbar sits mid-table at #73 of 88, which means something else in the house costs more. See whether electronics or something else drives your bill.
This figure covers the hours it is switched on. What it costs while you are not using it.
How many watts a soundbar uses
A domestic soundbar draws 20–50 W at normal listening volume. Systems with a powered subwoofer reach 100–150 W at high volume. Rated output power is not draw — a 300 W soundbar does not consume 300 W.
- Low
- 15 W
- Typical
- 35 W
- High
- 150 W
What it costs across the country
Same appliance, same usage, different electricity price. Annual cost at 35 W and the default usage above.
| State | ¢/kWh | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 52.72 | $26.94 |
| California | 34.74 | $17.75 |
| Massachusetts | 29.61 | $15.13 |
| New York | 29.49 | $15.07 |
| Ohio | 19.19 | $9.81 |
| Texas | 15.94 | $8.15 |
| Florida | 15.10 | $7.72 |
| Utah | 13.37 | $6.83 |
| Nebraska | 13.25 | $6.77 |
| Nevada | 13.11 | $6.70 |
Worth knowing
- Advertised power is peak acoustic output, typically several times the actual electrical draw at listening volume.
- Draw scales with volume: quiet dialogue uses a fraction of what a loud action scene does.
- Many soundbars idle at 5–15 W waiting for an HDMI signal, which over a year exceeds the listening itself.
Other appliances
Prices are statewide residential averages for June 2026 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. They exclude fixed monthly charges, taxes and time-of-use rates. See how these figures are calculated.